about me < Elvezia Cavagna

There is beauty in every place

I live in Italy, a country that, with its hills, lakes, sea, and art cities, is a constant source of inspiration for me. Every day feels like I'm breathing in nature and culture, in a land where every place offers breathtaking views and stories to tell.

My work is mainly inspired by nature, by its unique colors and the emotions it can evoke. I love to travel, observe, and be surprised by unusual shapes, new lines, and colors that tell stories. Capturing this kind of magic with pencils and paints is a true privilege for me.

I’m curious and attentive to detail: I love tea, coffee, and the traditional sweets of the places I visit. On many trips, simply sitting in a café has led me to discover original and evocative spaces—where even the color of the walls or the design of the chairs made the wait enjoyable. Some of my illustrations were born just like that, from a pause and the unexpected beauty of a corner.

I never draw on the street, and I never travel alone—I share these experiences with my family, my friends, and my dog. I photograph what strikes me, and then, slowly, I choose the images that bring back the emotion I felt in that moment. From there, my work begins: a blend of painting and illustration, of different techniques and languages.

I live in a small town in the province of Bergamo. Since 2005, I’ve been teaching art as a freelance professional, collaborating with public institutions, schools, and associations. I run drawing and painting courses for adults and children, and I design art and educational workshops for primary schools.

In my work, I use mixed media, both in painting and illustration. For illustration in particular, I start on paper with graphite, watercolors, acrylics, and colored pencils, and then continue digitally.

In Burano, a fishermen's island in Venice.

Sea in Liguria.

Prizes

2010 Art Laguna Prize – Nominated- Venezia, Italia
2010 Arte Cairo Editore Prize – Nominated- Milano, Italy
2008 Carlo dalla Zorza Prize – Nominated- Milano, Italy
2008 VII Valcavallina Prize- First prize- Bergamo, Italy
2006 Celeste Prize – Nominated- Firenze, Italy
2006 “Io chi, io cosa” Prize- Critics prize- Piacenza, Italy
2006 Agazzi Prize- Silver medal- Mapello, Italy
2005 Agazzi Prize – Nominated- Mapello, Italy
2005 Noè Bordignon Prize – Nominated- Treviso, Italy
2005 VII Poesia e Immagine Prize- First prize- Varese, Italy
2005 Kalendimaggio Prize – Second prize- Milano, Italy
2004 Agazzi Prize – Nominated- Mapello, Italy
2004 Art Exhibition Artecultura – Nominated- Milano, Italy

Solo Exhibitions

2010 Archeologia di un viaggio / Cultural Center – Zanica, Italy
2008 Riflessi / Borgo d’Oro Gallery – Bergamo, Italy
2008 Women in the city / Mazzoleni Art Gallery – Alzano Lombardo, Italy
2007 Segno e colore / Villa Serena, Sala degli stucchi – Brembate Sopra, Italy
2005 I colori della natura / Giochi d’Arte Gallery – Milano, Italy

Group Exhibitions

2018 Contrasti / Palazzo Municipale – Seriate, Italy
2018 Human Rights Edu / Campana dei Caduti – Rovereto, Italy
2017 Human Rights H20 / Campana dei Caduti – Rovereto, Italy
2015 Exposizione / Palazzo Municipale – Seriate, Italy
2015 AstDarsena / Darsena – Milano, Italy
2014 Venti d’Arte / Palazzo Municipale – Seriate, Italy
2014 I nostri Supereroi / Palazzo Martinengo – Brescia, Italy
2013 Confine / Palazzo Municipale – Seriate, Italy
2012 ArteFatta / Palazzo Municipale – Seriate, Italy
2011 Unitamente / Palazzo Municipale – Seriate, Italy
2010 Rincorrere un’idea / Palazzo Municipale – Seriate, Italy
2009 Un idea Ri-Tratta / Palazzo Municipale – Seriate, Italy
2009 Group exhibition international artists / Forte Village Resort – Cagliari, Italy
2008 DiecIdea / Palazzo municipale – Seriate, Italy
2008 International Art Fair – Innsbruck, Austria
2007 Arte Immagina Fair – Reggio Emilia, Italy
2007 Group exhibitions of Italian artists / Reartuno Studio Gallery – Brescia, Italy
2007 Profondo Rosa / Reartuno Studio Gallery – Montecatini Terme, Italy
2006 Group exhibition international artists / Immagine Spazio Arte Gallery – Cremona, Italy
2005 Art Exhibition Europa /Arte a Vada Gallery – Livorno, Italy
2005 Forme e Percezioni / Immagini Spazio Arte Gallery – Cremona, Italy
2002 Group Exhibition of Bergamo Artists / L’ Ariete Gallery – Ponte San Pietro, Italy
2001 Group Exhibition of Bergamo Artists / L’ Ariete Gallery – Ponte San Pietro, Italy
2000 Group Exhibition of Bergamo Artists / L’Ariete Gallery – Ponte San Pietro, Italy
1999 Group Exhibition of Bergamo Artists / L’Ariete Gallery – Ponte San Pietro, Italy

Permanent collection

2008 Permanent Public Collection, Palazzo Municipale di Seriate, Italy