Mario Armitano was born in the south of France. He attended cooking school in Toulon before moving to Montreal in 1976.

Three years later he moved to Vancouver with his wife Louise. They opened a French butcher shop at the Granville Island Public Market; then a French bakery, called La Baguette et L'echalote, and a restaurant.

After the arrival of their two sons, the couple scaled down their businesses to focus on family.

Mario, recognizing the benefits of change, took the opportunity to explore his lifelong passion and enrolled in a stone sculpture course with Alberto Riplansky at the Vancouver Academy of Arts.

A successful student, Mario then took a clay course with DeL'esprie, and an anatomy course with David Klass, at the Loveland Academy of Arts in Colorado.

Encouraged by his instructors, Mario traveled to Italy to paticipate in a marble sculpture workshop in Pietrasanta.

Mario will always pursue growth and exploration of his art.
Recently he participated in a clay workshop with Rodin Prize winner, Martine Vaugel