Tucked into the heart of Castelli lies one of the village’s greatest treasures: Liceo Artistico per il Design.

Founded in 1906, this historic institution is one of the few remaining ceramic schools in Italy. For more than a century, it has shaped the artistic soul of the region, nurturing generations of artisans who continue Castelli’s deeply rooted ceramic tradition.

The school was established during a pivotal moment in Castelli’s history, when Beniamino Olivieri and Felice Barnabei founded the School of Castelli Ceramics, breathing new life into the local craft. Over time, it evolved into the State Art Institute for Ceramics and later into today’s Liceo Artistico per il Design, becoming a cornerstone of artistic education in the village.

Inside its walls, ancient stencils and historic motifs are carefully preserved, passed down as living references rather than museum relics. At the same time, students are guided in contemporary techniques, experimenting with new technologies, colours, and glazes. This balance allows tradition to remain active and relevant, while continuing to support Castelli’s family-run ceramic workshops.

At Árgillarte, one of our most important missions is to help safeguard this school and the living knowledge it holds. Not as something frozen in time, but as a tradition that is still evolving, still being practised, still alive.

We are deeply grateful to the local community who continue to champion this artistic jewel. With the support of foundations and cultural partners, there is a shared vision to expand enrolment and offer future students the opportunity to learn, create, and remain connected to the village that shaped Italian ceramic history.

This school is more than a place of study. It is the quiet heartbeat of Castelli. 💙