YOUR FIRST JAPANESE PRINT

Mara, engraver

Become a carver and printer for a day and create your first Japanese woodblock print. An afternoon to be introduced to the wonders of this ancient printing technique that does not require the use of solvents or acids. After a brief introduction where you will have the chance to admire some original vintage woodblocks and some original Ukiyo-e prints; I will explain you the steps to create your first print. At this point you can work at your own design, or you can let yourself inspire by the many books in the studio. Carve and print your first simple printing with two wooden matrices and then print more copies of them on Japanese paper.

AVIGLIANA, To

RAKU POTTERY, FROM CREATION TO FIRING

Andrea, ceramist

The workshop is divided in two stages. The first envisages the creation of two objects (a dish and a vase) by using manual techniques and various molds. This experience will take place in the atelier of Verona, located within the shop. (it will last about 4 hours). The second stage instead, will be at the atelier of the Raku's furnace. It is in an open space close to Verona. It envisages the coloring and the firing of the objects. (it will last about 4 hours). Total hours expected for the workshop are 8. For the biscuit to be available, you have to wait at least two days. That is why we'll agree upon a the date of the second stage of the experience.

VERONA, Vr

SCAGLIOLA, BETWEEN ILLUSION AND REALITY

Elisabetta & Alessandro, scagliola

We will tell you about the history and the state of art of this ancient, and somehow "lost" craft, showing you some secrets and some stylistic and technical aspects. Starting from a "simple mineral dust", with a practical exhibition we will took you back in time, when the ability and skills of the craftsman began with the preparation of the tools, the sketches and the color pigments. The realized artwork remains yours. Finally we will discuss together about the most important existing collection, with the practical support of some antique pieces, dating from the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, collected with great passion by our family.

PONTASSIEVE, Fi

CARVING THE PIETRA SERENA

Andrea, stone worker

We offer a guided tour within our lab. We want to give you the chance to get to know the main steps that allow us to create pavings, benches and gates starting from a piece of stone. At the end of the visit one of our stone-cutters, will help you carving your name and/or surname on a piece of Pietra Serena. You will have your special souvenir then, so that you will remember of our meeting.

LASTRA A SIGNA, Fi

MARBLE AND STONE TAKE SHAPE

Luca, sculptor

This experience in my workshop will last a few hours, during which I will support you in the creation of an artifact carved in stone, with hammer and chisel in your hand and you will experience the thrill of giving birth to a piece of work just with your creativity and your manual skills. At the end of the workshop you will bring home your own creation.

GUBBIO, Pg

YOUR HAND-SEWN BOOK

Paola, bookbinder and restorer

This experience is for those who want to take a trip inside the magic world of bookbinding. You will discover the whole lab, the machineries and the working tools, but most of all I will tell you how they work and how a book is made. After this tour we will put our aprons on and start working in order to create your own hand-sewn book. You will decide how to make your book cover by choosing the material and I will teach you how to create a book only with needle and thread so that you’ll be able to do that. We will create together the structure of the book and the cover that can be personalized even with a golden engraving (yes, I will also show you how hot foil stamping is made!) The final work will then be a unique book to bring home with you as a keepsake of our experience together.

TORINO, To

FIRST STEPS TOWARD MINIATURE

Anna, miniature and typography

In the wake of ancient amanuensis, the gestures of calligraphers and miniaturists are living again. In the XIII century they gave life to flourishing and eminent “Scriptorum” in Gubbio. It stands out the figure of Oderisi, narrated by Dante in The Divine Comedy, XI Canto of Purgatory: “non se tu Oderisi, l'onor d'Agobbio e l'onor di quell'arte ch'alluminar chiamata è in Parisi?”. A fascinating art, made of pigments and gold leaves, goose feathers and nibs, inks and a lot of patience and knowledge. The final result though, is unique, and what you bring back home with you is such a precious and original object.

GUBBIO, Pg

RAKU BENEATH THE STARS

Giuliano e Claudio, ceramist

The experience is full day one, from 1 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.. At the beginning we'll spend about 4 hours at the “Laboratorio Artistico”, our atelier. There will be a brief introduction on Raku technique. Later each participant will glaze 2 or 3 pieces freely chosen among a wide range at the atelier (vases, dishes, sculptures). After the glazing we'll move in the hills, at about 20-minute drive from the atelier, where we'll fire the artworks. Raku technique in fact envisages a second firing, open-flames almost 1000°, at which will follow the extraction of the pieces, still incandescent. Moreover we'll do a number of operations, with water, air, smoke, that will confer to the pieces unique colors and shades. During the firing, that will last about 3 hours and that will happen during sunset/evening, we'll offer to the participants a happy hour/dinner. The end of the experience is expected to be at about 10.30 p.m.. You can then bring home with you your creations.

REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, Re

POTTERY DECORATION

Agata, ceramist

The experience begins with a guided tour around our factory. There you will be introduced to all the phases that are necessary for the creation of our products. In addition we will give you a brochure. There you could find all the information that have been explained to you during the visit. Decoration. In this workshop you will decorate an object in terracotta. We will choose it together. The first step is to glaze it. The second step is to decorate it. We will decide which decorative technique to use among: free-hand drawing, pouncing or by stencil. You could decorate one or more pieces. To complete them, they will be cooked for 48 hours. We will ship them to you once they are ready. (Free shipping only within Italy).

CALTAGIRONE, Ct