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

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

CREATE YOUR OWN STAMP

Anita, engraver

The creation of your own stamp begins with the definition of a logo. After that we'll etch on lino or wood the chosen drawing. In the first part of the workshop, in the morning, we'll define the drawing and we'll start the etching. In the afternoon we'll conclude the definition of the stamp. Later we'll do some printing trials on different types of papers, handmade papers, card-boards, fabrics and plastic materials. Each participant will bring home his own stamp to be used on his own letterhead, on letters and envelopes!

VENEZIA, Ve

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

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

LEATHER CLASS

Giuseppe, leather craftsman

During this experience you'll be able to create 4 small leather or fabric goods, such as frames for your photos or a hard cover for your personal planner. You can choose the type and color of material to work with and, under our guidance, you will learn all the steps for the realization of the products that you will bring home as a memory of the experience. The workshop will end up with a dinner based on pizza, cooked in a wood oven at the craftsman's house.

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

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

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