Letters & Lines
Each monthly meeting will begin with a display of lettering and other related projects created by ECS members. A brief statement of your work is required but don’t let that stop you. We want to see how talented and creative our members are and the goal is to share ideas. To reflect ECS’s 30th Anniversary, the theme this month is “What’s Your Number? Ours is 30.” This session will be lead by Barb Keir. We encourage you to bring something for members to view and discuss, such as calligraphic artwork incorporating numbers, or projects you worked on in the Alice Young workshop. Size is not an issue – bring your practice sheets, journals or projects of any dimension.
Own a Carrie Imai Original
Carrie Imai is a world renowned Calligrapher and Designer based in California. As part of its 30th Anniversary, ECS is holding a silent auction of an original Carrie Imai art piece. This wonderful alphabet appeared on ECS’s Volume 105 newsletter. It will be available for viewing and bidding at the October meeting. Not familiar with Carrie’s work? Go to http://carriedesigns.com for more information.
ECS 30th Anniversary, October 6: In celebration of its 30th Anniversary, ECS is hosting an evening viewing of a Heritage Edition of the Saint John’s Bible at the Prince of Wales Armouries. “In 1998, Saint John’s Abbey and University commissioned renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson to produce a handwritten, hand-illuminated Bible. [T]his work of art […] unites an ancient Benedictine Tradition with the technology and vision of today, illuminating the Word of God for a new millennium” (saintjohnsbible.org). Dr. Helen Komeniuk from St. Mary’s University, Calgary will be speaking on the history and vision of this epic work of art. ECS has tickets for the 25-minute viewings of the Bible. Viewing times start mid-afternoon with the last viewing taking place at 6:30 p.m. Souvenir cards and prints will be available at the October meeting. You won’t want to miss purchasing these examples of the amazing artwork found in the Saint John’s Bible.
And, there’s more! To compliment the viewing of the Bible, ECS members are loaning pieces from their collections to display different writing styles. A variety of artists will be exhibited, including those who are past instructors with ECS. But at 7:00 p.m. the real celebration starts with light refreshments and a program in which ECS will reveal its new branding design. We are retiring the current banner and unveiling the new design. Don’t miss it! Register on Eventbrite – its FREE! For more information on the Saint John’s Bible, go to http://www.saintjohnsbible.org.
Upcoming Events
ECS 30th Anniversary
October 6, 2016
In celebration of its 30th Anniversary, ECS is hosting an evening viewing of a Heritage Edition of the Saint John’s Bible at the Prince of Wales Armouries. “In 1998, Saint John’s Abbey and University commissioned renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson to produce a handwritten, hand-illuminated Bible. [T]his work of art […] unites an ancient Benedictine Tradition with the technology and vision of today, illuminating the Word of God for a new millennium” (saintjohnsbible.org). Dr. Helen Komeniuk from St. Mary’s University, Calgary will be speaking on the history and vision of this epic work of art. ECS has tickets for the 25-minute viewings of the Bible. Viewing times start mid-afternoon with the last viewing taking place at 6:30 p.m. Souvenir cards and prints will be available at the October meeting. You won’t want to miss purchasing these examples of the amazing artwork found in the Saint John’s Bible.
Beauty’s Awakening: Drawings by the Pre-Raphaelites and Their Contemporaries From the Lanigan Collection, Art Gallery of Alberta
October 29, 2016
“The young and audacious artists who called themselves the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood revolutionized the British art establishment of the nineteenth century with their medievalist aesthetic. John Everett Millais, William Holman Hunt, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and their fellow Pre-Raphaelites strove to uproot the teachings of the Royal Academy. At the same time Frederic Leighton, Edward Poynter and others championed them.
