Castelbuono project blends contemporary art with agriculture

A participatory project titled 'Gli Orti come bene comune' launched in early December 2025 in Castelbuono, Sicily, merging contemporary art, environmental education, and traditional farming. Curated by Maria Rosa Sossai, it is a collaboration between the Museo Civico di Castelbuono and the Istituto Agrario 'Luigi Failla Tedaldi'. The initiative involves students from classes IV A and IV B, artists, elderly farmers, nutritionists, and museum operators in a series of ten workshops running through June 2026. Two green spaces are being cultivated: the Orto dell'Arte near the Castello dei Ventimiglia and the Orto Sociale di Palazzo Failla in the historic center. Central to the project is a community post-varietal tomato patch designed by the artistic duo Aterraterra, conceived as a living artwork that fosters collective care as shared heritage. Activities include sowing, plant care, photographic documentation, guided tours, and public discussions. The project aims to address the environmental crisis through concrete actions, developing ecological awareness among younger generations. It culminates on June 4, 2026, with a public presentation featuring the first tomato harvest, tastings, seed exchanges, and local nursery activities.