Six Florence Galleries Unite for Primo Vere Initiative

On March 21, 2021, six Florence galleries launched Primo Vere, a coordinated exhibition initiative timed with the spring equinox. Organized by Sergio Risaliti, artistic director of Museo Novecento, the project involves Frittelli, Il Ponte, La Portineria, Poggiali, Santo Ficara, and Secci. Open daily from 11 to 18 until April 20, 2021 (subject to COVID restrictions), the galleries present works by young artists living or working in Florence: Jessica Fillini, Veronica Greco, Melissa Morris, Gianluca Tramonti, Regan Wheat (Frittelli); Jacopo Buono, Matteo Coluccia, Stefano Giuri (Il Ponte); Marco Mazzoni (La Portineria); Francesca Banchelli, Irene Lupi, Virginia Zanetti (Poggiali); Davide D'Amelio, Gabriele Mauro (Santo Ficara); Max Mondini (Secci). The title borrows from Gabriele d'Annunzio's first poetry collection. Risaliti described it as a gesture of generosity toward creative talent and a test of local artistic vitality, positioning Florence as a 'city-laboratory' rather than a 'city-showcase.' Cristina Acidini, President of the Accademia delle arti del disegno, praised the public-private collaboration model. The initiative follows similar gallery alliances in Turin (TAG), Genoa (Start Genova), Venice (Together we stand!), Milan (Zona Monti and Gallery Weekend), and Naples (Contemporaneamente).