10933 Guide to Artists/Artisans throughout Italy

Ronald,

A few of us have been discussing artists and artisans in Le Marche and how hard it is for them to earn a living in these difficult times. I looked at Marche Voyager and didn't see any section listing living artists and artisans. I think it would be great to have an area of 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. What would be the possibility of starting and maintaing this type of guide?

SIncerely,
Lisa

Category

Italy Magazine Forums - Announcements & Queries - No Longer Applicable

I would add that it may be relevant to have this type of guide extended to all regions in Italy. Perhaps a special sub-forum under the name of "Arts and Crafts" may be a good start as a guide could be a bit complicated to handle.
Otherwise, in a smaller scale I would suggest a group.
We have to be a bit careful about unwanted commercial advertising. There could be problems there, but it is a good idea, in general.

You could also add composers and authors/writers

Hi Gala,

Yes, I did propose all regions of Italy. It was just a little hidden in my paragraph.

I envisioned it under a separate title of Arts and Crafts, as you had just suggested.

Thanks!

Sally,

I think composer/writers should be under a different title and not a part of this group.

Lisa

I feel Arts and Crafts is not a very good title. Artists and Artisans is far far better.

Anyway try getting Ronald to start this up. He didn't seem prepared to expand the Furniture section title to Furniture and Furnishings a while back.

I've just read this thread. One of the main reasons I joined the forum was to see what artists/artisans etc are out there! I feel like I'm an aritst all on my own in Lunigiana!!!!!

Please add my interest and suport for such a guide.

Could a section detailing Artisits and Artisans be included in the Regional information...aka...?
Le Marche
Map of Le Marche Do & See Eat & Drink
Travel, Talk, Safety Weather in Le Marche

In the meantime - [url=http://www.made-in-italy.com/shopping/rome/artisans.htm]Made*In*Italy*On*Line presents Bentley's Guide to Shopping in Italy for Hedonists and Bargain Lovers[/url]

[quote=Noble;102758]Could a section detailing Artisits and Artisans be included in the Regional information...aka...?
Le Marche
Map of Le Marche Do & See Eat & Drink
Travel, Talk, Safety Weather in Le Marche[/quote]

I have e-mailed Ronald about the possibility of a guide but haven't heard back yet.

I just wanted to update those interested in an artist/artisans guide to Italy that I received the following message from Cristiana:

Dear Lisa C.,
We are already working on a wiki space, where this guide could be put. You'll hear about it in the next future.
Meanwhile it would be great to inform the Forums about exhibitions or artistic events.
Buona Giornata
Cristiana

Hi. Put my name down for the artists/artisans guide. I am an artist living in Le Marche and would love to join this forum to meet other like-minded people and share information.

one of the difficulties to my mind with this is that if it is going to be an area that is taken over by non Italian crafts people it would make little sense for Italy Mag... as has been pointed out in other places here ...the forum runs because the magazine side makes money... well not only that... the members input...

so in principle this suggestion to me is an excellent one... ie...we have just had a poetry reading week in the theatre here... the bellante art group... an italian association has just held an exhibition, there is a new exhibition going on at the modern art centre... i have just visited one of stefanos favorite places in Torricella where the man is busy getting the nativity scenes set ... will post more on this when its all ready...

these are all community events and or efforts which i when i read the opening suggestion was how i thought it would be set up...

have nothing against individual writers artists or whatever... but we all live in a commercial world and getting free adverts via the forum would make a mockery of their commercial advertising site and magazine

maybe a suggestion would work on the fact that any paying advertiser in this field would get also a position in this new area whilst they were advertisers... in the commercial area

in fact i would be quite happy to suggest this for all under line signatures that are members here... even going on quite happily to suggest that should we not continue to advertise with the magazine that i would quite happily remove the signature from my postings as i feel quite strongly that if i make use of this forum in two senses... socially and commercially .. we should then support it in a financial sense... stop doing that and i would feel that i no longer had a right to my signature below the line...

as a final point its already quite simple to post an event, use the tag system to label it... say abruzzo art and craft... if posting in the abruzzo section... and it will always come up in a tag search... maybe now the online people thing has gone it would actually allow the tag system and the clouds to become front page instead of a button... that would surely encourage its more frequent use... it does indeed work very well just needs more input.... i think you will find that my use of it demonstrates how easy it can be...

