Friends of Calligraphy workshops are open to current FOC members. Fort Mason classes are open to the public. They are sponsored by FOC, and taught by FOC members. Please contact Elizabeth Nisperos for any questions regarding these classes. The registration form can be downloaded here. Also listed below are classes by FOC members who teach in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. They are not sponsored by FOC, but are listed here as a courtesy to our members. Please contact individual instructors for details.
FOC Workshops • Fort Mason Classes • Lecture Series • Members Who Teach
FRIENDS OF CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP
- BLACKLETTER & WOODCUTS (download pdf flyer)
Ward Dunham and Jovica Veljovic, instructors
5 days: August 23–27
Saturday, Sunday 9:30 am–4:30 pm
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8:00 am–4:00 pm
Atelier Gargoyle • 1890 Bryant Street • San Francisco
$450
There was a time when everything had a pure and clean form, mostly in black and white. This workshop includes blackletter calligraphy, designing with blackletter, woodcut technique, printing by hand, and printing on a small press. The class will begin with blackletter writing exercises. Previous experience with the black hands will be helpful, but is not mandatory—those without experience will spend more time on blackletter writing, and those who have studied blackletter previously will spend more time on design. Blackletter is the simplest form in the evolution of the Roman alphabet—simplest to learn and simplest to cut in wood. These bold, powerful forms are ideal for use with this method of relief printing. In addition to letterforms, we shall also study the images in Rudolf Koch’s Book of Signs. All students will participate in a group print: each will design a simple but powerful piece of the print using blackletter and/or symbols, transfer the design to a woodblock, cut the block with blades and carving tools, help arrange everyone’s blocks for printing, and help print the edition by hand on Japanese paper. The second project will be to design, cut, and print a personal bookplate. Students can prepare for this by researching bookplates and sketching out ideas for a personal design—the only requirements are that at least one blackletter form be employed, and that the cut is printed in black ink only. This is NOT a color cutting or printing class. Simple spot color may be added later by hand with inks or watercolors; but the emphasis here is on the knowledge of shape; the simple beauty of black and white letterforms; and the power of the black and white print. As time and inspiration allow, other projects may be possible (a greeting card, a work of art to be framed such as a short quote or alphabet).
Ward Dunham has been a student of calligraphy for 40 years. He has studied, exhibited, and taught internationally. While he loves all calligraphic hands, he is especially fond of the blackletter hands, gothic images, and the history of the late middle ages. He is also fond of graceful, practical calligraphy tools and sharp knives.
Jovica Veljovic is a calligrapher, printmaker, teacher, book collector, pen aficionado, and world-renowned type designer. He lives in Germany where he teaches at the Fachhochschule Hamburg. His typefaces include ITC Esprit, Ex Ponto, Silentium, and Sava. He is fond of beautiful letterforms, simplicity in design, poetry, and good jokes.
The Printer's Devil: Linnea Lundquist is the boss, secretary and partner of Ward, and the former font production editor of Jovica. She has a background in letterpress printing in addition to calligraphy, and she will keep order in the workshop if things get too raucous or impure.
BASIC CALLIGRAPHY COURSES AT FORT MASON • Open to the public
*BASIC SUPPLIES* and additional or different supplies specified by each instructor are listed at the end of each class description. The term “Basic Supplies” refers to: black ink (Higgins Eternal or Pelikan Fount India), all sizes Brause pen nibs, one or two pen holders, pencil & eraser, 18”– 24” metal ruler, notebook, cotton rag, a small water jar.
Calligraphy supplies, especially Brause and Mitchell pen nibs, can be difficult to find. Call or visit your local art supply stores, such as Arch, Dick Blick, Flax, Michaels, Pearl, Utrecht. If they don’t have what you need, contact the calligraphy mail order catalogs:
John Neal Bookseller, 1.800.369.9598, www.JohnNealBooks.com
Paper & Ink Arts, 1.800.736.7772, www.paperinkarts.com
- RENAISSANCE BOOKHAND
Georgianna Greenwood, instructor
Seven Tuesday evenings, 6:30–9:00 p.m.
April 29–June 10, 2008
$140.00 (FOC members: $135.00)This sweetly legible italian bookhand was the model for the first roman typefaces used in printing in Italy in the late 1400’s. Also known as the humanistic script, these versatile letterforms are natural partners for italic. The original capitals are based on Roman inscriptional (carved into stone) capitals. Model sheets will be provided for minuscules (small letters), majuscules (capitals), numbers and punctuation. Class projects will introduce basic principles of design and page layout.
All levels of lettering experience are welcome.
SUPPLIES: Basic Supplies* and a 14” x 17” pad Strathmore 400 Drawing paper.
Georgianna Greenwood graduated from Reed College and the Portland Museum Art School in 1960 and has been teaching and practicing calligraphy in Berkeley since 1964. She has given lectures, demonstrations, and workshops in the United States, England, and Germany.
- UNCIALS
Judy Detrick, instructor
Seven Tuesday evenings, 6:30–9:00 p.m.
