VENETIAN PLASTER TRAINING COURSEVenetian Plaster Workshop
Our Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop provides practical, in-depth training in the application of traditional lime-based Venetian plasters. Designed for both beginners and professionals with previous plastering experience, the course combines essential technical knowledge with extensive hands-on practice.
Participants begin by understanding the lime cycle and the characteristics of different lime-based finishes, learning how grain size, application technique and polishing affect the final appearance of the surface.
The workshop covers the main types of Venetian Marmorino, as well as Grassello and Lime Paint:
- Grassello – an extra-fine Venetian plaster capable of producing a highly polished, mirror-like finish.
- Marmorino Fine – a fine-grain plaster with a rich, glossy finish and distinctive trowel movement.
- Marmorino Medium – a traditional Venetian plaster with a softer, satin effect.
- Marmorino Coarse – a coarser Marmorino with a more natural, softly polished appearance.
- Lime Paint – a traditional lime-based paint that creates a soft, naturally varied finish.
Throughout the course, participants practise the complete Venetian plaster application process, from tool substrate preparation to the finished surface. Training includes how to prepare tools, assess different substrates, select the correct primer, apply each plaster using the correct trowel techniques and choose the most suitable protective treatment according to the requirements of the project.
Practice takes place on both vertical sample boards and full-size wall areas, including inside and outside corners, giving participants experience with the situations commonly encountered on real job sites.
Each participant will also produce several 2 × 2 ft sample boards, ¼ in thick, which can be taken home at the end of the workshop.
Particular attention is given to job-site evaluation and substrate preparation, helping participants understand how to identify potential problems before application and prepare the surface correctly for a durable, successful Venetian plaster finish.
Upon successful completion of the workshop, participants will receive certification in the products covered during the course from Stucco Italiano and Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans.
VENETIAN PLASTER TRAINING COURSEVenetian Plaster Workshop
Our Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop provides practical, in-depth training in the application of traditional lime-based Venetian plasters. Designed for both beginners and professionals with previous plastering experience, the course combines essential technical knowledge with extensive hands-on practice.
Participants begin by understanding the lime cycle and the characteristics of different lime-based finishes, learning how grain size, application technique and polishing affect the final appearance of the surface.
The workshop covers the main types of Venetian Marmorino, as well as Grassello and Lime Paint:
- Grassello – an extra-fine Venetian plaster capable of producing a highly polished, mirror-like finish.
- Marmorino Fine – a fine-grain plaster with a rich, glossy finish and distinctive trowel movement.
- Marmorino Medium – a traditional Venetian plaster with a softer, satin effect.
- Marmorino Coarse – a coarser Marmorino with a more natural, softly polished appearance.
- Lime Paint – a traditional lime-based paint that creates a soft, naturally varied finish.
Throughout the course, participants practise the complete Venetian plaster application process, from tool substrate preparation to the finished surface. Training includes how to prepare tools, assess different substrates, select the correct primer, apply each plaster using the correct trowel techniques and choose the most suitable protective treatment according to the requirements of the project.
Practice takes place on both vertical sample boards and full-size wall areas, including inside and outside corners, giving participants experience with the situations commonly encountered on real job sites.
Each participant will also produce several 2 × 2 ft sample boards, ¼ in thick, which can be taken home at the end of the workshop.
Particular attention is given to job-site evaluation and substrate preparation, helping participants understand how to identify potential problems before application and prepare the surface correctly for a durable, successful Venetian plaster finish.
Upon successful completion of the workshop, participants will receive certification in the products covered during the course from Stucco Italiano and Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans.
TECHNIQUES
Grassello, Marmorino Fine, Marmorino Medium, Marmorino Coarse, Lime Paint (standard application techniques)
INFORMATION
Instructor: Master artisan Sylvia Thompson-Dias (Instagram page)
Participants: Class size limited to 8 participants
Requirements: This workshop is intended for professional applicators and is not suitable for hobbyists or DIY participants. Applicants should have some previous plastering experience or work professionally in a related trade, such as drywall installation, painting and decorating, tiling, wallpaper installation or contracting.
DATES
Next classes: 22–25 February 2027
Duration: 4 days
Location: New Orleans, LA, US
PRICE
Total price: US$ 1,295
The cost of this training includes:
- Expert Instruction
- Access to the necessary laboratory equipment
- A set of prime-quality tools that you can take home with you upon completion
- Daily lunches
- One group dinner
- Special discounts on most products used in the workshop for a limited time
We offer discounts for multiple workshop bundles and returning students, as well as team discounts for multiple employees (see below).
Check availability for US courses
Check availability for US courses
Our US courses are organised and delivered
by our official US partner, Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans.
Our US courses are organised and delivered by our official US partner, Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans.
ABOUT
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans was formed in 2022 as a natural extension of its sister business, Sylvia T Designs. The latter has been delivering plaster and decorative finishes as the Gulf South’s premier decorative arts firm for over 30 years. With our deep experience in application, we have used numerous materials over the years. Before becoming US distributor for Stucco Italiano, we began using their artisan level products on our own project sites with great success – loved by both our professional application team and clients alike. Our long-running track record as high-level plaster applicators allows us to provide top-flight customer service, education, and technical support to our clients. We proudly offer Stucco Italiano to artisans in the US and serve as their certified US trainer, hosting hands-on, certification workshops at our shop in New Orleans and points beyond.
ABOUT
The Istructor
Sylvia Thompson-Dias, owner, founder, and master artisan of Sylvia T Designs and Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans, has been in the plaster and decorative arts game for over 30 years. After achieving her degree in architecture from Louisiana State University, she jumped into the worlds of fine and decorative art in the New Orleans area. Though plaster has been used in this part of the world for generations, real lime plaster was becoming scarce. The scene had become dominated by acrylic and gypsum plasters. She became fascinated with true artisan lime plaster and picked up its mantle in 2017. She never looked back. After discovering Stucco Italiano, Sylvia trained with their founder and master artisan, Giovanni Polistena, in both Italy and New Orleans. Today, Sylvia has led both Sylvia T Designs and Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans to new heights and is widely seen as the region’s preeminent decorative and functional plaster artisan and is also a world-class instructor.
FAQ
The cost of this training includes
- Expert Instruction
- Access to the necessary laboratory equipment
- A set of prime-quality tools that you can take home with you upon completion
- Daily lunches
- One group dinner
- Special discounts on most products used in the workshop for a limited time
Workshop bundles
Hands-On Venetian Plaster + Advanced Decorative Plaster: $2,450
Returning students
Advanced Decorative Plaster for Returning Students (must have completed our Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop in the past): $1,255 (10% off!)
We also offer team discounts for multiple employees.
PayPal and PayPal Pay in 4 payment plans for workshops for eligible individuals. Reach out to us and we’ll get you setup!
8 am – 4 pm each day with a lunch break on site
We can provide you with lodging options at our corporate rate for your stay – let us know!
We love to eat in New Orleans! Lunch will be provided on site daily (dietary accommodations will be made to those who need). Also included is a group dinner at a terrific New Orleans restaurant.
Whether you train in Italy or the USA your certification is recognised wherever you work, giving you access to the same alumni benefits.
These include eligibility to become a Preferred Applicator in your region, discounts on future training courses in both Italy and the USA, and exclusive alumni-only promotions on selected products.
