Mar. 5 - Born in Murano 53 years ago, Cesare Toffolo spent most his life surrounded by colored glass and the instruments that make it come to life. His father was a skilled glass craftsman, much like his father before him; and now Toffolo will reveal the secrets of his art in a series of workshops open to the public in Lisbon. On March 10-11, Toffolo will be a special guest of the Sciences and Technologies Department of Nova Lisbon University, where "Vicarte - Vidro e Cerâmica para as Artes" will take place, also thanks to the support of the Italian Cultural Institute. The latter set up a series of "Encounters for Art" focusing on the art of coloring and molding glass. Giacomo Toffolo, Cesare's grandfather, worked in the Venini furnace and transmitted his passion, skills and techniques to his son, Florino, who started working in Venini at 17, later specializing in the lume blown glass technique. Cesare learned on the job, starting at 15 in Murano. He later worked in the Venini, Fratelli Toso, Barovier & Toso, La Murrina, Salviati, and Galliano Ferro glass workshops, as well as with famous designers. His creations are displayed in art galleries and museums worldwide, and are appreciated for their style and constantly innovative techniques.

CESARE TOFFOLO

Cesare Toffolo began working in his father's workshop at a very early stage of his life, mastering at 15 the lume blown glass technique. He continued working on his technique until reaching his grandfather's and father's fame, mastering the lume, incalmo, filigrana, and golden leaf techniques. And his collaborations worldwide confirm his talents. At 21, he displayed his art for the first time at Palazzo Ca' Vendramin Calergi in Venece. In 1991, he held a masterclass for the Pilchuck Glass School of Seattle, at the Niijima Glass Art Center of Tokyo, for the Corning Museum of Glass, at the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, and for the Toyama Institute of Glass, as well as the Kanazu Forest of Creation Foundation in Japan. He also presented his works at the Glass Art Institute, the Glass House Institute in Tokyo and Cerfav in France for the European Glass Symposium. Cesare is among the most skilled glass artists in Murano, and his works can be found in numerous journals and newspapers. He also created and founded the “Centro studio vetro”, the Murano-based cultural association seeking to promote in Italy and abroad this rare skill and art form.