From June to September, the Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo will host Lace Fridays, a series of events featuring master lacemakers from Burano, Pellestrina, Chioggia and Mestre, who will take turns demonstrating needle lace and bobbin lace techniques.
Lace Fridays offer a unique opportunity to discover the art of Venetian lace firsthand.
During the events hosted at the Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo, visitors will be able to observe master lacemakers at work and learn more about techniques and traditions that form part of the history and identity of the Venetian Lagoon.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to speak with the lacemakers and interact with them, gaining insight into the gestures, tools and secrets that have been handed down through generations.
A visiting experience that brings the museum closer to an art form that is still alive and practised today.
EVENT SCHEDULE
- Friday, 26 June, 10.00 am–12.00 pm: Il Merletto di Chioggia
- Friday, 3 July, 10.00 am–12.00 pm: A.C.S. Murazzo Merlettaie Pellestrina
- Friday, 10 July, 10.00 am–12.00 pm: Sacolà e… ciacola ad ago – Centro Studi Storici di Mestre
- Friday, 17 July, 10.00 am–12.00 pm: Fondazione Andriana Marcello
- Friday, 24 July, 10.00 am–12.00 pm: Il Merletto di Chioggia
- Friday, 7 August, 10.00 am–12.00 pm: Sacolà e… ciacola ad ago – Centro Studi Storici di Mestre
- Friday, 21 August, 10.00 am–12.00 pm: A.C.S. Murazzo Merlettaie Pellestrina
- Friday, 28 August, 10.00 am–12.00 pm: Sacolà e… ciacola ad ago – Centro Studi Storici di Mestre
- Friday, 4 September, 10.00 am–12.00 pm: A.C.S. Murazzo Merlettaie Pellestrina
- Friday, 11 September, 10.00 am–12.00 pm: Fondazione Andriana Marcello
- Friday, 18 September, 10.00 am–12.00 pm: Fondazione Andriana Marcello
- Friday, 25 September, 10.00 am–12.00 pm: Il Merletto di Chioggia
PARTICIPATING ASSOCIATIONS
FONDAZIONE ANDRIANA MARCELLO
The Fondazione Andriana Marcello Centro del Merletto di Burano ETS continues the mission of the Lace School founded in 1872 by Andriana Marcello Zon to preserve and promote needle lace-making. Since the 1980s, the School’s premises have housed the Lace Museum, which became part of the Civic Museums of Venice in 1995. Thanks to the ongoing commitment of its lacemakers, the Foundation promotes professional training courses, educational activities and the competition “A Lace for Venice”.
A.C.S. MURAZZO MERLETTAIE PELLESTRINA
The “Murazzo” Cultural and Sports Association has been active in Pellestrina since 1976, promoting the cultural development of the island through initiatives and publications. In the field of lace-making, it preserves and promotes the tradition of bobbin lace (balón) through educational activities, demonstrations and training courses. The association contributed to the project “A Record for Pellestrina” (2005–2007), which led to the creation of the world’s longest piece of lace (435 metres). It is part of the “Lace Network” supporting the UNESCO nomination process.
SACOLÀ E… CIACOLA AD AGO
Based in Mestre, the group takes its name from a traditional Burano lace stitch known as “sacolà” and was founded through the passion of master lacemaker Renata Franceschi. It brings together lacemakers dedicated to keeping the art of needle lace alive on the mainland through courses, workshops and exhibitions. From 2014 to the present, several members have participated in the competition “A Lace for Venice”, receiving awards and certificates of merit.
IL MERLETTO DI CHIOGGIA
Led by Arsenia Azzalin, the association brings together around thirty enthusiasts of bobbin lace, a tradition deeply rooted in the history and identity of Chioggia since the sixteenth century. The group contributes to the transmission of this art through courses at the Bobbin Lace School and outreach activities. It is a member of the “Network for the Safeguarding of the Know-How of Italian Lace-Making” and supports the UNESCO nomination project.
