Society for Calligraphy upcoming events

Romans Study Group (Member-led) (April 10, 2026)

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:30:00 GMT

Sponsored by

FRIDAY, April 10, 2025, 6:30-8PM PST

Please note, we'll meet the second Friday, since our usual first Friday is Good Friday.

We start a series of studies of Speedball Sho Card Gothic and similar lettering styles, led by Kristi. We'll start with pen-written letters. In a subsequent session, we may write these letters using a flat brush. Our ultimate goal is to draw these letters. with a view toward creating a special, colorful project. Kristi will show examples.

Book title drawn by illustrator Wendy McNaughton

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 and share work from past sessions.

6:45 - 7:45 Kristi 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:

Broad pen—Speedball 0, small Coit, Automatic, reed pen, Parallel Pen, etc.
Optional: flat brush (we won't get into this tool much until the May session)
Pencil, ruler, eraser
Paper for practicing, such as grid, sulfite, or layout bond
Writing fluid, such as gouache, sumi, walnut ink, or another of your favorites
Water container
Paper towel or rag for blotting inked nib

SfC Membership not required

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 . . .
All who sign up in advance will automatically receive the recording. We cannot respond to all those who missed registering in advance.

The Magnificent Monoline Letter with Rick Paulus (April 11, 2026)

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Sponsor: Orange County Society for Calligraphy

Description:

Discover the diverse and lively world of The Magnificent Monoline Letter in this colorful workshop where participants explore and playful world, free of the concerns of pen angles, and thicks and thins! Using type as inspiration, colors will fly with watercolor, gouache, masking fluids, and colored inks. A welcome entry for those new to calligraphy. A chance to stretch the imagination of the skilled calligrapher, as you add more range to you calligraphic voice.

This class is for all levels.

About Rick...

A former White House Chief calligrapher, Rick continues his quest for the perfectly-formed letter. Having studied and practiced calligraphy for over 40 years, he remains a passionate student of the craft.

Registration details

Registration Fee: $60

Workshop for SfC members only.

Returning members can join SfC for a separate $42 fee.

First time members join SfC for introductory fee of $25

Please click the following link to join SfC

https://societyforcalligraphy.org/Join-SfC

Membership can be used for any workshop/class through June 30, 2026.

Pay via PayPal

Option includes no fee PayPal

Students must be set up to take a Zoom class with video and audio (signed on one device).

Zoom set-up and audio test begins at 9:45 AM (PDT), 15 minutes prior to the start of the class.

'Live only' Zoom class, recording will be available for month after workshop

Contact: kathrynsanchez2@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

The Magnificent Monoline Letter with Rick Paulus (April 12, 2026)

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Sponsor: Orange County Society for Calligraphy

Description:

This class is for all levels.

About Rick...

Registration details

Registration Fee: $60

Workshop for SfC members only.

Returning members can join SfC for a separate $42 fee.

First time members join SfC for introductory fee of $25

Please click the following link to join SfC

https://societyforcalligraphy.org/Join-SfC

Membership can be used for any workshop/class through June 30, 2026.

Pay via PayPal

Option includes no fee PayPal

Students must be set up to take a Zoom class with video and audio (signed on one device).

Zoom set-up and audio test begins at 9:45 AM (PDT), 15 minutes prior to the start of the class.

'Live only' Zoom class, recording will be available for month after workshop

Contact: kathrynsanchez2@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

Parallel Pen Flourishes with Jane Shibata (April 19, 2026)

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Instructor: Jane Shibata

Sponsor: Westside Regional

Description:

Jane teaches practical tips for your parallel pen letters to flourish! Learn valuable techniques with the pen’s broad edge, corner edge, colors, and more. Simple notes, monograms, and greetings for special occasions can be made beautifully and quickly everyday!

Perfect for for all your summer events ahead!

This class is suitable for all levels. (including those previously enrolled in Jane’s Parallel Pen Flourishes class)

Supply list will be sent after enrollment. Exemplar will be emailed prior to the class.

Registration details

Fee: $35 Pay by check or PayPal

For SfC members only

Non-members:

First time members can join SfC for intro fee of $25

Returning members:

Renew for $42, membership runs thru June 30, 2026.
Use for any SfC workshop or classes.

Please click the following link to join SfC

https://societyforcalligraphy.org/Join-SfC

Pay by check

Download Flyer for processing check payment and further workshop details.

Pay via PayPal. PayPal option includes non-refundable PayPal fees

Students must be set up to take the Zoom class with video and audio (signed on one device); access to a printer is required to print the handouts.

Zoom set-up and audio test begins at 12:45 PM, 15 minutes prior to the start of the class.

