Top Veneto Craft Classes

Murano glass is one of Venice's most famous crafts, but most tourists never go beyond a glassblowing demonstration. With this hands-on class, take a deeper dive into the city's glass-making traditions by creating colorful beads under the guidance of a seasoned artisan. Discover the historic Venetian art of lampworking using techniques passed down through the centuries, and take away your handcrafted beads as a unique souvenir of your time in the Floating City.

Bring home the ultimate souvenir of your Venetian sojourn—your own papier-mâché carnival mask, handmade to your own design. A local master artisan works with you and your small group to unleash your creativity, as well as sharing stories of craftsmanship and carnival. Work with a whirlwind of materials—not just paint, but feathers, glitter, and trimmings—to create something that’s truly and uniquely yours.

Get hands-on experience with one-to-one guidance during a private glassmaking lesson. Discover the secrets of Murano glassmaking techniques from one of the most renowned craftsmen of Venice. The 90-minute workshop includes all materials—including your own marvelous glass artwork to take home—plus a 10 percent discount on glassworks from the artist.

Head to one of the few remaining artisan mask studios still active in Venice for this mask-making workshop, a wonderful way to unleash your creativity—and craft a unique and expressive souvenir. Learn the history of Venetian masks and the artisans who make them, then paint and decorate your own mask using traditional techniques such as painting and gilding. Your tutor is on hand throughout to help realize your vision.

Partake in one of Italy’s most time-honored art forms during this two-and-a-half-hour small-group glass-blowing workshop on the island of Murano. Suitable for beginners, workshops include a live demonstration and hands-on instruction in shaping molten glass. Make an original art object to take back home as a souvenir, ready for pickup the next day. Your glass piece can also be shipped worldwide at an additional cost.

Venetian masks have a long and storied history: during the republic’s heyday, they were used to conceal the identities of residents who engaged in decadent activities. In their masks, peasants and noblemen were equal. Make your own Venetian mask (yours to keep), adorned with sequins, ribbons, and other fineries, under the tutelage of a local artist. All materials are provided.

Discover the island of Murano, near Venice, with a small-group glass workshop and walking tour. See traditional artistry in action at Murano’s famous glass factories and visit the workshop of a local artist for a hands-on class. Complete the experience with a walk around Murano to see its churches, landmarks, and striking architecture.

Do you want to experience Venice in an authentic way, away from all the same tourist experiences? What if for once, instead of running from place to place, you stopped to do something with your own hands? Gilding is a slow and gentle technique, which naturally invites you to be in the moment. Applying the gold leaf requires only attention to the gesture : and it is precisely in that gesture that one finds oneself, reconnecting with oneself in a completely spontaneous way. You don't need any experience; you just need the desire to stop. In a contemporary artisan atelier in the heart of Venice, a stone's throw from the Rialto, you will learn the basics of gold leaf gilding : an ancient art handed down by a real artisan who practices it every day. Not a demonstration, not a ready-made kit but an experience where you really work with your hands and find yourself, and then go home with a unique creation that tells something about you. Maximum 4 participants per session, to ensure everyone the necessary attention

The Doge's Palace prison near St. Mark's Square is where Casanova was held before his famous escape—a specific and unusual piece of Venetian history that standard walking tours rarely cover. This experience combines a guided visit to the historic prison with a hands-on Carnival mask-making workshop led by a local artisan, with a completed mask to take home at the end.

Live a unique experience where you will be the protagonist. In about two hours, you will participate in the enchanting journey of creating your ring. Starting from the casting process and continuing with milling and welding, you will be guided through each phase of the process. At the end of the workshop, with our assistance, your ring will be ready to be worn by you or a loved one. The workshop can be booked in both English and Italian, with a maximum of four participants per session.

Explore a unique part of Venice’s history and culture—and enjoy a hands-on art experience that few other visitors get to have—thanks to this small-group mask-making workshop. Make your own way to the centrally located artisan studio, and get ready to create your very own Venetian mask using papier-maché and other provided materials. As you craft, learn insider facts and stories about the city’s mask-making traditions that you wouldn’t otherwise encounter.

For this private mask-decorating workshop in Venice, arrive at a traditional atelier, and get a blank sand-colored mask that’s ready for your artist eye. Use feathers, sequins, and other materials to make a masterpiece. Your guide will share facts about the history of mask making and can also show you some great techniques to use. Afterward, you’ll get to bring home your decorated mask.

