Volterra

With 45 years of experience, when you enter the Alab'arte workshop you have the sensation of taking a dive into the past, but also of being in a place where the hands are full of creative genius. The laboratory, as well as the shop, can be visited with Roberto and Giorgio ready to explain what alabaster is and how it is worked.

Traditional alabaster working in a historic workshop. Design objects or objects of any shape are made, from sculpture to turning, squaring up to the construction of musical instruments. Predominantly natural qualities of alabaster are used. The laboratory can only be visited by appointment.

The shop is located in the historic center of the city of Volterra, a few steps from Piazza dei Priori and the medieval fountains of Docciola. Here Silvia carries out her sculptural works and her delicate fretwork, creating a welcoming environment where you can admire the various traditional manufacturing techniques from conception to finished work, among the proposals there is also a demonstration of traditional manufacturing.

Artisan alabaster workshop since 1978, Daniele has continued the family tradition of alabaster makers. Also a master in the working of semi-precious stones, he is an expert in the creation of the figurative, that is the reproduction of animals and other natural elements.

After the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, specializing in sculpture, Ilaria devoted herself to advertising graphics and marble, but once she got to know alabaster she immediately started her sculpture business in Volterra. Over time she perfected herself in a specific task that was fading away, the ornament. Today she has her own laboratory, where she works mainly on commission and shows the work in progress and the alabaster tools. In collaboration with the artieri cooperative, she also organizes workshops for adults and children.