The “Piccolo Museo” is a permanent collection of modern art related to the “Fighille Arte” national painting contest, which takes place annually in October. The building has an ancient history: from the Middle Ages until the unification of Italy, it was the headquarters of the Pontifical Customs, playing a role as a border outpost between the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Papal State. Since 2001, the museum has collected over 250 works of art, mainly paintings, representing over 140 artists from all over the country who have obtained the highest awards. All the paintings that have won the competition in the last 20 years are exhibited in two sections: the “ex tempore”, that are works made by the artists during the contest and the “studio” works, donated over time by the artists, so it is a collection in continuous evolution.
The history of the museum
In July 2001, the idea of creating a museum in Fighille to testify to the ultradecennial connection between the town and art was born for the first time. It seemed like a hardly achievable idea given the few means and spaces available. Nevertheless, the decision to try was made, convinced that among the tasks of a Pro Loco there should also be that of facing difficult challenges to create something durable for the town.
From the beginning, the premises of the Pontifical Customs were identified as the most suitable for the collection of art, although various adaptation work was required. The Municipality of Citerna understood the importance of the project and supported Pro Loco in its development, allowing numerous interventions on the building. The museum officially opened in 2002 and the first work was donated by Guerrino Bardeggia after the personal exhibition that our association dedicated to him at the Sanctuary of Petriolo with an extraordinary public success.
From that donation, from that gesture of friendship and affection, the collection was born and today includes over 250 works by nationally renowned artists and sure protagonists of contemporary art. The museum is now the flagship of the fraction, a source of pride and satisfaction both because it is a unique case in Valtiberina and because it is a project that is always open and evolving towards new and future goals.
Every year, new artists and new works are added and enrich the collection in a constant process of growth with the aim of creating a modern center for the arts capable of hosting events and exhibitions throughout the year. In this perspective, the recent important acquisition and recovery of the adjoining Palazzo Tani will expand the exhibition spaces by creating, together with the Pontifical Customs building, a museum pole of contemporary art.
The national art contest "fighille arte"
The national art contest “Americo Casi”, named so in honor of its founder Americo Casi, takes place every year since 1979, during the celebration of the town’s patron saint on the first weekend of October.
It welcomes an increasing number of artists every year from every region of Italy who gather in this small town of Valtiberina to participate in a competition that is now unanimously recognized as one of the most important in the nation.
The event is divided into two distinct sections: the first section is dedicated to the presentation of “studio works”, free theme works where the artist presents paintings already made. The second section is dedicated to “extempore works” made on site during the two days of the event, mainly focused on the territory of Citerna.
During the weekend, it is possible to see the artists working along the streets of the town who will take part in the extempore competition and to visit the exhibition of all the competing works inside the school building. The winning works of the main prizes are acquired every year for the permanent collection of the Piccolo Museo.
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