Featuring more than 120 drawings by over 60 artists, Beauty’s Awakening… encompasses the entire Victorian era, charting the broad evolution of British draftsmanship and illustrating the new appreciation developed for the art of drawing during the reign of Queen Victoria, from 1837 to 1901. It highlights a range of subject matter including simple figure drawings, medieval scenes from literature and Renaissance-inspired compositions” (youraga.ca). This exhibit was organized by the National Gallery of Canada and runs from July 23 to November 23. The AGA asked ECS to be a part of the exhibit’s Art Party. Alexis Reiter and LynnAnn Babuk will be doing a monogram project with AGA guests on October 29 starting at 9:00 p.m. For more information on this exhibit, go to http://www.youraga.ca/?s=beauty%27s+awakening&x=0&y=0.
Bonnie Doon Mall
November 17, 2016
Once again, ECS was asked to set-up a demonstration table to promote ink, paper and pens in the community! We are looking for volunteers who are interested in instructing up to 60 individuals. In this session, a simple monoline alphabet and seasonal gift tags will be made. Time frame is 6:00-8:00 p.m. If you are interested, please contact an Executive member to learn more.
Wendy Spiers Fund
A big thanks goes out to Peggy Marce, Margaret Poznansky, Gail Fournier, Barb Pankratz and Jeanine Alexander for the more than 100 hours they devoted to organizing and running the garage sale that Jim Spiers held to raise funds for the Edmonton Calligraphic Society’s learning initiatives. Thank-you, ladies! And, thank-you to Jim and his late wife, Wendy for supporting ECS! It is truly appreciated.
Workshops
Jacquie Myers – “Calligraphers Do It With a Flourish”
November 4, 2016
This workshop runs from 5:45 to 8:45 p.m. at the MWSMC. Jacquie Myers is from Kelowna and her calligraphy work is highly respected. Flourishes are embellishments added to the basic structure of letterforms. This three-hour introductory class is suitable for beginners who are familiar with the Italic letterform. A specialized materials package is included in the price of the workshop. Registration is $40 at the October meeting or $45 on Eventbrite.
Jacquie Myers – “The Pressure’s On” and Loving It!”
November 5–6, 2016
The workshop runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the MWSMC. According to Jacquie, “In this workshop we will explore the incredibly versatile technique of “pressure and release.” Whether your words are stacked, nestled, rocked, bounced or straight as an arrow, this technique can be applied to any style of lettering. Once you get on to this technique, you’ll use it all the time. You won’t be able to resist!” The workshop will be held at the Mill Woods Senior and Multicultural Centre. Registration is $160 at the October meeting or $175 on Eventbrite.
Brush Calligraphy
November 13, 2016
Jeanine Alexander will be facilitating on November 13th at the Paint Spot; and on November 19th and 26th at the Mill Woods Meadows Rec Centre (presented through City Arts). For more details, contact Jeanine.
Monthly Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. on October 5, 2016. As a forerunner to the Saint John’s Bible exhibit, we will be showing the film “The Making of the Saint John’s Bible.” Here are the top 10 things to do when you arrive:
- Sign-in at the Membership table.
- Grab a magnet and post a page or two of your work on the Letters and Lines wall.
- Find a chair so you can get up close and personal for Letters and Lines.
- Pick up your Membership Roster. It is a member benefit and it helps our members get to know each other.
- Purchase a ticket for the monthly draw – $1/each or $5/3 tickets – three prizes to choose from.
- Shop for the Saint John’s Bible items – cards are $6/each or $10/2 and prints are $40/each.
- Sign up for a November workshop. You can save $20 by registering in person.
- Buy a “Just Write” book – $10/each. There is a limited number and they make great gifts!
- Browse through the ECS library. This month you can sign out books for a two month period, so the return date is December’s meeting.
- Find a good seat to visit with friends and view the film “The Making of the Saint John’s Bible.”
Please note: there is no monthly meeting scheduled for November – it is a workshop month. The December 7th meeting will be a Christmas event in which we will be making cards to send to our partners in art! Most supplies will be provided but bring a few pens and seasonal trims that you can use.
ECS’s meeting day is the first Wednesday of the month and is held in Room 229, Mill Woods Seniors and Multicultural Centre, 2610 Hewes Way, Edmonton. Because Room 229 is a studio space, refreshments cannot be served. There is a wonderful conversation area outside of the room where you are welcome to bring beverages in spill-proof containers.
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