The 2021 Open Ateliers guide for the Dorsoduro district
Researchers, enthusiasts, and students from around the world focus their efforts and research in the Dorsoduro district, home to Venice’s most important and historic universities, beloved bookstores, and craft and design workshops.
In Dorsoduro you can find printing and graphic workshops, independent bookstores and used books, lampworking glass studios, and design studios.
A meeting point for art ranging from fourteenth- to eighteenth-century Venetian and Veneto painting visible in the works displayed at the Gallerie dell’Accademia, modern art at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and contemporary art at Punta della Dogana of the Pinault Foundation.
Book your atelier appointment by writing or calling the artisans directly.
The ateliers of Dorsoduro
- Unisve
Unione Stuccatori Veneziani, Dorsoduro 3077
A group of artisans, disciples of Master stucco artist Mario Fogliata, who since 2001 have sustained and kept alive the traditional Venetian technique of restoration and conservation of architectural surfaces, decorations, and renovations of historic buildings.
Visiting the center requires mandatory reservation by writing to info@unisve.it or calling 041 5225023. You must present a Green Pass or valid documentation of a negative test result performed within 48 hours. Unisve is also on Instagram, where you can discover their work and various ongoing initiatives.
- Kanz Architetti
Architecture and design studio, Dorsoduro 1621/A
On Calle Lunga San Barnaba, you can meet Antonella Maione and Mauro Cazzaro, who in 2014 founded the multidisciplinary design studio KANZ Architetti. Their creativity ranges from design to restoration of residential architecture, commercial interior design, temporary exhibition design, and product design. To meet them at work, contact them via email at info@kanzarchitetti.com, call them to schedule an appointment at 348 2597627, or discover more on their Instagram account.
- Small Caps
Dorsoduro 1610
Since 2012, graphic designers and printers Paolo Roggero and Federico Arzenton have focused on visual communication, combining digital and artisanal techniques. This has given rise to a true passion for paper and the use of typefaces, creating screen-printed and hand-printed artist posters.
Book your visit by calling 340 6461841 or 339 5326700, or via email at hola@smallcaps.it
- Perlamadre Design
Lampworked glass beads, Calle del fabro 3282, Dorsoduro
Every bead is a story, glass is an emotion, and each piece of jewelry by Simona Iacovazzi interprets the past and transforms it into the present. A workshop created to produce unique pieces in the Made in Italy concept, paying homage to the ancient art of lampworking Murano glass beads. For a day you can become a “perlera”: the pleasure of rediscovering the role of the artisan and local design, experiencing firsthand the history of Venetian beads and learning some of the most famous and ancient artisan techniques in the world, as well as UNESCO intangible heritage since 2020.
Discover the jewelry with the designer by calling 340 8449112 or writing an email to pmd@perlamadredesign.com. The collection and latest offerings are on Instagram.
- Edmond à Venise
Concept store, Palazzo Contarini Polignac 871, Dorsoduro
For Open Ateliers, Edmond à Venise on October 24, 2021 at 6:30 PM presents the collection of silk and cashmere scarves inspired by the façade of Palazzo Contarini Polignac, created by Florentine architect and fashion designer Ri.Co. of the brand Immuro. Contact edmondavenise@yahoo.com or call 041 5232939 to be guided into the world of Edmond à Venise, the new concept store at the entrance of the sixteenth-century Palazzo Contarini-Polignac in Venice. Find everything on Instagram.
- Hélène Kuhn Ferruzzi
The painter in the gallery, Dorsoduro 727
Hélène Kuhn Ferruzzi, or simply Hélène, is a painter of garments. Her boutique, steps away from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, exhibits and sells. Her shop is more of an art gallery, where the color and silks of her unique pieces envelop you in dynamic emotion.
For a conversation with the painter-designer, call 041 5237605 or 333 9337176, or write her an email at heleneferruzzi@gmail.com or contact her directly on Instagram.
- Marisa Convento
The impiraressa is at Bottega Cini, Dorsoduro 734
In the eclectic space for arts and crafts at Bottega Cini, Venetian impiraressa Marisa Convento creates jewelry, representing the indomitable perseverance of a true creative artisan. Meet Marisa, who will tell you the story of the world’s most ancient beads and the art of Murano glass beads, now UNESCO intangible heritage.
Announce your visit at 370 3622439 or via email at info@marisaconvento.it. Discover her latest projects on her Instagram account.
- Ambasciata Seguso
Art Glass since 1397, Dorsoduro 723
Dedicated to the Venetian artistic and artisanal tradition of the Art of Glass, for more than six hundred years the Seguso family company has created some of the most spectacular and appreciated glass artworks in the world. Iconic are the spherical lamps at the entrance of the Casino Palace at the Venice Lido, which adorn the passage of VIPs and international celebrities on the red carpet of the Film Festival. Important recognitions include, most recently three years ago, the Honorable Mention at the XXV Compasso d’Oro, the ADI award recognized as the Nobel Prize of design, established in 1954 from an idea by Gio Ponti. A recognition that had been missing from the island since 1991.
Book a visit to the Dorsoduro space by calling 041 5225628 or writing an email to veneziadd723@seguso.com. You can discover more by following their Instagram account.
Bookstores in Dorsoduro
- Libreria La Toletta and SpazioEventi
Dorsoduro 1214 and Dorsoduro 1134 on Fondamenta de Borgo, at the Eremite
La Toletta is a historic bookstore in Venice, established in 1933 in the Dorsoduro area. Alongside new releases and bestsellers, you will find thousands of books from important publishing houses such as Einaudi, Adelphi, Laterza, Mondadori, or more niche publishers like Longanesi, SE, Abscondita, Marsilio, and many others.
SpazioEventi is the cultural project of Giovanni Pelizzato, owner of the bookstore, which in its new location benefits from the artistic direction of Venetian photographer Michele Alassio. The exhibition program focuses on contemporary photography and graphics, with particular attention to international collaboration among the most renowned photographers on the world scene alongside emerging talents from Venice Photo Prize.
For information, call 041 5232034 or write an email to info@libreriatoletta.it. News and offerings at the bookstore on Instagram.
For updates on events in the exhibition space, the email is info@tolettaeventi.com.
- Libreria MarcoPolo and USATA
Dorsoduro 2899 and 2915
MarcoPolo and USATA are two independent bookstores in Campo Santa Margherita in Venice: one for new books and one (recently opened) for used books. At MarcoPolo you will find a wide selection of independent publishing books with an entire section dedicated to illustrated books for children and adults.
USATA is the new entry dedicated to used books, also in English, out-of-print, vintage, or collectible. Their founders are three friends: Flavio, Sabina, and Claudio, whom you can meet and ask for reading recommendations by booking an appointment at 041 8224843, via email at books@libreriamarcopolo.com, or with a direct message on their Instagram account.
The ecosystem of creativity
Atelier Aperti is an initiative to promote Venetian craftsmanship. It is a project by Venezia da Vivere, like Venice Fashion Week, the event that promotes Venice as a center of production and creativity, presenting fashion in Venice with runway shows and events.
The next edition of Atelier Aperti is from April 12 to 30, 2022, as part of the Homo Faber program.
Would you like to be part of Atelier Aperti? Contact us via email at hello@veneziadavivere.com.
The photos are by Marta Formentello and Laura Scarpa for Venezia da Vivere.
We thank Edmond à Venise and Libreria MarcoPolo for the photographs.
