Sculpture Workshop with Manfred Kronenthaler
June 23–29, 2025
Artist residency Stone Oven House, Rorà (Val Pellice, Italian Alps)

We invite you to the Italian Alps for a week of creativity, inspiration, and quiet.
The workshop “Founded Beauty” is a journey into the world of natural materials and found objects, transformed into sculpture.
Together with German artist Manfred Kronenthaler, we will walk mountain paths, collect fragments of time, explore the surroundings, visit galleries and creative studios, and work with wood, metal, and stone. The week will culminate in an exhibition in the spaces of the residency.

We will enjoy the mountains, narrow alleys, quiet evenings with wine, conversations by the fire, fresh pasta and gelato in the sun.

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PROGRAM

June 23 — ARRIVAL AND INTRODUCTION
Arrival of participants.
In the evening – shared dinner, presentation of the workshop, getting to know the space, other participants, and Manfred’s work.
A soft landing into the atmosphere.

June 24 — WALKING AND GATHERING
In the morning – walk through the valley, abandoned houses, old quarries and barns, possibly a visit to local flea markets.
We collect materials: wood, metal, stone, remnants of other lives.
In the evening – discussion of the finds, possible ideas for future works.

June 25 — GATHERING AND WALKING
In the morning – visit to nearby towns: contemporary art galleries, creative spaces and artist studios.
In the afternoon – more collecting, first tests and compositions.
In the evening – conversations about meaning and approach: how to turn the random into something whole.

June 26–27 — CREATING
Two full working days.
We work in the studio and outdoors: assembling, sculpting, combining. Manfred guides individual processes, helps with composition and material choices.
Participants can work individually or collaboratively.
In the evenings – informal conversations, wine, sauna, stars.

June 28 — EXHIBITING
Final touches and building the exhibition.
We write titles and texts, prepare the space.
In the evening – open-air exhibition, with neighbors, friends, guests from the valley. Wine, music, real connection.

June 29 — FAREWELL
Slow breakfast.
Shared cleanup and open conversation.
Anyone wishing to stay longer is welcome – to rest, or to help with ongoing projects at the house.

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PARTICIPATION & CONDITIONS

• The workshop is open to everyone – artists and non-artists, professionals and beginners
• Working language: English (support available in Russian, Italian, and French)
• Minimum stay – 4 nights
• Early arrival from June 16 is possible

FEE – from €90/day, which includes:
– accommodation in comfortable rooms (private or shared)
– meals prepared with fresh, locally sourced products
– participation in the workshop guided by experienced artists

Registration & questions: stoneovenhouse@gmail.com
Spots are limited

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EXTRA PLEASURES

• In the evening – real sauna with birch branches
• At night – fireflies glowing in the forest