Authentic Local Culture: 6 Venetian Artisans
Authentic Local Culture: 6 Venetian Artisans
When asked to name one thing about Venice, most people mention its canals. But I’m going to tell you about 6 Venetian artisans whose work reflects its rich history and culture.
As you walk around Venice, you can find skilled craftspeople who make things by hand with traditional techniques. In fact, many of these artisans have shops right around the corner from famous tourist sites. For a glimpse of how local people live and work, keep an eye out for artists like these.
Attombri: Vintage Murano Glass Beads
Near the Rialto Bridge, brothers Stephano and Daniele Attombri are Venetian artisans who make playful pieces out of vintage glass beads.
When some Venetian glass factories were closing in the 1980s, the two brothers bought big caches of vintage glass beads. Today, they use a mix of metals and beads to showcase a rare Venetian art form.
Monica Daniele: Venetian Capes and Hats
For traditional capes and hats, check out Monica Daniele’s well-stocked, old fashioned shop. There, you’ll find handmade Venetian wool cloaks and felt hats that look like the ones that people wore hundreds of years ago.
When you walk around Venice in the cold weather, you may see people wearing the full-length cloaks, or tabarros. But you may see these fashion statements almost any time of year, at high-end parties or just on the street.
Laberintho: Beautiful Designs by Two Goldsmiths
In the same block as Monica Daniele’s shop, Laberintho offers fine handmade jewelry. Here, the founders and owners, Marco and Davide, take great pride in using ancient designs, inlay, and mosaic techniques to create modern classics.
Genninger Studio: Murano Glass Jewelry
Around the corner from the Guggenheim Museum, Leslie Genninger displays her artful jewelry, goblets, lamps, and more. Her pieces reflect her three decades of traditional craft work.
Back in 1988, while visiting Venice, she fell in love with Murano glass bead making and decided to become a jewelry designer. Today, she designs and works with Murano glass masters, who use bead making techniques dating back over 1000 years.
Gualti: Jewelry and Wearable Art
It’s hard to describe Gualti’s work in a single word or sentence. For sure, he’s a jeweler. But above all, he’s an exceptional designer of wearable art.
Inspired by nature, Gualti creates wavy, leafy, or curly artworks. His scarves, cloaks, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and brooches are all stylish and elegant.
What’s more, Gualti is a very kind and gentle soul. If you get a chance to visit his shop, you’ll likely get a sense of him very quickly.
Alberto Valese: Handmade Books and Marbled Paper
Alberto Valese, the founder of Ebru, learned how to make marbled paper in Turkey in the 1970s. Today, he is a master paper maker and an internationally known craftsman.
Sometimes, Valese wraps albums in the marbled paper that he designs and makes in his studio. Other times, he creates handsome journals or books that feature the architectural details of iconic Venetian buildings. In either case, his work has a very subtle and timeless quality.
Why Venice?
In these days of mass market tourism, it’s fun to find the real deal in Venice. Throughout the city, there are dozens of craftspeople making striking, one-of-a-kind pieces by hand.
Since Venice often swarms with tourists, that may come as a surprise to you. But, if you stroll around and keep your eyes open, you’ll likely find dedicated artisans who stay true to themselves.
Also, for a lovely cultural and mountain weekend getaway from Venice, visit Bolzano, about a 4 hour train ride away.
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