top of page

About the
WCG

The Washington Calligraphers Guild is a thriving organization of more than 400 letter lovers of all skill levels, from professional scribes to enthusiastic beginners and even some non-calligraphers who appreciate the lettering and book arts. Founded in 1976 by internationally known calligrapher Sheila Waters and a group of her students, the Guild is a nonprofit 501c3 organization that promotes all aspects of the lettering arts and related crafts. Membership is open to anyone regardless of calligraphic ability. We are recognized as one of the most active groups in the world, as evidenced by our international membership roster, acclaimed journal Scripsit, and sponsorship of the Graceful Envelope Contest, now in its 28th year. 

​

​

Sheila_Waters_Roundel-of-the-Seasons.jpg

abcxyz by Charlie Hughes, © Washington Calligraphers Guild.
WCG logo and Roundel of the Seasons by Sheila Waters.
 

Stay tuned for our 50th Anniversary in 2026!

​

Graceful Envelope Winners!

Congratulations to the winners of WCG's 2023 Graceful Envelope Contest! The theme, FAN MAIL, asked entrants to design an envelope that would capture the attention of their favorite public figures, living or dead. 

VIEW WINNING ENVELOPES

Upcoming Programs & Workshops

  • Lettering Your Lineage with Holly Monroe
    Lettering Your Lineage with Holly Monroe
    Wed 04 Oct
    RSVP
    Oct 04, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Zoom
    For WCG's October program meeting, Oregon lettering artist Holly Monroe will delight us with Family Trees and Coat of Arms from her repertoire of projects.
  • Pointed Pen with Christen Turney - 4 Week Workshop
    Pointed Pen with Christen Turney - 4 Week Workshop
    Wed 11 Oct
    Multiple Dates
    Buy Tickets
    Oct 11, 7:00 PM – Nov 01, 9:00 PM
    via Zoom
    WCG is excited to have our own Christen Allocco Turney, author of the "Copperplate Calligraphy Practice Book," leading four weekly workshops for anyone wanting to improve and refine their copperplate calligraphy. Workshop Dates: Oct. 11, 7-9pm Oct. 18, 7-9pm Oct. 25, 7-9pm Nov. 1, 7-9pm
  • Pointed Pen with Christen Turney - Week 2
    Pointed Pen with Christen Turney - Week 2
    Wed 18 Oct
    Multiple Dates
    RSVP
    Oct 18, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Zoom
    WCG is excited to have our own Christen Allocco Turney, author of the "Copperplate Calligraphy Practice Book," leading four weekly workshops for anyone wanting to improve and refine their copperplate calligraphy. Workshop Dates: Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1
  • Pointed Pen with Christen Turney - Week 3
    Pointed Pen with Christen Turney - Week 3
    Wed 25 Oct
    Multiple Dates
    RSVP
    Oct 25, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Zoom
    WCG is excited to have our own Christen Allocco Turney, author of the "Copperplate Calligraphy Practice Book," leading four weekly workshops for anyone wanting to improve and refine their copperplate calligraphy. Workshop Dates: Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1
  • Board Meeting
    Board Meeting
    Fri 27 Oct
    Multiple Dates
    Learn more
    Oct 27, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    via Zoom
    President Elissa Krieg will lead discussions of Guild goals, financial issues and committee plans.
  • Pointed Pen with Christen Turney - Week 4
    Pointed Pen with Christen Turney - Week 4
    Wed 01 Nov
    Multiple Dates
    RSVP
    Nov 01, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Zoom
    WCG is excited to have our own Christen Allocco Turney, author of the "Copperplate Calligraphy Practice Book," leading four weekly workshops for anyone wanting to improve and refine their copperplate calligraphy. Workshop Dates: Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1
  • Board Meeting
    Board Meeting
    Wed 15 Nov
    Multiple Dates
    Learn more
    Nov 15, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    via Zoom
    President Elissa Krieg will lead discussions of Guild goals, financial issues and committee plans.
  • Board Meeting
    Board Meeting
    Wed 20 Dec
    Multiple Dates
    Learn more
    Dec 20, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    via Zoom
    President Elissa Krieg will lead discussions of Guild goals, financial issues and committee plans.
  • Board Meeting
    Board Meeting
    Wed 17 Jan
    Multiple Dates
    Learn more
    Jan 17, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    via Zoom
    President Elissa Krieg will lead discussions of Guild goals, financial issues and committee plans.
  • Board Meeting
    Board Meeting
    Wed 21 Feb
    Multiple Dates
    Learn more
    Feb 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    via Zoom
    President Elissa Krieg will lead discussions of Guild goals, financial issues and committee plans.
  • Board Meeting
    Board Meeting
    Wed 20 Mar
    Multiple Dates
    Learn more
    Mar 20, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    via Zoom
    President Elissa Krieg will lead discussions of Guild goals, financial issues and committee plans.
  • Board Meeting
    Board Meeting
    Wed 17 Apr
    Multiple Dates
    Learn more
    Apr 17, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    via Zoom
    President Elissa Krieg will lead discussions of Guild goals, financial issues and committee plans.

Art:
Michael Sull

AnnPope-IlluminatedBorder.jpg

Statement of Purpose

The Washington Calligraphers Guild, Inc., exists to promote the appreciation of calligraphy, its history and applications; to foster a wider understanding of calligraphy as an art and as a science; to conduct studies, to undertake research, and to carry out education programs directed toward these ends.
Writing needs meaning, whereas calligraphy expresses itself above all
through forms and gestures. It elevates the soul and illuminates the feelings.
-Wang Hsi-chih
bottom of page