Summer School

An educational initiative developed in partnership with our network, our Summer School Programme funds selected young artisans and designers to take part in intensive short courses staged by members of our network around Europe. Held during the summer months, the courses offer a valuable opportunity for students and recent graduates to learn about an aspect of craftsmanship outside their own area of expertise, encouraging them to fulfil their potential and broaden their horizons. Pieces created during the Summer School may form part of future international exhibitions staged by the Michelangelo Foundation. Seven courses are organised in summer 2019.

Applications for 2019 are closed.

Portuguese Basket Technology, 15 Jul-2 Aug
Museu de Arte Popular, Lisbon, Portugal

This intensive course is developed in partnership with the Portuguese Ministry of Culture and Fundação Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva and organised by the Museu de Arte Popular/Museu Nacional de Etnologia, Passa Ao Futuro and The Home Project Design Studio. Participating young people will have the chance to work with Portuguese master artisans to investigate five traditional Portuguese basketry methods and collaboratively create a series of pieces to be included in an exhibition on the subject staged at the Museu de Arte Popular this September. Find out more

Stone Carving for Beginners, 22-26 Jul
City & Guilds of London Art School, London, UK

Learn the basics of low relief stone carving in a British institution whose tradition of teaching sculpture and stone carving dates back to 1879. During this five-day course students will be introduced to the fundamentals of stone carving, including the tools and techniques for cutting stone and applying texture, and the historical background to various decorative styles. Find out more

Introduction to Ornamental Woodcarving, 22-26 Jul
City & Guilds of London Art School, London, UK

A rare opportunity to learn historic woodcarving skills in one of the few art schools still teaching traditional craftsmanship. The course will introduce students to the skills and techniques needed for historic woodcarving, starting with simple chip carving, before moving on to carving an architectural ornament out of raw timber, working from a plaster mould. Find out more

Gilding and Verre Eglomisé, 22-26 Jul
City & Guilds of London Art School, London, UK

In this five-day course students will get a solid introduction to two centuries-old techniques: verre eglomisé and oil gilding. The specialist technique of verre eglomisé, gilding the reverse side of a piece of glass, involves applying gold leaf to glass and then etching It. Oil gilding is a technique suitable for use on external architectural features in plaster, wood and stone. Find out more

Etching Fundamentals, 22-26 Jul
City & Guilds of London Art School, London, UK

Learn the craft of intaglio printing in this British institution’s historic print room, which has been central to the school’s practice since the late 19th century. Students will learn the process of intaglio etching and printing, and have the chance to examine the historical background of printmaking from its origins to the present day. Find out more

Tapestry and Artistic Interpretation, 26 Aug-2 Sep
Cité Internationale de la Tapisserie, Aubusson, France

Held in this world-renowned centre for tapestry making, this eight-day course focuses on the relationship between creativity and interpretation in tapestry making. Students will join others from across Europe to debate the theory and practice of interpreting an artist’s design to create a common tapestry. Talks and activities will be held in and around the historic town of Aubusson, incorporating visits to its summer exhibition about the development of tapestry around the world in the 20th century. Find out more

Glassblowing, 30 Sep-5 Oct
Fluid, Belle-île-en-Mer, France

Founded in 2008, Fluid is a glassmaking collective based on an island off the coast of Brittany in northwestern France that aims to give passionate artisans the space and time to create exquisite glassworks. During this short course, selected students will work alongside invited master artisans to learn glassblowing techniques and create works that will join Fluid’s permanent collection. Find out more