Hi John,

What I am proposing would be a listing of artists along with their medium and a one or two line description of the type of work they do. Each type of medium would be listed i.e. pottery and then the names, brief description and contact information. I see it at benefiting any artist living and working in Italy. I don't think we can discriminate by only listing native artists but envision it as all-inclusive. I know when we travelled to southern France, we found a local pamphlet on area artisans which was very helpful and we sought out several of them. They were French, Dutch, etc. I don't think that many of these artists are in a financial position to spend a lot on advertising.

When we seek out artists in Italy, it is often word-of-mouth or an occasional flyer that we have come across, or perhaps a guide book on the area. Most guide books we have read are sorely lacking in this area however. It would be great to have something more centralized. Here in Vermont, we have the Vermont Crafts Council and Vermont Council on the Arts, which produces publications and has a website with the information on many of our artists. I haven't seen anything like this in Italy, and thus was proposing the guide to not only help the artists and artisans but those of us who are also interested in supporting them.

Lisa

Why don't you just set up a website Lisa instead or if that sounds too scary then set up a social group here which is easy to do.

Cristiana has said that they are working on setting up a wiki space where this could be put. I feel that this would be a good place to start. I do not have the knowledge or time to set up a website and don't think a social group is the place for it.

There is a nice site which has artists in Abruzzo and perhaps there are some for other areas too, so maybe just a sticky where people can post links would solve the problem?

[url=http://www.abruzzo-art.com/Default.aspx]Abruzzo Art - Home[/url]

I think Lisa is looking to set up for more intensive list/database Nielo. However if one s set up here then that puts further demands on the Italymag website and increase the potential for the ISP going down again. Not a good idea.

[quote=Sally Donaldson;103335]I think Lisa is looking to set up for more intensive list/database Nielo. However if one s set up here then that puts further demands on the Italymag website and increase the potential for the ISP going down again. Not a good idea.[/quote]

I think you misunderstand Sally.

What I was suggesting is a ‘sticky’ in each area- Abruzzo, Le Marche etc, where people can post links to existing sites; a sort of directory. Then people could go to the area they are interested in and look through the links to find what they want. As people add to it the list will grow and become more comprehensive but you have to start somewhere, which is why I posted the link to show that sites already exist.

If it is only one more thread in each section it will not put any added strain either on the staff of Italy Mag or their hosting server.

I just feel this is superfluous exercise. Google, Pagine Gialle etc gives you whatever.whoever it is you are looking for. Now if Lisa was to set up an actual comprehensive database and have it published either in print or online well that is a worthwhile project..

ps I didn't misunderstand you Nielo.

[quote=Sally Donaldson;103337]I just feel this is superfluous exercise. Google, Pagine Gialle etc gives you whatever.whoever it is you are looking for. Now if Lisa was to set up an actual comprehensive database and have it published either in print or online well that is a worthwhile project..

ps I didn't misunderstand you Nielo.[/quote]

Must be me then – wrong again! Sorry Sally

ps I didn't misunderstand you Nielo.[/quote]

I have contacts with many artists in Vermont and know that many are not listed in google or the yellow pages, etc. We have found them through going to craft shows, museums, other galleries, open studio weekends, through other artists and word-of mouth. The information is so scattered and it would be great to have it all listed in a central location. The current way to find artists/artisans is very time-consuming and not very user friendly. The average tourist may not want to go to all that trouble.

I think Nielo's suggestion could work or Cristiana's.

Lisa

ps I didn't misunderstand you Nielo.[/quote]

I have found 2 main problems with trying to find things on Google/ Pagine gialle.
1. Unless your Italian is very good it can be difficult to find the correct words to find what you are looking for (especially as there are often several different words for one things), or to understand it when you have found it.
2. Many small businesses/ artisans just don't advertise on the web or in the Pagine Gialle (as I recently found out when looking for the local olive mill- not helped by the fact I thought it would come under frantoio, then also found listings for oleifici, but it wasn't under either!!)

lisa ... my point is that a business that runs here or anywhere is just that... an artist sells for money...whatever type... hopefully if they are any good they will make a living... now we sell houses and if we sat here in Italy and did not pay anything in advertising terms it would to my way of thinking take a reasonably short time for us to have gone out of business entirely...

