Tessellating stories in Venice. Schools & Mosaic 2026

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March at the Cloister of San Francesco della Vigna the final exhibition of the fifth edition

On Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March 2026, the Cloister of San Francesco della Vigna in Venice will host the final exhibition of SCHOOLS & MOSAIC 2026. Tessellating Stories in Venice, a project promoted by the Municipality of Venice, Murano and Burano in collaboration with Orsoni Venezia 1888, the historic furnace still active in the heart of the city, producing handcrafted mosaics since 1888.

Now in its fifth edition, the project confirms its role as an important educational and cultural experience: over the past five years it has involved more than 3,000 students and over 200 classes from schools across the Municipality, including those on the islands of Murano and Burano, helping strengthen the bond between younger generations and the city’s artistic heritage.

Born from the synergy with the Orsoni furnace—an international benchmark in the production of Venetian smalti and gold-leaf mosaics since 1888—the programme offered students a direct and hands‑on experience of artisanal making. Participants worked with authentic materials, discovering ancient techniques while developing their own expressive language.

The 2026 edition focused on the theme of storytelling, intertwining mosaic, writing, and imagination. Venice thus became the stage for the narratives created by the students, later transformed into mosaic artworks: a large “collective book” composed of tesserae, stories, and visions of the city.

For the occasion, the Cloister of San Francesco della Vigna—an area of great historical and symbolic value—will become an open and participatory space. Alongside the exhibition of the works, visitors will be able to take part in a rich programme of activities:

• mosaic workshops open to all ages
• readings of the students’ stories curated by Teatro di Cittadinanza
• guided tours exploring the art, architecture, and history of the San Francesco della Vigna complex

The exhibition represents not only a moment of sharing, but also an opportunity for dialogue between schools, craftsmanship, and the community. At the end of the programme, all participating classes will receive a certificate acknowledging their commitment and creativity.

SCHOOLS & MOSAIC thus reaffirms itself as a project capable of transmitting the value of a millenary tradition such as Venetian mosaic, fostering curiosity, awareness, and—at times—opening future pathways toward artistic and artisanal professions.

Recognised as a shared educational initiative, the project has seen the active participation of several local organisations, including the Association of San Francesco della Vigna and the Mutual Aid Society of Carpenters and Caulkers.

Tessellating stories in Venice
Mosaic and Writing Workshop
San Francesco della Vigna, Venice
March 28-29, 2026 – from 10 am to 6 pm