Stories from Italy 03: The Olympic Artwork

February 26, 2026. We woke up already a bit tired. The day before was crazy busy, but we never give up, right? We keep going.

We left home around 8 AM and picked up Francesco Ciai to come with us. When you have just a few days in a crazy schedule in a place that used to be your home for 17 years, you make it work to see the people you love.

Francesco is one of those people. He reached out after Clara’s first newspaper article in 2018. From the first time we met, our hearts connected. He has a foundation and does an incredible work. Over the years, we created so many things together. He also wrote the book Voce su tela, telling Clara’s story for kids, mixing art and inclusion.

We drove for about four hours. Then came the parking drama. We did at least five rounds in the same place, trying to find the perfect spot. Finally, we made it to Triennale.

We arrived early and had to wait around 30 minutes. Clara was trying to stay calm, but she was bursting with anxiety to see her artwork.

Then Damiano arrived, he is the curator of the posters collection, with the Olympic team. Wow. We were not expecting them! What a surprise! We took the lift, went down, and then… Clara saw it.

Her reaction is something I cannot explain. The video shows it (it went viral), and no words are enough to describe it. 

We spent time with the team, talking, sharing Clara’s story, laughing, it was so cool! We bought some posters, still a bit emotional, very happy, and very tired at the same time.

After that, we had a late lunch, almost an early dinner, and decided to go back to our airb&b and rest. 

This day will stay with us forever. For me, as a mom, but mostly as a manager and business partner! As the one who always believed in Clara, even when nobody did.

There were so many moments I wanted to give up. And you know how many times I cry. At first, no one really saw what I saw. I took risks, I put everything in this, my time, my energy, my money, my experience. And in that moment, I could just look back at these eight years and feel grateful that I didn’t give up.

And inside, inside, I also smiled, thinking about all the people who talked behind my back, the comments, the judgment, the ones who said I was doing the wrong thing. Life has a funny way of answering.

Dream big. Believe in yourself. Go for it even when it feels crazy.

(Clara, her artwork "You Love" and the Olympic torch)

And if you are reading this, this moment is also yours. You believed in Clara, you wrote a comment, you are on our email list, you bought something, and you shared about her! Thank you!

I hope you are enjoying these stories. I’m trying to be fast, and I want to share everything with you. But at Clara Woods Collection, I'm the video editor, social media manager, e-commerce expert, financial department, product development, customer service, and mom!!

I'm also doing a detox (so as a consequence, cooking every morning and being at the gym at 5:30 am, and just started weight lifting - OMG, pray for me!) 

We still have the Milan event, the Pinacoteca, the Florence event, the meeting with Gianpiero, and something really special to share! I can't wait!

Guys, I love and love you! 

Betina