Yasmin Bayoumi explores the Tuscan craft ecosystem with Artex

From 30 April to 14 May 2026, Egyptian architect, cultural manager, and PhD researcher Yasmin Bayoumi took part in the Accelerator4Crafts Residency Programme hosted by Artex in Florence, Italy.

During the two-week residency, she explored the Tuscan craft ecosystem, with a particular focus on ceramics, testing her “Sovereignty Framework” in a real-world craft enterprise context.

Exploring the Tuscan craft ecosystem

Yasmin’s doctoral research at KU Leuven investigates how a “craftership attitude” can empower communities to reclaim control over the processes of making.

Her practice began more than a decade ago in Egypt, where she founded CELL, an initiative creating collaborative and informal learning environments between craftspeople and design students. Since then, her work has developed through participatory research in makerspaces and craft communities in Belgium.

During her residency with Artex, Yasmin examined how knowledge exchange, innovation, and community engagement operate beyond institutional settings.

Her research process combined ethnographic observation, semi-structured interviews, and participatory methods.

Visits, conversations, and research

Yasmin attended the 90th edition of MIDA, the International Handicrafts Trade Fair in Florence.

She also visited workshops and institutions across Florence and Montelupo Fiorentino, including Studio Ceramico Giusti, the Montelupo Ceramics School and Museum, and the Fondazione Archivio Bitossi.

During these visits, she interviewed craftspeople, curators, Artex staff, and academics about sovereignty, resources, innovation, and collaboration.

Exploring preservation and innovation through play

As part of the residency, Yasmin facilitated a focus group built around an interactive game exploring how makers negotiate craft preservation and innovation under real-world constraints.

Throughout the residency, she documented her activities through short social media reels and daily reflections.

Outcomes and future directions

The residency generated rich material for Yasmin’s PhD thesis and highlighted the role of intermediary organisations such as Artex in bridging the gap between market demands and the socio-economic integration of craftspeople.

It also opened directions for future collaboration around inclusive craft ecosystems, cross-cultural knowledge transfer, and the role of digital fabrication in sustaining traditional making.