CHI SIAMO → ABOUT US

The Artistic Group of Torno (G.A.T. Gruppo Artistico Tornasco) was born in Torno in 1975 like issuing of Pro Loco that promoted several cultural activities in the 70’s, some of them painting exhibitions, favouring local painters.

Besides, it organised photo shows, printed from ancient plates of the early 20th century, and also shows about usages and customs from the ancient time until today.

These last activities led to the publication of an interesting volume editor by Pro Loco called Torno ieri e oggi (Torno yesterday and today) where photographic images are expounded by Paolo Elia Sala, charter member and president of G.A.T. until may 2000.

Painters and poets, at that time members in Pro Loco, founded the Artistic Group of Torno that immediately marked out for the good quality and valour of their own members.

In the first years especially, G.A.T. allowed room for local artists in the zone, organizing group or one-man shows.

In 1978, as suggested by an excited public, members of G.A.T. published an interesting volume entitled I vèrs del G.A.T. e i sò spegasc (The verses of the cat and its scrawls; may be note the acronym G.A.T. is the local pronounce of the Italian word “gatto” that means “cat”). In the opera there are illustrated poetries with graphic compositions written by members only. The book is still available. Contact the secretary for more information and how get it.

During the years, G.A.T. has expanded its range of activities to the photography, theatre, music and culture. So all several people with their own artistic and cultural inclinations contributed to increase in quality the association.

A very nice teamwork was the staging of La gùndula del Fendin (The boat of Fendin). The author Paolo Elia Sala put in working an ancient local legend, making as theatre pièce.

Thanks to the work of the most part of members (actors, painters, photographers), the play has been realised in 1985 at the pier of Torno. Because of the very big success of audience, the play was replied in the summer of 1986.
From that time, G.A.T. has been continued to work with the target of exploiting the artistic and cultural beauties of the village of Torno, which has been the birthplace of many glorious artists as the painters Bartolomeo De Benzi and Andrea De Passeris, lived in the 17th century.
For this reason, since 1977 it has promoted the famous Via De Benzi Open-Air Exhibition that has reached this year the 30th edition for the days about the 14th and 15th 2007.


Via De Benzi Open-Air Exhibition – Acceptance of works to exhibit takes place at the secretary of G.A.T. in Via De Benzi 9, from 3 pm of Saturday 19/7 until 10 am of Sunday 20/7/2008.

After it, there will be the official opening of the exhibition. For poetries only, the deadline for applications must be brought forward at 7 pm of 19/7.

Promoters, although they guarantee a continuous presence of control during the show, decline all responsibility for any kind of thief or damage.

Works will be exhibit according to the instructions of the promoters and the availability of space.

In the event of rain, exhibition will be held indoors using arcades and entrance halls of the houses along Via De Benzi.

PAINTING: all works must be provided with junctions and locks to make exposition easier. No limit at any choice of styles, materials and techniques.

PHOTOGRAPHY: all works must be provided with junctions and locks to make exposition easier. Every single picture must be absolutely included in a size of minimum cm 18 x 24 and a maximum of cm 50 x 70.

POETRY: all authors can propose two typewritten works on white paper at the most (no decorations, no mottos, no badges) in triplicate and only one signed.



Smile price: among the lot of works presented, some qualified judges will propose the most noteworthy and of these (highlighted opportunely) anyone will be able to give his vote as far as a maximum of three preferential ballots for each one of the three categories: painting, and sculpture, photography, poetry.

Poll will start at 11:30 am of Sunday 19/7 and will end at 5 pm in the afternoon.

The three best works of every category will be awarded with medals and bonus offered by Pro Loco Torno.

Special prize for photography: some qualified judges will choose the best picture among all exposed, awarding a special prize.

Competition of extemporary painting: the subject will be “The village of Torno and its features peculiar to history and culture”: paintings must be stamped and noted down at the secretary of G.A.T. in Via De Benzi 7 in these time slots:

From 15:00 - 19/07/2008  to 10:00 - 20/07/08



Works must return to the secretary of G.A.T. within 4 pm of Sunday 19/7 without glass and without any signature, except for watercolours that could be handed back with a finish of glass.

Remind to return paintings with frame and junctions.

A very qualified jury will proceed to the selection of the best paintings, giving the estimated prizes.

On awarding, works will have be signed: absence of signature will involve the loss of the prize. Prize-giving will take place also in the event of bad weather.







For more information please contact:

Mrs Margherita Sala phone: +39 (0)31 369207 e-mail: info@gat-torno.com




Torno is the second village on the shore of Lake Como direction Bellagio on the Strada Statale 583, at about 6 km from Como.

translator: Giulio Graziosi