Capri Leone 23° Est – The Art Map

The Art Map: the Nebrodi village becomes an open-air museum

Capri Leone 23° Est – The Art Map is the international art competition that brings the historic center of Capri Leone to life. This small town in the province of Messina overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea and rests on the hills of the Nebrodi mountains in Sicily. The event, which debuted in 2025, turns the alleys, small squares, and corners of the village into a vast, widespread gallery where contemporary art engages with the town's history, architecture, and daily life.

A Pro Loco project

The event is conceived and organized by the Pro Loco of Capri Leone, in collaboration with the Italian Association of Artistic Blacksmiths and the "Il Borgo" association, with the support of the Municipality of Capri Leone, the Sicily Region, the GAL Nebrodi Plus, and numerous sponsors. The artistic direction is entrusted to Filippo Pietro Castrovinci. The stated goal is to rediscover the value of creativity and craftsmanship, restoring the village's centrality as a meeting place for cultures.

A prize unique in the world

The most surprising feature of the competition is the prize pool. For the first time in the world, the first-place winner is awarded a historic, habitable house in the center of the town—a studio apartment where the winning artist can establish their residence and cultivate their creative journey. Artistic residencies and stays are also provided for the subsequent winners:

• Second place: 15-day artistic residency between December and January;
• Third place: 10-day creative stay in the summer;
• Fourth place: 5-day creative stay.

The winning works become part of the Municipality's heritage, while special mentions and visibility spaces are provided for other participants.

International art in the alleys

The Art Map attracts artists and masters from various nations: the debut edition featured participants from the Czech Republic, France, Spain, and Belgium, as well as from all over Italy. For three days, the artists are guests of the municipal administration, working and engaging directly with the public and the urban fabric of the village, integrating visual, performing, and sound arts.

A summer appointment in Capri Leone

Included in the rich summer calendar of Capri Leone, The Art Map combines culture, tradition, and inclusion, offering residents and visitors a widespread experience that enhances the heritage of the Nebrodi village. A walk among the works thus becomes a journey into contemporary creativity, framed by the charm of the Sicilian alleys.