The tradition of ceramics, which has its roots in Renaissance Castelfiorentino, is revived in the historic centre of Castelfiorentino. In recent days, a number of ceramic display panels created by pupils and students from the Castelfiorentino Comprehensive School (academic year 2024/2025) as part of the AR-CO (Art and Community) project funded by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze, the result of a joint project between Cetra Cultura and the Municipality of Castelfiorentino.
The project, which involved the Cetra association and artist Sonia Rossetti in schools, engaged pupils and students in the fourth year of primary school and five first years (IA, IC, ID, IF and IG) of the lower secondary school, with the aim of further upgrading a road junction providing access to the upper town (recently undergoing work that has led to the creation of new stone paving), improving the urban environment and bringing citizens closer to their history and local artistic heritage.
As you may recall, the tradition of ceramics has its origins in Renaissance Castelfiorentino, where in the 16th century there was a flourishing craft production using the “ingobbiata e graffita” technique, as evidenced by dozens of artefacts unearthed during two intensive excavation campaigns conducted twenty years ago (the restored heritage is currently preserved in the “Vallesiana” Library).
The “AR-CO2 project, which has been refinanced again this year by Fondazione CR di Firenze, is part of a broader project: the idea, which the municipal administration is working on, is to create a real “ceramics district”, also involving Piazza del Popolo and “La Costa” (Via Ferruccio), which would include a museum-workshop, educational activities with schools, incentives for artisan workshops and cultural spaces for the community, with support for emerging businesses and young entrepreneurs, both in the arts and crafts sectors.
“Thanks to the teachers and students of the Comprehensive Institute”, notes the Councillor for Culture, Franco Spina, “who accepted the invitation to participate in this project, made possible by the CR Foundation of Florence and the result of a joint project between Cetra Cultura and the Municipality, through which a significant contribution has been made to urban decor and the redevelopment of an access road to the upper town. This is an important result, achieved through a creative experience that originated within the community and benefits all citizens, in keeping with the historical identity of our territory. Our goal is to create a “Ceramics Quarter”, a new, active and dynamic area where citizens can reclaim spaces in which to bring together dedicated street furniture, craft shops, workshops, exhibition spaces and cultural events.”
