10898 Support local artists and artisans

During our most recent visit to the southern Marche, we had the pleasure of meeting the potter Mario Bozzi and purchasing some of his work in his Montottone studio. His family has been producing traditional pottery for over 150 years.
I wanted to share this link not only to his contact information but also to other area artists and artisans in the hope that anyone interested in purchasing hand-made objects would support these talented people:

[url=http://www.artforjob.it/azie.php?cod=20&cate=2]Artforjob[/url]

Category
Le Marche

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/10/2008 - 03:05

Hi Lisa

Thanks for this. I think we have actually bought some of his pottery in mid-Marche but without realising it is his - either that or someone is copying his work!

It's good to support local artisans - we got to know a local artist in San Ginesio who had to close his shop for lack of business. Sad. :no:

Best wishes

Cath.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/10/2008 - 03:26

It is most important to support local artisans as they are the ones who keep some of the smaller towns alive. Industry has moved away and it is vital to foster their work. Perhaps we should get more information about what is available in that line in your respective areas. In my case, I have always promoted the "presepi" and figurines from Bagni di Lucca in this forum.
Now, it's almost Christmas, what about getting yourselves a traditional Italian "presepe"???? Much nicer than those horrible Santa Claus that give me nightmares..... Or perhaps a statue of the real Saint Nicholas as we discussed in another thread? Good for a change!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/10/2008 - 03:51

Now I'm going to show my complete and total ignorance :wideeyed: - what is a preseppe? Would I be right in thinking nativity figure? Can you point me in the direction of that thread?

We have never spent Christmas in Italy (because of elderly family in the UK and always thinking "this will be their last", which of course it never is!!). We have picked up a bit from local Italian friends but I would love to know more.

And I always try to buy locally. We're in Italy at the moment so it would be a good chance to buy now to take back home for presents etc.

Cath.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/10/2008 - 12:54

[quote=Gala Placidia;102566]It is most important to support local artisans as they are the ones who keep some of the smaller towns alive. Industry has moved away and it is vital to foster their work. Perhaps we should get more information about what is available in that line in your respective areas. [/quote]

Hi Gala,

I think your suggestion of getting more information about what is available in our respective areas is terrific. I looked at Marche Voyager and didn't see any section about artists and artisans. I think it would be great to have a section on the Forum devoted to artists and have each region of Italy represented. People from each area could contribute the artist's medium and contact information. By listing the type of medium along with artist contact, it would be easy to then search out that artist when looking for hand-crafted items. I don't know if Italy has open studio weekends but we do here in the States and it has always been a popular event and a great way to get the word out to the public. Vermont also has a website listing many of our artisans but I am not sure if this exists in Italy?

A group of us started a private non-profit art/craft gallery in our small town about 6 years ago both to help stimulate our downtown to once again become vibrant after a decline in the manufacturing industry, as well as to support our local and regional artists. The economic downturn has affected the gallery severely and it is in danger of closing, which would be a real shame. I have spoken with many of our artists and know that they are all hurting.

I will contact the administration to see what the possibilities are for starting and maintaing this type of listing.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/10/2008 - 13:08

[quote=cathnmike;102572]Now I'm going to show my complete and total ignorance :wideeyed: - what is a preseppe? Would I be right in thinking nativity figure? Can you point me in the direction of that thread?

We have never spent Christmas in Italy (because of elderly family in the UK and always thinking "this will be their last", which of course it never is!!). We have picked up a bit from local Italian friends but I would love to know more.

And I always try to buy locally. We're in Italy at the moment so it would be a good chance to buy now to take back home for presents etc.

Cath.[/quote]

"Presepe" are traditional Nativity scenes. They are considered a collector's item. Here is the link to the thread I started last year, and I think that there are a couple more if you do a search under that name:

[url]http://www.italymag.co.uk/forums/tuscany/8145-presepi-bagni-di-lucca.html[/url]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/28/2008 - 09:16

Lisa, That link is not working now, possible to update it. I always prefer to support locals whether it be artistic or just for buying food.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/28/2008 - 09:47

Hi Bruno,

Try this one - I just did and it worked.

[url]http://www.artforjob.com/[/url]