September 16–October 28, 2008
$140.00 (FOC members: $135.00)Uncial, an all capital (majuscule) alphabet, was in use during the so-called ‘dark ages’ from approximately the 5th through the 9th centuries. Updated for use in the 21st century, this popular alphabet stands alone or blends well with other styles. In this class you will learn the basic letterforms, and the rhythm and spacing that gives uncial its distinctive appearance. You will see many historical examples and modern ones as well that are certain to inspire you. Layout basics will be introduced to help ensure a favorable outcome to your final project.
All levels of lettering experience are welcome.
SUPPLIES: Basic Supplies* and a 11” x 14” pad of layout bond paper.
Judy Detrick has taught calligraphy and graphic design at College of the Redwoods on the Mendocino coast for more than twenty-five years and developed the Graphic Arts Certficate Program there. She is currently editor of Alphabet, the journal of the Friends of Calligraphy. Her work can be found in the Harrison Calligraphy Collection at the San Francisco Public Library.
- INVITATION DESIGN for BEGINNERS
Norma Fong Chan, instructor
Four Tuesday evenings, 6:30–9:00 p.m.
November 4–25, 2008
$80.00 (FOC members: $75.00)“Now that I know how to write this script, what do I do with it?” is a common question among beginning calligraphers. The world of design awaits you! Come to this class and explore simple design techniques to create beautiful invitations, cards and quotes. Whether you want a formal, elegant feeling or something casual and fun, the basics of invitation design will allow you to create whatever the occasion calls for.
All levels of lettering experience are welcome.SUPPLIES: Basic Supplies* and a 14” x 17” pad layout bond paper, and a 8.5” x 11” pad of blue line grid paper (8 x 8 to the inch)
Norma Fong Chan lives in San Francisco and has been an enthusiastic calligraphy teacher, business owner and freelancer for nearly eighteen years. She has shared her love for the art with many organizations, including Pacifica and Daly City Park and Recreation Centers, Learning Annex, Waldorf School, and City College/Fort Mason Continuing Education. She presently teaches at The Paper Source in San Francisco.
SAN FRANCISCO:
- Claude Dieterich A. • Call 415.345.1773.
Classes for beginners and intermediates. - Ward Dunham & Linnea Lundquist • 415.864.2928.
Black Sabbath! Ongoing classes in the blackletter hands. Classes held once a month on Saturday mornings from 10 am to 1 pm at Atelier Gargoyle in San Francisco. All levels welcome. Send an email to info@AtelierGargoyle.com - Thomas Ingmire • Call 415.673.4938.
International Calligraphy Correspondence Program. Classes at all levels.
CPA-HO, 1040A Filbert Street, San Francisco, CA 94133.
EAST BAY:
- Mel Ahlborn • Call 925.631.1387
Formal instruction - Erma Takeda • Call 925.284.7368
- Carla Tenret • Call 510.526.1214
Year round classes at Albany Adult School - Holly Ynostroza • 510.655.7591
Private classes; Adult Program, Orinda Community Center
SONOMA COUNTY:
- Chris K. Foster • Call 916.797.0232
Ongoing classes in Beginning Italic continuing to Roman Capitals. - Sherrie Lovler • Call 707.528.1723.
Calligraphic Book Hand for Book Artists. - Melissa Titone • Call 707. 573.3810
Ongoing classes and private lessons in Santa Rosa.
MARIN COUNTY:
- JoAnn Burchfiel • Call 415.924.2625
- Patti Cooke • Call 415.461.2533
- Debby Turrietta • Call 415.892.0139
MENDOCINO:
- Judy Detrick • Call 707.964.9276
Ongoing classes at all levels.
SOUTH BAY:
- Melissa Dinwiddie • Call 650.938.3939 or info@mddesignworks.com
Calligraphy, book arts, and illumination - Sara Loesch Frank • Call 408.446.3397 or frankfam@jps.net
Ongoing calligraphy classes for beginners and intermediates. - Marian Gault • Call 408.395.8026 or mariansg@aol.com
Calligraphy classes at South Side Community Center - Ann Thompson • Call 408.378.6965
MONTEREY/CARMEL:
- Debra Ferreboeuf • Call 831.659.4311
RENO/TAHOE:
- Carol Pallesen • 775.329.6983
Ongoing classes in calligraphy and book arts
NEW MEXICO:
- Kazuaki Tanahashi • 505.986.8518 or upaya@upaya.org
Courses at the Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe
ONLINE:
- Ann Miller • 650.558.8270
Calligraphy and Letterform. Accredited Online course through San Francisco Academy of Art University
Friends of Calligraphy
P.O. Box 425194
San Francisco, California 94142-5194
President, Susie Taylor • Vice President, Georgianna Greenwood • Treasurer, Meredith Klein • Secretary, Jerry Lehman
Council: Armand Anguiano, Megan Lucas, Elizabeth Nisperos, Sandy Sanches, Megan Thompson
Alphabet Editor: Judy Detrick
FOC logo by Susie Taylor. © 2003–2007 Friends of Calligraphy. All rights reserved. Contact webwriter: Judy Detrick