On June 5, 2025, The American University of Florence’s Corridoio Fiorentino gallery at the Palazzi Community Center was filled with visitors. Students and community members alike gathered for Tiny Florence, an exhibit organized each semester by both AUF & Florence University of the Arts (FUA study abroad) Photography and Gallery Curating students. Photography students showcased their latest works, while students in the Gallery Curating course organized and presented the show. The gallery featured small black-and-white snapshots, capturing scenes from four of the lively Florence neighborhoods.

The foundation of the Tiny Florence exhibit is the restriction on the size and colors of the photographs being displayed. Called “Tiny” Florence for a reason, the photographs are 6 cm by 6 cm, urging students to take into consideration how their photos will translate to viewers on a small canvas. Photography student, Alaina Koley mentions, “If photography is done well it doesn’t have to be super big… you can shrink it down to a super small size and kind of show different aspects of the city.”

This edition of Tiny Florence is set apart from previous semesters due to its distinct focus on Florence’s neighborhoods. Rather than focusing on general scenes, the exhibition aimed to capture the distinct character and atmosphere of each of the four main districts of, Santa Maria Novella, San Giovanni, Santo Spirito, and Santa Croce. This approach gave the show a deeper sense of identity, allowing viewers to experience Florence not just as a historic city, but also as a collection of special, lively, communities. 

Timed just ahead of the city’s beloved Calcio Storico Fiorentino semifinal, the event drew locals and students, united by a shared curiosity to view Florence through a new lens. Each neighborhood was represented by a distinct group of photographs. Photography students explored Florence with intention, carefully choosing what to capture. Their goal was to convey the essence of each neighborhood and highlight what makes each one unique. 

Photography student Madison Sosnowski mentions that the size of the photographs plays a role in the narrative of Tiny Florence. “It’s supposed to feel as if you’re within the neighborhood.” Sosnowski mentions that the photographs on display invite people to take a closer look at these neighborhoods. “It’s supposed to be welcoming.” 

After receiving the photographs, it was up to the Gallery Curating students to organize and plan the exhibition. The students were divided into groups and assigned a neighborhood to select photos for. Each group designed the layout for their section of tiny photos, carefully considering how the images would be perceived by viewers. The course mirrored the spirit of the Calcio Storico Fiorentino competition in that each group had no knowledge of how the others were arranging their chosen photographs. 

Alaina Koley, who was tasked with photographing the Santa Maria Novella neighborhood, mentions her satisfaction with the curation of the exhibit by the Gallery Curating students. “I love how they displayed [the photographs] in a symmetrical form… it is exactly how this neighborhood felt to me.”

This rendition of Tiny Florence offered more than just visual aesthetic. It was curated with intention to resonate with the communities in Florence and invite them to slow down and experience the small moments amidst busy life. For students, it was an opportunity to learn more about the place they are starting to call home and develop a new appreciation for beauty in the shadows. 

This semester’s Tiny Florence exhibit not only showcased the talents of both AUF and FUA students, but also offered a meaningful bridge between the students and the community. It brought everyone together in celebration of living in the moment and appreciating the smaller features of Florence that often go unnoticed by those just passing through the city. 

All of the photographs on display will be available until next Thursday, June 26 and are available for purchase, with all proceeds going toward student scholarships for future AUF & FUA students. Framed photos are priced at €30, and unframed prints at €15.