New Scholarships and Projects for the Second Edition of Mano a Mano in Venice: The Wonder Family Grows
Venice is the city of fine craftsmanship with Mano a Mano, the Venetian project of the The Place of Wonders Foundation. The corporate social responsibility initiative of the Italian luxury hotel brand The Hospitality Experience confirms the second edition of Mano a Mano for the 2024/2025 year, featuring 2 new calls for applications and 5 new Wonders—the master artisans—to continue safeguarding and promoting Venetian fine craftsmanship.
Serving as local ambassadors for the project are the Londra Palace Venezia—the iconic hotel in the Babini Family collection overlooking Riva degli Schiavoni—and Venezia da Vivere—partner in the selection of artisans and curation of the Capsule Collection.
New Scholarships and Protected Arts
For the 2024/2025 academic year, The Place of Wonders Foundation—under the direction of Michela Canzi Blanc—is providing 6 new scholarships fully covering the costs of new professional training courses. These are dedicated to the training of young students, ensuring access to the ancient techniques and expertise of Venetian master artisans to preserve and pass on the precious local heritage.
Of these scholarships, 4 are once again dedicated to the Art of Glass Beads, declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2020. This is led by Alessia Fuga—glass bead artist, designer, and teacher of lampworking techniques—and Marisa Convento—an artist renowned for her Murano bead creations and one of the last Impiraresse (bead stringers). For the second consecutive year, this professional course, totaling 220 hours, includes theoretical and practical lessons in the workshop on ancient lampworking, in-depth studies of the cultural heritage of this tradition, a marketing module dedicated to promotion, and an introduction to the professional world.
For the second edition of Mano a Mano, the Foundation is also committed to supporting the Art of Burano Lace — an artisanal tradition born on the lagoon island dating back to the 16th century, which reproduces precious Venetian embroidery using the needle lace technique. Martina Vidal—in the role of new Wonder—and the Master Lacemakers are entrusted with the task of training two new lacemakers. This will take place at the Palazzo dei Pittori in Burano, in the historic Vidal family atelier, for a total of 120 hours.
Link to Scholarships
The New Wonders
Thanks to the Foundation’s constant research, 5 new master artisans are joining Mano a Mano, contributing to the promotion and safeguarding of their art and Venetian heritage: Lunardelli Venezia—a reference point in the Lagoon for woodworking since 1967; Arzanart—an artistic workshop creating handcrafted marbled paper using the traditional Venetian technique dating back to the 17th century; Saverio Pastor—one of the last master remèri (oar makers), dedicated to the handcrafted creation of Venetian oarlocks (forcole) and oars; Giuliana Longo—heir to the Longo Family, who since 1901 has been making traditional gondolier hats and bespoke creations; Martina Vidal—who reinterprets the Burano lace tradition with a modern flair.
These new examples of artisanal excellence join the Wonders of the first edition – Fonderia Valese, Tessitura Luigi Bevilacqua, Ramosalso and Meracu – testifying to the incredible variety and richness of the artisanal crafts still active in the Venice area.
“With the second edition of the “Mano a Mano” project, we renew our commitment to valuing craftsmanship as the beating heart of Italian culture and identity. This journey is possible thanks to the collaboration with visionary organizations and artisans who share our desire to pass on ancient knowledge to new generations. The art of glass beads and Burano lace are just some of the wonders of Venetian history: we will continue to invest to make other traditions shine that deserve to be handed down and celebrated,” states Michela Canzi Blanc, Director of The Place of Wonders Foundation.
To support the donations that fund the training paths, the Foundation commissioned the 5 new Wonders to create the second edition of the Mano a Mano Capsule Collection—5 limited edition artifacts, available from March 2024 at the Relais & Châteaux Londra Palace Venezia. The hotel serves as an outpost of Venetian heritage and a link between the international conscious travellers staying at the hotel and the social and cultural fabric of the city, thanks to General Manager Alain Bullo, an ambassador of fine hospitality and local culture.
THE WONDERS
Arzanart is the Venetian artistic workshop that creates handcrafted marbled paper using the traditional marbling technique. Founded by Federico and Isabella, the company is located in the heart of Venice, in the Castello district, and with passion and unique techniques, creates sheets of marbled paper that are always different and unique.
Saverio Pastor is one of the few remaining master remèri in Venice, dedicated to the handcrafted creation of Venetian oarlocks (forcole) and oars. The forcole, masterfully carved from solid blocks of wood, are the characteristic oarlocks that allow for Venetian-style rowing, a unique technique developed for the narrow canals of Venice.
The workshop of Giuliana Longo, active since 1901, has been managed for generations by the Longo family and holds the title of Historic Venue of the Veneto Region. In this workshop, Giuliana creates high-quality handmade hats, ranging from classic Panama hats to traditional gondolier hats and more innovative, personalized models. The historic shop is located in Calle del Lovo, near the Rialto Bridge.
Martina Vidal Venezia is an atelier producing home linens and accessories in Burano lace, a tradition the company has carried forward for four generations. Located on the island of Burano in the historic Palazzo dei Pittori, the atelier is a reference point for lovers of Venetian craftsmanship and Made in Italy quality. Founded by Martina Vidal and her brother Sergio, the brand stands out for its modern reinterpretation of the lace tradition.
Lunardelli Venezia was born from the experience of the historic Lunardelli company, founded in 1967 and specialized in bespoke carpentry for construction and furnishing projects. The company is distinguished by its deep connection to Venice, incorporating the wood culture typical of the lagoon and the tradition of Venetian craftsmanship. Lunardelli Venezia reinterprets ancient artisanal techniques in a contemporary key, combining wood with precious materials, such as Murano glass, to create design objects with a unique and highly customizable style.
