History

centro del bel libro ascona - how it all began

The story of the centro del bel libro begins in 1965 in the Passagio San Pietro in Ascona with the opening of the Legatoria Artistica by Josef Stemmle. He realized his idea of bringing the book closer to the general public. Three points were particularly important to him: the promotion of the book in general, the promotion of the beautiful and well-made book and the training of professionals.

Not without reason, Josef Stemmle chose the world-famous resort of Ascona as his institution's home. The southern flair of the canton Ticino makes visitors receptive to new impressions, especially of the artistic kind. In addition to the Legatoria Artistica, the Galleria del bel libro was created in the Via Sacchetti in Ascona. There, artistically designed and hand-bound books were exhibited. At that time, the paper making studio was part of the trilogy in Ascona.

In 1968 the third part of Stemmle’s dream became reality. In the restaurant above the gallery, the school for continuing education in bookbinding was established under the direction of Martin Jaegle. Now the Ascona trilogy became the centro del bel libro. This combination of bookbinding, paper making, gallery and school was unique in the world.

Unfortunately, economic changes forced Josef Stemmle to separate from the Centro del Bel Libro in 1978. The "Association of bookbinders of Switzerland (VBS)" engaged itself to continue the vocational school as an instrument of high level professional continuing education. The Legatoria Artistica and the paper making studio were carried on by the new head of the school, Hugo Peller, under his own direction. The Galleria del bel libro unfortunately had to be dispensed with. In order to support the institution more broadly, the foundation centro del bel libro was established. The foundation attracts a broad base of friends and patrons of the ‘beautiful book’. The foundation, carrying the same name of the school, gives the school financial support. Nevertheless, this would not be viable without the support and promotion of public investment.

The cbl and its skilled professionals

Edwin Heim, the first pupil at the Centro del Bel Libro Ascona, changed sides in 1984 and replaced Hugo Peller to become head of the bookbinding and design department. Through professional experience in Copenhagen, Philadelphia, PA, Easthampton, MA and a study visit to the Ecole Supérieure Estienne in Paris, he expanded his skills and expertise. Multiple awards including the Prix Paul Bonet and the inclusion in the association "Master of Binding art" testify to his masterful craftsmanship and his precise handling of material, colour and form. With a great deal of dedication and competence, he led the department book binding and design until April 2010. Edwin Heim also actively supports the centro del bel libro ascona during his retirement and still grants individual courses.

His successor, Suzanne Schmollgruber, headed the school until 2022. The highly qualified, internationally well-networked bookbinder completed her apprenticeship in 1992 and continued her training in 1993 for one year at the centro del bel libro ascona. In 1994 she was employed at the bindery Bommer in Basel and in 1995 at the Basel paper mill. In 1996 she opened her own bindery in Barcelona and participated in numerous exhibitions. From 2000 to 2005 she was employed in the taller de Llibre in Terrassa Spain and also taught in her own studio. In 2005 she moved to Milan, where she opened her own workshop. In 2010, she moved to the centro del bel libro ascona as head of department. For 13 years, she successfully shaped the courses and the school as a lecturer and head teacher. At her own request, she gave up her full-time position at the end of 2022 to teach courses as a guest lecturer in the future.  

Myrtha Rüttimann has been named Manager of Customer Relationships at the Ascona site as of April 1, 2023. The trained bookbinder continued her education in the graphics industry and acquired the federal certificate of competence "gib" at the Management School for Printing, Media & Communication with a diploma in print trade. In her role at cbl in Ascona, she provides support for course participants and lecturers.

Department of Book and Paper restoration

The centro del bel libro ascona strives to reach the highest standards and responds to the needs of pupils, students and professionals. The great demand for training opportunities in the area of book restoration led to the decision in 1982 to focus also on this field of expertise. Julia Puissant, a qualified specialist, was recruited to head the department of book and paper restoration. Thanks to the generous commitment by the parish of Ascona, the property "Casa Beato p. Berni" in the Via Collegio in the heart of Ascona, was made available to use as school rooms. With time, the school expanded and a paper making studio was also integrated into the school. Various handmade paper courses were offered in cooperation with the company Biberist.

In 1998 the German master bookbinder Renate Mesmer took the place of Julia Puissant. After many years of professional experience in the Restoration workshop of the State archive Speyer and her own book and restoration Studio, Renate Mesmer began to pass on her knowledge to students at the centro del bel libro ascona. The Department of Book and Paper restoration and the centro del bel libro ascona benefited from their professional competences and élan until the end of 2003.

As successor and new department head, the accredited restorer Henrik Rörig was hired in February 2004. Prior to his dedicated teaching, he worked at the Dresden State and university library. Henrik Rörig left the centro del bel libro at the end of 2009 to take a new professional challenge in Bern at the provincial library.

Franziska Richter, a highly qualified and internationally well-networked specialist for book and paper Restoration, took over his position. She successfully went through various professional positions, most recently until the end of 2009 in northern Italy (Turin and South Tyrol), where she worked on restoration projects.

In 2009, the Department of Book and paper restoration had to vacate the old property of the parish of Ascona and found a new home on the same street, via Collegio. In view of the difficult financial situation that has arisen since mid-2012 due to heavily declining sponsorship funds, the centro del bel libro ascona will focus on the courses in the bookbinding and design department as of 2014 in its original location. The financial environment and the current conditions unfortunately no longer allow the further operation of the Department of Book and paper restoration in the previous premises. We keep on offering courses in book conservation at our premises in Via Collegio 17, mainly directed by the lecturer Moena Zeller.

Additional course location in Zurich at the School of Design (www.sfgz.ch)

Since 2023, the centro del bel libro ascona has been offering selected courses in Zurich at the «Schule für Gestaltung Zürich». Under the leadership of Moena Zeller, Urs Bernet and Jorge Ruiz (SfGZ), a new bookbinding workshop has been set up at the centrally located «Schule für Gestaltung» near Zurich's main railway station. The premises are mainly used for evening or weekend courses.