Lillo Loris revives hand-painted sign craft in Puglia with Alla lettera workshop

Lillo Loris, a 1994-born graphic designer and lettering artist, has opened Alla lettera, an atelier and workshop in Conversano, Bari, dedicated to reviving the craft of hand-painted signs. After studying at NABA in Milan and working for brands and artists, he learned sign painting from American master Mike Meyer. He uses traditional techniques like pouncing, enamel, and gold leaf sourced from the Florentine producer Giusto Manetti Battiloro, active since the 1600s. The workshop is located in a space in Via Martucci, provided by the Fondazione d'Arti to repopulate the historic center. Loris gained viral attention on social media in late summer 2024, leading to commissions such as a sign for the 250th anniversary of Libreria Bocca in Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Italy's oldest bookshop specializing in art books. He also launched a digital archive project to document historic hand-painted signs, calling for public submissions. Loris emphasizes the interpretive nature of the craft and sees the current digital and AI-driven era as the perfect moment for artisanal work. He plans to eventually teach but respects the mastery required.