Salone dell'Alto Artigianato Italiano

The Exhibition

The Salone dell’Alto Artigianato Italiano is a unique event that celebrates the art and craftsmanship of our country in the heart of the lagoon, the cradle of ancient crafts and a know-how passed down through the centuries. It pays tribute to the dedication of all Italian artisans.

This excellent fair, located inside the Arsenale of Venice, aims to make people aware of and appreciate the intrinsic value of manual labor, highlighting the creativity and talent of master artisans from various regions of Italy. In an unparalleled setting, the Salone is a true showcase of the best of our country’s craftsmanship and boasts a wide range of sectors, from fine fabrics to ceramic work, jewelry, blown glass, designer furniture, and much more.

Each artisan brings their own cultural identity and regional traditions to offer visitors an exciting and captivating journey through the colors and materials from every corner of Italy.

Venice is the oldest city of the future, an enchanted place that has preserved its beauty and uniqueness over the centuries. The Arsenale of Venice, one of the symbols of the history of the Serenissima, is the ideal location to host the Salone dell’Alto Artigianato Italiano, an event that aims to become a regular appointment in the lagoon, offering a combination of history, art, and culture in the footsteps of ancient crafts in a city that has distinguished itself globally for the excellence of its creations. The event is scheduled for the second edition in October 2024.

The location

At the North Arsenal, in the Tese delle Nappe and San Cristoforo buildings, ancient pavilions that have been fully restored, spaces characterized by Istrian stone columns and spacious, brightly lit vaults, with a total area of 6,000 square meters.

2023 Edition

The first edition of the event, which saw 15,000 visitors over the course of four days from September 28 to October 1, 2023, was characterized by a significant national and international promotion and communication campaign. This campaign included the use of testimonials, sustainability awards, institutional events, workshops, and the creation of side events.

During the Salone, there was an opportunity to discover the best of craftsmanship in various sectors, ranging from ceramics to fine fabrics, blown glass artworks to precious stones, jewelry to furniture, just to name a few. What used to be the beating heart of naval art and seafaring in the Serenissima Republic became, for four days, a privileged showcase to admire and purchase a selection of high-quality artifacts with original designs. It was also an opportunity to meet the artisans, discover their stories, and learn about the creative process behind the creation of each individual item.

The Salone dell’Alto Artigianato Italiano is promoted by the Municipality of Venice and organized by Vela S.p.a. as part of the project “Venice and its lagoon: management and enhancement of tourist flows,” which is funded by the Ministry of Tourism. The project aims to enhance municipalities with a tourist-cultural vocation, particularly those in which UNESCO-recognized heritage sites are located.

 

 

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