Independent space Nistri 33 opens in Prato, offering free residencies

Nistri 33, a new independent exhibition space in Prato, Italy, opened on January 10, 2026, at Via Marianna Nistri 33. Founded by artists Ignazio Fresu and Gustavo Maestre, the space operates within their shared studio and offers free one-month residencies to artists, rejecting the pay-to-exhibit model. The inaugural show features Umbrian painter Myriam Cappelletti (born 1952) with "Da allora in poi… / Le storie parallele nel tempo," on view until February 1, 2026. Cappelletti's technique combines glues, pigments, fabrics, paper, and other materials into mosaic-like works. Upcoming exhibitors include Alessandro Bargellini, Cinzio Cavallarin, Giuseppe Centauro, Gabriella Furlani, and Andrea Marini. The founders state that the space is a critical stance against monetizing visibility, aiming to restore art as a public good. The large street-facing window serves as a transparent boundary between the creative space and the city.