Inchiostro Festival
The illustration, calligraphy, and art printing festival in Alessandria
About Inchiostro Festival
A festival dedicated to lines and paper
Inchiostro Festival is the major event that brings the best of contemporary illustration, calligraphy, and art printing to Alessandria (Province of Alessandria, Piedmont) every June. The setting is one of the city's most evocative: the Chiostro di Santa Maria di Castello, a medieval complex in the heart of the historic center, whose naves and porticoes become a large open-air studio for three days.
Founded in 2013 by a group of enthusiasts and now grown into one of Italy's most recognized industry events, the festival is entirely free to attend: anyone can walk in, watch the artists at work, join the workshops, and soak up the creative atmosphere that brings the cloister to life.
Over fifty artists working live
The heart of Inchiostro is the presence of over fifty national and international illustrators, calligraphers, and art printers working live before the public. Each year, artists are invited to freely interpret a theme chosen by the organizers, creating works on the spot amidst drawing tables, printing presses, and brushes.
Alongside the artists' work, the festival offers a rich program of activities:
- Free workshops in illustration, screen printing, woodcut, letterpress, and movable type printing (by reservation)
- Illustrator battles, live creative challenges on the main stage
- Portfolio reviews with publishing industry professionals
- Young Illustrators Competition for artists aged 16 to 25
- Talks, meetings, exhibitions, and screenings
- Children's labs, musical performances, and DJ sets
An event that engages with the city
Inchiostro isn't confined to the cloister: during the festival, creativity spreads throughout Alessandria, with fringe exhibitions hosted in city spaces like Palatium Vetus and opening parties that animate Piazza Santa Maria di Castello with food, drinks, music, and performances. It is a chance to discover this Piedmontese city in a new light, made of color, ink, and imagination.
Why it's worth visiting
For fans of drawing, comics, graphic design, and publishing, Inchiostro is an unmissable appointment: you can connect for free with established and emerging artists, purchase prints and limited editions at the festival shop, and participate in workshops that would be paid elsewhere. It is also a family-friendly event, welcoming to anyone who simply loves art, thanks to its inviting atmosphere and free admission.
Inchiostro Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Inchiostro Festival, the thirteenth, was themed 'Vertigo', inspired by Umberto Eco's essay 'The Infinity of Lists'. For three days, the Chiostro di Santa Maria di Castello in Alessandria hosted over fifty artists working live, alongside a packed program of workshops, talks, and festivities.
Highlights included the grand opening party in the square, calligraphic and musical performances, the illustrator battle, free printing and illustration workshops, and the fringe exhibition at Palatium Vetus. The free-entry format was confirmed once again for this edition.
Programme Inchiostro Festival 2026
Friday, June 5
- 18:30 — Opening party in Piazza Santa Maria di Castello with local food & drinks
- Performance by Lorenzo Pallavidino with sound designer Luca Carillo
- Calligraphic performance by Francesca Biasetton, president of the Italian Calligraphic Association
- Electronic music performance INK.EXE
Saturday, June 6
- 10:00-19:30 — Over 50 artists working live on the 'Vertigo' theme
- 10:00-20:00 — Festival shop and exhibitions
- 11:00-19:00 — Free workshops in illustration, screen printing, woodcut, letterpress, and movable type
- 15:00-19:00 — Portfolio review
- Impiastro labs for children
- Talk 'Reading the world with wonder' with Maria Paola Pesce
- Young Illustrators Competition (16-25 years old)
- Ink auction with limited edition prints
- Illustrator battle accompanied by music from OHIMEME JUGAAD COLLECTIVE
- DJ set by Elasi, producer and singer-songwriter from Alessandria
Sunday, June 7
- 10:00-18:30 — Artists at work
- 10:00-19:30 — Festival shop and exhibitions open
- 11:00 — Guided tour of the ABC exhibition
- 14:00-18:00 — Printing workshops
Guests of the edition included: Federica Bordoni, Alice Coppini, Laura Doro, Youngin Kim, Daniele Morganti, Filippo Sgarbossa, Valeria Terrani, Alessia Zagaria, and many others.
Highlights Inchiostro Festival 2026
- 'Vertigo' theme inspired by Umberto Eco
- Over 50 national and international artists working live
- Calligraphic performance by Francesca Biasetton
- Illustrator battle and DJ set by Elasi
- Fringe exhibition 'ABC. Bestiary of living projects' at Palatium Vetus (May 30 - June 21)
Prices Inchiostro Festival 2026
Practical information — Inchiostro Festival
Where
Chiostro di Santa Maria di Castello, Piazza Santa Maria di Castello 14, 15121 Alessandria (AL), Piedmont. The cloister is located in the historic center, a short walk from the train station.
Getting there
By train: Alessandria station is a major railway hub, well-connected to Turin, Milan, and Genoa; from the station, the center is reachable on foot in about 15 minutes.
By car: Alessandria is served by the A21 (Turin-Piacenza) and A26 (Genoa-Gravellona) motorways. Paid parking is available in the city center.
Admission
Free entry. Workshops are free, but booking is recommended as spots are limited. For the updated program and reservations, please visit the official festival website.
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Where does it take place — Inchiostro Festival
Chiostro di Santa Maria di Castello
Piazza Santa Maria di Castello 14, 15121 Alessandria