Carrara (Tuscany, Italy) has been designated BEST CREATIVE DESTINATION of the year, winning the 6th edition of the Creative Tourism Awards, promoted by the Creative Tourism Network®.
Carrara , the city of marble and UNESCO CREATIVE CITY, has been chosen as BEST CREATIVE DESTINATION among 97 very diverse destinations from around the world, relying on the criteria of creativity, authenticity, and sustainability.
What is Creative Tourism?
Creative Tourism is considered a new kind of tourism that involves tourists and locals in the creation of the tourist product (co-creation). Creative Tourism offers visitors the opportunity to develop their creative potential through active participation in courses and learning experiences, which are characteristic of the holiday destination where they are taken.
Sculpting marble in Carrara, preparing your chocolate in Quito, carving sculpture on ice in Canada, learning traditional dances in Brazil, participating in a cooking class in Thailand, mixing like a DJ in Ibiza are some just some examples of Creative Tourism activities.
This new way of discovering a foreign culture by experiencing it has been growing for the last decade. Nowadays, tourists no longer want to attend traditional sightseeing tours, they need to feel involved in the destination’s daily life and to co-create signature experiences with the locals.
Why Carrara has been awarded Best Creative Destination
Among the many reasons that make the City of Carrara a reference for the Creative Tourism development at the world level:
The city that is already famous worldwide for its exceptional historical and artistic heritage and for being the source of inspiration of the most outstanding artists (such as Michelangelo, Canova, Bernini) has evolved its traditional tourism offer in order to reinvent itself, by making the creativity the core of a holistic sustainable strategy, that benefits the whole city and population.
The City’s DNA, deeply linked to the marble activity, is effectively used as a common thread through which a wide array of creative proposals, among them workshops, festivals and permanent activities, give coherence to the city strategic development, thought to make the city attractive for both the residents and visitors.
Events like White Carrara Downtown (a diffused marble design week) and Carrara Studi Aperti (read our guide, and our 2019 review), contribute to creating synergies between the marble industry and other fields like art, crafts, food, wine, performing arts and others. These projects engage the public and private sector, as well as the civil society, creating an ecosystem and enhancing the social cohesion and the locals’ self-esteem.
Carrara sculpting workshops and creative experiences: where to learn how to sculpt marble!
During the summer, in Carrara there are many possibilities to take marble sculpting classes (from basic to super-advanced), as well as clay and majolica classes, urban photography, etc. There are many artists living and working in Carrara offering sculpture workshops in their studios, here are some of the most organized courses:
Arco Arte – Sculpting Classes, Carrara BEST CREATIVE DESTINATION
ARCO ARTE
Arco Arte organizes courses of marble sculpture since 1990 and recently has added ceramic courses throughout the year (modeling and decoration). The courses last two weeks or more and take place from April to mid-October. 4 types of sculpture courses are available for different levels and techniques, from the beginner’s course to the advanced courses. The cost includes materials and tools, visit to the quarries and accommodation options.
arcoarte.it
Al Nassar Studio – Sculpting Classes, Carrara BEST CREATIVE DESTINATION
AL-NASSAR STUDIO
You can take a Carrara marble sculpture course in the charming studio of the sculptor AlNassar, 400 meters from the famous Michelangelo quarry. The sculptor follows each person’s work individually. The courses are offered from May to September and last 11 days. The cost includes materials and tools, a visit to the quarries and accommodation options.
alnassar.it
Sculpture workshop in Carrara – Cava Lazzareschi. A creative Tourism Experience
CAVA LUNAE
The creative sculpture courses organized by Cava Lazzareschi (Colonnata) take place from April to October. Different formulas are available, from the one-week basic course to specialization courses, advanced customized courses. Cavae Lunae even offers on airbnb a one-day sculpture experience allowing anyone to approach Carrara marble: the participants can choose a marble rock directly in the quarry, and make their own souvenir in just 4 hours. The cost includes materials and tools, and accommodation options.
corsidiscultura.it
Studio Marmore+ Carrara – a uno spazio di espressione artistica e culturale.
MARMORE STUDIO +
In the center of Carrara, the “Studio Marmore +” Atelier of Lorenzani Fabrizio and Mayer-Tasch Verena
combines within its spaces a sculpture workshop and various exhibition areas. The atelier was created with the dual aim of bringing the artistic processing of marble back into the city and of offering citizenship a space of artistic and cultural expression. The types of sculpture courses they offer are more advanced and dedicated to the improvement of the point and enlargement technique. The courses take place in the summer and last 3 weeks. It is also possible to take part to a 4-hour marble creative tourist experience, and take home a souvenir made with your own hands!
Facebook: studiomarmorecarrara
So what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to Tuscany, come and enjoy Carrara’s mountains, its breathtaking views, its beaches and get involved in some amazing learning experiences!
White Carrara Downtown – En Plein Air hand-sculpture lessons with the Carrara Academy of Fine Arts students
Artist sculpting en plein air in front of the city cathedral
CARRARA from alps to seaside – BEST CREATIVE DESTINATION
A view from the marble quarries – Carrara (Tuscany) BEST CREATIVE DESTINATION – Creative Tourism Award
