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Venice Carnival Mask-Making Class: Create Your Own Unique Masterpiece in Venice, Italy

4.7

341 Ratings

Venezia

Unleash your creativity and immerse yourself in the traditional art of mask-making at a Venice Carnival Mask-Making Class. Create your own unique masterpiece and experience the magic of the Venetian Carnival.

Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

For this course, pick one of the following options:

Course of Production

A Venetian master artisan will explain you the ancient technique of making a Venetian papier-mâché mask providing information about the use of masks in Venice during past centuries. At the end of the course, you will keep the mask as a very special souvenir to bring back home.

In case of mask production, you shall return to the laboratory after a few hours to collect the mask since it takes time to dry, the created mask will not be decorated.

Course of Decoration

A Venetian master artisan will be your experienced decorator, who will teach you how to paint and decorate your own mask, providing you with information about the use of masks in Venice during past centuries. You will choose a mask to be decorated during the course and at the end you will keep your mask as a very special souvenir to bring back home.

Course of production plus decoration

The mask needs 6 hours to dry therefore you have to book the decoration course 6 hours after the production one.

Points of Interest

San Marco 596 Venetian Masks

What's Included

All necessary paints and supplies included
Live commentary throughout the tour
Decorate and keep your own mask

What's Not Included

Hotel pickup

Additional Information

Looking for an authentic Venetian experience? Here’s the perfect fit!

An exceptional Venetian Master Craftsman provides a unique 1-hour tutorial on the ancient craft of mask-decorating, giving you a personal and artistic glimpse into the preparations for the iconic Venetian Carnival.

Engage with your inner artist to design your very own unique piece, a cherished keepsake from an extraordinary experience and your handmade version of the ultimate symbol of Venice!

A distinctive, handcrafted experience perfect to enjoy with family and friends!

Tour does not operate in case of exceptional high tide (in these cases it can be postponed the days after otherwise it will be refunded)
On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it

Location

San Marco 596 Venetian Masks

Piazza San Marco

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.7

(341 Ratings)

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Scuba353

Jun 5, 2024

Beautiful studio, talented artist - This was a very intimate experience with a talented mask artist. The experience was just my husband and I and the artist. He taught us how to make masks and gave us some of the history on why they were popular in Venice. I only wish we could have been a bit more creative with our mask but for the sake of time I understand why the artist imposed limits.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Kameisha_w

May 24, 2024

A fun activity for adults and kids! - We had such a great time learning about the history of masks in Italy and their significance. We got there late, due to our flight delay and the owner still let us paint and even helped us decorate our mask!

Review provided by Viator

Steven_p

May 24, 2024

A cool Venetian experience - When we arrived, we were immediately struck by the beautiful masks all over the shop. We were able to choose from a handful of mask options and paint colors. The instruction was clear and helpful. We even learned about the history of Venetian masks. Everything was lovely and it was a wonderful experience. The shop is family run and owned. Everything in that shop is made in that shop and is literally a local, one-of-a-kind Venetian mask. Highly recommend!

Review provided by Viator

Neelofer_t

May 23, 2024

Intimate painting party - Very fun and relaxed experience where I learned a little about the history of Carnevale in Venice. It's a small family business who have been making masks for generations. Also, the masks are ready for use by the time you leave and survived in my carryon luggage. Highly recommend!

Review provided by Viator

Jimmyrinse

May 19, 2024

Fantastico! - Great thing to do while in Venice - take a break from the crowds and just zone out doing a bit of painting. Our host was fantastic and helped us with our designs. There were a few flights of stairs to walk up in the prison where we took the class which was difficult for one of our party who was elderly

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Aqlollipop

May 14, 2024

A fun and unique experience in Venice - What a fun and unique experience! We really enjoyed our time painting masks and learning about the history of masks in Venice from the master who put gorgeous finishing touches on our masks!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

David_e

May 3, 2024

Paint Your Own Venetian Mask - Giorgio was the artist/owner who taught the class. He was wonderful and took time to explain how to get started with the painting after each of us in the class of four selected our masks. He was very helpful and reassuring as we painted. Giorgio did some special decorating on our masks and they came out great. It was a very fun and unique activity and one I highly recommend

Review provided by Viator

Kinthi_s

Apr 26, 2024

Relaxing activity - Cost shop with good support from Nicola.. and he added the flourishing touches which made my mask look professional!

Review provided by Viator

Stephanie_h

Jun 4, 2024

It was ok. - It was unique and relaxing. We enjoyed painting the mask but that was all it was. We picked from about 10 masks, all 1/2 face masks. Then he traced with a pencil what design he thought should go on the mask. Then he told us the technique for using the paintbrush (dip it in paint. When switching colors, wash the brush in the water and wipe it on the paper towel.) That was pretty much it. He sat outside and smoked cigarettes while we were painting. Then when we were done, he added swirls of paint where he thought they should go on the mask. We thought we would get to do a bit more than just apply the paint. He talked for about 3 minutes on the history of Carnivale (how it allowed the poor to interact with the rich walking around Venice for 15 days by wearing a mask.) That's pretty much it. Cute little painting hole in the wall studio. Had a nice mask to take home that he designed, we painted and he embellished. Smelled the cigarette smoke from outside the whole time.

Review provided by Viator

Emanuel_b