International Biennial of Engraving - Premio Acqui

The art of engraving takes center stage in Acqui Terme

The International Biennial of Engraving - Premio Acqui is an event that, for over thirty years, has brought the very best of contemporary printmaking to Acqui Terme, a spa town in the province of Alessandria in the heart of Piedmont. Promoted by the International Biennial of Engraving Association, with the support of the Municipality of Acqui Terme, the Piedmont Region, and the Rotary Club Acqui Terme, the exhibition attracts engravers from all over the world through a competition open to all major traditional printmaking techniques.

A history dating back to 1993

The Biennial was founded in 1993 within the local Rotary Club under the leadership of president Giuseppe Avignolo, with the goal of promoting culture through an event entirely dedicated to the art of engraving. Since then, the festival has established itself as one of the leading awards in the field in Italy, building a collection of works now housed in the city's Museum of Engraving. Techniques accepted for the competition range from burin and drypoint to etching, aquatint, woodcut, soft-ground etching, and mezzotint, provided they respect the originality of the work.

The 17th edition in 2026

For 2026, the 17th edition takes place from June 13th to July 5th in the halls of Palazzo Robellini, in Piazza Abramo Levi. Alongside the exhibition of the 25 finalist works selected by the jury, the edition presents an internationally acclaimed event: the 51st Retrospective Exhibition of the City of Acqui Terme, this year dedicated to Andy Warhol, featuring a selection of works that trace the most famous moments of the Pop Art master's production, from the legend of Marilyn Monroe to the Campbell's Soup Cans.

Awards and participation

The competition includes several accolades: the Premio Acqui, the Special Jury Prize, the Premio Acqui Giovani, and purchase awards. The selected works become part of the city's collections, fostering a legacy that makes Acqui Terme a point of reference for graphic art and printmaking enthusiasts throughout Piedmont and Italy.