This is a “Live” only Zoom session, no recording

Contact: Barbara or Judy CalligraphyWLA@aol.com with any questions or concerns.

llustrate a Recipe with Barbara Roth (May 03, 2026)

Sun, 03 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Sponsored by

Sunday, May 3, 2027. 1-4 PM PDT. Zoom Online

Society for Calligraphy members, only. No charge.

All levels welcome. Handouts and Zoom link will be provided a week in advance. Sessions will be recorded and available for three months.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: In this class you will learn a fun way to combine words and watercolor to create a colorful recipe that can share with family and friends. Step-by-step demonstrations will show you all the simple drawing and painting techniques you need for picturesque recipes. You’ll also learn how to: mix clear paint colors, how to avoid mixing muddy colors, how to arrange your objects in a eye catching way, brushstrokes, how to correct mistakes, add white and other tips. You will leave class with skills you can use to illustrate
We'll start with a recipe that Barbara will provide and she'll walk us through illustrating that. You'll want to follow up and illustrate your own favorite recipe following the workshop!

ABOUT BARBARA: Barbara Roth believes anyone can learn to paint and draw if they want to. She has a degree in Fine Art and a Teaching Credential and 35 years of teaching experience. Currently she teaches watercolor classes for Miracosta Community Ed and in the San Diego Public libraries. She has been organizing and teaching travel painting workshops for 20 years. She likes to help her students find joy in the process of making art. She's written a book for Quarto Press called Anytime, Anywhere Art; Watercolor for the Artist on the Go.

SUPPLY LIST: 20260503_Illustrating a Recipe Supplies.pdf

Questions? E-mail Kristi Darwick at sdworkshops@societyforcalligraphy.org.

For those affiliated with the San Diego chapter, we do have scholarship funds available to assist in the education and development of calligraphic skills. Please contact Kristi to inquire.

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)

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.

Larkshead Binding To Die For (May 16, 2026)

Sat, 16 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

SPONSOR: South Los Angeles Chapter (Solar Nibs)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The Larkshead binding is a simple slip-stitch binding. In 2020, Carol DuBosch posted one online and reminded me of making one long ago. This class will show variations I made on how to do it and use it. With the variations and simple stitch, it will wake your imagination to make more.

SUPPLY LIST:

1/8" hole hand punch
Cardstock - for class, you will cut 4-3/4" x 4-3/4" squares of the following colors. Dorothy uses Canson MiTientes Heavy or Colorline 150gsm. You can also use Fabriano Tiziano or similar cardstock. Use what you have but the lesson will use cardstock. Dorothy will explain the grain of paper and how to cut and prepare the cardstock for class. Instructions for this will be sent a week before class.
- A minimum of 7 pieces of assorted color cardstock
- 7 pieces of white cardstock
- 7 pieces of a dark cardstock like brown, black, dark blue
a few strips of 3/4" x 14" paper from off cuts
crochet thread #8 or #10 color of your choice to be used for colored papers and white combos. You can use your preferred thread or string instead.
white glue (PVA or Elmer's School White Glue) - you'll need just a few drops
small piece of wax paper 2" x 2"
scissors
ruler
mechanical pencil - hp lead is good
any paper for sketching or drawing (copy paper) and tracing papers or Clearprint Fade Out grid pads
X-acto knife #11 blade or scalpel
cutting mat
scotch tape
medium binder clip

Optional

Beads that the single thread can go through, small 2 hole buttons, die cutters with machine. I use circles and squares of various sizes.
Soft mouse pad or styrofoam packing piece
Sewing tracing wheel
Awl

Note: If you have any questions about the supply list above, email Dorothy at dotyuki@gmail.com

Image of all the supplies needed including the optional items.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:

From Dorothy Yuki: Since 1964, after college, I became an owner of a manufacturing business, In Good Company. We were the suppliers to Macy's USA, William/Sonoma and military canteens throughout the world with kitchen goods...aprons, potholders, placemats, napkins and a lot of stuff and nonsense. I sold the business in 1977 and became a design and production consultant to the Fashion Industry and the entertainment production companies. I did volunteer work with the Sierra Gorda Ecological group in Mexico from 2003 to the present. I was also the master educator for the San Francisco Fashion Incubator until 2020. I have been teaching arts and crafts since 2000. I have been a President of Friends of Calligraphy and a member of Society for Calligraphy, Pacific Scribes, Portland Society for Calligraphy and Escribiente Calligraphy Society. I have been a teacher for San Francisco Center for the Book, SCRAP-sf, Ruth's Table, Letterform Archive and others here in San Francisco. I've also taught in Europe, South America and Mexico. However, at my age, I am still learning but want to pass on and share what I know.

REGISTRATION DETAILS:

Registration is now closed as we have reached the maximum number of students.

