CERAMIC RESTORATION

Cinzia, ceramist

The ancient or modern ceramic restoration work begins with the finding of all the fragments, the assembly with appropriate adhesives and the plaster or resin integration of the missing parts, and the reconstruction of some parts if necessary. The final stage is the pictorial reparation, which will adapt the new parts to the original color of the original piece.

SENIGALLIA, An

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

STUCCO WILL BRING YOU LUCK!

PATRIZIA, artisan of gypsum

Are you ready for a journey among beauty? I'm going to take you in the fascinating world of stucco, a history as ancient as man. Imprints in mud can be considered as primordial molds. It all begins from the gypsum's dust that capable hands transform into artworks. With this you will prepare the mixture to be poured into molds that are made in the atelier. All the creative-productive process, in fact, is the result of research, experience and know-how accumulated over many years. Now have fun: wear Renaissance fashion aprons, use brushes, colors, soils, glues, shine with brass, silver, and gold leaves, paint with ancient lacquers, rub the beeswax, sign your work to make it unique! Believe it or not, it's suggestive and fascinating to create an object that brings good luck and wellness within our homes. During this workshop I will initially present to you my activity. After an introduction to the ancient art of stucco, we will go through the preparation of the dough base. Once we have done this, we will proceed with the pouring in the horn of plenty and pomegranates' molds. We'll then get ready for the leaf gilding. At this point we'll move to the leaf lightening of the relieves, before passing to the pictorial decoration and to the brush writing. Once we are done with these stages, we'll be ready for the painting, the coating and the final lacquering. At the end of the workshop I'll provide you with the object that you created, the booklet, the Diploma of Participation and the “weirdo license” of Gubbio. This envisages a really particular procedure to be carried out, exactly in front of my atelier!

GUBBIO, Pg

IN THE SIGN OF "FEDERICO"

Maria Josè, restorer

Do you want to learn the techniques of the XVI century knowledge? We'll show you and tell you our manual skills in restoration, in faithful reproduction of vintage furniture, in cabinetmaking, in painting and gilding. We'll re-experience emotions, the study, the passion in doing the faithful reproduction of the “Studiolo del Duca di Montefeltro”, of which the original is located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. We'll have lunch together in a typical restaurant of Gubbio. Later we'll go together to see the replica of the “Studiolo del Duca di Montefeltro”. We created it and now it is possible to see it in its original location, at the Doge's Palace in Gubbio. In this important context, you'll have the chance to admire other fine artifacts that we restored.

GUBBIO, Pg

THE PILGRIM’S NOTEBOOK

Lucia e Hans, bindery

The experience involves the creation of a notebook made of paper, leather, and string (of about 8x13cm in size). You may choose your favorite colored leather from the many in the bookbinding workshop. With Hans and Lucia’s guidance, you will be able to follow the different workshop phases, which include a medieval technique in the preparation of the paper sheets, which are sewn and bound directly onto the leather cover. This way, book cover and stitching make a single piece and the notebook will be ready in just a few steps. You may also personalize it with graphic or floral motifs, or with your initials, directly embossing the chosen decoration on the surface. Finally, a leather string around the notebook will help tie it shut.

VITERBO, Vt

CREATE YOUR RAKU JEWELRY

Cinzia, ceramist

The participants will learn to create in full autonomy small shapes of clay or gres, that after the drying time will be baked and sent by post (free in Italy). We will also have some pearls in various shapes for you to decorate that will be put in the oven right away and processed with the Raku pottery procedure, these you will be allowed to take home at the end of the day and will be ready to be made in to necklaces, earrings, broaches or anything you want. The Raku technique origins in Japan and it allows the glaze to dry in a shorter amount of time, creating a very particular pattern and iridescent colors. The pieces you create will be of great impact and most of all.....completely unique! The seminary starts at 10:00 and finishes at 18:00 and breaks briefly for lunch (which is included).

SENIGALLIA, An

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

CREATE YOUR NUGGET

Enrica, goldsmith workshop

In this workshop I will help you transform some old silver pieces into little nuggets. These can be turned into pendants or rings that could be personalized with your initials. A nice memory to bring back home. To make your nugget even more personalized, you can take some small pieces of broken jewels of yours. These will be tested, and later we can melt them through a gas torch. Then, by using a hammer, a file and sand paper we will shape them. This is just a little taste of the jeweler's job...

SARZANA, Sp

LAMPWORKING HANDS-ON WORKSHOP

Patrizia & Evelina, glass bead

Become a "perlera" for a day! In two hours Patrizia makes you experience the magic of Murano's glass lampworking, she tells you the story of Venetian beads and shows you some techniques. You will be then able to make your first bead that will be sent to your home very soon.

VENEZIA, Ve