Swedish Art Weaving ~ Stockholm to Glimåkra, Sweden 2024

Thanks very much to Gunvor Johansson and our Stockholm guide Anna for a fantastic workshop and trip. Following atelier, museum and store visits in Stockholm, our weavers from USA, Japan and Austria wove samples of 4 traditional Scanian art weaves under Gunvor’s expert tuition at Glimåkra Vävstols Museum. Thanks also to Gunvor’s assistant, German weaver Anja for all her help!

“What a memorable trip! I’m so happy to have met all the weavers in our group. I'm relishing all the memories from our trip. I had so looked forward to studying with Gunvor, the experience was better than I could have imagined. What a privilege, really. Thank you for a wonderful experience! Tusen tack to Sarah, Gunvor, Anna, Anja, Simon & Christina!” - Toni, USA

“It was a great experience for me! Thank you everyone!” - Atsuko, Japan

Gunvor at Glimåkra Vävstols Museum

Gunvor at Glimåkra Vävstols Museum

Gunvor at Glimåkra Vävstols Museum

“I really enjoyed my trip with The Tour Studio very much. We had a fun group, all with different personalities but all working well together. I also would like to thank you again for yours and Simon’s nice invitation to your home…it made the trip very special. Also all the very good bakery from Simon for our coffee breaks!!! Thank you so much!!! The Hotel in Broby was very comfortable and very nice service. In Stockholm I enjoyed the tour through the city very much, to places I would not have visited by myself!!! The Hotel in Stockholm was fabulous. The workshop with Gunvor was also very special, a lot of fun and very good to handle. I will come back for a trip for sure.” - Tatjana, Austria

“It was marvellous. Thank you. Seems like a dream now!” - Bettes, USA

Glimåkra Vävstols Museum

Glimåkra Vävstols Museum

Glimåkra Vävstols Museum

Gunvor Johansson textiles

Anna in Stockholm, Södermalm

K.A. Almgren Sidenväveri silk weaving museum Stockholm

K.A. Almgren Sidenväveri silk weaving museum Stockholm

‘Nordic Life’ exhibition at Nordic Museum Stockholm

‘Nordic Life’ exhibition at Nordic Museum Stockholm

Svenskt Tenn Stockholm

Märta Måås-Fjetterström showroom Stockholm

Stockholm from Södermalm

Handwoven Textiles ~ Florence, Italy 2023

Thanks again to Eva, Cecilia and Filippo at Fondazione Lisio for another exceptional weaving experience. Our 5 weavers from USA and Canada produced silk jacquard samplers of their own designs as well as designs from Lisio’s archive, including some hand-cut velvet. We’re looking forward to returning in October 2024.

“I have just returned home, still buzzing with all the excitement of the last two weeks. Thank you so much for all your hard work setting up an amazing trip for us - it was great meeting you and hearing more about your future ideas too. Valeria was amazing. We loved her dearly. Maybe I’ll see you in Sweden one day soon!”  - Amy, USA

“Thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable trip! Valeria was exceptional, personable, really a very lovely person - just a delight! I really enjoyed my time at Lisio and the tours in Prato, the Bargello, Paolo Carandini and Antico Setificio - wow! Thanks so much for everything. I would definitely recommend this tour!” - Elizabeth, Canada

“It was a really lovely trip and well organised too. Valeria was really amazing in her desire to help all of us have a good time, she went above and beyond what she needed to do. I think everything was well-placed and interesting before the class began. I felt honoured to be able to weave on the old looms and to have even a small piece of fabric to take home. I will remember the trip forever.” - Marilynn, USA

Textile Weaving Workshop ~ Prato & Florence, Italy 2023

We had 2 fantastic groups for Pat Kinsella’s textile weaving workshops this May, with weavers from USA, Australia, UK, New Zealand and Belgium. Great to catchup with familiar faces and also welcome some new weavers and their partners.