$40 to join. Zoom recording will be available until June 30, 2026. Click on the “register” button at the top left and complete payment. Without payment, your registration will automatically be cancelled.

Registration closes on May 7, 2026. No cancellations and 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.

PLAYING WITH PENS AND PENCILS: STRETCHING YOUR MONOLINE - IN-PERSON (May 30, 2026)

Sat, 30 May 2026 17:15:00 GMT

PRESENTER: Robbie Saslow, IN-PERSON WORKSHOP

(More images will be added)

Sponsored by the Inland Empire

Please note, Robbie doesn't teach often, since he works full time as a calligrapher for Los Angeles County. He 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. (PDT)

Fee: $45 (paid workshops are for Members, only).

IN-PERSON, La Verne Public Library, 3640 D Street, La Verne, CA 91750

ABOUT THIS EVENT: Look around your drawing table and you’re likely to see lots of pencils and pens, from colored pencils to regular graphite pencils, from delicate fine-point markers to reliable ballpoint pens, from paint markers to glittery gel pens. All of these implements lend themselves beautifully to classic monoline letterforms, but they are also wonderfully adaptable to all sorts of fun and creative letters. After practicing a basic monoline form, we will play and create scores of our own lettering variations. Explore the versatility of pens and pencils: the fantastic, inexpensive and most readily available of all writing tools!

ABOUT ROBBIE: is a Los Angeles-based calligrapher and designer who comes from a family of artists. He earned a degree in 2-dimensional art from California State University, Northridge (1986). He specializes in the creation of ketubot (Jewish wedding contracts) and Hebrew calligraphy, but also has extensive experience teaching art, including over 20 years at Los Angeles schools and numerous workshops for the Society for Calligraphy, as well as Letters California Style. He is currently employed by the County of Los Angeles as a full-time calligrapher and scroll-artist.

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.

Questions? Contact: Kristi and Adela at IEWorkshopsTeam@societyforcalligraphy.org

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 $45 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.

Enrollment is limited to 18, 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.

The Button Alphabet (June 20, 2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:00:00 GMT

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.

This is an in-person workshop at the Lomita Library. Please bring your own beverage. Snacks will be provided.

SUPPLY LIST:

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:

$15 to join. This is an in-person workshop. No refunds will be issued. Please register and pay by clicking "Register" at the top left. If payment is not received at the time of registration, your registration will be cancelled automatically.

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.

Colorful Accordion Book - The Form of “O” and Calligraphic Line (July 11, 2026)

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Presenter: Yukimi Annand

Sponsored by San Diego SfC

SAVE THE DATES! Saturdays, July 11, 25, August 1, 10am-12:30pm and Sunday August 8, 10-11am PDT

Details are being finalized.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: I am interested in any “forms" I see surrounding me. As a calligrapher I have been experimenting to create letterforms based on the forms I capture from the surroundings and play with them by writing text. The Roman alphabet is basically designed with a geometric system and the letter O is the mother form for developing a set of 26 letters.

In this workshop, we will start by making variations of letter O. We will get ideas from existing letterforms including historical and contemporary forms, ancient sign language, natural forms and more. We will consider the meaning of the text to resonate to the form of O. Then we will work on lines that are made by writing text from legible to abstract. We will explore how much emotion we can put into the lines. As our final products, we will construct accordion books with the lines and collaged colorful shape elements which relate the form of O.

Colorful Accordion Book - The Form of “O” and Calligraphic Line (July 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Presenter: Yukimi Annand

Sponsored by San Diego SfC

SAVE THE DATES! Saturdays, July 11, 25, August 1, 10am-12:30pm and Sunday August 8, 10-11am PDT

Details are being finalized.

Colorful Accordion Book - The Form of “O” and Calligraphic Line (August 01, 2026)

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Presenter: Yukimi Annand

Sponsored by San Diego SfC

SAVE THE DATES! Saturdays, July 11, 25, August 1, 10am-12:30pm and Sunday August 8, 10-11am PDT

Details are being finalized.

Colorful Accordion Book - The Form of “O” and Calligraphic Line (August 09, 2026)

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Presenter: Yukimi Annand

Sponsored by San Diego SfC

SAVE THE DATES! Saturdays, July 11, 25, August 1, 10am-12:30pm and Sunday August 8, 10-11am PDT

Details are being finalized.

Vintage and Modern--Two Coptic-bound Books - In-person (August 15, 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Presenter: Amy Spencer

TOPIC TBA - IN-PERSON with Barbara Close (November 14, 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 17:30:00 GMT

IN-PERSON

LETTERS CALIFORNIA STYLE 2027 - DEPOSIT (February 19, 2027)

Fri, 19 Feb 2027 08:00:00 GMT

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.