Giuseppe Alleruzzo on SpazioA's 10th Anniversary and Pistoia's Cultural Renaissance

Giuseppe Alleruzzo, founder of SpazioA in Pistoia, reflects on the gallery's first decade. He started the space in 2008 after leaving a secure job of 25 years, building on his earlier non-profit project Uscita Pistoia. The gallery now employs four people plus external collaborators. Alleruzzo notes Pistoia's transformation from a sleepy town in the early 1990s to a more vibrant city, boosted by its designation as Italian Capital of Culture in 2017. He credits Giuliano Gori, former vice president of Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Pistoia e Pescia, for donating contemporary art works. The anniversary celebration includes a two-day event with works by all gallery artists, performances, music, and guided tours, echoing the spirit of Usscita Pistoia. Alleruzzo emphasizes the importance of artists as his primary motivation, and values the humility of collectors he has met. He is critical of the proliferation of art fairs, which he believes distract from gallery visits. He also discusses promoting his father's paintings, with help from curator Davide Ferri, leading to international interest.