Photography by Gudrun Bargmann
In 2004, Como Lake Pottery was started up in Blevio, before moving on to Como, where it has been at Via Rienza since 2012. Luca Mandaglio and Elisa Castelnovo decided to take the plunge into the world of ceramics, a material that has since time immemorial been used as a means of communication and expression.
They make vases, sculptures and furnishing accessories that exude joy and the pleasure of creating. The pieces are on sale in their atelier and showroom or can be bought online from their website. They also collaborate with artists, architects, designers and private individuals for commissioned and customised works, installations and limited editions. The business provides recreational and educational activities using clay in their workshop as well as going on tour to events held at hotels and places of historical and cultural interest, such as villas.
Those who take part in these have the chance to get up close to the experience all the professionalism involved in the making of everyday or fantasy objects and to try out making ceramic themselves. The activities are flexible and can involve a recreational afternoon, in-depth lessons on techniques for amateurs and professionals, and team building activities.
The activities last from a minimum of two hours up to one or two full days. There is a choice of contents of the activities from a range that can be customised, taking into account variables such as the kind of baking, the type object being made, and may include collective works celebrating the event itself.