Any recommendations for great art workshops in Florence, Venice or Perugia areas? I am planning a trip to Italy in Sept or Oct 2008 for about 10-14 days to celebrate my daughter's graduation from college. We are both artists & would be interested in workshops making ceramics, jewelry, glass beads or paper marbling, etc. I probably would like up to a 3 day course...but might be flexible. Thank you!

An artist (mosaic) Fodorite from NYC is currently living in Florence for a year and taking jewelry classes. She has a thread about it and her e-mail is listed. I'm sure she researched all the possibilities and will have some suggestions for you.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35150683

Here's a mosaic immersion workshop you can attend in Venice:

http://www.orsoni.com/default.asp?pc=008001000000002

I believe I mentioned Jerry Fresia and his Fresia Studios at http://europetogo.yuku.com/beuropetogo. Jerry offers classes in painting in the lovely lakeside town of Lenno on Lake Como. The experience is amazing if you wish to explore painting, in addition to the crafts you mentioned. Jerry Fresia is a very talented, very generous, fascinating man. You can learn more about his special studio here:

http://www.fresia.com/

I'm probably going to take the 3 day Orsoni workshop in Venice in June 2009. FYO there's also a workshop in Ravenna,by the week, I believe, a great place for mosaic class! There's a thread on it if you are interested (search word Ravenna).