Varallo International Contemporary Art Biennale

An art biennale in the heart of the Valsesia

Every two years, the town of Varallo, in the province of Vercelli and the gateway to the Piedmontese Valsesia, becomes a crossroads for contemporary art thanks to the Varallo International Contemporary Art Biennale. The exhibition, promoted by the cultural association Soffi d'Arte with the patronage of the Municipality of Varallo and the Unione Montana dei Comuni della Valsesia, has chosen the elegant halls of Palazzo d'Adda in Piazza Generale Antonini as its home—a historic residence that provides the ideal setting for a vast and varied exhibition path.

Over one hundred artists, many techniques

The heart of the Biennale is a wide-ranging collective exhibition: over one hundred artists from all over Italy and abroad present their work, totaling nearly two hundred pieces ranging from painting to photography, and from sculpture to installations. The selection, curated by the organizing association, aims to give space to free artistic expression and foster dialogue between established and emerging names, in an open exchange of different styles, materials, and poetics.

Art, poetry, and peace

The theme of peace runs through the entire event. Alongside the artworks, the "Wall of Peace" comes to life—a wall where visitors and artists leave thoughts and messages of hope—while ten poets adopt specific exhibited works and compose verses inspired by the images, displayed next to the canvases along the route. This choral dimension is completed by the participation of students from the Liceo Artistico of the D'Adda Institute in Varallo, whose creations are showcased in the palace's evocative stables.

The public as protagonist

The Biennale actively involves visitors, who are invited to vote for their favorite works: the most appreciated pieces receive plaques and awards, alongside critics' prizes and a lifetime achievement award. This blend of popular judgment and specialized perspective is one of the hallmarks of the exhibition, which has grown over the years to become a highly anticipated appointment for the region.

Varallo and the Valsesia

Visiting the Biennale is also an opportunity to discover Varallo and the Valsesia: the famous UNESCO World Heritage Sacro Monte, the historic center, and the alpine landscapes surrounding the valley provide the backdrop for an event that unites contemporary art with the identity of a territory with a strong cultural and tourist vocation in Piedmont.