British jeweller comes out of lockdown in Italy

Jeweller Stephen Saliba tells Benchpeg what its like in Italy during Covid-19

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Jeweller Stephen Saliba has been a resident in Bristol for over 40 years. In the last year he took the plunge and re-located to Italy. He tells Benchpeg what its been like to relocate and set up a business during a pandemic.

With over ten years of teaching experience, Stephen decided to set up a workshop and school of jewellery ‘Art Lab Todi’ in the historic town of Todi in Umbria. The school and workshop are located on the ground floor of a palace, within a town full of architectural gems and history.

The Jewellery School is set up with bench spaces for 12 students and run jewellery making classes from hobbyists and amateurs through to skilled jewellers offering advanced classes with visiting tutors to teach specialists techniques.

In March 2020, not long after opening, Italy went into total lockdown. The streets emptied, most of the shops in the area closed, with only supermarkets, pharmacies and strangely tobacconists open. He tells Benchpeg about Art Lab Todi:

“After working in Bristol and in the south east of England, I decided to take the plunge and look for a new location to inspire me and potential students. Art Lab Todi is my new jewellery school and it is based on the ground floor of a listed building, a palace, on one of the main streets of Todi, a historic hilltop town in Umbria, the green heart of Italy.

In the UK I worked in metals for 40 years, starting at a young age in engineering. I have been a goldsmith and bespoke jeweller for over 20 years, following a BA hons degree in 3D design, specialising in metalwork and jewellery at Sheffield Hallam University. I also facet coloured gemstones which affords me extra creativity when designing as I am not restricted to traditional cut stones. I taught jewellery techniques for 10 years at UK colleges (Oaklands College, Bath College, University of Hertfordshire) and in private schools.

I now live in Italy full time teaching jewellery techniques and continuing to work as a bespoke jeweller.

To set up the school I brought a fair amount of my tools with me and for the students I bought some new and some secondhand pieces of equipment including a centrifuge casting machine and all the accessories for the lost wax process, including rubber press, wax injector and vacuum chamber. I am very excited to be able to teach the whole casting process from carving of the wax to the final piece in metal and rubber masters.

The idea behind the jewellery school is a bit like a ‘jewellery making holiday’. We have already run a few beginner’s courses, enrolling English speaking students (whilst I continue to practice my Italian) some of whom are moving to intermediate level. Il. At beginner’s level, over two days students have made a ring and earrings, followed by a more ambitious piece to complete the course. One returning student has now made two Celtic weave bracelets. I have been pleased to offer the wire weaving technique which I learnt from a blacksmith friend. Many types of weave are possible, but this is neat, easy to master and the current favourite.

The ‘Laboratorio’, as they call the jewellery workshop in Italy. is well equipped to teach all levels. I am very much ready and looking forward to teaching advanced courses, including stone setting. I also plan to have visiting guest tutors to come and teach specialist courses.”

ReOpening

The School of course was forced to close its doors and were given the 3rd of June as a date that authorities were relaxing lockdown and activities and commercial could commence. The School has now re-opened and classes re-commenced observing social distancing and so on.

Stephen continues:
“Todi is a small, ancient and interesting well preserved town, we are in a stunning location for a ‘jewellery making holiday’.

The town has only had 5 cases of Covid-19 and none since March. Easing of lockdown measures has been gradual and we were finally able to restart classes on 3rd of June.

Hotels and restaurants have re-opened albeit with fewer tables inside and more outside. The many festivals and public events we normally enjoy in the summer which attract large crowds have been paused for 2020, but hotels, restaurants, wineries and all other businesses that can operate safely have reopened.

With the sunshine we will be able to enjoy the art, architecture and the outdoors even more. Then, in the evenings we either wander the narrow streets to take in the cool evening breeze after experiencing yet another stunning sunset or take a drive deeper into the countryside for more natural beauty and maybe an outdoor movie projected on a castle. It is likely that borders will reopen this summer and we are ready to welcome students who are ready for a jewellery retreat.”