Clayworks from Italy

“Clayworks from Italy”

Opening reception: Sunday, May 22. 5-8pm

Featured artists from Tuscany and Umbria

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Nicola Boccini was born in Deruta (Perugia) and graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Perugia and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the Hague. He has focused on experimentation and research with ceramic techniques and in 1997 founded the Free Experimental Ceramics Association. In 2001, together with other artists established the “Romano Ranieri Ceramic Art School” in Deruta.

Alberto Cavallini was born in Certaldo near Florence and lives in a place called Murate, a cottage in the Florentine. For several years he has been interested in the creation of whistles which he molds with fire clay and decorates with ingobbio (clay mixed with coloring oxides). The subject of his whistles are animals, saints, myths, characters of fairy-tale worlds and the people he meets.

Monica Lazzerini attended the Art Institute of Florence where she studied Interior Design. She also studied oil painting with regard to the painting on fabric and metal and then began to decorate earthenware in the 1980's in the town of Montelupo Fiorentino, which is famous for its Majolica tradition.

Cynzia Orsi attended art classes in Montelupo Fiorentino where she met Monica Lazzerini and both learned traditional majolica. In 1990 they open their own studio located in the ancient medieval village of Certaldo: "Artesia Certaldo Alto Ceramic Craft Shop". (visit:

Pietro Elia Maddalena studied ceramics at the West Surrey College of Art & Design in England. After two more years of work at the Dartington Workshop, he returned to Italy where in 1980 he established a studio and founded La Meridiana International School of Ceramics in Tuscany. (visit:

Master Romano Ranieri has fifty years of experience and his insatiable desire for perfection makes him one of the eminent names in the global arena of majolica. His works can be found in pretigious galleries all over the world including 52 ceramic panels (150cm x 100cm each) located in Chicago “Istituto Scalabrignano” depicting the key motifs of the New Testiment. He is the master majolica instructor at the ““Romano Ranieri Ceramic Art School” in Deruta.(visit:

Pasta and Wine Benefit during Opening Recption

to benefit the Haitian Clayworks Project

The exhibit on display May 1st – June 30th