Hannah spinning recycled plastic

“The field trips were really great. Pat is such a wonderful teacher. I was happy to have space to play and find what I wanted to learn. The conversation around sustainability was great. Learning about what Pat does was great. I am a better weaver for attending.” – Shannon, New Zealand

Karen @theoregonweaver

“Hearing about Pat’s life as a sample weaver for industry, having conversations about reducing textile waste, hearing about Prato’s textile industry past and present, and touring the rag picker, met all my hopes for this experience. Pat had many project activities ready for us to sample and remarkably they all helped reduced her textile “waste” in her studio too. Imagining new uses for bits of weaving projects that might have been discarded can be fun! 

Getting to know each of the tour group members added a rich texture and those connections certainly add to the experience. 

Having you, Sarah, and Valeria, guiding us through these adventures has been stimulating and wonderful. I will continue to share the textile tours with others.” - Karen, USA

Hannah wearing Karen’s @theoregonweaver experimental textile

“I loved the workshop with Pat, giving so much thought and ideas about recycling materials that I had never considered. Valeria was an excellent guide, she is so enthusiastic and went above and beyond to ensure we all got the most out of our time in Florence. She was an absolute delight. Wishing you and Simon the very best of health and happiness and I very much look forward to another tour studio experience.” – Gail, Australia

Mary @maryhandweaver

Pom pom Karen @theoregonweaver

Rag Rug Weaving Workshop ~ Glimåkra, Sweden 2022

Thanks very much to Marie Rolander and VävstolsMuseet at Glimåkra, Sweden for hosting our Rag Rug Weaving Workshop for 7 weavers from USA, Australia and Latvia. We’re looking forward to more workshops at VävstolsMuseet in 2023.

Workshop instructor Marie Rolander and some of our weavers (Photo: Tommy Svensson)

(Photo: Tommy Svensson)

“Thank you so much for this great experience in Sweden. It was so much fun to spend time with you both again. You both go to great effort to make the experiences for your guests exceptional and I really look forward to more fun with The Tour Studio in Italy next year. It was a privilege to be on this tour with you. Many thanks for a fabulous experience.”
— Gail, Australia

(Photo: Tommy Svensson)

“I want to thank you so much for the lovely experience! I am really excited for the things we have experienced….everything has been so lovely and well organised/memorable. Thank you again for a wonderful experience!”
— Sarah, USA

(Photo: Tommy Svensson)

(Photo: Tommy Svensson)

“Thank you for all your efforts, you have done an amazing job. If you have another weaving tour in Sweden, you can put my name on the list now. I look forward to joining you on another weaving tour, take care and thank you for a lovely tour!”
— Linda, USA
“I’d like to say thank you for an incredible experience. The trip was a wonderful learning opportunity and I’m so grateful that I got to take part. Thank you for making a wonderful experience for us. We will remember it always - it’s been a dream come true for me.”
— Susan, USA

Textile 1 course at Glimåkra Folkhögskola Sweden

Patricia Kinsella Textile Weaving Workshop ~ Florence, Italy 2019

Pat Kinsella’s Textile Weaving Workshop at Tessilarte in Florence was a huge success. We had a fantastic group of participants from USA, Canada, Australia and Ireland including absolute beginners and highly experienced weavers. Here are the scarves and samplers. Grazie mille Pat, we’re looking forward to next year’s workshop!

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“I really loved it all, and the light touch you and Simon bring to a tour. To me it was essentially so much more wonderful than I dared to imagine! Thank you!”
— Mary, Australia
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“I have been thinking a lot about Florence and the workshop, and I just loved every minute of it. The accommodation was perfect and in a great location, and the tours were great. Now to the workshop with Patricia: there is only one word: FANTASTIC! Everybody loved it. You and Simon were so caring and organised as well that you made every day just wonderful…. As much as I am trying to think about, there was nothing negative at all! Thank you again for a wonderful time”
— Michele, Australia
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“After experiencing your wonderful tour in Florence I’m so impressed with the standard of your tours”
— Gail, Australia
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Handwoven Textiles ~ Fondazione Lisio Workshop, Florence Italy 2019

Thank you Eva and Cecilia at Fondazione Lisio for another wonderful textile weaving workshop. Our weavers found the workshop challenging and rewarding, producing some fabulous samplers on Lisio’s incredible antique jacquard looms. We’re looking forward to returning next May.

