The story of Nicolò Giuliano begins among the workshops of Santo Stefano di Camastra, one of the historic centers of Sicilian ceramics. It is 1956 when, at just five years old, he steps into a workshop for the first time: an early encounter with clay and color that will shape his entire life. From childhood he observes, experiments, and models. Guiding him during his formative years is master ceramist Edoardo Fratantoni, a renowned figure in the local ceramic tradition, under whom Giuliano becomes one of the most promising apprentices, learning the techniques, secrets, and discipline of the craft.
In 1970 Nicolò embarks on a new chapter and moves to Monreale. Here, at the foot of the majestic Norman Cathedral, he lays the foundations of his own workshop and also establishes a school for young ceramists. These are years of intense work, sustained by determination and by the support of his wife Pina. Over time, the workshop grows into a point of reference for Sicilian artistic ceramics. From 1995 onward, the activity evolves into a true family enterprise with the involvement of his children: Alessandro in business management, Daniele as an expert in colors and glazes and the creator of many successful pieces, and Elisabetta in charge of image and communication. The workshop also becomes an exhibition space, preserving and narrating the story of decades of production.
Alongside his creative work, Nicolò Giuliano has always been committed to promoting the culture of ceramics, contributing to the recognition of Monreale as a city with a strong ceramic tradition. His works, now present in institutions and collections, reflect a practice that combines artisanal heritage with a contemporary vision. In 2023 he was awarded the honor of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
IoCunegonda is a brand of cold porcelain jewellery. In her small workshop in Pietrasanta, in the province of Lucca, Serena Belfiore creates floral jewellery inspired by the forms of nature, entirely handcrafted, from modelling to decoration and assembly.
Each piece is unique, even “sartorial”, because it is often made to order, based on the customer’s taste and personality, interpreted by the artisan with ingenuity and mastery: the creative process is therefore a true open dialogue in which the memories and emotions to be evoked take shape through the choice of colours and materials.
It is possible to choose from the models on display in the workshop, to be inspired or to propose your own idea of a piece of jewellery to be made. Designed for both special occasions and everyday wear, IoCunegonda bijoux are the result of Serena’s passion for craftsmanship, handcrafted and artistic jewellery, small and light sculptures to be worn that enhance the uniqueness of the wearer.
Sebastiano Fischer is the mind and the hands behind Ceramiche Fischer, a contemporary ceramic workshop located in Pantelleria, a tiny island off the coast of Sicily, in the province of Trapani. Sebastiano studied at “G. Ballardini” Art School for Ceramics in Faenza, specializing in majolica. He later got a degree in sculpture at Venice Academy of Fine Arts. After his studies he went back to his beloved island, where he started experimenting with different techniques and firings, thus developing a signature style aimed at conveying the beauty and energy of his surrounding territory. Pantelleria’s landscapes are in fact his greatest source of inspiration. His favourite technique is raku, which allows him to obtain certain characteristic effects, which he combines with materials collected around the island itself, such as red, yellow and ochre clays, ground stones, quartz, ferrous debris, seaweed, ash… Just like an alchemist, with these elements he creates his own formulas, the result of years of research and experiments, giving life to unique and modern ceramic objects, home décors and interior design furnishings.
After studying at the School of Art, Pina Corriga established her first “Mediterraneum Fictilia” atelier in the small town of Simaxis, where she started producing tableware and contemporary style home furnishings, inspired by Sardinian culture. Five years later, she permanently moved to a home-workshop in Solarussa, near Oristano, in an evocative natural environment.
Here, she further confirmed her stylistic identity, recognisable in the distinctive forms of her work and in her exquisite decorations as well as in a rich, continually evolving production, open to experimentation and relying on a multifaceted source of inspiration, from the beauty of butterflies in the Mariposa collection, to the traditional women’s costumes in the Istimentos line.
Based in Grottaglie, a historical craftsmens’ district near Taranto, Casa Vestita is an outstanding location featuring a magnificent 19th-century garden and wonderful objects on display.
The three brothers of the Vestita family are passing down their long-established ceramics tradition, with Carmelo moulding clay, Mimmo decorating manufacts and Antonio, who is an engineer, working on more complex projects.
In their workshop in Via Santa Sofia, they create unique, brilliantly coloured items featuring traditional local shapes, now renewed to meet contemporary taste. Just like the “pumo”, a typical lucky-charm from Grottaglie, to be seen on the balconies of historical or modern mansions in town: a flower bud decorated with acanthus leaves, a symbol of spring and of nature’s rebirth.
Angelo Sciannella was born and grew up in Castelli, Abruzzo, an imporant centre for the production of pottery where he trained to be a ceramist.
In 1962, he moved to Sardinia, near Oristano, and started combining local traditions with the technical culture of his native territory. In his workshop, he creates expressive sculptural pieces and functional items characterized by fine style, that have brought him to win many important awards.
He has been collaborating with Oristano’s Istituto Statale d’Arte for decades, as a professor of ceramics design.
Vanessa Cavallaro is a glass master from Altare. She was born in Savona in 1971. At the age of 10, she began her apprenticeship in the family’s atelier, learning the basics of the art of engraving by lathe from her father.
She studied art at secondary school, then enrolled at the European Institute of Design–IED in Turin, where she majored in graphic design. Her engraving skills are underpinned by her in-depth theoretical knowledge of glassmaking techniques and continued experience in engraving.
In 1993, she opened her own studio. One of her first commissions, for the Lions Clubs of Liguria, was the “Nuvola” collection: a collection of 93 hand-engraved and numbered vases. She then began long-term partnerships with glassmakers in Tuscany and Murano. She also collaborated with well-known fashion and homeware labels, such as Christian Dior, for which she creates dinner settings.
Her calibre as an international artist was acknowledged in 2000 when she was invited to exhibit at the 11th Decor and Garden Show in Monaco.
Cavallaro has been featured in newspapers and industry-related publications: interviews and photos of her works were published in leading magazines such as AD, Marie Claire Maison, and Gente Casa.
In 2016, she was awarded with the “MAM – Maestro d’Arte e Mestiere” accolade. She displayed her artworks at Milano Triennale, on the occasion of the exhibition “Vitrea”, and at Homo Faber (Venice) in 2022.
