News
Top Venetian glassmaker first artist to feature at Soneva Fushi’s new glass studio
Maldives.net.mv – Artist extraordinaire and master Venetian glassblower, Lino Tagliapietra, was the first artist to feature at the recently opened Glass Studio at Soneva Fushi last year from December 15-27.
Widely acknowledged as the best glass artist in the world, guests at the luxury resort got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch Maestro Tagliapietra create unique art pieces, learn the art of glass-blowing, and also purchase his fantastic creations.
Born on the Italian island of Murano, famed for its hand-blown artisanal glassware since the 13th century, Tagliapietra was apprenticed to master glassmaker Archimede Seguso at the age of 12, and by 21 had already earned the title of maestro himself. In 1979, he moved to the United States to teach at the Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle, which also marked the beginning of his international career and collaborations with other prominent glass artists.
His stunning work, celebrated for its complexity, elegance, and visual poetry has earned him numerous awards such as the Glass Art Society Lifetime Achievement Award, election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and has been exhibited at top galleries around the world, including the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery, Washington DC, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Victoria & Albert Museum, London and the Tokyo National Modern Art, as well as at the Venice Biennale.
Tagliapietra’s collaboration is just the beginning of Soneva Fushi’s plans to offer unique and rare experiences to their guests in the form of special courses and interactive events such as glass-blowing workshops. Several glass exhibitions are scheduled to be held every year in conjunction with a rotating programme of visiting artists. The Venetian maestro was followed by another well-known glass artist Dr Sunny Wang in February this year.
Born in Taiwan and educated in Australia, Wang, who is the Assistant Professor of Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University, contemplates the meaning of life through her colourful glass sculptures.
From March 13 to April 5, the Glass Studio will feature another internationally renowned artist, American Howard Ben Tré, who will create a series of works at the resort.
A pioneer in the use of cast glass as a sculptural medium, Ben Tre has won critical acclaim for his unique sculptures and large-scale works of art for public and private spaces. His works have been included in more than 101 museums and public collections worldwide, among them the Metropolitan Museum of Art; the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Philadelphia Museum of Art; the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY; the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution; the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto; and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Nice, among others.
Among his public commissions are the award-winning installation of fountains and seating created for Post Office Square Park in Boston; the plaza and sculpture for BankBoston’s headquarters in downtown Providence; a sited sculpture for the plaza at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence; and an interactive fountain for the hall of the newly renovated Mary Baker Eddy Library in Boston.
“We are also hoping that our facility will stimulate the Maldivian art scene, as we aim to both nurture the talents of Maldivian artists and provide a platform for them to get recognition,” said Kevin Christison, Soneva’s Curator of Art.
“So far visitors to the island have been very fascinated by the glass facility and some of them have already had some glass-blowing training and have returned home with personally-designed pieces of art,” Christison concluded.
Soneva’s studio, which opened its doors in September last year year, was conceptualised as a state-of-the-art facility for resort guests to watch world-renowned glass artists create objects of art, and learn the art of glass blowing. It also includes a retail boutique and art gallery, designed to showcase the work of Maldivian and international glass artists.
The facility uses only waste glass materials used at Soneva resorts and other resorts in the Maldives. It is estimated that the resorts in the Baa Atoll alone produce more than five tonnes of glass waste, every month. “The idea behind this project is to turn the glass into something that is much more beautiful and valuable than it was in its previous state,” said Sonu Shivdasani, Founder and CEO of Soneva.
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, part of Centara Hotels and Resorts, has marked its first anniversary, highlighting a year of operations as a luxury island resort within The Atollia development.
During its first year, the resort has received international recognition, including being named among Favourite Overseas Leisure Hotels in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 and listed among the Top Ten Best Maldives Resorts in the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2026.
Since opening, the resort has offered a collection of beachfront and overwater villas, along with two- and three-bedroom residences designed to provide privacy and space. Accommodation options include private pools or Jacuzzis, with design elements incorporating contemporary architecture, natural materials and Thai-inspired influences.