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NL Gail fabric and digi version.jpg
“This was the trip of a lifetime for me! I love Italy, weaving and history, so the tour was the perfect combination. Highlights for me were the class at Lisio, getting to design and weave a project on a Jacquard loom was a dream come true. I also loved the places that you arranged for us to visit, an amazing variety of experiences. Getting to meet and interact with the owners and family businesses was so exciting. I thank you for a wonderful tour and hope our paths cross sometime”
— Jennie, USA
NL Sharon on loom.jpg
NL Sharon fabric and digi.jpg
“So happy to have been able to weave on these looms!!”
— Sharon, Canada
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“An awesome experience”
— Gail, Canada
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Instructor Eva Basile

Only 2 places left in our 2020 Handwoven Textiles ~ Fondazione Lisio Workshop. Signup now.
Read more about this workshop and tour from our 2018 weavers HERE

Art & Design Study Tour ~ Florence, Italy

Such a pleasure to be involved with the 2018 Florence Art & Design Study Tour for students from PLC Sydney. October was the perfect time to be in Florence and the beautiful hilltop town of Fiesole, here are some photos!

Plein Air painting and drawing at Pensione Bencista overlooking Florence

Plein Air painting and drawing at Pensione Bencista overlooking Florence

Paper Marbling Workshop with master paper decorators Giulio Giannini & Figlio, Florence

Paper Marbling Workshop with master paper decorators Giulio Giannini & Figlio, Florence

Art Restoration Institute guided visit, Florence

Art Restoration Institute guided visit, Florence

Art Restoration Institute, Florence

Art Restoration Institute, Florence

Architectural models at Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence

Architectural models at Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence

Florence Duomo

Florence Duomo

Baptistery ceiling, Florence

Baptistery ceiling, Florence

Fiesole piazza

Fiesole piazza

Plein Air sketching, Fiesole

Plein Air sketching, Fiesole

San Francesco walk, Fiesole

San Francesco walk, Fiesole

Church of San Francesco, Fiesole

Church of San Francesco, Fiesole

Plein Air sketching and painting class, Fiesole

Plein Air sketching and painting class, Fiesole

School of Leather artisan, Florence

School of Leather artisan, Florence

Florence street walks

Florence street walks

Guided visit of School of Leather, Florence

Guided visit of School of Leather, Florence

Pensione Bencista, Fiesole

Pensione Bencista, Fiesole

Painting & drawing session on the balcony at Pensione Bencista overlooking Florence

Painting & drawing session on the balcony at Pensione Bencista overlooking Florence

The design explorer’s guide to Ventura Centrale

Organisation in Design have released the following preview of Ventura Centrale, the latest event by Ventura Projects, opening at Centrale Station during Milan Design Week, 4 - 9 April 2017.

"A long strip of disused warehouses spreads out along both sides of the rails. Facing the Central Station, follow the pathway on the right-hand side and you will soon reach the Ventura Centrale vaults, which have undergone a massive transformation from depots into full-blown exhibition spaces. We now present you the itinerary for Ventura Centrale, giving you an overview of what to expect from this first edition.

Chapter One

At the first exhibition space you’ll encounter the work of Matteo Zorzenoni in collaboration with the brands MM Lampadari, Nason Moretti and Scapin. In the past, Matteo Zorzenoni has shown his liking for collaborative projects and has worked with some of the best-known designers, labels and institutions. This exhibition is composed of micro ‘sets’ of his latest projects in light, accessories and blown glass.