so we quite happily... hand over various lump sums in the hope that it will pull in clients... one of the places we do that is the italy magazine commercial site... amongst others... what you are suggesting is that because a person has set up an artistic type business they get it all for free...

am sure your vermont example pays to have things published in a sort of commercial sense... and that any with a brighter progressive stance are well used to publishing work on their own websites.... that by attending fairs they are then out in the open so to speak and are liable to tax inspections etc.. that all people face if they trade in public

so no i am not saying that it should be reserved space for native Italians... but that it should be reserved in the sense that it is approached in a community benefit way... ie your Vermont crafts fairs... to my mind would be an event suitable for promoting... so say the fairs in Italy that would be open to all artisans that live and work here... italian or not could easily be promoted... to have a list of artists working here that does not include any local Italians or local events in the sense of exhibitions and fairs to my mind is not really what i would consider Italian information.... so publish events ... exhibitions... general information and galleries of interest and whatever and if they are italian or non italian and are taking part in local life here then whatever benefits they get from taking part in what goes on in their area is all well and fine..

it will mean that like all that work here they are registered and paying taxes into the system, their web sites will have their details listed as to me much like the debate on estate agents and villa rentals and bed and breakfast establishments and the illegal web sites with no registered details you will find that italian artists are disadvantaged in the sense that there are people that promote their works , living here and working here without a single cent being declared as earnings....or any of the standard costs regarding paying into the Italian welfare system.... that all italain artists have to pay...

that's my point...

maybe to give an idea heres a link to a site that lists many italian artistic events
[url=http://www.exibart.com/profilo/autoriv2/persona_view.asp?id=2971]Matteo Fato, tutte le mostre - Exibart.com[/url]

pointed it to an artist from pescara abruzzo... but there are lots of choices to look through and once you get to know the places to look say like the warehouse in Teramo... you vist the place ...talk to informed locals who then point you off in other directions...

Blimey, all I wanted to do was get to know other artists for a chat and maybe meet for a coffee and organise an occasional exhibition together!! I thought that was what the forum was about.

Persephone (who is, incidentally, a professional artist who has earnt a living with her art, does pay her taxes and is not [always] after free publicity).

[quote=adriatica;103388]lisa ... my point is that a business that runs here or anywhere is just that... an artist sells for money...whatever type... hopefully if they are any good they will make a living... now we sell houses and if we sat here in Italy and did not pay anything in advertising terms it would to my way of thinking take a reasonably short time for us to have gone out of business entirely...

that's my point...

But Adriatica, whether you like it or not, that’s not how the forum works.

The forum is a free exchange of information, none of us pay to be members and we give of our knowledge without charge.

The forum is not a commercial site and such does not condone advertising, but if someone comes here and says “ Does anyone know where I can get a left handed flange sprocket?” and someone else replies that XYZ makes left handed flange sprockets, I, in my mind, don’t see that as advertising – just sharing information.

So if there were a place where people could share information about Artists and Artisans and exhibitions and galleries I really don’t see the harm.

If I Google some information and find a listing that I then pass on, I have not paid for the information and I am not paid for passing it on, that is the wonder of the WWW. If on the other hand I am running a business and I pay for advertising in a magazine and people pay to buy the magazine then that is quite different and is not comparable with what happens here.

I have some sympathy with your complaint about the fact that your wife is properly qualified and your business pays tax, where as many others perhaps are not qualified and don’t pay tax, which means that the competition is unfair. However I believe that is a matter for the tax authorities and not something individual members of a forum can deal with.

If the information is already available on the web, providing a link is not going to make a whole heap of difference anyway. All it does is put the information in a more user friendly format.

This is, of course only my opinion, and anyone has the absolute right to disagree.

Neilo, You have said it much better than I could!!! Thanks.

I will give you my opinion, in general. Most artists do not make much money at all, with a few well-known exceptions and they will have enormous problems added if they had to pay for advertising work. Still, they make a great contribution to art and culture and they need all the help they can get to develop their art. Many artists could not have left the masterpieces we admire nowadays if it wasn't for the support of patrons or "mecenati". If something can be done through this Forum to assist artists and artisans who work in Italy, whether nationals or foreigners, it would be a worthwhile cause and a form of modern patronage.

