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About the
WCG

The Washington Calligraphers Guild is a thriving organization of more than 350 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, calligraphic events (monthly online programs; workshops), and sponsorship of the Graceful Envelope Contest, now in its 30th year.

 WCG Instagram page      WCG Facebook page​ 

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Alphabet Book Workshop with Julie Wildman, via Zoom. 
Fun exploring letterforms and you will create an accordion Alphabet Book with origami-style cover to display your work!
9am-1:30pm ET over two weekends: Jan 25-26 and Feb 1-2.
Register here: https://www.calligraphersguild.org/events-1

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

WCG's December Presentation:

Alphabets and Letters and
Accordion Books, Oh My!
 

with Julie Wildman 

Wed Dec 4, 7-9pm ET via Zoom

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Upcoming Programs & Workshops

  • Dec 18, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    via Zoom
    President Elissa Krieg will lead discussions of Guild goals, financial issues and committee plans.
  • Jan 08, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    via Zoom
    Take your calligraphy to a whole new set of surfaces including glass, metal and stone! Kestrel will demo engraving onto a wine bottle.
  • Jan 25, 2025, 9:00 AM – Jan 26, 2025, 1:30 PM
    via Zoom
    Over two weekends each participant will produce a book housing an alphabet of your own creation. Each participant will then either design a cohesive alphabet OR create a different style for each letter. Finally, we’ll assemble an elegantly designed accordion-fold book with an origami-type cover.
  • Feb 01, 2025, 9:00 AM – Feb 02, 2025, 1:30 PM
    via Zoom
    Over two weekends each participant will produce a book housing an alphabet of your own creation. Each participant will then either design a cohesive alphabet OR create a different style for each letter. Finally, we’ll assemble an elegantly designed accordion-fold book with an origami-type cover.
  • Mar 28, 2025, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM EDT
    Vienna Art Center, 243 Church St NW, Suite 100 LL, Vienna, VA 22180
    The guild is thrilled to host California-based Nina Tran in person the last Friday in March 2025 for Copperplate Bootcamp. Join us and see firsthand why Nina’s 61,000 (and growing!) Instagram followers love to watch her every stroke!
  • Mar 29, 2025, 9:30 AM EDT – Mar 30, 2025, 4:30 PM EDT
    Vienna Art Center, 243 Church St NW, Suite 100 LL, Vienna, VA 22180 USA
    Saturday & Sunday, March 29-30, 2025,  9:30am - 4:30pm ET, limited to 15 in person at Vienna Art Center and 25 online. Join us and see firsthand why Nina’s 61,000 (and growing!) Instagram followers love to watch her every stroke!
Michael Sull bird

Art:
Michael Sull

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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
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