Reflections on the Antonio Manna U.S. Tour

This fall began with something unforgettable — three cities, countless textures, and one incredible artist.

Over the past month, I had the privilege of hosting Italian surface artist Antonio Manna for his first U.S. tour. From Knoxville to Miami to New York, each session brought something new: bold applications, fresh perspectives, and a room full of professionals ready to learn, experiment, and push their skills further.

Each city had its own rhythm, but one thing was consistent — the spark that happens when deep skill meets open creativity. Antonio didn’t just share techniques. He shared a mindset: that walls can hold movement, emotion, and story.

One of the most rewarding parts was watching attendees reconnect with materials in new ways:

• Scott from Montana had worked with R-Stone before, but this time, something clicked — it quickly became one of his favorites.

• Robin from Michigan, a longtime fan of Novacolor and especially Marmorino KS, left newly inspired to explore more finishes in the line.

• And even I found myself surprised! seeing Antonio use products I’ve known for years in completely unexpected ways was a moment of awe. That’s the power of shared experience and hands-on artistry.

I’m deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and helped bring these trainings to life. If you were part of it, thank you for showing up with curiosity and care. And if you couldn’t make it this time, I hope we’ll meet at a future event.

Here’s to a season of exploration, great projects, and finishes that speak.

Credits /

Images by Beth Schafer & Courtesy of Dolo Artisan Finishes