Classes and workshops will be either online or in person. REGISTRATION WILL TAKE PLACE ONLY ON EVENTBRITE.  Our first major 3 day workshop will be online this October. The Mentor Meetups are small group gatherings that are in person. Members of ECS will receive information on all upcoming events via email/Ebulletin.

The Edmonton Calligraphic Society (ECS) offers regular classes and workshops throughout the year, taught by both local calligraphers and out-of-town guest instructors. Whether you’re an experienced calligrapher or just getting started, there’s sure to be a class for you!

General Meeting Classes

Introductory/Refresher classes are typically held within the context of a General meeting. If you’re just getting into calligraphy, or want to brush up on basic skills, these classes are a great way to get your feet (or pen) wet!

THERE IS NO NEED TO REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE GENERAL MEETING CLASSES. THIS IS AN ECS MEMBER BENEFIT AND MEMBERS HAVE ACCESS TO THEM. 

 

Workshops

Workshops offer more extended and highly focused training. A typical workshop involves instructional time, where a new lettering skill is taught to workshop attendees, along with time to practice and complete lettering exercises. Most importantly, the workshop instructor has the time and expertise to provide feedback on letterform and the composition and design of calligraphic art.

Workshops are arranged to meet the emerging needs of hand-lettering artists. They take on many forms. Examples of past workshop formats include:

  • Evening and daytime 3-hour workshops
  • One-day (6 hours) or two-day (12 hours) weekend events
  • Extended study (classes which take place over a number of weeks or months)

If you have questions about whether a workshop is right for you, don’t hesitate to email the Workshop Chairperson at edmcalligraphy@gmail.com

 

How to Register

Register through Eventbrite.ca

Registration dates for particular classes will be distributed through Ink Drops (our online members newsletter). Registration to classes and workshops is offered to both the general public and ECS members via Eventbrite. Details on how to register via Eventbrite, including the day on which registration opens, are provided on the event-specific pages listed in the Upcoming Classes and Workshops section below. Note that when you register through Eventbrite, an additional service fee may apply.

Registrations are not accepted by mail or through the ECS website.

Unless otherwise stated, class/workshop supplies are not included in your registration fee.

See the Membership page for added benefits of being an ECS Member.

Upcoming Classes and Workshops

Below, you’ll find a listing of our upcoming classes and workshops. For our most recent events, classes and workshops check our blog.   See the Membership page for added benefits of being an ECS Member.

 

Workshops

Two Day Workshop

Our next major workshop will be in the fall of 2023 and will be announced at one of the upcoming meetings.  

One Day Workshops

TBA

 

Series of Classes

TBA

 

Mentor Meetup: 

 

Eventbrite Link: Foundational

In Person Event

Date and time: Saturday, March 25, 2023, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM MDT, Cost: $11.98

Location: St. Paul’s Anglican Church 10127 145 Street Northwest Edmonton, AB T5N 2X6 

Information and Supplies to Bring:

The Foundational Hand is a historical calligraphic hand based on 10th century English Carolingian. It was developed in the early 20th century by Edward Johnston, the father of modern calligraphy. By studying this hand, one can get an understanding of the structure of all minuscule alphabets. It is an extremely legible hand and, in fact, most of our familiar typefaces like Times Roman, have their roots in this alphabet.

Join Peggy Marce who will introduce you to what may be your first experience with a broad edge tool, discussing the importance of pen angles and pen widths, etc. She will then show you how to create the lower case Foundational alphabet. We will also explore upper case letterforms which are based on Roman capitals.

Come and enjoy learning a new calligraphic hand on Saturday March 25th from 10 am to 2 pm. We will take a short break (and give your hands a rest!) around noontime, so please bring a lunch or snack if you like, and your water bottle.

Students should bring:

• pencil, ruler, eraser

• a broad edge calligraphic tool which can include any of the following:

— a 2.4 mm or 3 mm Pilot Parallel pen with cartridges; If you have any larger sizes bring them along. Sometimes it’s fun to work larger at first!

— a 2.0mm or larger calligraphy marker, such as a Staedtler Calligraph Duo or Zig Calligraphy II marker. (Make sure the marker has a sharp edge and corners and not worn)

— if you want to try pen and ink, a 2mm broad edge nib with a reservoir (such as a #2 Mitchell, Brause 2 mm or Speedball C-2), pen holder. ink such as Higgins Eternal, a dropper or brush for loading ink, water container for washing your nib, paper towels.

• a good sketch pad or marker paper that doesn’t bleed. Practice paper and liners will be provided. You may want to bring small pieces of watercolour or other better papers on which to try lettering .

• a number of your favourite short quotes

Use the Northeast Entrance. Please bring indoor shoes to help keep the floor clean. We will be there at 9:30 if you are able to help us set up tables and chairs.

 

Member-Taught Calligraphy Classes

In addition to the classes and workshops provided by the ECS, our members teach a variety of introductory and advanced workshops and classes on lettering, handwriting, gilding, and more. These classes and workshops are offered throughout the Edmonton area. For a listing of upcoming member-taught classes, visit our In The Community page.