Art and Community: Creative People in Florence

Building an international artist community in Firenze

Creative People in Florence is a cultural association with a clear mission: to create a community of contemporary artists in a city that has long been a center of craftsmanship and creativity. Since the explosion of Renaissance art when studios and workshops were the hotbed for creative ideas, two American artists are continuing the tradition of artistic collaboration in the birthplace of the Renaissance. Whether they intended this connection or not, it’s no surprise that Sara Amrhein and Anna Rose chose Florence as a place to live, work, and create community.

Creative People in Florence connects modern artists with each other and the public to experience a real side of modern creativity in Italy.

The members of Creative People in Florence range from artists and designers to writers and performing artists as well as traditional artisans. The alchemy between these diverse creators is what gives Creative People in Florence its strength. “The real roots at the origin of CPiF are set in our desire, as working artists, to build a community of people in Florence to collaborate with and learn from, and to offer a platform to help creatives to grow,” said the founders. They have arranged events, studio visits and workshops and collaborated with businesses, the travel industry, tour guides and local and international press to get the word out.

The last year has been an interesting time for everyone in Italy, but as Sara and Anna can attest it’s also created a unique opportunity for social media to help bring people closer together around the subjects that really matter to them. “We’ve been doing artist takeovers on our Instagram profile since 2016,” they explained, and each week a different Florence-based artist shares their work. But we saw a surge of interest over the past year,” they said. “We never know what they will share, so it’s just as exciting for us to see as it is for our followers.”

One of their latest online projects is the Creative People in Florence app which offers users an easy way to discover a curated selection of incredibly talented designers, artisans and artists living and working in Florence. With an easy-to-use map and search features, you can look for shops based on your location in Florence or peruse a list of in-person stores or online options. It’s a wonderful resource for people interested in Florence’s contemporary art and artisan scene, whether you’re in Florence already, planning your trip from afar, or simply want to stay connected to Italy’s artistic shopping scene.

CPiF is always looking for new ways to collaborate with artists and designers in the Florence area, even just to have a chat about their work. “As artists ourselves we thrive on fresh ideas and new work. We love it when people reach out to participate in the Instagram takeover, for example, or tell us about an event they might be planning or a new space they are opening up.”

Florence is so often associated with the David and the Duomo, where to buy a leather jacket or take the best Instagram shot over the Arno but it’s so much more than that. It’s one of the most thriving artistic centers in Italy and for the last decade, Creative People in Florence has been curating a platform that connects those artists with each other and the public to experience a real side of modern creativity in Italy.

Sara and Anna put it best. “Florence has so much to offer beyond the blockbuster Renaissance sites and the big-name fashion houses. We want to do our part to spark interest and curiosity about what’s happening behind workshop doors, down those little side streets, where today’s artisans are building on the traditions of the past and keeping the innovative spirit of the city alive.”