I’ve previously posted about ways to support artisans whose businesses and livelihoods have been hit hard by the shut downs and travel restrictions. Here’s a new way to support Italian artisans and receive a surprise gift!
One of our local lovers of all things Italian is Kathy Winkleman, who runs Gioia Italian Art and Products, which sells Italian-made goods, from Venetian masks, to handpainted ornaments, to artisan ceramics, to virgin olive oil. Kathy created Gioia Luce to help sustain Italian artisans during these difficult times. Read her description below to see how it works and how to participate.
Can you guess which region I decided to support? I know you don’t know me well, but maybe you can take a wild guess…
Kathy let me know that my gift has arrived and I can pick it up soon! It’s a surprise and I can’t wait to see what it is!!

“Become a part of the Gioia Luce 2020 Program, a Joyful Light when you join us. Imagine the Joy it will bring to have a gift direct from Italy to say “Grazie.” You can send support in levels of $50, $75, $100, and more. This contribution will get them back to work as artists, and you will receive a gift valued at your donation from a region you choose. It will take about 30 days for the artist to create your beautiful work and ship it to you. They will be WORKING NOW! Thank you! Grazie! You will be making a HUGE difference for them, for the arts, and for Gioia Company. Are you passionate about one of these regions? Your dollars will go there. Pick one per donation and you will receive a gift from one of these artists!!
Venice, Florence, Deruta, Rome, Amalfi, Puglia, Sicily: tell us where to put your support funding. $50, $75, $100 More than $100? How much?

Click one of the following links to donate. It’s simple and easy!
By Venmo: https://venmo.com/ Send to @Katherine-Winkelman
By Paypal: www.paypal.com. Send to gioiacustomerservice@yahoo.com
Or click here to get our flier and pay by check!
(Images from Kathy’s website. You can also visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/gioiaitalianartandproducts.)
Tempting!!!!
Go for it! Kathy told me that in some cases, the donations actually put dinner on the table for some of these artisans.