[quote=Gala Placidia;103410]I will give you my opinion, in general. Most artists do not make much money at all, with a few well-known exceptions and they will have enormous problems added if they had to pay for advertising work. Still, they make a great contribution to art and culture and they need all the help they can get to develop their art. Many artists could not have left the masterpieces we admire nowadays if it wasn't for the support of patrons or "mecenati". If something can be done through this Forum to assist artists and artisans who work in Italy, whether nationals or foreigners, it would be a worthwhile cause and a form of modern patronage.[/quote]

Thank you Gala,

You put it very well and this is in the spirit of why I made my original suggestion to have such a guide on the Fourm.

John,

Many artists I know scrape by trying to make a living and some are forced to work another job as well as they cannot get by on the sale of their art/craft alone. A lot of them do attend local and regional art events where they are certainly out in the open to the taxman. In addition, if it is a juried show/fair, not every artist will qualify to display their work in the show, which is not to say that it is not of a good caliber. It may be too high/low end for the event or they may have enough of that form of medium. Some do limited shows or just sell out of their homes as it is a disruption for their families to spend a lot of time at a show, where they may or may not sell any work. In this financial environment, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for them. Fees to display work at these fairs can also be quite high and the artist sometimes does not recup them. There is also the time involved and expenses travelling to and from a show and potential hotel bills. I also know that they do pay taxes even when only selling from home as I have personally gone to their houses and had to pay sales tax, which indicates that they are declaring something. There may be some who are trying to cheat the system but seeing how many of them live, I don't think there is much income for them to declare. I also don't think it is our place to worry about this, but rather the tax authorities.

[quote=Persephone;103401]Blimey, all I wanted to do was get to know other artists for a chat and maybe meet for a coffee and organise an occasional exhibition together!! I thought that was what the forum was about.

Persephone (who is, incidentally, a professional artist who has earnt a living with her art, does pay her taxes and is not [always] after free publicity).[/quote]

Hi Persephone,

In the meantime, until a guide is hopefully established, you might want to consider setting up a social group for fellow artists on the Forum. Then, when we have some sort of guide, you could make contact with other artists as well in your area.

Lisa

[SIZE=2]As a fine artist I have some experience of the ‘artist’s lot’. I ran a commercial art studio in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />UK before I came to Italy and I used many other artists to fulfil orders whilst exhibiting their work in my gallery space. Without exception, all my artists had another income, perhaps a supporting spouse, a part-time job, or teaching. [/SIZE]
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
[SIZE=2]Only a very few artists become ‘celebrities’ and make millions and usually it helps if we die first! This is simply how it is and it is no different here in Italy. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]More importantly, an artist does not simply produce work ‘to sell’. An artist is driven by their work and a need to work. Art for artists is very rarely ‘a business’ it is a way of life.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]Most people do not go to art galleries, exhibitions and shows, to ‘shop’ in the normal sense of the word, more often they go to look and enjoy art, to be inspired and have a good day out. This means the artist needs as many outlets as possible for all to benefit.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]Also, again, without exception, all my artists shared their expertise with others. For example, every year we would have a young person on work placement, we provided our local community with materials and expertise for various events, we donated work to charity auctions and all my artists were involved in some kind of workshops for children. We were never paid for any of this activity.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]The vast majority of artists depend on family, patrons and the business community for self-promotion and opportunities to exhibit, enabling them to be productive to the benefit of others as well as themselves. I see the forum as such an opportunity.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=2]…and thank you Lisa, I will look into establishing a social group on the forum.[/SIZE]

persephone... first... my comments were general and not aimed at you... however i do have a habit of being contrary... maybe you will get used to it... anyway sorry if i got up your nose...

your artist story rings many bells ... and indeed illustrates well my point... that for local abruzzo artists it is indeed a hard struggle here... self employment in Italy means at least INPS payments for welfare cover means a minimum contribution of over 200o euro per year... so i see many people here that have worked hard all their lives to live and produce regional and local work, maintaining traditional crafts and ways of life, always struggling much as you describe... and to me thats whats important...its contributing back to my area by telling people about what i find here... thats to do with Abruzzo or Italy in general

Lisa ... i am not a tax inspector nor do i have any problems with anyone that chooses to avoid that aspect of life... to me the forum has always been a more open place than say many ex pat forums... it to be honest has never felt like that to me... what it has is an open informative feel and i support your idea in the sense that it seems to me to put back something into the place we have chosen to live... although this basically goes on all the time with the regional sections ... people that have good meals...good service ... find local craft work or art... the local festivals are all mentioned ..

