Local handicrafts, vintage collectors, farm-to-table food from Let Eat Bi, innovative educational projects, art and culture meet in the frame of Cittadellarte: this is the proposal of the market Etsy Made Local (specifically in Biella), which will be held in the spaces of Fondazione Pistoletto’s Sala Cervo. The event, scheduled for Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th December, will direct the spotlight to artisans and collectors displaying and selling products designed and made in the Biella area: home furnishings, ‘green’ clothing, accessories created from reuse, ecological detergents, vintage clothing are just some of the things you can buy in view of the Christmas holidays. Like in the past editions, it will also be possible to contribute to the food collection for ‘Pane Quotidiano’ by donating pasta, rice and tinned food. You’ll need to have a Super Green Pass to access the indoor areas, while outdoor spaces only require the Basic Green Pass.
The activities
Etsy will be offering a wide range of initiatives starting on Saturday 18th with the event Iniziamo con una risata (Let’s start with a laugh), held in the Tettoia Concept area at 10.30 a.m.: “Suitable from 0 to 99 years of age,” explain the organisers, “with this activity you can transform your energy, bringing well-being to body, mind and spirit. Laughter Yoga, conducted by Luigia Morelli, will take place in a roofed area outdoors, transporting you to a world of happiness and lightness. You must bring with you a good amount of smiles, an orange or red accessory and a great desire to live this experience together”. At 11.30 a.m., in the B.E.S.T. studios, it’ll be time for a creative Mandala workshop organised by ‘ArteSogno’ with the project ‘Le Vie della Dea’ (The Ways of the Goddess): “Drawings, numbers, colours and words – reads the presentation of the activity – will be the ingredients to radiate a field of unconditional pre-Christmas love”. At 4 p.m., in the same space, will be the presentation of the book Cucina naturale (Natural Cooking), with the participation of its author and influencer Stella Bellomo. On Saturday the events will close at 6.00 p.m., again in the studios, with the presentation of the book Il viaggio che rifarei (The journey I’d make again), with writer Johnny Do. On Sunday the events will resume at 10.30 a.m. with the creative workshop La ghirlanda di Natale (Christmas Garlands) – free, with a suggested donation of 5 euros – organised by Cristina Zia: “Natural elements such as wisteria wood, leaves and berries collected in the Biella area will be transformed into a handmade decoration to adorn your home”. In the afternoon the programme will continue at 3 p.m. with Glass Decorations, a workshop held by Maria Scarognina in which participants will learn the basics of glass fusing to create a glass decoration (cost of participation €40, for a maximum of 10 people): “We will discover how to manipulate glass, how to cut it and how it moves when heated”. The activities will conclude at 5 p.m. with Essential oils and well-being, hosted by Elena Negro. On both days the entertainment will be provided by Hydro and its DJ set. For info and reservations (required): +393482510191 – +393922413925.
Cittadellarte’s participation
Fondazione Pistoletto will have an active part in Etsy Market Made in Biella not only by providing the spaces for the activities: all those who’ll come to the event will receive a 50% discount on the entrance ticket to Cittadellarte’s exhibitions, including the one recently opened as part of Arte al Centro called Biella Città Arcipelago – sustainability and creativity in the Biellese territory (Saturday at 4 p.m. or Sunday at 11 a.m.), so as to be able to combine the shopping experience of the market with an artistic-cultural visit. On both days, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Biella Città Arcipelago will also have a dedicated info point at the entrance to Sala Cervo, where it will be possible to receive information and register to take part in the project designed to map the sustainable organisations of the Biella area. The exhibitions are accessible only with guided tours, starting at 11.00, 14.30 and 16.30. Reservations are required (termeculturali@cittadellarte.it or 3316676212). The association Let Eat Bi and its partner farms will participate with a market open from 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. offering local and organic food ranging from wine to rice, honey, cheese, vegetables and processed products. Let Eat Bi will also serve a special aperitif on Saturday at 6.30 p.m. (at the cost of 10 euros) giving the opportunity to taste the various specialties of the producers part of the association; the restaurant Famiglia Ramella’s Al Bistrot le Arti will also have a corner in the same area. New is the participation of Fondazione Pistoletto’s Accademia Unidee, present with a stand providing information on the courses, programmes and activities of Biella’s Academy of Fine Arts.
Workshops for children
The two-day event will not only provide a showcase for the excellences of the wool territory, it will also offer activities for children aged 5 to 10 and their families, organised by Cittadellarte’s Learning Environments Office: workshops and laboratories dedicated to the themes of sustainability and creativity will animate the outdoor area of the Tettoia Concept space, duly heated for the occasion (the activity is supported by the Department for Family Policies as part of the EduCare grant). The younger generations will also be the protagonists of the children’s market (Saturday from 2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. and Sunday from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm) called Se hai bisogno, fai un fischio! (If you need something, just whistle!), a fundraising project by the students of Cittadellarte’s Open School; in this context it will also be possible to learn about the parental education project and meet its teachers (please write to parentale.ambientiapprendimento@cittadellarte.it or call 3316676212 to book an appointment). The space Learning Quarters and Experiential Oasis will also host the following activities: Giocoliamo, a workshop proposing manual activities and ball throws managed autonomously by the students of Cittadellarte’s Open School and dedicated to the discovery of the world of juggling (on Saturday from 2.30 to 4.30 p.m.); Un bicchiere d’oceano (A Glass of Ocean), in which the oceanographer Inés Borrione will guide the participants on a journey of discovery of the underwater world and its inhabitants (Sunday from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.); finally, Quartiere delle storie e della storia (Neighbourhood of Stories and History): “we will propose a selection of stories from our small library to be listened to all together in a shared reading session,” say the organisers (Sunday from 3.00 to 4.00 p.m.). For information and to register to participate (required) please write to termeculturali@cittadellarte.it or call 3316676212.
