Ceramiche Sonore - International Terracotta Whistle Competition

Ceramiche Sonore in Castellamonte

Ceramiche Sonore is the international competition dedicated to the terracotta whistle held in Castellamonte, in the Canavese area of the Province of Turin—one of Italy's most renowned cities for the art of ceramics. The event transforms the Martinetti Congress Centre into a gallery of authentic acoustic sculptures: these are not mere whistles, but original creations that combine aesthetic research, technical skill, and acoustic experimentation.

An international competition

The competition gathers works from ceramicists and artists from all over Italy and abroad, evaluated by a jury that rewards the most successful interpretations. The forms range from folk tradition to modern, ironic, fairytale, surreal, and abstract reinterpretations: each edition offers a vibrant cross-section of contemporary ceramic creativity. The exhibition is accompanied by artist profiles, a curated catalogue, and an original event poster.

At the heart of Buongiorno Ceramica

Ceramiche Sonore is part of the national initiative Buongiorno Ceramica, the widespread festival promoted by the AiCC (Italian Association of Ceramic Cities) in Faenza, which every spring involves around sixty Italian ceramic cities with exhibitions, workshops, guided tours, demonstrations, and tastings. Castellamonte participates as a key protagonist, opening its workshops, museums, and exhibition spaces to the public.

Castellamonte, city of ceramics

The Municipality of Castellamonte, in Piedmont, boasts a long tradition linked to clay working, famous for its terracotta stoves and artistic production. Ceramiche Sonore shares a natural dialogue with the Castellamonte Ceramics Exhibition, the historic late-summer event during which the whistle exhibition is re-proposed to the public, extending the exhibition route into the peak of the tourist season.

Why visit

• A one-of-a-kind competition dedicated to a traditional folk object reinvented as a work of art.
• Free admission and a welcoming atmosphere in the center of a historic city of ceramics.
• The perfect opportunity to discover Castellamonte and the Canavese region, with its artisan workshops, rolling hills, and Piedmontese culture.