Nielo pointed to a site that is well made, is obviously good for the artists involved and is a innovative way of promoting themselves... but has apart from the fact that they own property here and or use abruzzo scenes in their work little or nothing to do with traditional abruzzo specific work... its basically a well thought out commercial site to sell artwork of any type... well done to whoever set it up...

anyway ...it makes little difference to the outcome that i do not see this forum as many on this thread seem to... i have always regarded it as contributed to by people that are outside the sort of ex pat clique ...set up ... and that is my only worry with this idea... i would hate to see an area set up that would be exclusive to non italians... i would much rather see it continue as an open area where those of us that find things in our area or any part of italy report on them ...

as a sort of get out to all that might take offence...none meant to any previous poster... its just to my mind good to open up the discusion and to air my views on the idea... not against anyone...

[quote=adriatica;103496]here... thats to do with Abruzzo or Italy in general
anyway ...it makes little difference to the outcome that i do not see this forum as many on this thread seem to... i have always regarded it as contributed to by people that are outside the sort of ex pat clique ...set up ... and that is my only worry with this idea... i would hate to see an area set up that would be exclusive to non italians... i would much rather see it continue as an open area where those of us that find things in our area or any part of italy report on them[/quote]

Hi John,

I'm a little confused by your quote as my original intention was exactly to have an open guide to artisans and artists for all of us to contribute to. I initially was prompted to start this thread after purchasing pottery from a local potter in Montottone. I had wanted to share his information and encourage others to support local artists. From there, I had suggested a guide to local artists and artisans that included all regions of Italy. As I had previously mentioned, when we travel, we often look to buy locally made crafts and it is often difficult finding out who many of the artists are and where they are located as many do not advertise. The last thing I envisioned was a guide set up to exclude to non-Italians. I hadn't even thought about including other nationalities in the beginning but when other artists on the Forum expressed an interest, I thought that it should be open to all artists and artisans. I would encourage anyone who finds a good lead on a potter, artist, jeweler, etc. to share those details.

Anyway, I take no offence by any discussion about this and hope I have clarified my initial intentions.

All best,

Lisa

lisa

i accept what your intentions were... but the abruzzo site quoted is limited to ex pats... i agree completely with your suggestion as regards local artisans working in Italy....

i also feel that i might be regarded as being too hard on forum members that are also artisans...because getting home after my posting i realised that one of the best contributors on the forum from abruzzo is Myabruzzohome...(becky) as an exemplary example of how members with their own sites who are also artistic...she has always given wide information on abruzzo, supported via here own site and this site campaigns relevant to local issues also artisans work in the reconstruction of her property ... and finally but not least has her own business web site as well,,,, regarding her art work...

that's the way for forum members to contribute in my opinion and earn the right to a signature to help with their craft...

otherwise i agree that local italian artisans need all the help they can get... struggling to establish yourself here is harder than in many other western economies...especially now ... many young people are unable to cope with what to them is important in maintaining tradition for sure here in Abruzzo... things like traditional copper beaten work is all but disappeared...

thankfully there is a place, Castelli, although many of its potteries very commercial where there is a very good school that trains in pottery and art work, but how do young people then get noticed... just one place amongst many here where the training is fine..but the costs of setting oneself up as a young person here make progress almost impossible..

so yes.. more power to your suggestion ...in the end it seems we are talking the same thing...

[quote=adriatica;103540]lisa

i accept what your intentions were... but the abruzzo site quoted is limited to ex pats... i agree completely with your suggestion as regards local artisans working in Italy....

that's the way for forum members to contribute in my opinion and earn the right to a signature to help with their craft...

so yes.. more power to your suggestion ...in the end it seems we are talking the same thing...[/quote]

Actually I think you will find that the Abruzzo art site is open for anyone, with Abruzzo links, to join and exhibit their work, as is Italy mag. It is not the fault of the website if (so far) only expats choose to use it.

I also believe that Becky – myabruzzohome - is a member of the site, so perhaps it is not all bad!
:smile:

Hi John,

It sounds like we're on the same page with this. Let's hope the new wiki space that the Forum is setting up is up and running soon so we can all contribute our knowledge of local artists and artisans.

