Venice celebrates the tradition and future of Made in Italy with the Exhibition of Fine Italian Craftsmanship
Jewelry, sculptures, Murano glass, tailoring, writing instruments, pianos, umbrellas, footwear, hats, weaving, and leather goods: the second edition of the Exhibition of Fine Italian Craftsmanship, scheduled from October 3 to 6, brings together over 140 master artisans from all over Italy to celebrate the cultural heritage of savoir-faire, blending contemporary visions and sustainability.
With over 7,000 square meters of exhibition space, the ancient Tese of the Arsenale take us on a journey through centuries of craftsmanship, from traditional techniques to the most creative and new interpretations of Made in Italy.
Promoted by the City of Venice and organized by Vela Spa, during the four days of the exhibition, the event offers a vast program of activities, talks, events and over 70 live demonstrations, which will allow visitors to meet the creatives and observe the masters at work, discovering firsthand the talent that makes every creation unique.
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During the four days of the exhibition, a vast program of activities, talks, and events is also available
Performances, theatrical shows, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, games, and laboratories animate the Exhibition of Fine Italian Craftsmanship:
Souvenir, an exploration of artisanal memory
Saturday, October 5, 4 PM
Torre di Porta Nuova, Venice Arsenale
An event curated by Zelda Teatro in collaboration with the aiku research team and the Hephaestus Project.
Souvenir is a reflection on the evolution of the concept of the Souvenir, stemming from the artistic research project by aiku – Art Enterprise Culture, which examines the intergenerational transmission of artisanal knowledge and uses photography, performative storytelling, and interviews to share and enhance the knowledge and skills of Venetian artisans in the form of a multimedia narrative, created through a collaboration between social research, photography, and the performing arts.
The experimental outcome, premiered at the Exhibition of Fine Italian Craftsmanship, will be a photographic exhibition, displayed at Tesa 105 in the Arsenale, and a theatrical performance featuring monologues drawn from interviews with artisans, transformed into a theatrical script by Filippo Tognazzo.
Free participation. Register for the show
MUVE: The Art Crafts in dialogue with the youth
The Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia (MUVE) presents the exhibition The Art Crafts, a journey into the creativity of Italian decorative arts including Murano glass, ceramics, mosaics, and lace, at Tesa 113 of the Arsenale. The exhibition, a selection of works from the collections of the Murano Glass Museum, the Burano Lace Museum, and Palazzo Mocenigo, celebrates manual skill as a vehicle for transmitting the history and cultural traditions of our country, raising awareness among new generations about these values.
MUVE Academy presents The Art Crafts in dialogue with Schools
MUVE Academy is the advanced training and workshop program created by the Fondazione Musei Civici. For the Exhibition of Fine Italian Craftsmanship, Muve Academy organizes a series of meetings with students, artisans, and institutions of excellence to deepen the link between training and craftsmanship.
From Friday, October 4 to Sunday, October 6 at the Torre di Porta Nuova of the Arsenale; entry with the exhibition ticket.
- Friday, October 4, 4 PM – 5 PM
Glass, Murano with Abate Zanetti – Technological Technical Institute
Ceramics, Nove with the “G. De Fabris” Art High School
Illustration, Sarmede with the Štěpán Zavřel Foundation International Exhibition of Children’s Illustration
Art Crafts, Venice with MUVE Academy
- Saturday, October 5, 11 AM
Torre di Porta Nuova
Lace, Burano with Andriana Marcello Foundation
Lace, Chioggia with the Il Merletto Di Chioggia Association
Lace, Mestre with the Mestre Historical Studies Center, “Sacolà e… ciacola ad ago”
Lace, Pellestrina with the A.C.S. Murazzo, Pellestrina Lace Makers
Textiles, Venice with the M. Guggenheim State Art High School
- Sunday, October 6, 11 AM
Torre di Porta Nuova
Footwear, Capriccio di Vigonza with the Politecnico Calzaturiero S.C.P.A.
Mosaics, Spilimbergo with the Friuli Mosaic School
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to access the Civic Museums of Venice at a reduced rate by presenting their exhibition ticket.
Similarly, those visiting the museums can benefit from a discount on entry to the exhibition.
