Invent the Plant of your Dream: the Botanical Art Workshop

A free creative workshop for children aged 6 to 12 and accompanying adults, led by internationally recognised illustrator Irene Penazzi at Palazzo Cordellina in Vicenza

On 31 October 2026, Palazzo Cordellina in the historic centre of Vicenza hosts a free botanical illustration workshop with Irene Penazzi. Children aged 6 to 12, accompanied by adults, use real leaves, bark and branches to imagine new plant species, create botanical illustrations and give their inventions a special identity card.

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Know before you go

Invent a New Species ↓ · Meet Irene Penazzi ↓ · Art Inside a Palladian Palace ↓ · Plan Your Visit ↓

Invent a New Species

What would a plant look like if you could invent it yourself?

Inspired by Irene Penazzi's illustrated book Voci dal mondo verde, the workshop combines observation, drawing and collage. Participants begin with real botanical materials, examining the shapes and textures of leaves, branches and bark, before creating imaginary trees and plants. Each invented species receives its own identity card. The activity introduces children to botanical illustration through creativity, observation and storytelling, offering a family experience in the heart of Vicenza.

Meet Irene Penazzi

Irene Penazzi is an Italian author and illustrator whose work explores nature, childhood and the relationship between people and their surroundings. Her debut picture book Nel mio giardino il mondo was selected for the International Board on Books for Young People's IBBY Honour List in 2020, an international recognition for children's literature and illustration. The workshop is connected to her exhibition Abitare gli alberi, which explores trees as living environments through images of branches, leaves, birds, nests and the natural world.

Art Inside a Palladian Palace

The event takes place at Palazzo Cordellina, an eighteenth century palace in central Vicenza, designed in the Palladian tradition by architect Ottone Calderari and built between 1786 and 1790. Today it houses the cultural and administrative activities of the Biblioteca Civica Bertoliana, Vicenza's historic civic library. The exhibition Abitare gli alberi is open from 27 October to 15 November 2026, giving families another opportunity to discover Penazzi's illustrations during a visit to Vicenza.

Plan Your Visit

Date: Saturday, 31 October 2026

Time: 10:30 AM

Venue: Palazzo Cordellina

Address: Contrà Riale 12, Vicenza, Italy

Admission: Free

Audience: Children aged 6 to 12, accompanied by adults.

Reservations & Information

Organiser: La Piccionaia, Teatro Astra Office

Phone: +39 0444 323725, Email: info@teatroastra.it

Places are limited and advance online registration is required. The dedicated event listing currently indicates that bookings are closed. Contact the organiser about possible cancellations.

Official workshop information: Irene Penazzi, Botanical Imagination Workshop

Related exhibition: Abitare gli alberi at Palazzo Cordellina

Discover more art, architecture and family experiences in Vicenza.

Sources

La Piccionaia · Laboratorio di botanica immaginativa
La Piccionaia · Abitare gli alberi
IBBY · IBBY Honour List 2020
Biblioteca Civica Bertoliana · Sede di Palazzo Cordellina