In this captivating episode of Venice Talks, Monica sits down with internationally renowned artist Judi Harvest to explore the luminous, layered world she has built between Murano’s glass furnaces and Venice’s buzzing garden beehives.

Judi shares how a brief trip to Venice decades ago became a lifelong journey — one that has shaped her art, her activism, and her sense of belonging. From collaborating with Murano glassmasters to creating installations that highlight the fragility of both nature and culture, her work is a powerful blend of beauty and urgency.

This is not just a conversation about art — it’s about transformation, memory, and the deep emotional threads that connect people to place.

🔹 Key Notes from the Episode:

• How a brief visit to Venice became a lifelong artistic and personal journey
• The magic and heartbreak of working with Murano’s master glassmakers
• Why bees, gardens, and endangered ecosystems have taken center stage in her work
• The intersection of art, activism, and preservation in a city at risk
• Reflections on legacy, inspiration, and staying rooted through change

🎧 If you love Venice, art with meaning, and stories that shimmer with life, this episode is for you.

✨ Credits:

Hosted by Monica Cesarato

Produced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire Media

Guest: Judi Harvest

📢 Don’t forget to subscribe to Venice Talks on your favorite podcast platform — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

👉 And if this episode moved you, please leave a review and share it with fellow Venice lovers!

In this evocative episode of Venice Talks, Monica speaks to Laura Pritchard, a British-born artisan who swapped the foggy landscapes of the UK for the light and tides of Venice. Today, Laura is one of the few women working as a maestra d’ascia, a traditional boatbuilder shaping the iconic vessels of the lagoon with age-old tools and timeless care.

Together, they talk about what it means to embrace an ancient craft in a foreign land, how wood and water can become a language of belonging, and the quiet revolution of carving one’s place—literally and metaphorically—in a deeply rooted tradition.

It’s a story of reinvention, resilience, and reverence for Venice’s maritime soul.

Laura’s journey from the UK to Venice:

• beginnings, motives, transformation
• what it means to be a maestro d’ascia in a city built on water
• gender and tradition: carving out space in a male-dominated craft
• the relationship between wood, water, and identity
• how craftsmanship bridges cultures and generations

✨ Credits:

Hosted by Monica Cesarato

Produced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire Media

Guest: Laura Pritchard

If you love stories of transformation, tradition, and the quiet power of craft, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in to Venice Talks on your favorite podcast platform—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, or wherever you listen.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a voice from the lagoon!

In this episode of Venice Talks, we sit down with Cesare Peris, president of the historic Società di Mutuo Soccorso fra Carpentieri e Calafati, a unique Venetian institution rooted in solidarity, shipbuilding, and memory.

🔑 In this episode, we explore:

• The fascinating origins and mission of one of Venice’s oldest mutual aid societies
• Who the carpentieri e calafati were, and their essential role in the life of the Arsenale
• How the SMSCC has evolved through the centuries, adapting to today’s challenges
• Why preserving historical memory and traditional crafts matters now more than ever
• The society’s vision for the future of mutual support and intergenerational knowledge in Venice
• Personal reflections from Cesare on a life dedicated to culture, community, and commitment

✨ Credits:

Hosted by Monica Cesarato

Produced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire Media

Guest: Cesare Peris from Società di Mutuo Soccorso fra Carpentieri e Calafati

📍Whether you’re passionate about Venice, history, or community-led initiatives, this is a conversation not to miss.

👉 Listen now on your favorite platform — and don’t forget to follow Venice Talks for more stories from the heart of the lagoon.