Presenter: Yukimi Annand
Sponsored by San Diego SfC
WORKSHOP IS FULL!
Saturdays, July 11, 25, August 1, 10am-12:30pm and Sunday August 9, 10-11am PDT
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: In this workshop, we will create accordion books with original text lines and collaged colorful shapes with good energy flow and harmony.
We will start by making variations of the letter "o" considered by the form to resonate to the meaning of the chosen text and individual's feeling. We will study some historical letterforms, contemporary letterforms, ancient writing systems and natural forms to develop an alphabet based on the “O”. (The Roman alphabet is basically designed with a geometric system and the letter "o" is the mother form of a set of 26 letters.) Then we will work on lines that are made by writing text with the alphabet from legible to abstract. We will explore how much emotion we can put into the text lines with rhythm and movement. Hopefully, creating accordion books with elements you've developed through all the exercises will be a fun and meditative experience.
This workshop will be recorded and made available for two months.
NECESSARY SKILL LEVEL: All levels welcome
ABOUT YUKIMI: Yukimi Annand is a calligrapher, lettering and book artist with a background in visual communication design. She is passionate about the beauty of the Roman alphabet and creates unique and distinctive artwork with her love of calligraphic mark making incorporated with nature. Her works have been exhibited in the US, Canada, Japan, and European countries, and have also been included in calligraphy collections in Berlin, San Francisco, and Moscow.
HOW TO REGISTER
PAID WORKSHOPS ARE OPEN TO MEMBERS ONLY. No refunds, since recording will be provided.
FEES: $100
Registration is handled by volunteers. Please help keep this efficient by paying within 24 hours. We may have to cancel those who don't complete their registration in a timely manner, so that those on the waiting list can get a spot.
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). After April 1, 2026, it is recommended that first time members pay $42 (rather than introductory)--membership will be valid through June 30, 2027. Even for those who aren't local, you'll want to mark the chapters which provide the workshops you love. Some chapters provide perks, such as direct email announcements, newsletters, and other helpful communications.
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.
SPONSOR: South Los Angeles Chapter (Solar Nibs)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Stop struggling with new or well-worn broad-edged nibs! This hands-on workshop
introduces the essential techniques for optimizing, modifying, and maintaining
your broad-edged nibs.
You'll learn how to refine both large and small sizes to produce the finest,
sharpest hairlines and the smoothest, most effortless broad strokes. Walk away
with new confidence and the precision needed to transform your calligraphy.
Class will be held at Lomita Library. There is ample parking. Please bring your own beverages. We'll provide light refreshments.
SUPPLY LIST:
☐ New and used broad-edged nibs for modification (e.g., 0.5 mm–4 mm Brause
nibs)
☐ Nib holder(s)
☐ Inks and/or gouache that you normally use for nib quality testing
☐ Practice paper and higher-quality paper for nib quality testing
☐ Small container for water
☐ Paper towels or a rag for cleaning nibs.
☐ Magnifying glass or loupe (8×–10×) for inspecting nib modifications *
☐ X-Acto knife or equivalent
☐ Arkansas sharpening stone (Optional, if you already own one)
* The instructor will have a few extra magnifying glasses/loupes available to borrow.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
For more than 43 years, Ed Fong has served as a Los Angeles City Calligrapher, dedicating his life to the art of fine lettering. His passion for calligraphy began at age eleven under the guidance of his father, Roy K. Fong, a student of the noted penman William B. Wollman.
Ed also works as a freelance calligrapher specializing in formal certificates and retirement resolutions, drawing inspiration from the engrossing traditions of the Zanerian College of Penmanship in Columbus, Ohio. He continues to advance and preserve these time-honored arts through his work and by mentoring select students in engrossing and illumination.
In addition to his calligraphic pursuits, Ed crafts and prepares traditional writing tools, including hand-cut quills, bamboo styluses, and exotic hardwood mini-inkwells. As a developing nibmeister, he customizes fountain pen and broad-edged nibs with precision grinds designed to achieve exceptional performance. Through decades of practice, craftsmanship, and teaching, Ed remains a dedicated steward of the enduring traditions of penmanship.
