Selvatica 2026 in Biella: art and nature in dialogue with exhibitions

Selvatica 2026: art and nature in Biella (25 April – 19 July 2026)

The eleventh edition of Selvatica – Arte e Natura in Festival opened on 25 April 2026 and runs until 19 July 2026. Organized by Palazzo Gromo Losa and E20Progetti in collaboration with the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Biella, the festival takes place at the Polo Culturale di Biella Piazzo, primarily in the Gromo Losa and Ferrero palaces.

Selvatica connects artistic languages, scientific research and educational activities to build a layered narrative on the transformations of contemporary landscapes.

Main exhibitions and projects

• Audubon. The great story of nature: the first Italian exhibition dedicated to John James Audubon, featuring 40 plates from The Birds of America that combine scientific accuracy with imaginative power.
• Alice Zanin: site-specific sculptures created for the festival, in dialogue with the Audubon works.
• Zheng Xiaolin – Poetry for Nature: a black-and-white photographic series offering a lyrical portrayal of landscapes and wildlife.
• A selection of images from the international competition Glanzlichter and contributions from Fotoclub Biella.
• Be Natural Be Wild: the foundation’s competition awarded Maura Banfo with Nest, an aluminum sculpture joining the Foundation’s collection; the 27 finalists are on display at Spazio Cultura until 7 June 2026.
• Interdisciplinary installations, including The Sociable Waver. A matter that questions by Michela Cavagna (with sound artist Emiliano Battistini) and the scientific exhibition Alieni – The conquest of Italy addressing introduced species and ecosystem change.

Events and talks

The program features public talks and performances. Early highlights include:

• 14 May 2026 – a focus on the golden jackal as a new presence in Italy’s fauna.
• 21 May 2026 – the monologue Ecce lupo, exploring the conflict between humans and wild animals.

Further workshops, guided visits and educational activities will follow, reinforcing the festival’s interdisciplinary approach.

Practical information

• Venue: Piazzo district, Biella – Polo Culturale spaces (Gromo Losa and Ferrero palaces).
• Main dates: 25/04/2026 – 19/07/2026. Some exhibitions have specific closing dates (e.g. finalists on display until 07/06/2026).
• Tip: check the festival program for updated schedules, guided tours and booking information.