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Art has been a way of life in Venice for so many centuries that it seems you need only inhale to enjoy it. From mid-June to early November in odd-numbered years, the Biennale dell'Arte attracts a whirlwind of contemporary arts, showcasing several hundred contemporary artists from around the world. During Carnevale, masks and costumes let revelers dance with history. Costumed musicians will entice you to performances in the finest churches, palaces, and scuole grande, but don't ignore the bel canto wafting through the canals or the opera issuing from open windows of conservatory practice halls.
La Bauta mask shop organizes sessions for visitors not only to paint their own papier-mâché mask, but also to make it personally from scratch. The complete process involves part of two days—the first is spent making the mask using one of the many classic forms available, while the second is given to painting and decorating it.
