The Cinque Terre are famous for their beautiful landscape, but this is also a territory that should be praised for the creativity of its artisans and for the quality crafts that they create. Today we chat with Adele, a symbol of the new generation of young artisans that follow the footsteps of their parents, working in the characteristic botteghe (craft workshops) that you can find when strolling around the Cinque Terre.
Tell us about Fabbrica d’Arte Monterosso and its history.
Fabbrica d’Arte was founded by mother Milla and her friend Franz in 1982, when – after a ceramics course – they decided to follow their passion and open the first shop in Via V. Emanuele in Monterosso, working with stoneware and terracotta. My dad Diego joined them in 1996 and they opened another shop in Monterosso, where they specialized in porcelain. And it’s been a couple of years since Jenny (Franz’s wife) and I joined the team, we fell in love with this work, which has become a project, an idea, a dream that takes shape every day for all of us.
What is the link between craftsmanship, the materials you work with and the Cinque Terre?
Ours is an ancient art that comes from afar, but which has taken root and grown in Monterosso, absorbing the essence of the Cinque Terre. Exploring this territory is an experience of the senses that we try to tell every day with our work: we put our heads and hearts in every piece because we know that narrating this land is a great responsibility. Our work is continuously inspired by the beauty of these extraordinary places. In fact, we look for simple shapes and natural colors that recall those of the Cinque Terre: the blue of the sea, the green of the vineyards and the brown of our land.
You also offer the opportunity to visit your workshop. What makes this experience authentic?
Last year we launched our project called ‘art and nature experience’. It is a one-day experience side by side with the artisans in our laboratory where participants can practice two techniques that blend art and nature. They get to create a silk scarf printed with the eco-printing technique, and a porcelain bowl that is then decorated with local flowers and leaves. At the end we offer a genuine aperitif based on focaccia (strictly Ligurian!) and a glass of our wine.
Where can we find Fabbrica d’Arte Monterosso?
You can find us in two shops in Monterosso, one in via V. Emanuele 27 and one in via Roma 9; on our website www.fabbricadarte.com where you can buy our products; and on Instagram and Facebook. Some creations are also available at the Grand Hotel Portovenere in the Gulf of Poets.
