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The Italian Trade Agency is hosting U.S. retailers and Sicilian ceramic artisans this week for a B2B networking program in Caltagirone, Italy.
Independent brick-and-mortar retailers from California, Texas, Illinois, Washington and Ohio are meeting with about two dozen studios and production facilities in and around Caltagirone, the “City of Ceramics.” The Sicilian companies are showcasing their products and craft with the goal of forging new relationships and exploring potential business opportunities.
Ceramics have a long tradition in the region. For centuries, decorative arts and
housewares have been made using the island’s unique silicate clay blend, larger tables and architectural products strengthened with lava stone slabs from nearby Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe.
The ceramacists and artisans attending this week’s event are exhibiting a variety of decorative objects and furnishings ranging from tile, tabletop and serving pieces to wall decor, tables, jewelry, lamps, lighting fixtures and barbecue grills. Traditional motifs and styles are represented alongside modern, abstract and updated interpretations, and most of the artists and companies in attendance have been in business 30 years or less.
Partnering with ITA in the effort is Italy’s National Confederation of the Craft Sector, a 60-year-old organization that represents and protects the interests of Italian craft companies, small and medium enterprises, and self-employed workers. At Monday morning’s opening address, Antonio Franceschini, the confederation’s head of international market and trade promotion, said the organization has more than 600,000 members across different sectors, is involved in a number of networking initiatives throughout the country and is strengthening its footprint abroad.
ITA’s marketing and promotion officer in the U.S. is Lavinia Lucaci (l.lucaci@ice.it). The Artistic Ceramics in Sicily program concludes Wednesday.
