Letter examples (left by artist Wendy MacNaughton); right from old Speedball Textbook)
Sponsored by
FRIDAY, June 5, 2025, 6:30-8PM PST
We continue our series for "Letters with Heft", led by Kristi. This month, we'll choose a style of letters with weight to use for a colorful project.
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 three months.
Drawn or Written Letters: We each will choose the letter style we prefer. We're aiming for letters with "heft", rather than the skeleton versions we've been working with so often in these sessions. We'll start by sketching or tracing the letters we want, then tweaking them to get the form we prefer. Next, we'll create thumbnails of the design we're aiming for. We'll then enlarge and refine as needed to create our final version.
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:
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.
GUEST SPEAKER
SHORT BUSINESS MEETING
LIGHT LUNCH AFTER
This is an in-person event only
* REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED *
This event is for members only, no guests
You must be a member both when you register and when the event is held.
Guest Speaker
Perla Gallegos
"Making It Big: How Lettering Gets Onto Walls"
In this talk, Perla will share how lettering moves from design to wall, focusing on scaling methods like pounce patterns, layout, and on-site execution. Through process and experience, she offers a practical look at what changes when letterforms leave the page and are built at scale.
After many years of appreciating super market signs and even the hand lettered Home Depot signs, Perla Gallegos stumbled upon a "Paper Signs for Grocery Stores" workshop with John Downer She had always assumed they were signs created by talented employees and that it wasn't an actual JOB. She instantly fell in love with the craft and took another workshop with Australian sign painter John King. Shortly afterwards she took the leap and enrolled in the renowned Sign Graphics program at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC ), where she was mentored by legendary instructors Doc Guthrie and Carlos Aguilar.
After leaving her career in architectural design, Perla launched Superlative Signs to focus fully on sign painting and beautifying business facades throughout Southern California. Specializing in traditional, custom hand-painted storefronts, murals, gold leaf gilding, window lettering for businesses such as restaurants, retail, hospitality, creative spaces and everything in between!
Location:
(Corner of Overland Ave & Culver Blvd)
Free parking along Culver Blvd
For questions, contact Chava Gerber at programs@societyforcalligraphy.org
Presenter: Yukimi Annand
Sponsored by San Diego SfC
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.
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.
SPONSORED BY SFC'S SAN DIEGO CHAPTER
SAVE THE DATES!!! Will open for registration within the next few weeks. Details will be added as they are provided.
Four Thursday evening sessions with Violet Smythe, August 20 and 27 & September 3 and 10, 6:30 to 8:30 PM (Pacific Time).
Cost to be announced (all paid workshops are for Members-only.) No refunds, since this is recorded and accessible for three months.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: TBA
Experience level: This workshop is for everyone, even if you think you can’t draw.
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 $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.
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. Registration will close when class is full or on July 8. No refunds, since this is recorded.
Questions? Kristi Darwick at sdworkshopsteam@societyforcalligraphy.org.
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.
