Il Bisonte

Explore Printmaking

Il Bisonte is a foundation that specializes in the study of printmaking.

With its precious heritage of art, knowledge, craftsmanship and tradition to transfer to new generations of talent, Il Bisonte is a site of educational excellence, and the meeting place for artists from all over the world.

The School, founded in 1959 by Maria Luigia Guaita and placed in the Florence’s most historical and suggestive district,  represents the principal activity of the Foudation.

Here, treasures of knowledge are maintained and handed down by educating young artists to grasp the expressive possibilities of their time while respecting the noblest traditions of printmaking, adopting an open, customized, and non-conformist method of instruction.

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Il Bisonte is a foundation that specializes in the study of printmaking.

With its precious heritage of art, knowledge, craftsmanship and tradition to transfer to new generations of talent, Il Bisonte is a site of educational excellence, and the meeting place for artists from all over the world.

The School, founded in 1959 by Maria Luigia Guaita and placed in the Florence’s most historical and suggestive district,  represents the principal activity of the Foudation.

Here, treasures of knowledge are maintained and handed down by educating young artists to grasp the expressive possibilities of their time while respecting the noblest traditions of printmaking, adopting an open, customized, and non-conformist method of instruction.

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I spent three months at Il Bisonte in 2001 when I was a printmaking student doing a Bachelor of Fine Art at Rhode Island School of Design and I can remember falling head over heels for it. Everything about the place, the atmosphere, the teachers, the students, the courtyard, right down to the feathers for brushing bubbles off the etching plates, made me never want to leave. In fact, thanks to the stimulating environment of Il Bisonte, where I always felt at home, I decided to stay in Florence and I have made a life and career here ever since.

Emiko Davies, food writer & cookbook author

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Ho frequentato il Bisonte nel biennio 1999/2001 e per me è stata un’esperienza veramente formativa ed umanamente arricchente. Ho trovato professionalità, amicizie, passione, pluriculturalismo… una grande famiglia che mi ha aiutata a sviluppare il mio interesse verso le arti grafiche. Ho sempre consigliato a tutti i miei studenti questa bellissima scuola; permette di accedere ad un mondo davvero speciale. Seguo con interesse sui social le innovazioni e le iniziative del Bisonte: trovo che siano variegate ed al passo coi tempi, pur trattando di una disciplina tra le più antiche al mondo!

Jessica Lanfranchi Schmid, art teacher

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Attending Il Bisonte was an absolute dream! My time at the school represented a unique opportunity to explore printmaking according to the traditions of the medium but also its application to a contemporary art context. The skills that I learned at the school set the stage for developing a personal practice that continues to this day and  planted the seeds that would lead to opening my own studio – Smokestack Studio. The backdrop of the Firenze was culturally and historically rich and made the experience of studying at Il Bisonte wonderful beyond belief!

Laine Groeneweg, Canadian print artist

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Il Bisonte è nel mio cuore sempre, ogni singolo giorno. L’esperienza lì è stata la cosa più giusta che potevo fare e lo dico a tutti! Sì, mi sono messa a lavoro subito appena rientrata, tirato su la stamperia piano piano, poi comprato un piccolo spazio. I primi due anni sono stati di esperimenti e grandi disastri per affinare delle tecniche che fossero idonee al mercato per poter anche vendere. Il Bisonte mi ha dato tutti gli strumenti e le conoscenze per poterlo fare! Sono molto contenta.

Loredana Amenta, print shop owner

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In 2014 I was a student at Il Bisonte, hands down the best thing I´ve done in my artistic journey. The teachers and the atmosphere is unique and very inspiring, the dedication for art sits in the walls. You can truly feel the creativity come to life at Il Bisonte, the artworks and the techniques I got from my period there is something I use even today. I am an artist, social educator and soon to be art teacher in Sweden. I can highly recommend for anyone to go to Il Bisonte, if even for a weekend course.

Patrik Lundell, former student from Stockholm

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PROGRAMS

Our printmaking courses are suitable for every need.
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STUDIOS

Our studios are completely equipped and available for rent.
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RESIDENCIES

You will have the opportunity to work independently in our studios.
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HOW TO ENROLL

All the information on how to enroll in our school.
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Visit us!

Via San Niccolò, 24/red
50125 Firenze, Italy
OFFICE AND GALLERY
Mon - Fri 9 AM-1 PM / 3 PM-7 PM

SCHOOL
Mon - Fri 9:30 AM-1 PM / 2:30 PM-6:30 PM
+39 055 234 2585
info@ilbisonte.it
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