REGISTRATION DETAILS:
Class fee is $25. Please click register at the top left and complete payment. If payment is not received with registration, your registration will be cancelled. 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.
Presenter: Amy Spencer
Sponsored by:
Saturday AUGUST 15, 2026, 9:30AM to 3:00 PM. IN-PERSON
Location: San Diego Education Association
FEES: $25. Additionally a materials fee of $17 is paid at workshop (the materials for the two books)
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: Learn the basics of bookbinding using the Coptic stitch. You will make two books: one using the covers of a vintage book with new, high-quality blank, pages that can be used as a sketchbook, recipe book, journal, or guest book and another using covers you will create yourself using book board and decorative papers. Coptic stitch is a gorgeous, exposed-spine bookbinding technique that lends itself to creativity. Bookbinding basics will be covered, including what tools you need to make your own books at home.
SKILL LEVEL: All levels, some familiarity with needle and thread is helpful, but not required.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Amy Spencer has been teaching bookbinding for 15 years, has an MA in Art History, and works full-time teaching art in elementary schools. She loves making books, especially artist books. She dabbles in calligraphy, watercolor, paper marbling, printmaking, mail art, collage, sewing, and sashiko.
Kristi's book from the last time Amy taught this for SfC:
PAID WORKSHOPS ARE OPEN TO CURRENT MEMBERS ONLY. No refunds unless your spot can be filled from the waitlist.
Fee: $25 (paid upon registration) + $17 materials fee (paid to instructor at workshop)
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)
To register, press the Registration Button and follow the instructions through confirming that you wish to register.
After completing this first step of registration, an automatic email will be sent with a PayPal button, as well as instructions for those who 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.
Presenter: Violet Smythe
SPONSORED BY SFC'S SAN DIEGO CHAPTER
Four Thursday evening sessions with Violet Smythe, August 20 and 27 & September 3 and 10, 6:30 to 8:30 PM (Pacific Time).
$80 (all paid workshops are for Members-only.) No refunds, since this is recorded and accessible for three months.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: Handwritten letters to friends and family are almost a lost artform and sending just a quick note with some fun illustrations, doodles, maps or other fun and easy to draw elements make it even more special . Mailing hand lettered correspondence, either a letter or postcard, is half the fun . Adding little touches, observations, images and stories makes it a pleasure to write as well as receive.
In this workshop, you will strike up correspondence with a new Pen Pal, Cordelia, and in the process, create a variety of short letters and or postcards. You will create these wonderful correspondences using a variety of techniques, learn some tips and tricks, and add some simple, quirky, and delightful drawings that will encourage you to create special moments and or share some of your treasured memories. Real life, or imaginary stories, whatever appeals. Get creative. You are only limited by your imagination. Come and join in on the fun!
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: This workshop is for everyone, even if you think you can’t draw.
Violet's flyer: 20260820_Dear Cordelia flyer.pdf
We will make Padlet available for sharing work with fellow students.
ABOUT VIOLET: Violet Smythe is a visual artist and lettering enthusiast living in S. Surrey, B.C., Canada, who is passionate about art and calligraphy. She always dabbled in art but in 2000, after joining Westcoast Calligraphy Society, she started art studies in earnest. She studied under many gifted and talented teachers as well as some world-renowned instructors. She loves to share her passion for painting, calligraphy, and mixed media arts with others. She is a member of three artist collaborative groups: A2Z, Creekside Watercolour Artists, and Hummingbird Studio Artists. Her work has been included in juried exhibitions at various venues in the Greater Vancouver Area. Several of her watercolours, calligraphic pieces, and acrylics can be found in private collections. She has taught a variety of workshops and classes since 2009 for various Calligraphy Guilds, Arts Societies, Westcoast Odyssey of Letters (WOOL), University of the Fraser Valley, University of BC and at local Community and Seniors Centres.
