Enes dl ert - Art Festival Val Gardena

Every authentic work of art preserves what has been and, at the same time, opens up a possibility for what is to come. „Memories of the Future“ stems from this idea: art as a space where time is transformed and memory continues to generate new interpretations.
Ninety years after Guido Sotriffer's birth, the studio at Via Pedetliva 10 in Ortisei pays tribute to the artist with an exhibition dedicated to his profound reflection on humanity and its relationship with the world. The human presence, at the heart of his artistic vision, becomes a site of inquiry into identity, experience, and the continuous evolution of existence. With profound sensitivity, Guido Sotriffer explores the presence of the body and the mystery of the transformation of matter, creating a space where form and essence meet in a silent equilibrium. His artistic practice stems from a connection to his roots and a constant openness to new expressive possibilities.
The exhibition invites visitors to explore an essential and authentic language, in which memory becomes a living presence and an ongoing opportunity for discovery.
Location: Studio, Via Pedetliva 10 - Ortisei
Opening hours: 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. / or by appointment (+39 328 4582333)

The „la prufesciunela“ vocational school and the „Cademia“ art high school in Ortisei are an integral part of Val Gardena's culture. They combine traditional craftsmanship with creative training, supporting young talents as they learn woodcarving and polychrome painting, aesthetic research and artistic design. In this way, the region's cultural heritage is kept alive and passed on to future generations. Guided tours of the workshops can be booked for school days by calling +39 0471 796240 or by emailing se.urtijei@schule.suedtirol.it.

The exhibition focuses on the reuse of „waste“ and on the process of finding and transforming what has been left behind. Objects, states and situations of various kinds are observed, collected, categorised, transformed and placed into new contexts of content and form through photography, painting, collage, printmaking, text and installation.
With works by Alan Biehlig, Clara Pötsch, Katharina Schreiter, Theresa Szepes and Nele Hendrikje Sandner.
21.08. - 13.09.2026, Tue - Sun 4 - 7 p.m., Sat - Sun 10 a.m. - 12 noon

With Walter Moroder, Andre Comploi and Eduard Demetz we will discuss the significance of culture in our daily lives. Art, music, literature, cinema and architecture enrich our lives, connect people and also create economic impulses for our society.

The art of woodcarving has a centuries-old tradition in Val Gardena. Originally it was a pastime for the whole family during the long winter evenings. Today, woodcarving extends from sacral to contemporary art. In the compact introductory course, you will try relief carving and learn the basic knowledge of this craft under expert supervision.

Ortisei 1860 - Tracing a profound transformation
A walk with museum director Paulina Moroder - from the historical painting into the village centre, followed by an aperitif on the church square.
What did Ortisei look like around 1860, before the village changed fundamentally? Which people, ideas and economic developments lie behind its transformation from a farming village into a major centre of woodcarving and sculpture? The walk starts in the exhibition „Works of a World“ at Museum Gherdëina: in front of Josef Moroder Lusenberg's landscape painting of Ortisei in 1860, a journey back in time begins into an era of far-reaching economic, social and cultural change. On the way from Antoniusboden to the church square we discover historical workshops and trading houses that tell of pioneering spirit and craftsmanship, entrepreneurial initiative and international trade, social upswing and cultural change. The walk shows how the wooden toy industry and altar-building contributed to the development of the village and laid the groundwork for later tourism. It ends with a shared aperitif on the church square.
Meeting point: Museum Gherdëina, exhibition „Works of a World“
Start: 6 p.m., end: approx. 7.45 p.m., followed by an aperitif on the church square
Language: Ladin
Please register in advance - max. 15 participants. Participation is free of charge.

Traces emerge through movement and transformation. They reveal origin, process, and time within material. For over twenty years, Laurenz Stockner has followed these traces, starting from self-produced copper to explore its properties and potential for change.
Opening reception: Friday, September 11, 2026 - 7:00 p.m., introduction by Katherina Perlongo
Exhibition period: September 12 - October 11, 2026, daily except Mondays, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The artist will be present at the exhibition on the following days: Sat 12.09., Sun 13.09., Sun 20.09., Sat 26.09., Sat 03.10., Sun 11.10.

