Creative Mani Factory

Creative Mani Factory returns to the spaces of Manifattura Tabacchi in Florence on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March, transforming Motel (Building B3) — the new event space of Manifattura Tabacchi — into an environment dedicated to independent design, the culture of making and the relationship between people, materials and creativity.

More than fifty artisans and designers from across Italy will take part in the event, presenting a completely renewed selection of handmade objects, small productions and contemporary projects. An ongoing exploration that focuses not only on what we see, but on how things are made: materials, techniques, processes and visions.

Alongside the market, Factory Open Lab takes shape — an open, free and accessible space for craft experimentation throughout the event. Visitors can enter at any time, stop by and freely try different manual techniques, with no schedules, no levels and no required outcome. It is not a structured workshop, but a shared creative space where the public can experiment and contribute to collective works that continuously evolve. Over the two days, a large canvas created using the tufting technique, a ceramic vase built using the coil technique, and a symbolic banner for the event composed of collage, marks and materials will gradually take shape. Curated by some of the artisans participating in the market, the space evolves through small shared interventions, becoming a visual narrative built together.

Throughout the weekend, the programme also features numerous workshops for adults and children, led by the artisans themselves. Paper, ceramics, textiles, colour and surfaces become tools for entering the creative gesture and experimenting first-hand. Inspired by spring, the workshops explore light forms, natural palettes and evolving imaginaries, through objects to model, surfaces to decorate and small worlds to create.