'Art and Arts. Craftsmanship on exhibit' at Montepulciano

Art and craftsmanship objects, food and wine delicacies on exhibit on the three floors of the Fortress of Montepulciano

From 30 March 2018 to 02 April 2018

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Montepulciano (Siena), the marvelous 'Pearl of the Renaissance' in the heart of Val di Chiana, hosts the 63rd edition of 'Art and Arts', open to the public from 30th March to 2nd April 2018. It is a craft exhibition displaying, in the splendid location of the Montepulciano Fortress, art objects from Tuscany as well as other regions, crafts from the area and around Italy and local food and wine delights. One of the most anticipated Montepulciano events, Montepulciano Arte ed Arti is organized by the Municipality of Montepulciano, Strada del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, the Association of Municipalities of Valdichiana Senese, Cna, Confartigianato, Artex and BCC Montepulciano.

THE VENUE. The Montepulciano craftsmanship exhibition will take place in the fortress that overlooks the town. This is a very old building that is said to date back to the 8th century: the 'castrum Politianum' was in fact used as a town fortification even before the Lombards. The fortress proper was built in 1261 by the Siena folks as a military outpost. After the 1614 earthquake and the end of the wars between Florence and Siena, the military function of the building was lost and, since the restoration in 1881 by the architect Corbi, the building has had different uses: Francesco Saverio Melissari’s Silk Farm, where silkworms were cultivated, and also a classics high school just to name a couple. Montepulciano, in recent years, has become a culture hotspot where conferences, exhibitions and various events are held targeting both local audiences and tourists alike.
The Fortress is located a few meters from Piazza Grande and can be reached either along the main streets of the historic center of Montepulciano or from any of the convenient car parks located behind it. From the internal rooms and the gardens of the Fortress, you can admire breathtaking views of Val di Chiana, Val D'Orcia and even Lake Trasimeno. ‘Arte ed Arti’ in Montepulciano is housed on the three floors of Fortezza Poliziana, a location that brings considerable added value to this interesting trade exhibition.

THE EXHIBITION. The Montepulciano Craftsmanship expo is a highly anticipated event amongst the local population but also many tourists from Italy and abroad who have the opportunity to admire but also buy unique pieces of artistic craftsmanship and food and wine delicacies that this area can offer in abundance! Fifty stands located on the three floors of the Fortress to rediscover once again art and craft trades and the creations of manual skills, technical knowledge, tradition and creativity. The theme of Montepulciano craftsmanship exhibition is perfectly summoned up in the painter Pablo Picasso’s words, especially chosen for the event: 'after all, a work of art is not made with the ideas, but with the hands'. In Montepulciano, the art objects on show will be unified by the thread of creativity being transformed into art, wisdom and tradition ‘by the hands’. And it is precisely this know-how and the various raw materials used that are the justification for grouping the objects at Montepulciano art exhibition according to the following:

• ART OBJECTS. Unique pieces that demonstrate the creativity of local and national artists in continuing ancient traditions or in revisiting them according to their modern interpretation. The rich section on painters includes among the exhibitors such artists as Giancarlo Turchini, Gisella Sassoli Antonio Ferragina, Fabio Barbetti, Eleonora Farina, Mirta and Elena Contini. Paintings with a more traditional spirit, delicate watercolors and decidedly more modern productions will fascinate the expert art visitor and the neophyte alike, and the same can be said of Aldo Mazzetti and Gino Filippeschi’s mosaics. The art object exhibition in Montepulciano also includes a large group of artists working with ceramics and terracotta. The former list works by Franco Cicerchia, Sial, 'la botteghina di Porsenna' through to Studio Movimenta’s Raku ceramics (in Japanese style) and those by Kamars in Robbia style. As far as terracotta is concerned, you will find the wonderful outdoor ceramics of Fatap through to those of Pietro Cresti and Elsarte. At the Italian craftsmanship expo in Montepulciano you can also admire Carlo Gentilini’s interesting and fascinating artistic steel artworks. 

• CRAFTS. The Tuscany craftsmanship exhibition in Montepulciano will let you rediscover ancient crafts that will stand the test of time as demonstrated by the artisanal baskets of 'Arte dell'Intreccio' or the copper objects of 'Bottega del Rame'. Also very interesting are Matteo Marliani's bicycles, which have many wooden details. Giuseppe Burriesci’s objects are also made with wood as are Maurizio Manni’s miniatures of musical instruments. The art objects in Montepulciano will also delight female audiences with many choices for shopping, ranging from Arde Lunca’s jewellery with unique glass elements, Monica Berenice and Daria Mortelli’s metal bijoux through to Bennati Graziella’s lace trinkets, Mari Cutilli’s Murano glass or 'Oro vegetale'’s special fiber. 

• FOOD AND WINE. In Montepulciano food and wine could not be ignored and as a result there will be a section dedicated to the delicacies of Tuscany! It is not by chance that this is the land of the famous Nobile Montepulciano, just a few steps away are Montalcino with its stellar wine and Pienza with its famous 'cacio'. Among the exhibitors, you will find Mulas, a farm that makes excellent cheeses, Orto Sinergico, dedicated to the production of strictly organic vegetables and Dolciaria Franzago, whose excellent handmade chocolate will make you feel spoilt. At the stand of 'La Bandita' you will find jams, jellies, compotes and fruit and vegetables creams and even extra virgin olive oil while at the 'Mulino Val D'Orcia', as its name suggests, you can buy stoneground flour, cereals, legumes and also some good wine.

Throughout the year, events in Montepulciano take place in every seasons, but the timing of the Montepulciano exhibition during the Easter holidays makes for a truly not-to-be-missed opportunity to organize a short holiday in Tuscany. Book now one of our hotels in Montepulciano for a relaxing getaway in the countryside of this beautiful region!

If you are asking for a final piece of advice on what to do in Montepulciano, we are sure our exclusive private tour in Montepulciano will be just the answer for you. Accompanied by our guides, you will discover all the secrets of the enchanting Renaissance town.