Festival della Maiolica 2026: Ceramics, Ugo Nespolo, and New Governance in Liguria

The fourth edition of the Festival della Maiolica took place from June 5 to 7, 2026, across Savona, Albissola Marina, Albisola Superiore, and Celle Ligure in Liguria, Italy. Organized by the Fondazione Museo della Ceramica di Savona ETS, an instrument of the Fondazione De Mari CR Savona, the festival featured over fifty events centered on ceramic craftsmanship. The central exhibition was 'Nespolo e Albisola. Fuoco ritrovato,' curated by Riccardo Zelatore, showcasing Ugo Nespolo's ceramic works at the newly redesigned MuDA (Centro Esposizioni del MuDA) and the Museo della Ceramica di Savona. The MuDA display was designed by Gianluca Peluffo & Partners. Nespolo's works, including spherical and cylindrical sculptures, were produced at Ceramiche Pierluca. The festival also opened private gardens like Villa Paola in Celle Ligure, featuring works by Gianni Celano Giannici and Ansgar Elde, and Lucio Fontana's spheres. Project manager Paola Gargiulo noted the vitality of new workshops by thirty-something ceramists alongside historic ones like Ceramiche Mazzotti and San Giorgio. The festival's governance model, in its second year, involves a partnership between the Fondazione ETS, the Cooperativa A.R.C.A., and local municipalities, aiming to overcome local fragmentation and attract younger audiences. The exhibition runs until September 6, 2026.