Making art, making by hand: Squadro's living art.

Where art is hand-printed

Founded in 1995 by Ennio Fresco and Paolino Flore, Squadro took over from the historic Stamperia Navile. After an initial location on via Avesella, it found its home at via Nazario Sauro 27/b, in the former spaces of Galleria Neon. Since then, it has become much more than a printing house: a place that preserves, nurtures, and promotes the art of illustration, comics, and contemporary drawing, in a context where screen printing and intaglio techniques coexist with more free experimentation.

Craftsmanship as an Artistic Language

In an era where digital technology consumes every gesture, Squadro resists with ink, paper, and presses. Manual work here is not just a means, but an artistic language in itself. Printing is a ritual, errors are living matter, slowness is a conscious choice. The workshop thus becomes a space for interaction between artists and printers, in a process of shared creation that is reflected in artist's books, numbered prints, and limited edition publications that give voice to unique projects.

An international artistic community

Over 65 artists have found in Squadro a temporary and affectionate home: from Art Spiegelman to Gipi, from Chris Ware to Lorenzo Mattotti, passing through Ericailcane, Mimmo Paladino, Robert Crumb. It's not just about collaborations: many are deep connections, creative friendships born among the presses and workshop chats. It's not uncommon for these artists to return to Bologna specifically to work with Squadro, attracted by a place that knows how to listen and welcome, without impositions.

A cultural stronghold for the city

Today, Squadro is also an exhibition space, publisher, online shop, and an artistic showcase for those strolling through the city center. Its exhibitions literally face the street: the workshop windows display the ongoing creative process, making art visible and alive.

In collaboration with the BilBOlbul festival, with artists in residence, performances, and events, Squadro acts as a cultural stronghold in every sense, rooted in the local area while also connected to the international art scene.

#1 answer
How did you experience the transition from a printing press to a cultural space?

In reality, we are still an art printing press and do not consider ourselves a cultural space. We set up our project from the beginning as a printing press and art gallery; exhibitions were the most effective way to introduce the public to our printing work, as in 1995 the internet was still a niche thing. Drawing inspiration from the art workshops that once populated the historic city centers, we found a space that allows us, thanks to the shop windows, to show people how art printing works. The artistic and editorial line we have set is that of contemporary drawing, illustration, and comics. At that time, there were no galleries that gave space to this type of language, especially comics and illustration, and there was no place for the production of this kind. The exhibitions and events we organize have immediately aroused great interest in the public that follows us, increasingly numerous year after year.

#2 answer
What does it mean today, almost 30 years later, to continue hand-printing?

It means maintaining a quality standard different from everything that is industrial or commercial production, especially now that everything is digitalized.

#3 answer
How does the choice to continue printing through a craft process impact the relationship with the artists?

Artists are attracted by the possibilities of manual intervention, everyone has always been happy to "get their hands dirty" and this puts us each time on a level of close collaboration and friendship.

#4 answer
Do you have a special memory related to an artistic collaboration?

I remember Mimmo Paladino, who, upon entering the print shop, didn't even take off his jacket and we immediately started working. We both felt comfortable, and we quickly understood his habit and ease in interacting with artisans by doing things with his own hands.

#5 answer
How do you choose the artists to involve in your editorial and exhibition projects?

We have a large number of artists with whom we have established a collaborative relationship and strong friendship that has lasted for many years, but we always look at the innovations proposed by the world around us, visiting galleries, museums, festivals, and those we like, we contact them directly to invite them to engage with the press.

#6 answer
What role does the public play in your choices and in the life of the laboratory?

It is fundamental, we receive confirmation on the quality of our editorial and exhibition choices from the number of people who visit the gallery and follow us on social media.

#7 answer
Imagine Squadro in another thirty years: what do you see?

The little island with the palm tree

#8 answer
We are almost at the end of the interview, in the editorial office we are all passionate about music, and it is one of the artistic languages that we privilege, would you like to tell us about three tracks that you are particularly attached to. Thank you.

Waiting for the Barbarians by Massimo Volume, Show Me Everything by Tindersticks, The Awakening of a Woman-Burnout by Cinematic Orchestra, I would add a video: Dirty Three ft. Nick Cave - "Sea Above, Sky Below" - Surveillance