CACP and the Aldo Küpfer School of Art

CACP: origins, mission and cultural activities

The CACP, or Palazzolo sull’Oglio (or Palazzolese) Artistic and Cultural Centre, is a cultural association founded on 2 February 1986 on the initiative of a group of local residents who were passionate about art and keen to bring cultural enrichment to their community. Over the years, the association, which now has around 200 members, has collaborated with the Department of Culture and numerous local organisations to organise artistic and cultural events such as exhibitions, conferences and educational activities, with the aim of promoting culture, fostering a love of the fine arts and contributing to the preservation of the artistic and cultural heritage of Palazzolo sull’Oglio. A pivotal moment in its history came in 1992, when engineer Aldo Küpfer donated the Castello – Rocha Magna and the surrounding areas to the association, so that they could be used as the permanent headquarters of the CACP, transforming it into a cultural and artistic centre available to the community. Since 2010, the CACP has made a number of spaces available within the M. L. King State Middle School, where the Aldo Küpfer Art School runs its art courses. Furthermore, since 2011, the premises in Piazza Castello have also been used to house exhibition spaces and creative workshops, again run by the school. All activities organised by the association are carried out on a voluntary and non-profit basis, driven solely by a passion for art. The exhibition spaces are also made available to artists free of charge.

The Küpfer family legacy and the current leadership

Following the passing of Mr Küpfer, his wife Giuliana Volpini carried on his work with great passion, playing a decisive role in the renovation of the historic premises in the Stanza della Guarnigione. Today, it is their son, Nicola Küpfer, who has taken up this legacy, assuming the role of President to continue the family’s commitment to the art and culture of the community.

Aldo Küpfer School of Art: courses, duration and exhibition opportunities

The Aldo Küpfer Art School, also known as Scuola AK, is an institution with around 100 students and offers a variety of art courses in collaboration with the Department of Culture of Palazzolo sull’Oglio. These range from painting to ceramics, from drawing to watercolour, including mosaics, macramé and even manga comics. The standard duration of each course is 10 lessons, whilst drawing, painting and ceramics each consist of 30 lessons. The school provides the necessary basic materials and, at the end of each course, students have the opportunity to exhibit their work both on the premises and during events organised by the school itself.

Workshop locations and premises provided by the local council

Thanks to permission granted by the Municipality of Palazzolo sull’Oglio, the courses take place in the workshops located in Piazza Castello or in the basement rooms of the M. L. King State Middle School, premises owned by the CACP.