Sponsored by
FRIDAY, March 6, 2025, 6:30-8PM PDT
In Violet Smythe's repertoire is an appealing workshop, Round and Sweep -Pencil Cap Letters (Stylized Monoline Romans). In this study group session, she gives us a taste, Give it a Whirl. We'll be offering future workshops with Violet and you'll want to check this out!
Violet will present her fun pencil capitals, written in a "swirl".
No charge for these Study Group Sessions. They are often led by members, who do not claim to be masters, sharing what they have learned. There is no requirement to have attended prior sessions. The aim is to share knowledge with newbies and to provide a refresher for those with more experience. Each individual Romans Study Group session requires separate registration. We plan to record this session. Kristi asks that you remind her! Recording will be available for two months.
Flexible Schedule for the evening:
6:30 - 6:45 Announcements.
6:45 - 7:45 Violet will demo.
7:45 - 8:00 An opportunity for those who wish to share what they've completed before or during this session--we always love to see what our fellow lettering artists are up to. Also, there is time to ask more questions of our speaker.
SUPPLY LIST:
Handouts and Zoom invitation will be sent a day or two in advance.
You're welcome to sign up even at the last minute, but you may have to wait and participate via the recording . . . Those who sign up in advance will automatically receive the recording. We cannot respond to all those who missed registering in advance.
IN-PERSONSponsored by:
Saturday and Sunday, March 14–15, 2026, 9:30AM to 4:30 PM, includes a one hour break for lunch.
Location: San Diego Education Association, 10393 San Diego Mission Rd, Suite 100, San Diego, CA
FEES: $100. Additionally a $20 materials fee is paid to Randy at workshop (covers his 46-page book on Romitalic) .
PAID WORKSHOPS ARE OPEN TO MEMBERS ONLY. No refunds.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: Join Randall Hasson on a journey of discovery and come away with a new lettering style as well as valuable ideas on how you can analyze a letterform you like and create something specific to your hand. The lettering on a book cover provided the first spark of inspiration, while an advertisement from the 1920s set in motion the process of developing this new personalized letterform.
Learn a soft, rounded, lyrical hand: Romitalic.
After the hand was created, Randall conducted research into traditional Italic and Roman forms – as well as show card lettering styles of the early twentieth century – to pull together the influences that led to the lettering that was his initial inspiration. He teaches this hand in these lessons. His 46-page book, Romatalic, covers the hand in-depth and is covered by the materials fee.
SKILL LEVEL: Randy is happy to work with beginners and with those who are more experienced.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Randall M. Hasson is an artist, calligrapher, instructor and speaker who has appeared on the faculty of Arts, Lettering Arts, and Educational Conferences in the United States, Canada and England. He has appeared as a mainstage presenter and/or teacher with lecture topics covering Public Art, Art History, the Painting Process, Collaborative Art Projects, and the History of Writing including the recent invention of the ADLaM Alphabet which originated in western Africa. He is the co-editor of the 24th (Centennial) Edition of The Speedball Textbook, served as writer and editor of the national publication Scripsit, and has written 6 course-related books on lettering, including Writing with a Bent Nib, Contemporary Lettering with the Bent Nib, Lettering of the Silent Era, The Shape and Texture of Calligraphy, Romitalic, and Stunt Roman.
HOW TO REGISTER
Fee: $100. FEES: $100. (Additionally a $20 materials fee will paid to Randy at the workshop for his 46-page book on Romitalic) .
Questions/comments? please contact Kristi at sdworkshops@societyforcalligraphy.org
Enrollment is for current paid Society for Calligraphy members only. Your membership must be current at time of sign-up as well as when class is held. No reservation will be held until your dues are current. If your membership lapses, you become ineligible. (To become a member: https://societyforcalligraphy.org/Join-SfC)
For confirmation and prompt receipt of supply list, we recommend that your payment arrive no later than two weeks before the workshop. You do not have a spot in the workshop until you receive a confirmation email.
