CLAY AND NATURE IN POSITANO

Elisabetta, sculptress

Immersed in the luxuriant and wild nature that this territory still offers in abundance. Along the hills cordillera of the Peninsula, going down towards the breath-taking coasts. There where at sunrise and sunset you can spot dolphins jumping through the waves. Among so much beauty, we'll find the inspiration, in its harmonious geometries and in the perfume of its colors. We'll create objects by using clay gathered exactly in these places. We'll immerse ourselves in moments where the nature will create with us, filling ourselves with its most luxuriant expression. We'll shape our precious artworks in an upland in front of a 360° view. We'll decorate by observing the geometry of a leaf or using the streaked surface of a shell found on the cliffs. Listening the symphony of the breeze among the branches in a little clearing. In the evening we'll fire our objects relaxing ourselves around the fire. This creative path will occur at the “Rifugio La Selva” in Positano. It's an evocative place with the slopes of Montepertuso behind his back. The perfect location for this workshop that will accompany us for a full day.

POSITANO, Sa

BUCCHERO, THE BLACK TERRACOTTA

Gaetano, artisan of bucchero

The day will begin with a brief presentation of our atelier and an introduction to the main working techniques of pottery. In particular we'll focus on the Bucchero. At this point we'll be ready to put into practice that described, but first we'll have to familiarize with the tools. We'll then wear an apron and we'll clean the object with sandpaper and steel wool until we removed all the scratches of turning. Once we completed these operations, we'll polish the surface rubbing it with boxwood sticks. After that we'll engrave it by choosing a decorative technique between freehand drawing and pouncing. To complete the product we just have to fill the etchings with gold and platinum by using small brushes. We'll eat local products without cutlery, just with our hands. You'll then try the "crescia" which is a particular non-rised bread with the round shape that is cooked on carbon. It can be combined with cheeses, cured meats, cooked vegetables or sausages. After having signed the piece, we'll have to wait it to be dried out, and only then we can fire it. This will be done at a later stage in the open countryside. It is so since the process requires the use of coal with the resulting formation of black powder, moreover it has to be done when you have many pieces to be put within the furnace. Finished the firing, that consists in reaching about 900° C. in ten hours, and the consecutive cooling in 48 hours, we'll send the object to you at no extra costs everywhere in Italy. The day will end in the most beautiful square of Gubbio, in front of the “Palazzo dei Consoli”. We will get there by means of a neighboring elevator to the meeting place and we'll talk, sipping an aperitif, of medieval architecture, of the size and shape of the Palace resulting from the application of symbolic relationships related to esoteric numerology.

GUBBIO, Pg

YOUR BESPOKE JUTE HAT

Carlotta, milliner

To open the doors of a workshop means to unveil the most intimate secrets of a craftsman. A small world in which ideas are shaped by the most valuable tool that we have, our hands. And this will be our starting point. Through a tactile experience we will understand how to identify the key features of different fabrics. In particular we will analyze the potential of jute, a natural fiber, 100% biodegradable and recyclable, lightweight, durable and very malleable. Together we will explore this amazing malleability and we will discover how to create a unique and precious object with a material which is considered "poor". Every participant will challenge his creativity producing a bespoke hat. Starting with an off-cut of jute you can choose to work with a base-made pattern or to adopt a fully-manual technique like the Moulage. Both methods will be explained and shown during the workshop. The experience will last the whole day, from the morning until the afternoon. Timing are flexible, I will do what I can to meet your personal needs and requests. A buffet - lunch is scheduled on the fresh porch facing a wide garden.

VERBANIA, Vb

MURALES | WORKSHOP & APERITIVO

Monica, pottery designer and maker

Obiettivo del corso sarà la pittura a calce viva con pigmenti naturali di un vaso in calcestruzzo romano. L’artista Monica Bispo rende attuale l’antica tecnica di costruzione romana applicandola a vasi che non hanno bisogno di essere cotti. Ogni partecipante riceverà una pianta da inserire nel vaso creato.

CARPENEDOLO, Bs

YOUR WOODEN INLAYED FLOWER

Renato, inlayer

During this 4-hour workshop I will show you the various wooden inlay techniques: fretwork, "buio", "toppo", the perspective inlay and the boulle technique. In particular, the fretwork technique will be studied in depth with demonstrations of the various processing phases, up to the final polishing. Afterwards, we'll try an easy workshop, where you'll learn the use of the fretworked arch, and I'll show you how to create three small inlays with floral motifs which will also be sandblasted. Three wooden flowers made by your hands, that you'll bring home as a perfect souvenir of this experience and that can be used as a bookmark.

FIRENZE, Fi

INSIDE THE LUTHIER LAB

Eugenio Lorenzo, luthier

People that come to visit me in my world find measurements, cuts and sounds. I like to explain my job and tell people why I do it. By spending a couple of hours with me, you'll be able to discover how a guitar is crafted starting from a piece of wood, in a journey through many sensorial experiences: different wood smells, weights, colours or textures. Being a job that's strongly connected to this land, you will see how a joiner's shop works, and during your visit, you will have a chance to see a musician try a brand new instrument, learn how wood is bent or how the guitar neck is sculpted. My job is not made out of secrets, but instead its main ingredient is experienced dexterity. Discover it by yourself!

COSENZA, Cs

THE CERAMIST'S LAB

Elisa, ceramist

In my workshop you will learn how to shape the clay by using different techniques. From the coil building to slab, everything can be created. From sculptures to tea set, it is all possible. Most of all though, you will laugh and relax yourself! For this visit I will welcome you in my workshop for a demonstration of lathe machining and other ceramic processing techniques, including creation and manufacture of enamels. I will generally talk about the process that leads clay to become ceramic, from the mountains to our tables.

COMO, Co

TEATIME WITH THE ARTISAN

Giorgia, porcelain

Visit to the laboratory (small!), chat about porcelain, a good tea served in my cups, sitting in the garden looking at the lake.

PERGINE VALSUGANA, Tn

GLASS FUSION IN THE NATURE

Maya & Denis, glazier

Our lab is located in a small town in the heart of the Belluno’s Dolomites. Here, lost in the green and inspired every day by nature, we give life and shape to our ideas. With this hands-on workshop we want to share our skills and knowledge and we want to give the opportunity to anyone who is interested in discovering the world of glass’ art; specifically, you will make an artifact in glass fusion of approximately 15cm x 15cm that can be used as a decorative addition to your home. The object, after a 24 hours cooking time in the oven, will be sent to your address or you can take it directly in our laboratory in the days after the experience. The costs of packaging are included in the price of the hands-on workshop.

LIMANA, Bl