NAPLES, June 9, 2026 – The Naples Fashion Museum is hosting a new initiative aimed at combating educational poverty through an innovative approach to art and tactile learning. The project, titled ‘The Sea as Craft’, draws inspiration from Bruno Munari’s book of the same name and will engage 6-year-old children from the Soccavo district.
A Concrete Response to Educational Poverty
The initiative seeks to provide a concrete and early response to the phenomenon of educational poverty by fostering an appreciation for beauty and tactile knowledge. The project is promoted by the Municipality of Naples in collaboration with the ‘L’Orsa Maggiore’ cooperative and curated by Paola Maddaluno, with contributions from Pasquale Ferraioli and Michele Iodice.
This endeavor is inspired by the educational experiences of the ‘Playing with Art’ workshops (1977), conceived by Bruno Munari alongside Renato Eco, Metta Gislon, Coca Frigerio, and Tonino Milite at the Pinacoteca di Brera.
Workshops and Exhibitions
The educational journey begins in the Museum’s halls with a playful introduction to haute couture for the children. Through guided observation of the ‘Sarli’ exhibition, participants will select details from the displayed garments to isolate and analyze their colors according to the principles of divisionism, then translate their personal vision onto paper. This exploration continues by combining classical manual skills with new technologies, as children freely trace signs and shapes on both traditional paper and tablets, guided by Francesco Perchiazzi, Senior Mentor Spatial designer at the Apple Developer Academy.
The workshop then delves into its tactile and expressive dimension with a focus on ‘exact fantasy’. Children will freely choose precious yarns, donated by VIMAR1991 (a Chanel group company), based on color and material. They will then create a fabric swatch book based on a linear and three-dimensional perspective. This process allows participants to experience the differentiation of color along scales of light, warm, saturated, bright, and opaque tones, refining their language and ability to classify sensations. The journey culminates at the loom, where, guided by a specialized technician, the children will begin to ‘weave the sea’.
Following the workshops, the fabrics created by the children will be exhibited at the museum, aiming to generate a new narrative for the Soccavo district.
Addressing a Pressing Social Issue
Educational poverty remains a significant challenge in many communities, limiting children’s access to enriching experiences and hindering their development. Projects like ‘The Sea as Craft’ offer a valuable opportunity to bridge this gap, providing children with creative outlets and fostering a deeper connection to art and culture from an early age.
The collaboration between the Municipality of Naples, local cooperatives, and cultural institutions highlights a commitment to addressing social inequalities through innovative educational programs. By engaging children in hands-on activities and exposing them to the world of fashion and art, the project aims to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and a sense of belonging within their community.
The initiative also underscores the importance of cultural heritage and its role in educational development. The Naples Fashion Museum, by opening its doors to these young participants, becomes a vibrant space for learning and artistic expression, transforming passive observation into active engagement.
The success of similar programs elsewhere suggests that ‘The Sea as Craft’ could serve as a model for future initiatives, demonstrating how cultural institutions can play a pivotal role in fostering social inclusion and educational growth.