After completing this first step of registration, an automatic email will be sent with a PayPal button, plus instructions, should you prefer to pay by check. If you don't receive that email within a few minutes, please check your spam folder. If you don't find it there, please contact Kristi.
For those affiliated with SfC's San Diego chapter, we do have scholarship funds available to assist in the education and development of calligraphic skills. Please contact Kristi to inquire.
Questions? E-mail Kristi Darwick at sdworkshops@societyforcalligraphy.org
NO audio or video recording of any program, meeting, workshop or other SfC function permitted without prior consent of both guest artist and a representative of the Board of Governors. ** You must ask permission of the artist/ instructor to photograph any copyrighted materials, including demos.
FLEXIBLE LETTERS AND FLOWING LINES with Nancy Hays-Hills
Sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Regional Group
This is your chance to spend a few hours breaking free of pen angles and straight lines, and instead dip your toes into the ocean of drawn letterforms which follow their own paths across the page. We’ll explore a number of tools suitable for drawing letters, from pencils and pointed pens to edged nibs and my favorite, the Kemper Fluid Writer. You’ll see how simple it is to add multiple colors to a letter as you create words that dance to your own inner rhythm. This is a class open to all skill levels. The beginner will discover new tools, and the more advanced letterers may find that they return to traditional scripts with a fresh perspective on form and negative space.
WORKSHOP FEE: $50.00 - Members Only Workshop
(No refunds unless the workshop is full and your spot can be filled by someone on the waitlist.) If you are not a member it is easy to join online! Don't miss out!
This workshop will be recorded but programs are always enhanced by your live attendance when you can ask questions and share insights, with both the instructor and other students.
This workshop will take place over 2 sessions: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 and Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 10am to 1pm (Pacific Time)
Materials:
Paper suitable for wet lettering (sugg. Arches Text Wove, watercolor paper)
A few sheets of graph paper or copier paper for pencil practice
Soft pencil and eraser
Watercolors or gouache (either pan or tube is fine) or Bister inks
Mixing Palette, water container, paper towels
Medium sized pointed brush
Kemper Fluid Writer
Pointed pen
Speedball C-6 or Brause 1mm, or other small chisel-edged nib and holders
Nancy Hays Hills is an artist and Episcopal deacon living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She began drawing as soon as she could hold a crayon, and was lucky enough to parents who encouraged their shy child to express herself on paper – especially her father, who would amuse her by drawing cartoons, sometimes in ballpoint pen on the bottoms of her feet! She took her first calligraphy course at age 17, and has incorporated lettering in her art ever since. She combines art and ministry by sending one-of-a-kind cards and envelopes to people in her parish, and leading mini creative classes over Zoom. Her artwork has been featured in Bound & Lettered, Alphabet, and the latest Speedball Textbook.
HYBRID WORKSHOP
Images show book made with decorated plain paper. You are encouraged to include calligraphy practice pages. You may wish to obscure them with paint, or leave them unpainted as a contrast.
Sponsored by the Inland Empire chapter
Saturday, March 28, 2025, 10:30am-2PM
Free Outreach program
IN-PERSON at the La Verne Library AND Online (hybrid)
3640 D St, La Verne, CA 91750
We love the camaraderie of in-person. We also offer this online for our members and friends who aren't near enough to join us.
Questions? Contact: Adela and Kristi at IEWorkshopsTeam@societyforcalligraphy.org
ABOUT THIS EVENT:
Discover how printed marks can become a book. In this class, we’ll create gelli prints on plain paper and calligraphy practice sheets, embracing the unexpected beauty of layered textures and imperfect impressions. We’ll then fold our prints into a Turkish map fold mini book, turning our artwork into a portable, interactive form. This class is ideal for artists, calligraphers, and anyone who enjoys tactile, process-driven creativity. Class is great for all experience levels.
If you want to participate in the in-person component but don't have a gelli plate, please email Cindy at newsletter.iesfc@gmail.com. She may be able to help you!
Suitable for beginners and above. Zoom link will be provided a week in advance. Session will be recorded and available for three months.
