Italian Artists' Residency from the Scuola di Grafica di Carrara

Italian Artists’ Residency from the Scuola di Grafica di Carrara – April 2026

This April, Art Print Residence had the pleasure of welcoming four talented Italian artists from the Scuola di Grafica d’Arte – Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara: Andrea Spezia, Roberta Stevanin, Lara Lubrano, and Stephania Natolo. Coming from one of Italy’s most respected institutions for contemporary printmaking education, the group joined us for an intensive residency dedicated to hard ground etching, expanding both their technical knowledge and artistic research.

Throughout the residency, the artists immersed themselves in every stage of the traditional intaglio process. Working with copper plates, they explored the expressive qualities of hard ground etching—from preparing and grounding the plates to drawing, biting, inking, and printing. The residency provided an environment where careful observation, experimentation, and craftsmanship became essential parts of the creative process.

Under the guidance of Ariadna Abadal, participants refined their individual approaches while deepening their understanding of the technical and conceptual possibilities of etching. Daily discussions, practical demonstrations, and one-to-one mentoring encouraged each artist to push beyond familiar methods and develop new visual languages through printmaking.

One of the defining aspects of the residency was the atmosphere of collaboration. Working side by side in the studio, the artists shared ideas, compared techniques, and learned from one another’s experiences. This exchange of knowledge and perspectives enriched the creative process, reinforcing the spirit of Art Print Residence as an international meeting place for printmakers.

Beyond the technical training, the residency offered time for reflection, research, and artistic dialogue. Surrounded by the peaceful Mediterranean landscape of Arenys de Munt, the artists were able to focus entirely on their practice, allowing new ideas to emerge through the rhythm of the studio.

The residency concluded with a final exhibition of the works produced during their stay, celebrating not only the completed prints but also the creative journey each artist undertook. The exhibition highlighted four distinct artistic voices united by a shared commitment to the rich tradition and contemporary possibilities of intaglio printmaking.

We are grateful to Andrea, Roberta, Lara, and Stephania for bringing their enthusiasm, generosity, and creative energy to Art Print Residence. It was a pleasure to accompany them during this stage of their artistic development, and we look forward to following their future work as their printmaking practice continues to evolve.