In the sun-kissed city of Matera, where creativity meets history on every street corner, the Materahub Consortium has launched a series of themed gatherings as part of Craftwork4.0All, a project supported by Creative Europe. This initiative brings together 12 organizations from 12 countries to form a dynamic platform for international and intercultural co-creation. Its mission: to support emerging craft artists and makers, encouraging collaboration, visibility, and professional growth through a shared European program of training, mobility, and artistic exchange that transcends national borders.
Known as Coffee Talks, these informal events blend stimulating conversations with relaxed aperitivo moments, hosted on terraces, in art galleries, and other unique spaces around the city. The goal? To bring together local artisans in an open and inclusive dialogue around key topics that support and strengthen entrepreneurial development in the craft sector.
A Look Back: The First Three Meetings
The first three Coffee Talks kicked off in June in collaboration with CNA Matera – our National Confederation of Artisans and Small and Medium Enterprises – and Mad.Art Gallery, and offered hands-on knowledge, practical tools, and a strong sense of community.
First Talk: Opportunities Abroad
The opening session provided an overview of international mobility opportunities available through Craftwork4.0All. From 10-day craft experiences across Europe, to extended artistic residencies and the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program, the event gave artisans a glimpse into how far their work can travel and grow.
Second Talk: Intellectual Property Essentials
The second event welcomed lawyer Vinciguerra, an expert in industrial law, who broke down the complexities of intellectual property. His practical “knowledge pills” helped participants better understand how to protect their creations through trademarks, design registration, and legal tools, vital skills in an increasingly competitive creative market.
Third Talk: Stories in Material
The final June talk took a more introspective turn. Artisans were invited to share personal stories about their relationships with materials, first in pairs, then in an open group circle. Conversations explored the origin of materials, the spark of ideas, the challenges of creation, and the joy that comes with bringing something into being. It was a warm and poetic moment of shared vulnerability and inspiration.
What’s Next?
The Coffee Talk series is just getting started. More events are already on the calendar, each exploring new themes and collaborations within and beyond Italy; for July we will focus on the following topics:
JULY 11 – Improving Your Online Presence
An open and participatory workshop where everyone will first share their own strategies to optimize digital visibility. Then, Materahub will offer some key tips on how to reach more clients and build visibility through social media, e-commerce, and showcase websites.
JULY 18 – The ABCs of Starting a Craft Business
Gerarda Bonelli from Confartigianato will provide an introductory session for beginner artisans or those aspiring to start a business. She will offer an overview of the legal, fiscal, and marketing basics needed to successfully launch and manage a craft business, turning passion into economic sustainability.
To see upcoming dates and register for July’s session visit the form: 👉 https://bit.ly/craft-ct-mt