ABOUT CINDY: Cindy Jones Lantier is a mixed media artist living in Southern California with more than two decades of experience working in gel printing, book binding, and paper-based art. Her practice emphasizes process, experimentation, and the transformation of simple materials into expressive, functional forms. She also incorporates calligraphy into her work from time to time. She shares her studio life with three cats.
*If you’re interested in the “in-person” experience but don’t have a gel plate and brayer, please contact Cindy at newsletter.iesfc@gmail.com. She has a few that she can share. Some of us will bring extra paint and other supplies which we can share, as needed.
For those attending in person: Coffee & Tea will be provided. Feel free to bring a snack to share. You will probably want to bring your lunch, as our break will be too short to pick up take-out.
REGISTRATION: Membership in SfC not required for this event
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2025, 10:00AM-1:30PM PST (time subject to change)
SAVE THE DATE! Workshop to be announced
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM: TBA
All skill levels. Recording will be available for three months.
Zoom invitation and handouts are sent a week in advance. If you haven't received it, please check your spam folder. PLEASE NOTE: The recording will be shared with all who register. Please be mindful of our volunteers time--this is automated. If you do not register in advance, we cannot provide the materials/recording, after the fact.
It's not guaranteed that you'll receive the links beforehand, if you sign up the day of this event. Do still sign up to receive the recording.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Sponsored by the Inland Empire
SAVE THE DATE! We are in the process of organizing and confirming this workshop. More details will be announced. Please note, Robbie prefers to teach in-person, rather than online. Other chapters may host similar workshops with him, also in-person.
Saturday, MAY 30, 2026 – 10:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (PST)
Fee: TBD (paid workshops are for Members, only). No refunds unless your spot can be filled from a waitlist.As a chapter, we must use modified procedures--please ignore the automatic prompt to pay. as well as any invoice. Do check your email for our message which contains the payment link, as well as instructions for those who wish to pay by check.
Questions? Contact: Kristi at iepvworkshops@societyforcalligraphy.org
IN-PERSON, venue TBD
ABOUT THIS EVENT: TBA
ABOUT ROBBIE: TBA
www.barbclose.com
barbara.close – FB & IG
We will stop for a 1/2 hour lunch, as well as the usual mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks. Coffee & Tea will be provided. Feel free to bring a snack to share.
REGISTRATION: You must be a member both when you register and when the class is held. Pay by check or PayPal. No refunds unless your spot can be filled from the waitlist.
COMPLETED REGISTRATION REQUIRES 2 STEPS:
1. FIRST PRESS THE REGISTER BUTTON.
2. Payment instructions will be automatically emailed to you – PLEASE ALLOW TIME FOR THE EMAIL TO ARRIVE. Make a payment of $xx via PayPal or check. Please do this at your earliest convenience as we may not be able hold your spot in the workshop, since others may be waiting for it.
Non-members, here is information on how to join SfC: https://societyforcalligraphy.org/Join-SfC. We recommend you select up to two regional chapters, which provide extra perks at no extra charge. You may want to choose those that sponsor the workshops you enjoy. PLEASE NOTE: there is no guarantee you'll have a spot in this workshop.
Enrollment is limited to 20 students, including facilitators. Your membership must be current at time of sign-up as well as when class is held. If your membership lapses, you become ineligible and your space will be filled from the waiting list. No refunds unless your spot can be filled from a waiting list.
NO audio or video recording of any program, meeting, workshop or other SfC function permitted consent of both guest artist and a representative of the Board of Governors. *** You must ask permission of the artist/instructor to photograph any copyrighted materials, including demos.
SPONSOR: South Los Angeles Chapter (Solar Nibs)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Come learn variations of Peter Thornton’s “Button Alphabet”. The beauty of this alphabet is that anyone can achieve satisfying results in a relatively short period of time, due to its forgiving nature and the fact that there are only 26 characters to worry about. If you come with a positive attitude you are guaranteed to leave with something that you will be proud of.
1. Any writing instrument with a flat edge, preferably no smaller than 6mm is preferred. A few suggestions are the 6mm Parallel Pen, Automatic Pen or something similar.
