Piercarlo Ferrero Memorial Plein Air Painting Competition
A day of art amidst the ancient stones of the Cluniac Monastery of Castelletto Cervo
About Piercarlo Ferrero Plein Air Competition
Live art within the priory walls
The Piercarlo Ferrero Memorial Plein Air Painting Competition is an event that draws artists and enthusiasts to Castelletto Cervo, a small town in the Province of Biella, Piedmont. The setting is exceptional: the Cluniac Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul, located in the Garella hamlet, is one of the most significant Cluniac priories in north-western Italy, with origins dating back to a 1083 donation by Guido of Pombia to the Burgundian Abbey of Cluny.
An open-air painting contest
The format is that of a "plein air" event: participants arrive in the morning, have their canvases stamped, and paint live on-site, drawing inspiration from a theme announced each year. The competition is open to everyone—professionals and amateurs, Italians and foreigners, adults and children—using any technique. At the end of the day, a jury evaluates the works and awards the best interpretations.
More than just a competition
The event is not merely a painting challenge: it is a full day dedicated to rediscovering the monastery. The program includes a free guided tour of the complex and its Romanesque narthex, followed by a concert that closes the day, transforming the cloister and the priory spaces into a stage for music.
In memory of Piercarlo Ferrero
The competition is named in memory of Piercarlo Ferrero, a figure deeply connected to the cultural life and development of the local area. The initiative is promoted by the Garnerius Cultural Association and the Friends of the Monastery, with the patronage of the Municipality of Castelletto Cervo, as part of the ongoing efforts to revitalize and return this extraordinary historical asset to the community.
Why it's worth the trip
- The chance to paint or watch live painting in a place steeped in history.
- A free guided tour of one of the best-preserved Cluniac priories in Piedmont.
- A high-quality concert during a festive day in the Biella area.
- The opportunity to discover an authentic and lesser-known corner of the Province of Biella.
Piercarlo Ferrero Plein Air Competition — edition 2026
The second edition of the competition, organized by the Garnerius Cultural Association and the Friends of the Monastery, took place on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the Cluniac Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul in Castelletto Cervo (BI). The theme of the year, "Stone, Light, and Silence," invited artists to interpret the spirituality and charm of the Cluniac priory through painting.
The live painting competition was held from 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM and was open to both professionals and amateurs. In the afternoon, the program featured two major highlights for the public, dedicated to exploring the site and enjoying music.
Programme Piercarlo Ferrero Plein Air Competition 2026
Sunday, June 7, 2026
- 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM — Plein air painting competition on the theme "Stone, Light, and Silence," with participants working throughout the monastery grounds.
- 2:30 PM — Free guided tour of the Cluniac Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul.
- Afternoon — Concert "Beyond Time: A Musical Mosaic between the 18th and 20th Centuries" performed by the Duo Ansaldi Vercelloni.
At the end of the day, the awards ceremony for the works created by the contestants took place.
Highlights Piercarlo Ferrero Plein Air Competition 2026
Prices Piercarlo Ferrero Plein Air Competition 2026
Practical information — Piercarlo Ferrero Plein Air Competition
Location
Cluniac Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul, Garella hamlet, Castelletto Cervo (BI), Piedmont.
Getting there
By car: Castelletto Cervo can be reached from the A4 motorway (Turin-Milan) via the Carisio exit, or from the expressway to Biella. By train: the most convenient stations are on the Santhià -Biella line, with a short onward journey by car.
Registration and contacts
Participation in the competition requires an entry fee. For information and registration: phone and WhatsApp +39 347 472 8295 (Paolo), e-mail [email protected], website www.monasterodicastelletto.it.
Good to know
The event takes place outdoors at the monastery; in case of bad weather, it may be postponed. The guided tour and the concert are open to those not participating in the competition.
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Where does it take place — Piercarlo Ferrero Plein Air Competition
Monastero Cluniacense dei Santi Pietro e Paolo
Via XXV Aprile, frazione Garella, 13851 Castelletto Cervo