On November 8-9, 2025, BASE Milano hosts the largest illustration event
Paw Chew Go Festival, Milan’s leading illustration and visual arts event, celebrates its 10th edition. On Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9, 2025, BASE Milano will host two days filled with exhibitions, workshops, talks, and live performances.
Since 2014, Paw Chew Go has showcased and celebrated contemporary illustration, bringing together artists, publishers, creative studios, and designers. Over ten years, it has become a key reference point for professionals and enthusiasts in the visual arts, creating a platform that connects independent publishing, visual arts, and pop culture.
A New Visual Identity for the 10th Edition
For this special edition, the festival unveils a refreshed visual identity. The new “watermelon” color was chosen following discussions within the organizing association and reflects the concerns and aspirations of Italy’s creative community in 2025.
“Born from the grassroots, Paw Chew Go has always shown solidarity with oppressed communities and underrepresented minorities. This year, we incorporated the colors of the Palestinian flag into the festival’s visual identity and installations. These colors are meant to foster dialogue and reflection,” explained Fortuna Todisco and Federico Demartini, festival founders.
A Rich and Participatory Program
Over 120 illustrators and creative studios will bring the market area to life with original works, prints, and publications. Alongside the market, the festival will feature exhibitions, talks, presentations, and workshops, exploring various forms of visual communication.
The main exhibition is dedicated to Gio Pastori with Vernice Paciugo, a site-specific project in BASE Milano’s Sala 2100. The immersive installation celebrates dolphins, a favorite subject of the artist, using collage, silhouettes, light, and sound to create an engaging environment.
Talks, Performances, and Workshops
The festival also offers a rich stage program:
- Elena Salmistraro in conversation with Alessandra Modarelli
- Davide Toffolo (Tre Allegri Ragazzi Morti) performing with the Italian Institute of Cumbia
- Sara Maragotto (Studio Fludd) in conversation with Sarah Mazzetti
- Morta mia nonna, mi sono innamorata show with Eliana Albertini, Giulia Cellino, and Martina Sarritzu
- Live performances by Sara Leghissa & Taquito Jocoque in collaboration with Farout Festival, plus DJ sets in the outdoor courtyard
The 2025 edition expands its workshop program with Piccoli Paciughi, a children’s area featuring drawings by Stefania Sbrighi and creative workshops led by artists like Sara Maragotto and Zosia Dzierżawska.
Bookshop, Portfolio Reviews, and Social Initiatives
An international bookshop curated by VolumebK will be available, along with portfolio review sessions for young illustrators with industry professionals, including Fernando Ambrosi, Lorenzo Picchiotti, Matteo Riva, and Francesca Zucchi.
Paw Chew Go also supports Doctors Without Borders, donating €0.50 from each ticket and rounding up the total to the next thousand. In partnership with Recup, an organization fighting food waste, the festival will raise funds and distribute rescued fruits and vegetables to visitors.
A Must-Attend Event for Creatives and Enthusiasts
Paw Chew Go is more than a festival: it’s a space to meet, share visions, and discover new visual languages. The 10th edition confirms its central role in the international illustration scene, offering two immersive days for artists, publishers, graphic designers, and visual culture enthusiasts.
Tickets available here