2. Your favorite ink, walnut etc. (Make sure that the ink you will use doesn’t bleed with the paper you choose).
3. A pencil.
4. A straight edge (scale/ruler or Alvin Parallel Glider)
5. An eraser.
6. A fine point marker ( Pigma Micron 01 or something similar).
7. Your favorite paper, typewriter bond paper or grid paper.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Louis L. Lemoine is a "Visual Magician" (designer, lettering artist, illustrator, educator, entertainer and speaker / storyteller). He retired in 2015 from Walt Disney Imagineering, a division of the Walt Disney Company, where he worked for 32+ years helping to create memories for Disney Parks guests worldwide. Before leaving he was awarded the Disney Legacy Award, the highest honor the company can bestow on a cast member.
He has a Master of Arts Degree in Art, with emphasis in the area of Design, from California State University at Los Angeles, and has a valid-for-life Community College teaching credential, making use of it teaching at Los Angeles Trade Technical College in the mid 80’s.
His work has been published numerous times in Letter Arts Review (being a featured artist in one issue), Bound and Lettered and Somerset Studio magazines to name a few as well as exhibiting his work in juried and non-juried shows. He is also one of the featured lettering artists in the Centennial Edition of the Speedball Textbook. He has taught lettering workshops for calligraphy guilds in California, Iowa and Canada. In 2013 he self published a book of his lettering art.
In 2024 he was invited to be guest speaker at the luncheon for Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers. In 2020 he was invited by Missy Day to be a guest speaker at ‘What’s Your Story’. In 2019 he was a guest speaker at ‘The Thing Live’ (a premier event for creatives, makers, marketers, entrepreneurs and leaders) in Orange County, CA. In 2017 he was on the faculty of the Write On Calligraphy Guilds ‘Letters of Joy’ conference in Seattle, Washington along with being its keynote speaker. In 2015 he was one of the selected guest speakers for the 'Reimagine Conference' (a conference for creatives) held in Orange County, CA. He was also on the faculty for the 2014 International Lettering Conference, Legacies II in Dallas, Texas, and for the 2013 and 2011 Iampeth Lettering Conferences and keynote speaker at its 2011 conference.
REGISTRATION DETAILS:
THIS IS AN IN-PERSON EVENT. REGISTRATION WILL OPEN IN EARLY MARCH.
Please read all details. No refunds will be issued.
Registration is for Society for Calligraphy members only. Your membership must be current at time of sign-up as well as when class is held. For membership, please go to: https://societyforcalligraphy.org/resources/Membership.pdf
NO audio or video recording of any program, meeting, workshop or other SfC function permitted without prior consent of both guest artist and a representative of the Board of Governors. You must ask permission of the artist/ instructor to photograph any copyrighted materials, including demos.
IN-PERSON
Sponsored by:
Saturday and Sunday, November 14–15, 2026, 9:30AM to 4:30 PM, includes a one hour break for lunch.
FEES: TBA.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: Details to follow.
SKILL LEVEL: All levels
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Information to follow
Fee: TBA.
LETTERS CALIFORNIA STYLE 2027. - 20th Anniversary Conference!
Complete your non-refundable $75.00 deposit online.
LETTERS is a members only conference. If you would like to become a member please visit the home page and follow the prompts. It's easy and allows you to take part in all of our activities.
Attendees at LETTERS 2026 will receive a higher registration priority number than new deposit holders. Making a deposit now ensures a place at LETTERS 2027.
Class choices will be assigned based on your priority number. You are not guaranteed your first choice but we will do our best to place you in your first choice and definitely one of your three class preferences.
The brochure for LETTERS 2027, will be released in the summer of 2026.
The payment deadline will be November 15, 2026.
The faculty lineup for 2027 includes: Yukimi Annand, Barbara Close, Erin Fletcher, Randy Hasson with Nina Tran, Louis Lemoine, Rick Paulus, Tamara Stoneburner, Anne Davnes and Lonna Yen (InkFurie)
LETTERS will take place at the Sonesta Hotel LAX - 5985 W Century Boulevard, Los Angeles.
