We live increasingly far from our hands. We type, scroll, click, yet true manual work, the kind that requires time, attention, and presence, has nearly vanished from daily life. And with it, something essentially human slips away.
There is a reason why the manual arts have always given back something no other activity can offer. Working with the hands slows the mind, sharpens perception, and reconnects us with ourselves.
It is from this conviction that these atelier workshops were born: a course, and a space, in which to pause, learn something beautiful, and rediscover the quiet pleasure of making.
Unlike most of the craft experiences Venice has to offer, this is not a tourist workshop designed to reproduce a souvenir in series. It is the only gold leaf gilding workshop in the city, taught by a real artisan in her own atelier: a living space, not one staged for the occasion.
The workshop
The experience begins with a brief theoretical and historical introduction to gilding: where this technique comes from, how gold leaf is handled, and what makes it at once such an ancient and such a strikingly contemporary practice.
From there, we move directly into the making. Each participant embellishes a print created especially for the course with imitation gold leaf. The print reproduces the pencil linework of original drawings by Stefania Dei Rossi, offering a refined starting point from which each person can create something of their own.
Stefania will guide every step of the process, while allowing each participant to work at their own pace (because what matters here is not perfection, but the pleasure of making something with your own hands).
The workshop concludes with an aperitivo in the atelier: a glass of sparkling wine and a selection of light bites, surrounded by the atmosphere of a true Venetian artisan's workshop.
Everything you need to know
before booking
Duration
About 2.5 - 3 hours with the artist Stefania Dei Rossi
Location
Atelier Oro & Disegni, Campo Santa Maria Nova, Sestiere Cannaregio 6043/B, Venice.
Availability
Min 2, max 4 people per session - spots available while they last.
Price
€200 per person, materials and aperitif included
What people are saying about the workshop
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Frequently asked questions
Is this workshop for you?
This workshop is not designed for artists, nor for those who already have experience with gilding.
You do not need to know how to draw, nor to have ever held a sheet of gold leaf.
It is designed for those who wish to pause and create something beautiful with their own hands; for those seeking an authentic experience that will remain with them over time; for those curious to approach an ancient art within a real and meaningful setting.
What if you would you like to continue at home?
Once the workshop is complete and you have learned the foundations of the technique, a complete gilding kit will be available to purchase: the same tools used during the course, together with three prints by Stefania Dei Rossi, ready to be gilded.
The price reserved for workshop participants is €150, instead of the public retail price of €200.
Questions or special requests?
If you have any questions before booking, or would like to arrange a private session, you are welcome to contact us by email at info@stefaniadeirossi.com or via WhatsApp at +39 351 996 0680.