A Ticket to the World

In the Friuli region, the art of the mosaicist has always been intimately linked with emigration. As early as the fifteenth century, Friulian mosaicists went to Venice to work on major projects. In the nineteenth century, many could be found in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Russia. Starting in the late-nineteenth century, these artisans followed the major migratory waves to northern Europe, the United States, Canada, South America and Australia.

	Mosaic of St. John the Baptist Luigi Olerni (Conn-Arts Studio, Toronto) Canada 1960 Glass, wood Gift of Mary De Carli

The famous Friulian school of mosaic art was founded in Spilimbergo in 1922, enabling thousands of young people to learn a trade that was in demand abroad. Their work can be seen throughout the world. In Canada, it adorns many public buildings, particularly in Quebec City, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.

Mosaic portrait of Anna Tenerelli Quilici Made by Gino Lenarduzzi Canada 1959 Glass, marble, wood Lent by Anna Tenerelli Quilici Trained at the famous school of mosaic art in Spilimbergo, in the Friuli region, Gino Lenarduzzi worked as a mosaicist in Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland before coming to Canada. Several of his large-scale works adorn public buildings and parks in Calgary and Vancouver.