Lisa

whilst up in the north of Abruzzo near the border with our neighbours of the marche...was told about these courses for artists and artisans... and this morning looked up their web site....

[url=http://www.artforjob.com/html.php?cod=28]Artforjob[/url]... that seems to be pretty well what you are talking about Lisa... and might well be a useful place for your friends to start using as an online sales area...

however i was told about courses and its the same company... based in san benedetto del tronto... and there are a ream of different study areas from ceramics to painting and technical drawing and design... it does seem to cost a bit... but they say the courses are open to all... furthermore they do a lot of work in the regional art forms and it seems to be based on traditional techniques....
[url=http://www.formazione.artforjob.it/]Consorzio Art For Job Formazione - Scuola d'Artigianato[/url]

anyway all in all it seems to me like a pretty professional setup ...with the selling website in several languages and plenty of courses available even for those who treat their art expertise as a hobby.. courses seem to be starting in January so i guess if you live in the provinces of ascoli piceno or teramo they could be worth having a look at

[quote=adriatica;104811]whilst up in the north of Abruzzo near the border with our neighbours of the marche...was told about these courses for artists and artisans... and this morning looked up their web site....

Hi John,

The Art for Job is actually the website I posted when I originally started this thread in Le Marche section. The potter we purchased several pieces from is listed on this site (Bozzi Studio) and I had posted the link so Forum members would have a place to start when seeking out artists/artisans. Thanks for posting though and keeping this thread alive. Let's hope the Wilki site is up soon so we can all start compiling a list of those craft persons we know about.

As an interesting aside, the Vermont Arts Council just sponsored an artist auction that some artists/artisans donated items to. One humdred percent of the proceeds went to benefit the Vermont Food Bank. There were paintings, jewelry, pieces of pottery, photography and lessons of various kinds auctioned off. I purchased a ceramic vase and felt good to be able to help the community in this small way. Even though many of these same artists are struggling, it was very grafifying to see them participating in this type of event.

Given the difficult financial times ahead, it's more important than ever to support them and keep the arts alive. Let's hope the Wilki site is up soon so we can all start compiling a list of those craft persons we know about.

Lisa

There are really 2 groups here

1. Professional Artists who do actually make an income from their work and pay tax if theyv'e had a good year (it's possible you know but bloody hard and not for those who think being an artist is all about sitting around drinking wine and waiting for inspiration to strike)

2. Hobby Artists who want to use their spare time creatively and get a great deal of enjoyment from what they make although there may not be a financial reward.

We'd class ourselves in the first group and are always interested in co-operating with other artists or meeting up etc but have many work commitments that mean what we produce to sell must go to places where we have a reasonable hope of selling it so we can pay the bills!

I'm staying out of the arguments but wanted to say hi to other artists inc Persephone and lets hope we make it thro 2009 !!

What ever the opinions are regarding a guide to Arts and Crafts people in Italy, having watched a friend in Umbria, with a professional, business approach, work extremely hard during 2007 and 2008 to promote and sell the work of artists based in Umbria, [url=http://www.italianartclub.com]Italian Art Club[/url] The results are disappointing. Sadly, in 2009 such things may well be regarded as unaffordable luxuries.

Yes Neilo is right to add ( just seen it ) I do actually belong to the Abruzzo Art section on the abruzzolutely site although I've not contributed a lot recently and sadly won't be in Abruzzo when they hold their first exhibition.

A member of the forum kindly gave much spare time to set it up and get it running.I'm not sure if anyones actually sold any work off the site yet but I think the point was to showcase a wide variety of art created by those with an Abruzzo connection.

Selling any form of original artwork off a web site is virtually impossible unless you've already got a following who'll google you and you spend lots of ti
me and money promting the site in magazines etc.Also you need to employ a very good photograher as so many sites fail to show off their contents fully due to appalling photographs and graphics.

So right myabruzzohome. The web isn't the best way to actually sell work. My friend used it as only a back-up to holding exhibitions in various parts of Italy, including Cortona so popular with tourists.

Ciao Cristiana,

How are things progressing with setting up a wiki site so we can get to work on the artist/artisan guide?

10933 Guide to Artists/Artisans throughout Italy

Guide to Artists

An artist's lot

Artist/Artisan Guide