You’ll be welcomed into a space where leather is still cut, punched, and stitched using traditional tools and time-honored techniques. Guided by the local leatherworker, you’ll create your own mini wallet — a practical and personal item you can take home with you. But before your hands get to work, you’ll get a glimpse into the deep roots of this ancient craft. In the Middle Ages, leather was used for everyday objects like coin pouches, work aprons, sword sheaths, and even wallets. You’ll learn how leather was tanned and the unique properties, making it suitable for everything from soft clothing to rigid armor. With the support of your guide, you’ll select your leather, trace and cut the pattern, punch the stitching holes, and slowly bring your wallet to life using hand tools. You’ll also learn about stitching methods — including those once used for medieval pouches — and you’ll finish your piece by adding small personal touches. No previous experience is needed.

Arianna is one of the few remaining Venetian artisans who still prints like in the 15th century. If you plan to visit Venice you cannot miss the opportunity to travel through time and return to the age of the "Serenissima". You can meet Arianna at her art studio, an antique-style printing house in Fondamenta dei Ormesini in the Cannaregio district and attend an entire press session with her: you will be surprised by the atmosphere, the colors, the scents, the gestures , from the work behind a single print. The entire work behind an art print will be shown: starting from the initial drawing, the various processing steps will be explained to obtain a chalcographic engraving, until the actual print is under your eyes.

Begin your experience with a private boat transfer from select hotels in San Marco or San Polo. Enjoy a scenic cruise along Venice’s iconic canals as you head toward a historic mask studio—a smooth, stress-free start to your creative adventure. At the studio, step into the world of Venetian mask making. Observe skilled artisans demonstrate time-honored techniques, from shaping delicate papier-mâché to applying vibrant, intricate details. Then, roll up your sleeves and craft your own mask, following a clear, step-by-step process that connects you with centuries of local tradition. This workshop offers a hands-on encounter with Venice’s rich artistic heritage. From the memorable boat ride to the creative session at the studio, every moment is designed to engage your senses and leave you with a unique, personal memento of your time in Venice.

Venice is renowned for its age-old metalworking techniques, so there’s no better place to create a personalized souvenir than the Floating City. During this private jewlry-making workshop, you’ll create two customized signet rings that express your unique creativity, receiving one-to-one guidance from your expert goldsmith along the way.

After your Venice vacation, don’t take home the same souvenirs as everyone else. Create your own silver ring during a private jewelry-making workshop with an Italian goldsmith. Visit one of the few remaining places where you can still witness traditional metalworking and make your own piece that’s personalized to your style.

The ancient art of engraving, which had its greatest splendor and diffusion in Venice, will have no more secrets! For those who want a unique experience in the ancient world of craftsmanship, I organize individual courses (one or at most two people) to explain and put into practice the basic techniques of engraving. Participants will thus have the opportunity to create a real art print made by them (on their original idea or drawing) and take it home. An experience that they will certainly not forget - in fact, they can hang it in their home! The course includes etching with the drypoint technique on Plexiglas or drypoint on zinc. I will follow you in the choice of subjects, in the preparation of the drawings and during all the processing phases, from the initial study to the processing of the plate up to the final prints. Reservations are accepted by people from the same family or relatives

Venice is Italy's carnival capital and festive masks are a large part of this annual celebration. Experience Venice's mask-making tradition first-hand with this private workshop at a local atelier. Learn how to create a paper mâché base using antique stone molds on day one, then come back the following day to decorate your hardened mask with paints, fabric, crystals, gold leaf, feathers, and other adornments.

Unleash your creativity in a traditional printing workshop nestled in the heart of Venice. Over 2.5 hours, explore the craftsmanship of wooden type and manual presses, guided by skilled artisans. This hands-on experience at Campo Santa Maria Mater Domini allows you to create your own unique prints, blending artistry with rich historical technique. Upon completion, take home a beautiful souvenir that captures the essence of Venetian artistry, making your visit truly memorable.

During your Venice vacation, carve out some time for creativity with this private woodpress workshop. Rather than returning home with a souvenir you’ve picked up from a store, create your own piece of art using traditional printing techniques, adding your personalized stamp. Plus, your local artist guide can offer plenty of tips for exploring Milan’s creative scene.