Italia
Studying, learning, experimenting without limits or boundaries.
Established in 1985 by Giò Carbone, LAO - Le Arti Orafe Jewellery School was the first Italian school devoted to contemporary jewellery, and since the very beginning has encouraged and promoted a learning process emphasizing technical and professional skills, combined with artistic research and contemporary design. LAO have its headquarters in the historic and artistic heart of Florence, in the Santo Spirito/San Frediano district.
LAO invented and experimented with a training programme that put the stress on anti-conventional reworking of traditional procedures and techniques, combining the knowledge of craftsmanship with contemporary concepts, exploring the creative use of traditional materials and introducing other, completely innovative ones. Nowadays the school is one of the most important in Europe, it is an Accredited Training Agency for courses approved and financed by the ESF (European Social Fund), and an Authorized entity for Erasmus projects. The school has five workshops for practical activities, a gemology classroom, a library, a CAD studio and two classrooms for design and theory lessons. Main courses are held in Italian language, and foreign students are required to have an B2 level knowledge of this language. Courses in English could be scheduled on demand. Besides the normal education activities, LAO has a long curriculum of events, collaborations with people and companies and different projects in different areas and countries. Stories of friendship, cooperation, cultural exchange and enrichment with professionals, artists, friends. Since 2005 the school organizes "PREZIOSA" the international exhibition devoted to Contemporary Jewellery, and the side contest/exhibition PREZIOSA YOUNG. Since 2015 the school organizes the "FLORENCE JEWELLERY WEEK" an intensive 7-day event devoted to the jewellery world and the complex relationships between artistic research, crafts and design.
Courses:
- Jewellery making
- Jewellery design
- CAD
- Stone setting
- Hand Engraving
- Enamel
Every year, summer, short, intensive and week-end courses are scheduled