«Alimondo Ciampi» National Sculpture Prize – Ceramics and Terracotta

A new prize for terracotta sculpture

In 2026, the first edition of the «Alimondo Ciampi» National Sculpture Prize will launch in Signa, in the metropolitan city of Florence (Tuscany), a competition entirely dedicated to ceramics and terracotta. The initiative is promoted by Pro Loco Signa A.P.S. with the patronage of the Municipality of Signa and the Alimondo Ciampi ETS Foundation, and aims to showcase artists of all ages and backgrounds, fostering a deep dialogue between contemporary art and public spaces.

Who was Alimondo Ciampi

The prize pays tribute to Alimondo Ciampi (San Mauro a Signa, 1876 – Florence, 1939), a sculptor from Signa of humble origins who, starting from the fields, trained in Florence as an apprentice and later in Antonio Bortone's studio. He exhibited his works at five editions of the Venice Biennale between 1909 and 1924, working with bronze, plaster, marble, and terracotta, with a particular focus on the human figure and portraiture. Naming a terracotta prize after him serves to reconnect the thread linking Signa to its ancient clay-working tradition.

How the competition works

The call for entries is open to artists of any age and nationality. Works must be created primarily in ceramic or terracotta, potentially combined with other materials, and designed for outdoor installation, with dimensions between 50 and 70 cm per side. Each artist may submit only one work via the Foundation's official portal. Applications close on July 31, 2026.

A jury will select between fifteen and twenty finalist works, which will be displayed in an exhibition at Villa Alberti in Signa. During the exhibition, the public will be able to vote for their favorite work for the People's Choice Award.

The prizes

• Over 30 Category: 2,000 euro prize; the winning work will be placed in the Parco Naturalistico dei Renai or another public space in Signa.
• Under 30 Category: 1,000 euro prize, including a 5-6 day artistic residency at a local ceramic studio and a 1,600 euro grant for production and accommodation.
• People's Choice Award: 400 euro recognition, awarded by public vote, with the opportunity to host a temporary solo exhibition in a municipal space.

Art that remains in the territory

The strength of this prize lies in its local roots: the winning works do not return to the studio but become part of the daily landscape of Signa, particularly at the Parco Naturalistico dei Renai, transforming public space into an open-air museum. For those who love contemporary sculpture and Tuscan artisanal traditions, the finalists' exhibition at Villa Alberti is a precious opportunity to discover new languages of clay.