Circular Craft & 3D Printing: A sustainability and innovation workshop for artisans in Barcelona

Presented by ESPRONCEDA – Institute of Art & Culture

How can traditional craftsmanship embrace new technologies while becoming more sustainable? How can waste materials become resources for new creative processes?

On 29 July 2026, ESPRONCEDA – Institute of Art & Culture invites artisans and emerging makers to take part in Circular Craft & 3D Printing for Artisans, a free one-day Sustainability Training Workshop exploring circularity, material reuse and 3D printing through hands-on

The activity brings together experienced artisans and a younger generation of makers to explore how traditional knowledge, sustainability and digital fabrication can complement one another.

From craft knowledge to circular innovation

Rather than a theoretical class, the workshop proposes a guided circular innovation process.

Participants will begin with their own craft practices, techniques and materials, identifying opportunities to reduce waste, rethink resources and introduce circular strategies into their production processes. Throughout the day, they will explore principles including responsible material sourcing, waste reduction, creative reuse and upcycling, while experimenting with ESPRONCEDA’s 3D printing facilities.

The aim is not to replace traditional craftsmanship with technology, but to explore how 3D printing can become another tool in service of the artisan — complementing existing material knowledge, skills and techniques.

Working in pairs, participants will develop a prototype that connects their craft practice with a concrete circular strategy.

Craft across generations

A central element of the workshop is intergenerational exchange.

The group will combine experienced artisans with more than ten years of professional practice and younger participants who are studying, training or beginning their careers in craft. By working side by side, participants will have the opportunity to exchange traditional knowledge and accumulated experience with emerging perspectives on technology, materials and sustainability. It also connects with Craftwork4ALL’s mission to support innovation, sustainability, inclusion and new opportunities within the European craft sector.

What will participants gain?

By the end of the workshop, participants will have developed one prototype per pair, based on their craft practice and incorporating a circular approach.

They will also gain practical innovation tools — including opportunity mapping and sustainability filters — that can continue to be applied to their own professional practice.

Selected pieces developed during the workshop may also have the opportunity to be presented during the Local Exhibition and Craft & Sustainability Festival at ESPRONCEDA, taking place from 2–4 December 2026, creating continuity between experimentation, production and public presentation. Beyond the prototypes themselves, the workshop aims to create new connections between artisans and makers from different generations and disciplines.

Who can participate?

The workshop is open to artisans from any traditional craft discipline, with particular priority given to creating a mixed intergenerational group.

The 17 available places will include:

• At least 6 experienced artisans, with more than 10 years of active practice.
• At least 6 apprentices, students or artisans in training, including young people beginning their professional careers or transitioning into a new craft.
• Up to 5 additional participants, selected to encourage diversity across disciplines and profiles.

No previous experience with 3D printing or innovation methodologies is required. Curiosity, an interest in sustainability and a willingness to experiment are the main requirements. If applications exceed the available places, selection will consider diversity of craft disciplines, motivation and gender balance.

About the facilitators

The workshop will be led by the ESPRONCEDA team: Kris Pilcher, specialist in 3D printing, digital technologies and innovation, together with Malena Vinay Cano and Maria Rubies Vistuer, project coordinators at ESPRONCEDA.

Practical information

Circular Craft & 3D Printing for Artisans – Sustainability Training Workshop

Presented by: ESPRONCEDA – Institute of Art & Culture
Date: Wednesday, 29 July 2026
Time: 9:30–15:30
Location: ESPRONCEDA – Institute of Art & Culture, C/ Espronceda 326, Naus 4–5, 08027 Barcelona
Capacity: 17 participants
Cost: Free — ESPRONCEDA covers all necessary materials, tools and workspace
Registration deadline: 28 July 2026

No previous experience in 3D printing is required.

Are you an artisan interested in rethinking your materials, waste and production processes from a more circular perspective — while exploring how traditional craftsmanship can connect with 3D printing?

REGISTER NOW through the application form and join us for a day of experimentation, exchange and circular innovation at ESPRONCEDA.

About Craftwork4ALL

Craftwork4ALL is a European initiative supporting the transformation of the craft sector through sustainability, digital innovation, skills development, inclusion and collaboration. Through activities including Craft Labs, residencies, academies, workshops and international exchanges, the project creates opportunities for artisans and makers to develop new skills, experiment with technologies and connect with a wider European craft community. www.craftwork4all.com

About ESPRONCEDA

ESPRONCEDA – Institute of Art & Culture is an innovative and contemporary art, culture and research platform based in Barcelona. Through European cooperation projects, artistic programmes, residencies, exhibitions, workshops and interdisciplinary laboratories, ESPRONCEDA creates spaces where art, craft, technology, sustainability, education and social innovation can meet. www.espronceda.net