PALERMO
iTunes | Spotify | iHeartRadio
Palermo and contemporary art were an easy connection for Francesco Pantaleone, founder of FPAC Gallery in Palermo and Milan, in spite of what most would think. Though the port city is ancient, Palermo is one of those places with vibrates with kinetic energy. Maybe its the millennia of cultures overlapping, maybe it is just raw creativity, or maybe it’s the light, but Palermo is a town made for artists.
“If you build it, they will come”; that is, even if you have to fly them in yourself. That always been Pantaleone’s modus operandi, and exactly what he did when he returned to his native Palermo after years in New York City, launching the city’s first contemporary art gallery and, consequently, cultivating a stellar network of artists. Beginning by hosting artists in his home in the early 2000s, where they crafted pieces for his budding gallery, Pantaleone’s star has risen as he’s expanded his network across Italy and the world as a pioneer for contemporary art in Palermo.
In this episode, join Erica as she talks art and Palermo with Pantaleone. Francesco dishes on his own personal art journey taking him from Sicily to New York and then back to Italy to not just start a gallery but to inspire a contemporary art scene and encourage international artists with shows and residences. Plus, glean some inspiration for your next trip to Palermo from Pantaleone’s long list of Palermo top spots.
Episode Highlights
- Meet Francesco Pantaleone, gallerist
- Francesco Pantaleone Arte Contemporanea: Pantaleone’s journey in establishing a contemporary art gallery in Palermo, inspired by his experiences in New York
- Contemporary Art Scene: Challenges and evolution of the contemporary art scene in Palermo
- Notable Art Institutions and Collections: Fondazione Merz, Palazzo Butera, and more
- Community and Cultural Connections: The importance of cultural connections
