Wells College Book Arts Summer Institute One Week Calligraphy Workshop

I was invited by Wells College Book Arts Center Director Richard Kegler to teach a calligraphy workshop during its 2017 Summer Book Arts Institute. The workshop was designed for beginning calligraphers, and was titled Italic Intensive for Beginning Calligraphers.

The workshop introduced participants to the letter families and proportions and the proper use of a broad edge, steel nib. Participants also learned how to tackle hierarchy and compositional
issues, and how to mix great colors using gouache.

In addition, each participant created a piece using a children's story as a pint of departure, to donate to the Aurora Free Library
in Aurora, New York. The range of subjects and mix of old and new children's stories was as diverse as the participants themselves.

The week ended with a festive exhibition of the work of all of the workshops for the week in the gallery at Wells College.

This workshop was a fantastic experience, and i am grateful for the opportunity to meet and to work with seven really cool people in my workshop, and to meet so many more who were there at Wells College.

Room 25 in Morgan Hall, the official Scriptorium at the Book Arts Center.

An example of demonstration letters using a Copic marker on paper.

A floral piece created by Susan Melczer.

Composition by Susan Melczer.

A piece using large letters created by Susan Melczer.

Susan Melczer's piece for the Aurora Free Library.

A floral piece by Nancy Gil.

So true! Composition by Nancy Gil.

Nancy Gil's piece for the Aurora Free Library.

Composition for the Aurora Free Library by Don Swanson.

Composition by Don Swanson.

Composition by Don Swanson.

So true! Composition by Patti Swanson.

Composition by Patti Swanson.

Composition by Patti Swanson.

Composition by Jane who went to Wells College!

One of a series of compositions using watercolor by Jane.

Composition on black by Morgan Whithead.

Don and Jane setting up the exhibition in the gallery at Wells College.

This was the wall dedicated to pieces created for the Aurora Free Library.

Sign calligraphy by Nancy Gil.

This wall was designated the "process" wall. This showed visitors how calligraphers compose their quotes and practice before doing the final pieces.

The exhibition sign created by Patti Swanson.

The maim wall, part of the children's library pieces, and our cool "red carpet" of letters!

Our great class, missing Bruce and Jane.

From left: Patti Swanson, Nancy Gil, Susan Melczer, Don Swanson, me, and Morgan Whitehead.

The exhibition opening, Friday, July 14, 2017.