SOCRAT Ceramics and Sculpture Creative Living Lab Brought Together Art, Craft, and Heritage Across Istria
23/06/2026
From 10 to 20 March 2026, the third and final SOCRAT Creative Living Lab in Istria, dedicated to ceramics and sculpture, took place across several locations in Labin, Pula, Rovinj, and Vodnjan. Organised by the Region of Istria – Regione Istriana, Administrative Department for Culture and Heritage, under the support of Labin Open Public University, the ten-day programme explored innovative ways of connecting contemporary art, traditional craftsmanship, and local heritage to create new sustainable tourism experiences. Through its organisational and curatorial role, the institution facilitated collaboration between artists, cultural professionals, and local communities, strengthening its position as an important hub for cultural participation and creative development in the region.
A key role in the implementation of the Lab was also played by the Labin City Gallery, operating within the Labin Open Public University as one of Istria’s most important contemporary art venues. Through its curatorial expertise and mediation between artistic vision and local heritage, the Gallery contributed to shaping the content and thematic direction of the Lab, connecting contemporary artistic practices with the cultural and historical identity of Istria.
The Creative Living Lab brought together Artsudio Association, Italian sculptor Michele Giangrande as artist-mentor, and Croatian sculptor Rino Banko, alongside local craftspeople, museum experts, cultural professionals, and community participants. Through workshops, discussions, and field research, participants explored the artistic and practical dimensions of clay as both a craft material and a medium of artistic expression.
The programme included ceramic workshops inspired by traditional Istrian artefacts such as oil lamps and the Rakalj cooking pot, as well as design workshops focused on olive-tree symbolism and the creation of a collective installation. A public round table in Pula further opened dialogue on the relationship between ancient functional objects and contemporary artistic practices.
In the final days of the Lab, participants engaged in hands-on artistic workshops inspired by prehistoric motifs and a participatory performative bread-making action, reflecting on the symbolic and ritual connections between craft, food and art.
Alongside practical activities, the Lab also included field visits to important cultural and heritage sites across Istria, supporting the collaborative development of artistic prototypes for future cultural-tourism concepts. These outcomes contribute to the wider SOCRAT objective of creating authentic, participatory and sustainable tourism experiences rooted in local identity and creative expression.
The SOCRAT Ceramics and Sculpture Creative Living Lab once again demonstrated the value of connecting artists, craftspeople, cultural institutions and local communities in shaping new models of tourism based on experience, heritage, and active participation.
