“In Venice, the line between art and craftsmanship blurs,” explains Victoria Pope at The Smithsonian. In Venetian studios you can watch ancient techniques used to marble paper, fashion Murano glass necklaces, shape wood, etch prints, cobble shoes and weave luxurious velvet fabrics.
To get an insight into this exclusive, creative world, consider taking a tour, workshop or course. A surprising number of artists offer them at Italian Stories, a website pairing artists with enthusiastic visitors and budding apprentices. The tours and workshops support local artisans and help keep fragile ancient traditions alive.
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