From the heart of Sicily to the international showcase of New York. The Sicilian Ceramic Roads are taking a significant new step in their growth and internationalization journey by making their first appearance in the United States with “Sicily, Lands in Hands,” a project co-financed by the Sicilian Region – Department of Productive Activities – “Sicilia che piace” Initiative 2026.
From June 25 to 27, the event will bring the art, culture, traditions, and identity of Sicily’s historic ceramic-producing territories to the Big Apple. Today, the Sicilian Ceramic Roads project represents one of the most innovative experiences in the field of cultural and identity-based tourism in Sicily.
Born from an idea developed by the communications agency Migi Press and through the collaboration of the municipalities of Burgio, Caltagirone, Collesano, Monreale, Santo Stefano di Camastra, and Sciacca, the initiative transforms a centuries-old artisanal tradition into a powerful tool for territorial promotion, tourism development, and cultural dialogue. The project is rooted in the belief that ceramics are not merely artistic objects but a language capable of telling the story, colors, traditions, and authentic soul of Sicily. This widespread heritage enables visitors to discover destinations often far removed from mainstream tourism routes through experiences involving workshops, museums, artisan studios, landscapes, and local communities.
A distinctive feature of the project is the Sicilian Ceramic Roads Passport, an innovative tool that turns travel into an interactive experience. Visitors can collect stamps from the six participating cities, gain access to museums and workshops, take part in hands-on activities, and engage directly with master ceramic artisans. The journey culminates in the recognition of “Friend of the Sicilian Ceramic Cities” and the presentation of a handcrafted ceramic artwork created by artisans within the network. Over the past few years, the project has experienced steady growth, attracting increasing attention and recognition from both the public and industry professionals. Its presentation at BIT Milan 2024, featuring more than thirty ceramic works exhibited within the Sicily Pavilion, marked its first major national showcase. This success was confirmed at the 2025 edition, which featured an even larger network and involved more than sixty operators, including ceramic artists, hospitality businesses, and local enterprises.
The project also gained significant visibility during the Salone del Mobile in Milan, where a prestigious artistic installation dedicated to the ceramic cities was displayed on the 39th floor of the Lombardy Regional Government headquarters, attracting thousands of visitors. The exhibition was subsequently hosted at the cloister of Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo in collaboration with the Federico II Foundation.
Now, the focus shifts overseas. “Sicily, Lands in Hands” has been designed to introduce the Sicilian Ceramic Roads to a highly qualified audience of tour operators, international buyers, interior design and furniture professionals, gallery owners, collectors, journalists, and influencers specializing in tourism, art, design, and lifestyle. The choice of New York reflects a precise international positioning strategy. The city is one of the world's leading hubs for luxury tourism, the art market, and contemporary design—a place where relationships and connections can generate new commercial, cultural, and tourism opportunities.
The program will open on June 25 at the Choplet Ceramic Studio Shop & Gallery in Brooklyn with the inauguration of the exhibition “Sicilian Ceramic Roads – Lands in Hands.” The exhibition will showcase a selection of works created by master ceramic artists from the six cities of the network and will be accompanied by press meetings, B2B sessions, and tastings featuring some of Sicily’s finest food and wine products.
On June 26, the spotlight will turn to hands-on experiences with a clay workshop that will allow American participants to engage directly with techniques and craftsmanship passed down through generations. Later that evening, on Long Island, the “Monreale Bread Experience” will celebrate Sicilian gastronomic traditions through a combination of food culture, territorial storytelling, and tasting experiences.
The event will conclude on June 27 at Eataly Flatiron, in the heart of Manhattan, with a new day of workshops, live demonstrations, and meetings dedicated to promoting Sicilian excellence.
More than a simple exhibition, “Sicily, Lands in Hands” represents the first major international debut of the Sicilian Ceramic Roads in the U.S. market. It is an opportunity to present an authentic and contemporary Sicily, capable of transforming its artisanal heritage into a driver of territorial development, tourism attraction, and international dialogue.