MM Lampadari, Nason Moretti, Scapin, Matteo Zorzenoni, photo by Tiziano Signorato

MM Lampadari, Nason Moretti, Scapin, Matteo Zorzenoni, photo by Tiziano Signorato

Chapter Two

Turn to the next space to explore ‘PASSAGES’, a research project by the Swiss design studio Panter&Tourron. For the exhibition they have investigated heat, an energy force indispensable for living. The studio shows a series of objects treated with thermochromic ink that, once heated, create an ever-changing fluctuation of gradients and shades. They have collaborated with photographer Jagoda Wisniewska in producing pictures that represent these transitions.

PASSAGES by Panter & Tourron, presented by:The IQOS Pathfinder Project

PASSAGES by Panter & Tourron, presented by:The IQOS Pathfinder Project

Chapter Three

As you continue to the third vault, a special collaboration appears. The rebellious label Lensvelt has teamed up with the anarchic MAARTEN BAAS, ensuring a real spectacle.

MAARTEN BAAS explains the exhibition as follows: “I like to use undiscovered locations during the Salone del Mobile. The space at Ventura Centrale is unique because it wasn't intended as an exhibition space. On top of that, it's an adventure to work with Lensvelt, a true 'rock n roll' furniture manufacturer.”

MAARTEN BAAS by Lensvelt, photo by Siese Veenstra

MAARTEN BAAS by Lensvelt, photo by Siese Veenstra

Chapter Four

Are you starving after all you’ve seen? No worries. You have now hit Sea Food Mobile, a pop-up bar in the unconventional shape of a lifeboat, offering you mouth-watering seafood. Andrea Carletti, the initiator of Sea Food Mobile, has turned his passion for food design into various (outdoor) projects, ensuring circular economic values and recycling goals.

Sea Food Mobile, design & photo by Street Food Mobile™

Sea Food Mobile, design & photo by Street Food Mobile™

Chapter Five

Once you’ve fuelled up, you can get familiar with the work of David Derksen, Sabine Marcelis, Klaas Kuiken, Daphna Laurens, Paul Heijnen and rENs. These six Dutch designers are united under the umbrella of
Baars & Bloemhoff. The exhibition ‘Transitions II’, a follow-up of the widely praised presentation at Ventura Lambrate last year, is curated by Daphna Laurens. The show will display six material-driven projects and aims to emphasise the relationships between space, products and materiality.

Baars & Bloemhoff, Transitions II, Sabine Marcelis, photo by Ronald Smits


Baars & Bloemhoff, Transitions II, Sabine Marcelis, photo by Ronald Smits

Chapter Six

From colourful diversity to white uniformity – the next vault will show you the key pieces from Lee Broom’s 10-year career, transformed into a full white exhibition called ‘TIME MACHINE’. In the middle of the warehouse space a grand carousel spins around, giving the visitor a tour through the designer’s impressive legacy of work. Keeping up with the times, Lee Broom will also present a new exclusive piece in the form of a statuesque Carrara marble grandfather clock.

Lee Broom, TIME MACHINE, sketch by Lee Broom

Lee Broom, TIME MACHINE, sketch by Lee Broom

Lee Broom space at VC photo by Claudio Grassi

Lee Broom space at VC photo by Claudio Grassi

Lee Broom with Time Machine Grandfather Clock. Photo credit Arthur Woodcroft.

Lee Broom with Time Machine Grandfather Clock. Photo credit Arthur Woodcroft.

Chapter Seven & Eight

And if that wasn’t enough, dessert is yet to come.  With not one but two vaults, the Italian company Salviati is thinking big. Making optimal use of the character of the space, the transformed vaults achieve a chapel-like atmosphere. Salviati will be presenting an impressive installation by Luca Nichetto and Ben Gorham, showing glass craftsmanship.

“I'm fascinated by the depiction of humans throughout culture and history,” Luca Nichetto says. “This project with Salviati wasn’t just about coming up with a product. We had the chance to work on something that inspired us.”

Salviati, Luca Nichetto, Ben Gorham, credits by Mattia Balsamini

Salviati, Luca Nichetto, Ben Gorham, credits by Mattia Balsamini

FaberExposize – dress up the world

The Dutch company of FaberExposize is a specialist in large print projects that have the ability to completely transform any interior. Through printing walls, floors, ceilings, windows, and furniture FaberExposize creates a unique world immersed in gorgeous patterns by your own design. FaberExposize embraces the idea of design and is always on the look-out for new and inspiring collaborations that embellish the world. We are the proud partners of i.g. Nike, Studio Job and Rijksmuseum Amsterdam."