The resort’s concept draws on Thai heritage, reflected across its wellness, dining and guest experiences. At SPA Cenvaree Retreat, treatments are inspired by traditional Thai wellness practices. Dining options across the resort include live cooking experiences at The Gallery, Mediterranean-inspired seafood at Bluefin, and beverage offerings at venues such as Sunset Social, The Club and Coco Drift.
Guests can also take part in a range of leisure and recreational activities, including water sports and marine experiences. The resort caters to a variety of travellers, offering facilities for families, including a kids’ club and an entertainment zone for teenagers, as well as spaces for private events, group stays and corporate gatherings.
Commenting on the milestone, Jorge Fernandez said the resort combines elements of Thai heritage with the Maldivian environment to create a distinct guest experience. He noted that recognition received during the first year reflects the resort’s approach to hospitality, sustainability and service, while also acknowledging the role of guests and staff in its development.
As it marks its first anniversary, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives continues to focus on delivering curated guest experiences, with an emphasis on hospitality, design and sustainable operations within the destination.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has introduced a new Beach Reads programme, designed to encourage guests to engage in reading as part of a broader focus on mindful travel and leisure.
The initiative aligns with emerging travel trends highlighting a growing interest in literary-inspired experiences, where travellers seek meaningful activities that combine storytelling with natural surroundings. The programme aims to provide guests with opportunities to disconnect from daily routines and engage in quieter, reflective moments during their stay.
At the centre of the initiative is a rotating Book of the Month, selected to reflect themes such as wellness, nature and exploration. Guests are informed of the selected title prior to arrival and may request a complimentary physical copy, which is delivered by the resort’s Island Curator. The programme is intended to create shared points of engagement among guests, encouraging discussion and interaction through a common reading experience.
From 1 May, selected areas of the resort will be designated as Book Nooks, offering spaces for reading and relaxation. These include shaded cabanas, a netted lounge area within the adults-only The Retreat, and an overwater jetty swing overlooking Maamunagau Lagoon.
The Beach Reads programme also incorporates a personalised approach. Guests are invited to share their reading preferences, including preferred genres and publications, through a pre-arrival form. These preferences are used to curate tailored reading selections, which are made available during their stay.
As part of the initiative, guests are offered plantable bookmarks as a keepsake. The biodegradable bookmarks are designed to be planted after departure, reflecting the resort’s approach to sustainability and providing a reminder of the reading experience during their stay.
Through the Beach Reads programme, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort positions reading as an integrated part of the guest experience, combining leisure, personal reflection and environmental awareness within the island setting.
Avani+ Fares Maldives has launched the 2026 edition of its football camp with former England striker Michael Owen, marking the return of the programme following its introduction last year. The camp, which began on 30 March, will run until 3 April as part of the resort’s Easter programme.
The programme opened with a family cocktail and mocktail evening, bringing together participating families and setting the tone for the multi-day event. More than 30 children and teenagers are taking part in the camp, which features daily training sessions led by Owen alongside a team of assistant coaches.
The camp is designed for children aged 5 to 13 and focuses on structured coaching sessions aimed at developing core football skills, including dribbling, passing, positioning and teamwork. Sessions are tailored to different age groups and ability levels, with an emphasis on participation and engagement.
The programme also incorporates a range of complementary activities beyond the pitch, aligning with the resort’s broader family-focused Easter offering. These include recreational activities for children and teenagers, as well as shared experiences for families, positioning the camp as part of a wider holiday programme rather than a standalone training initiative.
At the conclusion of the camp, participants are scheduled to receive certificates and medals, with additional opportunities for meet-and-greet sessions, autograph signings and photo sessions with Owen.
“Coming back to Avani+ Fares Maldives feels like a natural next step after the energy and enthusiasm we saw at the first camp,” Owen said. “It is a special environment for families and the camp is all about helping kids build confidence, develop their skills and most importantly enjoy the game together. I am really looking forward to being back on the island in 2026.”
Avani+ Fares Maldives first introduced the football camp in 2025 as part of its efforts to expand its experiential programming for families. The return of the camp for a second year reflects continued demand for sports-led guest experiences within resort settings in the Maldives, particularly during peak holiday periods such as Easter.
Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Avani+ Fares Maldives has positioned its Easter programme around a mix of sport, wellness and family-oriented activities, with the football camp serving as a central feature of this year’s lineup.
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