Sorrento, Italy- To many visitors, Sorrento is known for lemons, the sea, and a connecting point to the Amalfi coast. But for Rosella Savarese, the city offers much more than a tourist destination. Sorrento is full of art and culture.
Savarese, an art historian and gallery director of SyArt Sorrento, has spent over twenty years working with contemporary art. Born and raised in Sorrento, she studied art history before working at galleries in Milan. Eventually she returned back to Sorrento to create her own project and expand her passion for art with the community. Her goal was to connect tourists and locals through art while honoring her roots.
“I think our roots are very important. I’m very grateful for my life because I was born in such an incredible place.” said Savarese.
Rosella Savarese Uses Art to Preserve the City’s Identity
For as long as she can remember, she has been passionate about the arts. Theater, cinema, and music drew her in very early on. She exposed herself to theater and with that she said
“Starting from that experience, I understand how important it is to feel our body and to be connected with the rest of the people”
After high school, Savarese moved to Naples to study art history before beginning her career with galleries in Milian. She grew her network and built strong relationships with global artists and collectors.
Eventually, she decided to reconnect with her home and move back to Sorrento. Growing up surrounded by the sea and mountains of the Sorrento Peninsula has significantly shaped her inspiration. She said Sorrento has always remained the foundation of her life and work.
Today she works with artists all over the world and manages the SyArt Gallery. Located on Via S. Francesco, 25, 80067 Sorrento NA, this contemporary art gallery is in the heart of Sorrento.
This gallery is not just a business, it’s a community. Artists, locals, and tourists get to unite with one another.
SyArt: the outdoor gallery in Sorrento
Over the years, she has developed strong connections that are not transactional. She sees the artists who work with her as “a big family around any project.” Artists are carefully selected, as they represent not only Savarese’s gallery but also Sorrento.
Looking years ahead, Savarese carefully plans exhibitions, collaborations and events. She said supporting artists and believing in their work is one of the most important aspects of being a gallery director.
In 2018, Savarese helped launch what would become a permanent exhibit in Sorrento. This exhibit is very unique and special to Sorrento. An outdoor exhibit was created and curated that brings contemporary art into public spaces throughout the city. The goal was to expand art outside of walls.
Interview with Rossella Savarese
Working with artists from around the world, she invited creators to donate works to the municipality of Sorrento. For Savarese, bringing art outside of museums was an opportunity to make art more accessible with the city of Sorrento and connect residents and visitors.
“It’s very important to share the message of art. We are connecting with each other worldwide.” Savarsee said.
The outdoor exhibit required a lot of work and was not simple to accomplish. They dedicated years of planning, locating, and assembling. Some of the larger sculptures required careful setup and precise installation. They also needed to work with the city and cooperate with property owners and officials. Despite the hard work, Savarese said the effort was worth it.
Her dream is to expand the project outside of the city center into more local residential areas. People hold a stigma against contemporary art that they cannot appreciate art without knowing the history. Saraverse has a different belief.
“What I always say is that you don’t have to understand. You have to feel something different.”
Beyond her work in the gallery, she hopes to change how people see Sorrento. She would love visitors to dive deeper into the rich culture, art, and history the city has to offer before moving onto their next destination. There’s more to appreciate about Sorrento than magnets and pictures; there’s churches, museums, and more cultural landmarks.
Part of preserving Sorento’s identity comes from sharing the history and the culture that makes up the city.
“Sometimes people come here, spend a couple of hours buying something, and that’s it. It’s not good for us because we lose our identity. And we have to share our identity through heart and culture.” Savarese said.
In addition to working with artists and collectors, Savarese has focused on involving younger generations. Through her gallery, she offers internships partnered with the local schools and regularly collaborates with students. She values the youth insights and recognizes their importance to our society. She appreciates their optimism and their drive.
For Savarses, art has always been about connection. Whether through her gallery, the exhibit, or collaborating with students she hopes people can come together and grow a better understanding of one another.
“Art is part of our life, and it’s a way with which we can change the world” Savarese said
Through SyArt, Savarse is helping ensure that Sorrento is remembered not only for its views, but also for the art and culture that shapes the city. By sharing that side of Sorrento with both residents and visitors, she hopes people will continue to connect with each other through art.