The Glass Bateo returns: Murano glass at the exhibition
It is called Glass Bateo; it is a floating art gallery and brings Murano glass to the Exhibition of Fine Italian Craftsmanship. Moored in front of Tesa 98, the meeting space created by the Consorzio Promovetro Murano presents over 50 works from 17 Murano companies to the public. Designed by architect Matteo Silverio of Rehub, the Glass Bateo debuted during Venice Glass Week 2024.
Deepening the role of contemporary craftsmanship
- Waterproof Venice (Tesa 66): The evolution of waterproof materials and water protection techniques in relation to the environment, in collaboration with the Venice World Sustainability Capital Foundation;
- The knowledge of Marco Polo (Torre di Porta Nuova): cultural influences between East and West across artisanal and gastronomic traditions.
- The spirit and color of matter (Tesa 92): materials as a source of artistic inspiration.
Discover the Made in Venice artisans
Laura Bernard, known by the stage name Snodi, works in her studio on Giudecca, where she creates handmade jewelry using macramé and loom weaving techniques. Her works are amulets, talismans, and holistic jewelry designed to resonate with the soul of the wearer. Each piece is crafted by masterfully intertwining fine yarns and ancient glass beads, making every creation a tangible expression of Venetian history.
Founded in 1994 by Annamaria and Tommaso, La Corte dei Miracoli creates Venetian masks entirely by hand, using papier-mâché and other traditional materials. Each mask is the result of precision work that revives ancient techniques with a strong innovative drive, stemming from personal experimentation and artistic collaborations. The workshop stands out for its attention to detail and fidelity to the Venetian carnival tradition, and each piece also tells a unique story linked to theatrical art.
Wood is at the heart of the production of Lunardelli Venezia, a design studio specialized in creating home furnishings and objects with an essential design in wood and glass. Each piece is born from a deep knowledge of materials and artisanal processing techniques, with a contemporary and creative outlook inspired by Venetian aesthetics and architecture.
Martina Vidal Venezia has brought Venetian lace into fashion and design. Her atelier in Burano produces high-quality lace for the most beautiful homes and yachts in the world. A partner in sustainable fashion projects presented at the Venice and Milan fashion weeks, Martina Vidal creates collections of clothing, sleepwear, lingerie, and personal accessories with fine embroidery, appliqués, and quality fabrics.
The brand Ramosalso by Demis Marin has made a name for itself on the Venetian scene thanks to its pioneering approach to upcycling. Demis transforms vintage items, such as silk ties, into original accessories and garments using tailoring techniques and creativity. His atelier at Rialto has become a reference point for those seeking sustainable fashion, where each piece is unique and tells a story of creative reuse.
The Tabarrificio Veneto is one of the most important tailoring workshops for the tabarro (cloak). The tabarro first appeared in ancient Rome and over the centuries has seen various styles, colors, and fabrics, while always remaining faithful to its distinguishing features: raw-cut cloth, a single seam, and a collar. Sandro Zara is the Venetian entrepreneur who reintroduced the tabarro to the fashion system audience in the 1970s at Pitti Uomo.
In her artisan workshop under the Procuratie Vecchie in St. Mark’s Square, Valeria Boncompagni crafts her jewelry using the ancient lost-wax technique, which allows her to model each piece with great precision, creating rings, pendants, and brooches—micro-sculptures made with precious metals and inlays of semi-precious stones, corals, and other natural materials.
The young and promising Veronica Paier was one of the four scholarship recipients of the first edition of the Mano a Mano project, an initiative to train new talents in Venetian craftsmanship supported by the Fondazione The Place of Wonders in collaboration with Venezia da Vivere and the Londra Palace Venezia hotel. The training project allowed her to specialize in the traditional lampworking technique by collaborating with Venetian masters and to develop new ideas for creating unique Murano glass objects.
Vianello Pavimenti is a company of master craftsmen in Venetian terrazzo flooring, a tradition with approximately 500 years of history. Each floor is custom-made and combines marble fragments with special binders to create artistic surfaces that adorn palaces and residences. The Vianello family continues to use ancient techniques, resulting in floors that are sustainable and durable works of art.
