Bassi Beneventano: Print Workshop and Gallery Unite in a Historic Sicilian Palace
In Scicli, Ragusa, the Bassi Beneventano laboratory combines a unique art print studio with a historic gallery from Modica. Established by Loredana Amenta and Giuseppe Lo Magno, it launched on June 9, 2023, within the UNESCO-listed Palazzo Beneventano. Amenta’s workshop creates etchings for renowned artists such as Piero Guccione and Giovanni Robustelli. Celebrating three decades, the gallery promotes Sicilian talent and features a live engraving demonstration. The opening exhibition highlighted works by Sandro Bracchitta, along with engravings from Robustelli and Amenta. The venue also boasts artisanal frames and a 19th-century Albion Press. Amenta, a graduate of the Catania Academy, returned to Scicli to foster community engagement, while Lo Magno values the palazzo’s historical allure.
Key facts
- Bassi Beneventano is a permanent laboratory combining a print workshop and gallery in Scicli, Ragusa.
- Founded by printer Loredana Amenta and gallerist Giuseppe Lo Magno.
- Located in the lower floors of the UNESCO-listed Palazzo Beneventano.
- Inaugurated on June 9, 2023.
- The print workshop produces etchings for artists including Piero Guccione, Angelo Ruta, Giovanni Robustelli, Giovanni Blanco, Franco Fratantonio, Rosa Cerruto, Giovanni Viola, Domenico Grenci, and Carmelo Candiano.
- The gallery Lo Magno has been active for 30 years and will promote Sicilian artists from this new space.
- The space was redesigned by architects Elisa Lo Castro and Andrea Pluchino.
- Visitors can observe the engraving process live, including tools and matrices.
- Inaugural exhibition featured works by Sandro Bracchitta, Giuseppe Colombo, Emanuele Giuffrida, Giovanni Iudice, Giuseppe Leone, Rossana Taormina, Giovanni Viola, and William Marc Zanghi, curated by Lo Magno.
- A functioning 19th-century Albion Press for movable type is on display.
- Amenta studied at the Academy of Fine Arts of Catania and specialized at Fondazione Il Bisonte in Florence.
- Amenta adapted her techniques to Sicily's climate, which affected etching chemistry.
- Graphic identity by Angelo Ruta, Sergio Iacono, Marco Lentini, and After Studio.
Entities
Artists
- Loredana Amenta
- Giuseppe Lo Magno
- Piero Guccione
- Angelo Ruta
- Giovanni Robustelli
- Giovanni Blanco
- Franco Fratantonio
- Rosa Cerruto
- Giovanni Viola
- Domenico Grenci
- Carmelo Candiano
- Sandro Bracchitta
- Giuseppe Colombo
- Emanuele Giuffrida
- Giovanni Iudice
- Giuseppe Leone
- Rossana Taormina
- William Marc Zanghi
- Elisa Lo Castro
- Andrea Pluchino
- Sergio Iacono
- Marco Lentini
Institutions
- Bassi Beneventano
- Lo Magno gallery
- Palazzo Beneventano
- UNESCO
- Academy of Fine Arts of Catania
- Fondazione Il Bisonte
- After Studio
- Artribune
Locations
- Scicli
- Ragusa
- Modica
- Sicily
- Italy
- Florence
- Tuscany
- Val di Noto