[In the photo above: Nicolò Galasso during a workshop at atelier San Marco 596]
Creating a mask, not only a Carnival mask, is among the fun activities that more and more visitors treat themselves to when in Venice. It is the chance to challenge your manual skills, something that you may have done as a child at school, and it is also a way to bring an exclusive and unique souvenir back home—this time made with your own hands.
The Mask Making Workshops organized by Nicolò Galasso in his family atelier in the district of San Marco, a few steps from the Piazza, are suitable for people of any age. When walking by the workshop and looking at its windows, it is easy to see children and grown-ups enjoying themselves and relaxing while choosing a mask model, crafting the mask with papier-mâché, and then painting and decorating it with their hands and fantasy. And, believe it or not, adults are the most entertained and happy with spending some time in this absorbing activity.
«The thing is, we too have fun! Even if we have been doing this kind of workshops for generations.» Nicolò Galasso has followed his father’s path in this captivating activity: «My father–Giorgio Galasso–started San Marco 596 with one goal in his mind: to amuse people, make them feel like children again, and offer a high-quality Venetian mask making workshop, where everything is hand-crafted.»
Giorgio and Nicolò are Venetian artisans, experts in the exclusive Venetian art of mask making. They offer an experience as simple as it is remarkable: spending one or two hours crafting your own papier-mâché mask, with your own creativity and taste, and with the history and the expertise of a professional, instead of buying a mere–often plastic–souvenir that has very little to do with Venice and its tradition.
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«My grand-father used to craft masks as a hobby, just for fun–Giorgio recalls the origins of the laboratory–I kept that kind of passion with me, and passed it on to my son. We have studied shapes and traditions, in particular on the antique prints at the Biblioteca Marciana. And there, in some books from the Fourteenth century, we have found the “Joker,” the mask of the jester. It got us immediately! It’s a striking mask which came back in fashion during the 70s, with the rebirth of the Venetian Carnival.»
It all starts always from an original model, usually made of clay. You put it in a cast of plaster and, after seven days, the mold for the mask is ready. Each mold corresponds to one of the twenty different kinds of papier-mâché masks.
Venetian design, Venetian history. During their labs, the Galassos explain to the participants the meaning of every object and tool, what is their purpose, and how they are used. Decorations are made using stucco and acrylic colors. Step by step, everyone crafts their mask, behind which there is always a big smile, clearly visible even behind the papier-mâché.
Costumers who reserve and participate in the workshop are of all kinds and all ages, even people working in cinema or other arts. «When we finish the class, very often children come to hug us. They are so excited and amazed that they need to show their happiness.» And adults as well. Giorgio recalls a fun fact: «An American lady came to the workshop. After she finished her mask, she was so enthusiastic that she asked me if she could craft another one. I was actually surprised by that request, so she explained: “Look, I work as a lawyer in New York… and this is by far the most relaxing and amusing thing I have done in the last ten years. Why shouldn’t I do it twice?»
SAN MARCO 596 – Giorgio Galasso
San Marco 596, 30124 Venezia
tel. +39 349 6757226
giorgiomaschereveneziane@gmail.com
www.sanmarco596.com
Facebook: @sanmarco596
Instagram: Venice_masks
