The HABITAT project is in full swing, featuring one of the most eclectic voices in Italian design. From May 22 to 24, residents are invited to Palazzo ONMI to co-create a permanent work of art that will be donated to the city.
L’Aquila’s journey as the 2026 Italian Capital of Culture is enriched by a new, extraordinary chapter dedicated to participatory art and urban regeneration. The second phase of “HABITAT_ARTIST RESIDENCIES. Contemporary Art Resides in L’Aquila, ” a project of strategic importance included in the official dossier for the Capital of Culture.
The initiative is supported by the City of L’Aquila, conceived by MU6 ets aps, and passionately curated by Germana Galli and Antonella Muzi. The special guest of honor at this event is Sara Ricciardi, an internationally renowned artist and designer who was recently named Designer of the Year by the Italian Cultural Institute in São Paulo.
The Project: “L’Aquila Atlas of Possible Words”
At the heart of Sara Ricciardi’s residency lies her deep engagement with the local community. During her stay, the artist will lead residents in a series of workshops titled “Atlante Aquilano delle Parole Possibili.”
Drawing inspiration from the phrase “In the beginning was the Word, ” this workshop explores language as a living, generative space capable of shaping reality and the identity of a community on a journey. Through dialogues, creative writing exercises, and psychogeographical walks through the urban fabric of L’Aquila, participants will work together to build a true “vocabulary of dreams, momentum, and resilience.”
A Contemporary Artwork Donated to L’Aquila
The most significant aspect of the HABITAT project—made possible by the City of L’Aquila’s support for the entire initiative—is the lasting legacy it will leave for the region. The shared vocabulary and ideas that emerged during the workshops will be transformed intoa new contemporary artwork. This work, born from direct dialogue between the artist and the residents, will be permanently donated to the city of L’Aquila and installed in an urban space, serving as a tangible symbol and cultural legacy for the region’s future.
How to Participate in the Workshops
The workshops designed by Sara Ricciardi are open to all residents, regardless of age, offering a unique opportunity for intergenerational exchange.
- Where: Palazzo ONMI (Former kindergarten on Viale Duca degli Abruzzi, L’Aquila)
- When: Friday, May 22, Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, 2026.
- Available times: Morning session (10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) or afternoon session (4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.).
- How to Participate: Space is limited (maximum of 15 participants per session). Reservations are required; please send an email to habitatlaquila2026@gmail.com.
Participating means leaving one’s mark on the creation of a new collective identity, demonstrating once again that culture in L’Aquila is an accessible experience that is shared and enjoyed as a common good.