The artisanal excellence of Made in Italy
Some of the excellences at the 2024 edition of the Exhibition of Fine Italian Craftsmanship:
The Lombard company Pasotti Ombrelli (located in Tesa 99) is a global leader for its artisanal umbrellas, characterized by fine materials such as enameled brass, Swarovski crystals, and rare wood handles. Founded in Castellucchio, in the province of Mantua, the company has been hand-producing this style icon for nearly 70 years.
De Rosa (located in Tesa 99) is a major player in the racing bicycle sector, with over 70 years of excellence in cycling. Founded in 1953 in Milan by Ugo De Rosa, the company distinguished itself in the 1960s and 70s by supplying bicycles to professional teams. Even today, De Rosa bicycles are synonymous with quality and performance, representing a constant evolution in the world of two wheels.
Albore Design (located in Nappa 90) is a young sustainable company that stands out for its use of 3D printing in the creation of lamps and light design objects. Thanks to FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) technology, Albore reduces waste by 90% compared to traditional methods, using exclusively materials from natural resources that are completely biodegradable.
From Piedmont comes Artèpura (Nappa 90), a workshop that transforms walls and surfaces into works of art, working with natural leather and various materials using artisanal techniques. Heir to the tradition of Pasini Pier Maurizio srl, active since 1960, Artèpura is distinguished by its collaborations with major names in fashion.
Abruzzo is represented by Giuliano Montaldi (Nappa 91), a goldsmith who draws inspiration from the long tradition of Abruzzese jewelry-making dating back to the 13th century, reinterpreting the symbols of his land in a contemporary key.
From Emilia Romagna, the stove-maker Cerio Bartolomeo (Nappa 89) brings the art of handmade stoves and fireplaces to Venice: such as majolica stoves and wood-burning kitchens, keeping alive ancient construction techniques that represent a perfect blend of art and functionality.
Lazio participates with Baldacchini Hat (Tesa 99), which reinterprets the hat as a dynamic and transformable accessory. With a simple gesture, Baldacchini hats can change shape and style, making them a versatile garment for those seeking originality in their outfit.
Designer Giulia Sorvillo di Serino (Tesa 98) specializes in jewelry and accessories made with freshwater pearls and semi-precious stones. She will represent Lazio with her eco-sustainable creations.
From Tuscany, Gli Aminti (Nappa 90), a historic company from San Gimignano founded in 1949, continues to create leather goods entirely handmade using traditional techniques.
Since the 1930s, Spini Interni (Tesa 99) has been a company specialized in wood carving: one of the last testimonies of the art of woodworking in Tuscany, capable of creating true works of furniture.
From Puglia, young designers Pamela Campagna and Sabrina Formica of Fiber and Brass (Tesa 99) present their jewelry that combines industrial metals and delicate textile work in a perfect harmony between design and craftsmanship.
From Sardinia, the colorful rugs by Eugenia Pinna (Nappa 89) represent one of the most innovative examples of the renewal of Sardinian textile tradition: each rug is the result of deep technical knowledge and a contemporary vision that enhances design without compromising tradition.
Exhibition of Fine Italian Craftsmanship 2024
Venice Arsenale, from October 3 to 6
Open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM (last entry at 6:30 PM).
Saturday, October 5, from 10 AM to 8 PM (last entry at 7 PM).
The Exhibition of Fine Italian Craftsmanship is promoted by the City of Venice and organized by Vela Spa as part of the project Venice and its lagoon: management and enhancement of tourist flows, funded by the Ministry of Tourism for the enhancement of municipalities with a tourist-cultural vocation in whose territories UNESCO World Heritage sites are located.
Institutional partners: Veneto Region, Venice and Rovigo Chamber of Commerce, Venice World Sustainability Capital Foundation, CNA Venezia, Confartigianato, Fondazione Musei Civici Venezia, as well as Venis, AVM Spa, and Veritas.
Partners: Intesa San Paolo and American Express.
Technical partners: Artemest and Henoto.
Info and tickets: www.saloneartigianato.venezia.it
Article by Lucia Pecoraro and Laura Scarpa. Photos by the City of Venice.
The photo of Ramosalso is by Marta Formentello and that of Lunardelli Venezia is by Igor Serdyukov.
