Discover the art of carnival and make papier-mâché with Gesi

Rated 4.8 out of 5
4.8 out of 5 (6 reviews)
Visit the workshop where the huge papier-mâché floats of the Putignano Carnival are born. Make your own artwork to take home.

The Artisan

The master  papier-mâché maker, who will teach you papier-mâché techniques during the workshop.

Gesi, master papier-mâché maker

Like all kids growing up in Putignano, Gesi got into carnival traditions already as a child. Then, in the early 2000s, she came to a turning point in her life when she left an office job and, following up her dormant artistic vein, joined her brother Deni - a renowned master papier-mâché maker - in creating the iconic papier-mâché floats for the Putignano Carnival.

About the experience

Cancel up to 3 days in advance to receive a full refund

2 hours

Italian and English (on request: French, Spanish, Portuguese...)

Min 3 – Max 12
5+

Includes

Good to know

Detailed Programme

Gesi will welcome you in one of the historic workshops where the huge papier-mâché floats of the famous Putignano Carnival come to life. It is here that Gesi has made papier-mâché her main profession together with her brother Deni, a renowned artist.

At the beginning of the papier-mâché workshop, Gesi will tell you about the origins of the carnival and in particular of the Putignano Carnival (one of the oldest in Europe according to historical records). Afterwards, Gesi will explain and show you how each year the famous papier-mâché floats, as tall as a three-story building, are conceived, designed and built.

Next, getting to the heart of the papier-mâché workshop, under Gesi’s expert guidance, you will roll up your sleeves and make a papier-mâché artwork yourself, which you will take home at the end of the experience. Gesi will let you choose the type of object to make among two or three options. You will make the object with a technique that is still used today to decorate the huge papier-mâché floats, simply using newspaper and flour glue.

Giving shape to papier-mâché is an extremely relaxing art activity, suitable for all ages, from families with small kids to couples and groups of friends. During the papier-mâché workshop, you will have time to chat with Gesi to ask her all the questions you want and learn more about her story as a papier-mâché master.

Availability

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Reviews

Truly authentic: we absolutely loved it

Rated 5.0 out of 5
28 August 2022

My husband and I were lucky enough to attend the paper mâché course and we absolutely loved it. A truly authentic experience in a really cool setting. We would recommend for anyone looking to try something slightly different!

Emily F.

Highly recommended!

Rated 4.0 out of 5
22 July 2022

Very interesting experience! Highly recommended!

Graziano C.

Beautiful, engaging and educational

Rated 5.0 out of 5
20 July 2022

A beautiful, engaging and educational experience that allows you to relax, have fun and see the artisan’s work up close.

Valeria Z.

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Why choosing a Loliv experience

Quality

We co-design all the experiences ourselves with the artisans

Authenticity

We only work with real craftsmen and craftswomen

Relationship

Small groups of participants facilitate the encounter with the artisan

Reliability

We listen to your needs

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