Upon invitation from my lovely colleague Brigit, I took a quick train ride to Locarno this past Saturday. Only 40 minutes from Lugano, Locarno is a quieter and more charming town, attracting artisans and tourists alike. Brigit is an accomplished ceramicist who has maintained a studio in Locarno for over 25 years. From the local bakery to other artisan establishments, Brigit was greeted by dear and adoring friends.
I felt privileged to receive such a warm and welcoming introduction to the town. Locarno is still very much a small village, this is clear, and the locals take pride in maintaining this sense of community. At Arte Ceramica , Brigit offers workshops for groups and individuals.
She also uses the space as her own studio, producing intricate works on the wheel and sculpting them into nebulous organic forms. I greatly admire her balance of her artistic practice and her teaching practice, as well as her zest for reinvention.
A rolling stone indeed gathers no moss. After touring her studio, we struck out for Old Town. Founded in the 12th century, Locarno boasts many churches, a number of art museums, and lots of adorable squares and cafes. Visconti Castle sits along the banks of Lake Maggiore, but a visit to the castello which reputedly hosted Leonardo da Vinci, will have to wait for my next visit.
Keen for a warm soup on a damp October day, we strolled up to Pasticceria Marnin , a local favorite. I enjoyed my first pumpkin soup of the season, alongside a homemade chestnut bread local to the region and a small tuna sandwich. Brigit enjoyed a slice of this outrageously delicious caramel apple cake above I may have snuck a bite.
