Giro d’Arte Pietrasanta: Reflections on Tuscany’s New Art Event

The First Edition of Giro d’Arte, was a new kind of art experience - a ‘flash’ event that gave visitors just a 2-3 hour window to go inside the studios of the artists of Pietrasanta who had featured on the podcast Materially Speaking.

Although Pietrasanta is known as the città d’arte, visitors rarely get the opportunity to meet real artists in their places of work.

Our goal was to create a (mainly) walkable route through Pietrasanta that would bring visitors face-to-face with the artists, studios, and stories that make Pietrasanta such a special place.

The event was inspired by sculptor Jacob Cartwright, and within a few weeks Sarah, Mike, Ashley, Jacob, Ben, Holly and a huge team of volunteers pitched in to make it happen. The planning and production was achieved at breakneck speed, in less than five months. We extend a huge thanks to everyone involved.

Produced to celebrate our fifth anniversary of podcasts it gave the unique opportunity to meet the artist behind the voice, but the response was so huge, and the weekend deemed such a success, that we may have to celebrate every year!

Throughout the day, visitors experienced centuries-old stone-carving techniques, artists talking about their process, and contemporary applications of 3D printing of clay. It was a great insight into Pietrasanta’s ongoing creative evolution. 

Powerful connections were made between artists and audience, through informal conversations. Artists too were able to join the Giro after their own studio closed, and enjoyed visiting other artists and seeing what they were working on. It was a truly bonding community event.

As we reflect on this First Edition, we’re already looking ahead to how we might expand in 2026. If you came along and have suggestions please fill out our feedback form, or if you didn’t come but would like to get involved next year, please let us know and sign up to our newsletter.

Pietrasanta has long been known as a city of art - and is now a candidate for the Italian Capital of Contemporary Art 2027. Watch this space!