CHISELING EXPERIENCE

Francesco, puppets maker

The art of chiselling is one of the oldest decorative and goldsmith techniques in history still used today for the artisan production of various artifacts, from goldsmiths to ecclesiastical ones. It consists in the embossing of metals with the aid of two simple tools: hammer and chisels (chisels) on a pitch support. The student will be followed and enabled to know the properties of the material and the tools to work it, in order to be able to perform the exercise independently under the guidance of the teacher. During the course it will be possible to dedicate oneself to the creation of a necklace, or pendant, to be made through the use of the chisel technique, seeking texture or decorative effects to be interpreted and reproduced on the brass plate. The object created will remain as a reminder of the experience.

PALERMO, Pa

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

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

WOOD RESTORATION AND ASSEMBLY

Luigi, woodcarver-designer

This full day in the workshop will let you restore a wooden artifact in order to realize a piece of art or a piece of furniture. The experience will start with a tour in the showroom where you might find some kind of inspiration (hopefully!). We will talk about a theme to choose and we will understand, through some sketches, how to translate it in an artifact. We will then discuss about different techniques you can adopt to realize your object. The assembly work can be realized through different techniques too, such as inlay work, intaglio carving, mosaic, texture and juncture of pieces. We will have a lunch break during which you will taste some traditional food and, for those who are willing to, it will be possible to have a tour of Calitri. If you want to restore and give new life to an object, bring it with you, we will find a way to let it live again! Obviously every participant will bring home his own artifact as special souvenir of the apprentice for a day experience.

CALITRI, Av

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

THE WOOD: TECHNIQUES AND DESIGN

Giacomo, ebony joiner

The experience consists in taking direcly part in a workshop of cabinetmaking and design. Visitors can try out tools and traditional techniques. It will address the design, planning and execution. There will be practical experiences as the realization of an interlocking or the squaring of pieces with hand instruments. The workshop continues in the afternoon and a wonderful lunch will be cooked and eaten in the laboratory!

VITERBO, Vt

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

DISCOVER THE WORLD OF LEATHER

Stefano, leather craftsman

The experience will last a whole day and will take place in the woods of the Tuscan hills. Here you can immerse yourself in my world, starting with a visit to the laboratory and continuing with the realization of a simple object of your choice, such as a belt. We will talk about all the stages od production, from dyeing to cutting, from hand-stitching to finishing wax. You will be my guest for lunch, so that you will see that leather is not my only passion! If time and weather will allow that, you can complete the day with a nice walk enjoying a breathtaking view.

VICCHIO, Fi

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