The title refers to the historical concept of the „apple of paradise“ and invites reflection on the relationship between nature and culture, and between origin and the future. Rather than viewing the garden as an idyllic place, the exhibition portrays it as a landscape of transformation, where growth, change and transience all have their place.
The three artistic approaches address these themes in different ways. Together, they present nature as a living entity: multifaceted, vulnerable and constantly in motion.
Participating artist: Philipp Putzer, Mischa Sanders, Julia Bornefeld and Florian Borkenhagen.
The PARADEISER exhibition at the Vijion Art Gallery in Pontives will be open daily from 4 to 7 p.m. during the Val Gardena Art Festival from September 7 to 20, 2026. An opening reception with an aperitif will take place on Saturday, September 12, at 11 a.m. We look forward to your visit!

The La Vëta Association is opening the Doss workshop to grandparents and grandchildren, creating a place for meeting, shared creativity, and exchange.
Together, and accompanied by members of the association, they can model, carve, paint, and much more. The aim is not only to work together with their hands, but above all to pass on experiences, knowledge, and stories. Grandparents contribute their skills and memories, while grandchildren enrich the experience with their creativity, curiosity, and new ideas.
The idea behind this initiative is to bring the workshops back to life and establish them as a meeting place where generations can come together, learn from one another, and spend valuable time together.

The exhibition focuses on the reuse of „waste“ and on the process of finding and transforming what has been left behind. Objects, states and situations of various kinds are observed, collected, categorised, transformed and placed into new contexts of content and form through photography, painting, collage, printmaking, text and installation.
21.08. - 13.09.2026, Tue - Sun 4 - 7 p.m., Sat - Sun 10 a.m. - 12 noon

Cësa de Cultura / Plaza Stetteneck, Ortisei
11 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. - roundtable discussion with Bas Smets, Vartan Karapetian and Giovanna Melandri at the Pilat farmhouse
3 p.m. - free guided tour of the Biennale locations in Ortisei, meeting point: Info Point, Sala Trenker, duration approx. 90 minutes
5 - 7 p.m. - distribution of the plants from the (Future) Paradise Garden installation with landscape architect Eva-Maria Schgaguler
The event explores themes from Bas Smets' research and his installation „Degrees of Elevation“, which examines the impact of climate change on Alpine landscapes. It is followed by the first European presentation of „The English Park, An Ecology of Memory in Yerevan“ with author Vartan Karapetian. The day closes with a performative action in which the plants of the installation are passed on to the audience - a gesture of sharing, care and continuity.
All activities on the Finissage day are free of charge, no registration is required.
Biennale Gherdëina 10, (Future) Paradise Gardens, curated by Samuel Leuenberger. 31.05. - 13.09.2026, Exhibition View. Photo by Tiberio Sorvillo

Eric Perathoner's work is part of the new expression of the Val Gardena woodcarving tradition, following its own distinctive path between innovation and craftsmanship. With technical mastery, discipline, and exceptional precision, he creates sculptures in linden, Swiss stone pine, and chestnut wood in his studio, not far from the Passo Pinei mountain pass. At the same time, he experiments with a variety of materials, including plaster bandages, larch needles, iron, and tar.
To express his poetic vision, Perathoner employs a precise and concise visual language. Yet his focus on the human figure never remains confined to the physical body alone. His stylized figures are the result of a formal investigation that strips away all superfluous elements. Essentiality lies at the core of his artistic language.
Eric Perathoner creates works of remarkable formal elegance that evoke both ancient Egyptian and pre-Renaissance art. His sculptures are an ode to silence; they invite viewers to listen to their inner voice. The figures gaze into the distance, pointing toward the unknown and suggesting unexpected dimensions of human existence. The artist gently leads the viewer into quiet contemplation, where the pulse of life can truly be felt.

In her sculptures, Valeria Stuflesser explores themes that have accompanied humanity since its origins. Through playful approaches, she engages with concepts in which the connection between the present and the broader history of humankind plays a fundamental role.

From the very outset of my artistic journey, I have explored the profound duality of human existence - matter and spirit. Discovering the resources within the human soul. Deepening feelings and emotions through the creative force expressed in different types of materials. It is my pleasure to welcome you into my atelier.

In this six-day workshop, four advanced young sculptors will carve a sacred figure in the traditional Val Gardena style under the guidance of Peter Kostner.
Registration required: +39 320 935 0990
Dates: 14.09.2026 - 19.09.2026
Mon, Tue, Thu 18:00 - 21:30
Wed, Fri 14:00 - 21:30
Sat 8:00 - 12:00 / 14:00 - 18:00
Open Workshop Day: On Saturday, 19.09., the Doss Workshop will be open to all interested visitors. Guests are warmly invited to visit the workshop and watch the young sculptors at work.

