The highly anticipated international biennial celebration of contemporary craftsmanship, Homo Faber 2026, returns to Venice from 1 to 30 September 2026. Organised by our member, the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship, the fourth edition of this biennial event will be hosted at the Fondazione Giorgio Cini on San Giorgio Maggiore island.
An Island of Light
This year is built around the theme An Island of Light with artistic direction by acclaimed British designer Es Devlin. The biennial brings together more than 500 artisans from over 70 countries to showcase around 700 handcrafted objects. Visitors can explore 15 distinct installations that highlight the practical relationship between light, physical materials, and human skill.
The event is designed to be highly interactive. The on-site programme features live demonstrations by master craftspeople and hands-on workshops exploring traditional Japanese techniques like kintsugi. There are also bespoke culinary experiences and a dedicated team of 90 international students acting as Young Ambassadors to help guide the public through the spaces.
Homo Faber in the City
The celebration also extends far beyond the island. Through the Homo Faber in Città satellite programme, visitors can experience craft heritage firsthand. The city-wide initiative features two distinct exhibitions hosted at Casa Sanlorenzo. Visitors can explore Ca’ Riflesso by Artemest, focusing on Venetian and Veneto craft, and Fiat Lux, an exhibition showcasing over 60 works by craft artists from Luxembourg, curated by our very own member, De Mains De Maîtres Luxembourg. Furthermore, around 130 local Venetian artisanal workshops featured on the Homo Faber Guide will open their doors to the public throughout September, with self-guided itineraries available online. Finally, a curated lineup of special associated events will take place across the city, including Murano Illumina il Mondo in Piazza San Marco, featuring 12 large-scale chandeliers designed by international artists and created by Murano glass furnaces.
photo: Homo Faber 2026: An Island of Light, Branding-Images, De Main De Maitres©Jean von Agris