Printproject by FaberExposize - Studio Job MAD House, Studio Job 2016, MAD New York, photo Butcher Walsh

Printproject by FaberExposize - Studio Job MAD House, Studio Job 2016, MAD New York, photo Butcher Walsh

Practical information

Ventura Centrale is part of Ventura Projects, produced by Organisation in Design, also responsible for Ventura Lambrate and Ventura New York.

How to get from the Station Milano Centrale to Ventura Centrale:

Milan Design Week #1 Event in Dezeen Hot List

This week Dezeen released its 2016 Hot List, ranking the most newsworthy, searched-for and influential designers, architects, events and brands from the past year.

Milan Design Week ranked #1 in the Event category and #3 in the overall Hot List of 400 items. Read the Dezeen story below and checkout our Milan Design Week 2017 tour.

"Milan's design week is the biggest annual get-together in the calendar and the highest-ranking event in our Hot List. Its position at number three is testament to Milan's enduring importance to the design world and proof that no other design week comes close to matching its influence.

Interestingly "Milan Design Week" is not really a thing at all but rather a made-up umbrella term used as shorthand for all the various design-related activity that takes place in the city each April.

The biggest of these is the official Salone del Mobile furniture fair, which is located in the giant Rho Fiera fairground outside the city and runs concurrently with activities located in defined areas such as Ventura Lambrate and Brera Design District.

But for our audience these distinctions don't seem to matter – either that or they are confused about what the week is called and don't know where to go for information. This is borne out by the diversity of the search terms our readers used to find our Milan content, with people entering all kinds of different combinations of terms and spellings.

Our most popular posts about Milan this year were thematic previews and reviews that rounded up highlights from across the city, suggesting that our readers crave tips on how to navigate the vast number of exhibitions in the city, and want help deciphering what is important.

The lack of any single online resource for the week (and the generally poor websites of the big events) works to our advantage, since baffled fairgoers end up on our site. But it's also fair to say that the sheer number of stories we post about Milan – 250 this year, compared to 140 for the London Design Festival – creates a critical mass of content that generates strong Google juice, which in turns leads to lots of traffic."

More Dezeen Hot List

Checkout our Milan Design Week 2017 tour

 

MDW Ventura Lambrate 2017 - Call for Entries

Applications are now open for Ventura Lambrate at Milan Design Week 4-9 April 2017. Organisation in Design presents the 8th edition of Ventura Lambrate, the district of Fuorisalone during the Salone del Mobile where anything is possible.

Ventura Lambrate invites all designers, design studios, brands, academies, design schools and institutions to apply. This international call goes out to those who have valuable creative projects in mind. If you'd like to know more about Ventura Lambrate and how to apply, visit Ventura Projects.

The deadline for applications is 1 December 2016.

“There is no denying that this is a unique event that captures the true spirit of creativity. A diverse mix of up-and-coming designers from around the world, leading design schools and established names all coming together for the same cause - the ultimate celebration of design”. Yellow Trace

Handwoven Textiles GIVEAWAY

To celebrate the release of our 2017 Handwoven Textiles workshops and tours, we’re giving away a stunning silk and cashmere cotton blend scarf handwoven and handknotted by master weavers Museo-Laboratorio di Tessitura a mano Giuditta Brozzetti of Perugia, Italy.

To enter visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thetourstudio/ or Instagram @thetourstudio

Enter on both for two chances to win!

Entries close 30th November, winner announced 1st December 2016.

Occhietto scarf handwoven by Brozzetti of Perugia. Black and white silk and cashmere cotton blend with hand knotted fringes.

Occhietto scarf handwoven by Brozzetti of Perugia. Black and white silk and cashmere cotton blend with hand knotted fringes.