Selvatica – Art and Nature Festival
The biennial festival that weaves together art and nature in the heart of Biella Piazzo
About Selvatica
A festival dedicated to art and nature
Selvatica – Art and Nature Festival is one of the most recognizable cultural events in the Municipality of Biella, in Piedmont. This biennial event is entirely dedicated to nature and the environment, bringing together artists, photographers, creatives, and researchers in a journey that combines painting, photography, and sculpture exhibitions with educational workshops and side events. The underlying theme remains consistent: the safeguarding and protection of the environment, told through the language of art.
The venue: the Biella Piazzo Cultural Hub
The festival takes place in the charming medieval village of Piazzo, the historic upper district of Biella, within the Cultural Hub that includes Palazzo Gromo Losa and Palazzo Ferrero. The frescoed halls and gardens of these historic residences provide the ideal setting for a dialogue between architectural heritage and contemporary creation, in a district reachable from the city center via the historic funicular.
An event with international reach
Over the years, Selvatica has brought prominent figures in art and nature photography to Biella, complementing major monographic exhibitions with international competitions, scientific sections, and projects by emerging artists. Each edition features a compelling main exhibition, accompanied by paths dedicated to nature photography, sculpture, and installations, as well as educational exhibits on biodiversity and environmental balance.
Beyond exhibitions
Alongside the exhibition program, Selvatica enlivens Biella with a rich calendar of side events: guided tours, workshops for schools and families, screenings of nature short films focused on the local Biellese territory, meetings with experts, concerts, and performances. The program is designed to engage audiences of all ages and transform the artistic experience into an opportunity for reflection on our relationship with nature.
A symbol of the Biellese region
Organized by Palazzo Gromo Losa Srl, conceived by E20Progetti, and supported by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Biella, Selvatica is now a highly anticipated fixture in the Piedmontese cultural calendar. Its biennial frequency and the quality of its offerings make it a destination that attracts visitors from across Piedmont and beyond, contributing to the promotion of Biella and its historical and landscape heritage.
Selvatica — edition 2026
Selvatica 2026: the eleventh edition
From April 25 to July 19, 2026, the Biella Piazzo Cultural Hub hosts the eleventh edition of Selvatica, spread across Palazzo Gromo Losa and Palazzo Ferrero. The headline exhibition is the first major Italian showcase dedicated to John James Audubon, featuring a selection of 40 masterpieces from The Birds of America, where scientific precision and expressive power merge.
Program sections
Alongside Audubon, paper and bronze sculptures by Alice Zanin engage in a dialogue with historical engravings. The photography section, curated by Fabrizio Lava, presents black-and-white images by Zheng Xiaolin, a selection from the German Glanzlichter competition, and multivision works by the Fotoclub Biella. There is also space for contemporary art with Geremia Cerri and Anna Roberti, an installation by Michela Cavagna, and the scientific exhibition Aliens – The conquest of Italy by plants and animals introduced by humans.
Programme Selvatica 2026
Main exhibitions
- John James Audubon – first major Italian exhibition, 40 masterpieces dedicated to birds of the American continent (curated by Lorenza Salamon)
- Alice Zanin – paper and bronze sculptures in dialogue with Audubon
- Photography section (curated by Fabrizio Lava): Zheng Xiaolin, Glanzlichter competition, Fotoclub Biella multivision
- Art: Geremia Cerri, Anna Roberti
- Installation: Michela Cavagna, The Sociable Waver
- Scientific exhibition: Aliens by Francesco Tomasinelli and Raffaella Fiore
Side events
- Nature short films on the Biellese territory
- Meetings, educational workshops, and guided tours
- Concerts and performances
Highlights Selvatica 2026
Prices Selvatica 2026
Practical information — Selvatica
Getting there
The festival takes place at the Biella Piazzo Cultural Hub (Palazzo Gromo Losa and Palazzo Ferrero), Corso del Piazzo 22/24, Biella. By car: A4 motorway, Carisio exit, then the expressway to Biella. By train: Biella San Paolo station, then city bus or funicular to the Piazzo village. The historic funicular connects the city center to the upper district in just a few minutes.
Opening hours
Open to the public: Friday 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM; Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. Educational sections for schools follow dedicated hours by appointment.
Tickets
Full price €10.00 – Reduced €8.00 (under 25, over 65, university students, FAI/WWF/CAI members, and other affiliated categories). Free admission for children under 6, people with disabilities and their companions, and teachers with their classes.
Contact
Tel. +39 015 0991868 – [email protected] – [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Selvatica
Polo Culturale di Biella Piazzo (Palazzo Gromo Losa e Palazzo Ferrero)
Corso del Piazzo 22/24, 13900 Biella