Oro Nero dell'Etna International Lava Stone Sculpture Symposium

The tenth edition of the symposium

From September 14 to October 5, 2025, Belpasso hosted the 10th edition of the Oro Nero dell'Etna International Lava Stone Sculpture Symposium at the F.lli Grasso quarry along the SP 56i. The edition was dedicated to Professor Antonio Portale, the creator of the project and promoter of the 'bet on beauty' that has enlivened the city since 2014.

Sculpting the hard lava stone of the volcano was sculptor Adriano Ciarla, joined by young artists Calogero Arcidiacono and Luigi D'Amico, in a journey that combined experience with the new generations of the Academy of Fine Arts of Catania. The symposium was curated by Professor Vittorio Ugo Vicari, with artistic direction by Professor Pierluigi Portale and the support of the Academy directed by Professor Gianni Latino.

At the end of the work, on October 4, the three new works were presented to the citizens by Mayor Carlo Caputo and the municipal administration, enriching the heritage of the Belpasso City of 100 Sculptures project. Throughout the duration of the symposium, the public was able to follow the sculptors' work live in the quarry.

2025 Edition Program

• September 14, 2025 — Inauguration of the 10th edition and start of work at the F.lli Grasso quarry, with sculptors Adriano Ciarla, Calogero Arcidiacono, and Luigi D'Amico.
• September - October — Artistic site open to the public: live sculpting of lava stone blocks.
• October 4, 2025 — Ceremony presenting the three new lava stone works to the city.

Edition dedicated to Professor Antonio Portale. Curator: Prof. Vittorio Ugo Vicari. Artistic Direction: Prof. Pierluigi Portale.

The creation of three new lava stone sculptures for the City of 100 Sculptures and the tribute to Antonio Portale, the project's creator.