REGISTRATION: You must be a member both when you register and when the class is held. Pay by check or PayPal. No refunds.
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 $80 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.
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, since this is recorded.
Questions? Kristi Darwick at sdworkshopsteam@societyforcalligraphy.org.
In-Person
Hermann Kilian (1929 – 2004) was a German calligrapher, typographer and book designer whose work was epitomized by classical simplicity with an underlying tension within every letter. I would like to share my study of his minuscules that has been lifting my calligraphy study. This program starts from understanding traditional monoline minuscules - the Foundational hand, Italic hand, and English Roundhand - that deeply relate to Kilian’s minuscule forms. Then we will analyze a couple of Kilian's unique minuscule forms. We will trace some of his works and draw several alphabets with pencils, fine line markers, ruling pens and pointed pens. We will write a short text with one of his minuscule forms. As our project, we will work on square or rectangle border writing with the minuscule.
Yukimi Annand is a calligrapher, lettering and book artist with a background in visual communication design. She is passionate about the beauty of the Roman alphabet and creates unique and distinctive artwork with her love of calligraphic mark making incorporated with nature. She has been instructing workshops around the world since 2010, and she finds the value in sharing ideas with students. Her works have been exhibited in the US, Canada, Japan, and European countries, and have also been included in calligraphy collections.
Registration will open in July.
Class fee is $45. Please click register at the top left and complete payment. If payment is not received with registration, your registration will be cancelled. Please read all details. No refunds will be issued.
Presenter: Rick Paulus
SAVE THE DATE! Registration will open soon.
Fridays, September 25, October 9, 16, and 30 6PM-8PM PDT
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: Extend the range of your pointed pen’s potential as we break away from traditional pointed pen scripts and explore the full power of this amazing little pen nib. Following an analysis of historical models as well as the work of contemporary masters, we will put our pens to paper and systematically develop new pointed pen styles out of formal broad-edge hands such as Roman Capitals, foundational, italic, uncial, and blackletter. In addition to the introduction of new hands, each class will include additional tips and topics such as working with color, creating texture, and layout. The methods and skills acquired in this workshop will give participants the tools they need to further their reach with the pointed pen in many ways. This workshop will be recorded and made available for three months.
NECESSARY SKILL LEVEL: Beginner to intermediate
ABOUT RICK: Rick Paulus has been a calligrapher and a teacher for over forty years. He apprenticed for several years at the legendary Tolley Studios, in Washington, DC, before becoming the engrosser for the US State Department. In 1998, he was appointed chief calligrapher of the White House, where he remained for two presidents until, in 2006, he answered the call of the wild and left Washington, DC to explore new adventures in nature and art. Today, in addition to enjoying calligraphic explorations in his studio on the shores of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, Rick is dedicated to sharing the knowledge he gained through many years of studio production and artistic experimentation with students of all ages and skill levels.
FEES: $80
Registration is handled by volunteers. Please help keep this efficient by paying within 24 hours. It's a lot of extra effort for us to chase and we may simply cancel the registration, due to workload.
IN-PERSON
Saturday and Sunday, November 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: TBA.
PAID WORKSHOPS ARE OPEN TO MEMBERS ONLY. No refunds.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: Details to follow.
SKILL LEVEL: All levels
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Information to follow
Fee: TBA.
Questions/comments? please contact Kristi at sdworkshops@societyforcalligraphy.org
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, Mike Gold, Randy Hasson with Nina Tran, Rick Paulus, Tamara Stoneburner, Anne Davnes and Lonna Yen (InkFurie)
NEW 2027 Beginner/Novice Weekend Package features: Younghae Chung (Pointed Pen - Introduction to Copperplate) & Nina Tran (Broad Edge Pen - Introduction to Gothic Textura)
LETTERS will take place at the Sonesta Hotel LAX - 5985 W Century Boulevard, Los Angeles.