The Digart Antique Gallery combines the centuries-old woodcarving tradition of Val Gardena with a carefully curated selection of antique sculptures, alpine landscape paintings, and rustic antique furniture. Its focus lies on regional and international sculptures dating from the 17th to the 20th century, as well as on paintings that capture the striking beauty of the Dolomites in all their diversity.
As part of the Val Gardena Art Festival, the gallery welcomes visitors from 14 to 19 September, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., to join guided tours with Egon Stuflesser and discover the fascinating world of antiques.

An authentic experience in the heart of Val Gardena, where art and tradition come together. During the visit, you will have the opportunity to enter a local artisan workshop and discover the work of sculptors or painters up close, observing the techniques, materials, and creative processes that bring unique works to life. The experience concludes with a pleasant aperitif, a convivial moment to share impressions, engage in conversation, and be inspired by the valley's artistic atmosphere.

A touch of creative enthusiasm transforms the historic Val Gardena farmstead through StallART into an extraordinary, year-round contemporary art gallery.
Exhibitors: Josef Kostner, Hermann Josef Runggaldier, Wilhelm Senoner, Ivo Piazza, Vinzenz Senoner, Valeria Stuflesser, Gerald Moroder, Armin Grunt, Ivan Lardschneider, Otto Piazza, Matthias Sieff and Christian Stl.

The exhibition „berstot de Lenert - Rudolf and Ludwig Moroder“ will open in the Luis Trenker exhibition room on September 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Organized in collaboration with Museum Gherdëina and the Micurà de Rü Ladin Institute, Museum Ladin, Lia La Vëta, the exhibition honors the work of two significant figures in Val Gardena's artistic craftsmanship and offers insights into their artistic legacy.

The art of woodcarving has a centuries-old tradition in Val Gardena. Originally it was a pastime for the whole family during the long winter evenings. Today, woodcarving extends from sacral to contemporary art. In the compact introductory course, you will try relief carving and learn the basic knowledge of this craft under expert supervision.

The Doss Workshop is open to all interested visitors. Guests are warmly invited to visit the workshop and watch the young sculptors at work.

A celebration of Ladin culture on the theme „Da na generazion a l'autra“: 9 a.m. talks, from 2 p.m. workshops and guided tours at Cësa de Cultura, 5.30 p.m. Ert X Merit Ladin award, 8 p.m. cultural salon at Circolo, 9.15 p.m. concert.

The Museum Gherdëina invites you to a special performance of traditional Ladin-language puppet theater on September 19th at 3:00 PM. With humor, music, and colorful characters, the show promises excellent entertainment for all ages. Afterward, participants can craft their own puppet in the Sevi exhibition room.

Eric Perathoner's work is part of the new expression of the Val Gardena woodcarving tradition, following its own distinctive path between innovation and craftsmanship. With technical mastery, discipline, and exceptional precision, he creates sculptures in linden, Swiss stone pine, and chestnut wood in his studio, not far from the Passo Pinei mountain pass. At the same time, he experiments with a variety of materials, including plaster bandages, larch needles, iron, and tar.
To express his poetic vision, Perathoner employs a precise and concise visual language. Yet his focus on the human figure never remains confined to the physical body alone. His stylized figures are the result of a formal investigation that strips away all superfluous elements. Essentiality lies at the core of his artistic language.
Eric Perathoner creates works of remarkable formal elegance that evoke both ancient Egyptian and pre-Renaissance art. His sculptures are an ode to silence; they invite viewers to listen to their inner voice. The figures gaze into the distance, pointing toward the unknown and suggesting unexpected dimensions of human existence. The artist gently leads the viewer into quiet contemplation, where the pulse of life can truly be felt.

In her sculptures, Valeria Stuflesser explores themes that have accompanied humanity since its origins. Through playful approaches, she engages with concepts in which the connection between the present and the broader history of humankind plays a fundamental role.

Christian Stl warmly welcomes you to visit his cozy and inspiring studio. Enjoy a glass of wine while discovering the unique artistic atmosphere and his distinctive painting technique.
Trebingerstraße 10c, 39046 Ortisei