Introduction to Calligraphy Alphabets: Historic and Modern
A lively hand-lettering weekend with Carol Savage
Saturday: A hands-on comparison of Roman capitals, Uncial, Chancery cursive, and Italic. Using broad-nib dip pens and fountain pens, you will letter your own favorite quotes in each classic alphabet. Before lunch, you may join the monks for Sext, their midday prayer, at 11:45 am.
Sunday: After optional Mass in the Abbey church at 9:00 am, explore the four distinct hands created for The Saint John’s Bible, the first hand-lettered Bible in 500 years and the only one in English. Inspired by the Heritage reproduction volumes at Priory, you will letter short scriptures with a quill and sumi ink.
You will take home several completed pieces along with handouts.
Carol Savage
Professional lettering artist and Head of the St. Louis Calligraphy Guild
Carol Savage balances teaching calligraphy with designing custom art for clients. She holds a master’s degree in teaching studio art, and her business grew out of Chancery Cursive, the hand she learned at Washington University and first used to letter her own wedding invitations. Her calligraphy adventures keep widening: she studies alphabets with master calligraphers and has written on papyrus, birch bark, and traditional animal skins. Her most challenging commission was an original copy of the U.S. Constitution.