A rich cultural exchange between Kuwait and Italy took place recently through the timeless art of beadmaking, showcasing how artistic traditions transcend borders and history. The workshop was a collaborative effort between the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), the Italian Embassy in Kuwait, Illustrate Academy and Yadawi, with visiting glass artist Alessia Fuga from Murano, Italy.

Murano, an island synonymous with glassmaking since 1292 AD, holds a prestigious place in history. It became the heart of the Venetian glass industry when production was moved there from Venice to protect trade secrets from outside influence. Fuga, who hails from this historic island, brought a piece of that legacy to Kuwait. “Kuwait has been at the very beginning of the history of glass,” she told Kuwait Times, referencing the 2023 discovery of a jewelry workshop in Subiya dating back to the Ubaid period (5500–4000 BCE). “This is a special occasion for me. It’s my first time in Kuwait and the region, and I feel honored to share my knowledge here.”

Fuga, a glass artist for over 17 years, first discovered her passion by chance. “I started by accident. I got hooked. I loved it from the very first day,” she said, recalling the beadmaking class she took while job hunting. Today, she is the Vice President of the Committee for the Safeguarding of the Venetian Glass Bead Art. Her work helped bring the art form onto UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020, in collaboration with France.

The workshop in Kuwait focused on traditional and contemporary beadmaking techniques using lampworking — a process that uses flame to melt glass and shape it into intricate forms. “We use the flame to melt glass and create objects. The only real change over time has been the switch from oil lamps to gas torches,” Fuga explained.

For Fuga, beadmaking is not just about craftsmanship but about connection. “There are no books on glass beadmaking. The only way to learn is through exchange,” she emphasized, highlighting the oral and hands-on nature of this ancient craft.

The workshop was a long-anticipated collaboration between Fuga and Lubna Saif Abbas, founder of Yadawi, an organization committed to fostering contemporary craft practices in Kuwait. “We’ve been discussing this since 2017,” Abbas said. “When the Italian Embassy reached out about a cultural activity, I had only one person in mind — Alessia.”

Italian glass artist Alessia Fuga and Founder of Yadawi Lubna Saif Abbas during the beadmaking workshop. - Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

The workshop included both public sessions and a masterclass for select students chosen through a screening process by Illustrate Academy. “They wanted the students to explore the materiality of glass and jewelry design,” Abbas explained. Illustrate, a platform that connects emerging talent with industry professionals, plays a vital role in bridging educational gaps within Kuwait’s design and jewelry sectors.

Looking ahead, Abbas envisions greater integration of glass and contemporary jewelry into Kuwait’s artistic landscape. “We are working with NCCAL to recognize contemporary jewelry making and glass as legitimate art disciplines. We aim to be part of the international dialogue.”

The event also opens doors to future artistic residencies and exchanges. Abbas recalled a previous initiative that sent a group of students from the Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center to Venice. “Doing a residency would be very interesting,” she said.

The weeklong workshop was not just a lesson in craft but a celebration of shared heritage, technique and innovation — showcasing how a centuries-old art form can continue to build bridges in a modern, multicultural world.