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

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

FULL COLOR GLASS MELTING

Chiara, glazier

Nearby the historic center of Brescia, in the area of Isolabella, is located my atelier of glass melting. It is closed to the historic “Borgo Trento”, that has always been characterized by the presence of artisan's ateliers. Here, immersed in colors and in a northern style environment, I create my projects. With this workshop I want to share my passion and knowledge for this amazing material. Everyone can get close to the world of artistic glass. In particular I'll make available some simple drawings and all the material that is needed to create an object through the plain glass melting technique. It will have dimensions of (25*25)cm, and it could be used as a tile or as an everyday object furniture. I'll take care of the shipping since the object needs a cooking and bending process of at least 36 hours. Otherwise it will be possible to collect it at the atelier by appointment during the next few days the cooking. Shipping costs are included in the price of the workshop.

BRESCIA, Bs

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

YOUR SPECIAL MOSAIC

Matteo, mosaic maker

What better than your name can identify you? Decorate with a mosaic the initial of your name or of the person you want to give it to. Imagine the letter of your name with a mosaic part in it. You can use it to furnish an old dresser, a shelf, or any other place to bring your personality. In fact in this workshop you can decide the decoration and the color of the tiles. These will be used to fill up with a mosaic the etched space in the wooden letter. Later I'll show you how the marbles, stone-paste and gold leaf tiles are cut. We'll see how to lay the glue down and how to position the tiles to create the decoration of your personal letter. Of course, once the object will be finished, you can bring it back home with you. The only things I ask you is to tell me the chosen letter, so that you can find it ready to be decorated. Moreover you can choose between the blue or dove-grey color to paint the letter yourself. The workshop will last about 2/2.5 hours.

PARABITA, Le

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

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

INSIDE - FOOD ART

Monica, pottery designer and maker

The technique envisages the creation of clay's plates where to stamp fruit's tracks, to shape texture and low relieves. The concept of the “montessoriana” mold, is to show to the children “how to do to do”. This is done simply giving tools and technical information. The goal is to let them create through examining, rather than just do. Food art is reproduction by means of real tracks. All the techniques will be adopted gradually. In this way children will have the chance to create and decorate their own objects. The plate will be cooked during the night, and could be taken and painted the afternoon after. We will use natural non-toxic colors.

CARPENEDOLO, Bs

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