The Calligraphers' Guild of Northeastern Pennsylvania was founded in 1980 by five founding members: Melissa Conway Luther, Sheila Cutler, Rev. James Doyle, Eleanor Kraemer, and Margaret Towne. Charter members from 1980 also include four current members. Presently, our guild includes individuals from local counties of Lackawanna, Wayne, Monroe, Susquehanna, and Luzerne, the city of Scranton, the Poconos as well as other cities and states--expanding each year. 

     

Membership in the guild is open to all persons who share the love of beautiful writing.  It is ably led by its executive board of officers which includes committee chairs. All members are urged to participate in board meetings, general meetings and to invite friends.

 

Goals of the Guild

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• Promote the study and practice of calligraphy

• Encourage individual excellence

• Nurture appreciation for the history and application of calligraphy/letter arts within our guild and community

 

Activities/Services to Achieve Goals:

 

Board meetings to plan and set direction 

 

General meetings offered free to members/friends held on Saturday mornings 

 

*Workshops held on Saturdays at Marywood University.

        Half day/full day workshops—offered for a fee, look in-depth at one script, skill or enhancement and are suitable for both beginner and experienced calligraphers.Representative topics covered:  Calligraphic scripts—familiar and unique; formal and fun

Layout & Design, Bookmaking, Color, Embossing, Marbling, Card-making, Celtic Arts, Circle Calligraphy

Pen & Brush Techniques, Papermaking/Paste Paper, Printmaking

Pen Illustrations, Illumination, Stamping, Gilding, Refining Your Choice of Calligraphic Hand

 

Presentations and Exchanges

 

Information sharing from national conferences

 

The 'agony and the ecstasy' of achieving a finished piece

Serendipity (mini-demos of scripts, techniques, tools, design, enhancements) 

Demonstrations, lectures, slides, videos, sharing of ideas

Sharing of members’ talents and skills

Round Robin, birthday cards, bookmarks 

                Group Projects:  Calendar, Theme Booklets, Challenge!

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*Workshop facilitators/presenters are selected from our guild as well as those with international renown.   

 

Accomplishments

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Annual Guild member exhibits held in various locations to educate nearby communities.  All members are encouraged to participate.

Two newsletters a year published with upcoming calendar of activities/events and detailed reviews of general sessions/workshops. Other topics covered:  exploring ideas of general interest, reviews from Cyberscribes, and honoring members.

Lending library of varied books, references and related items

 

Technology

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Zoom meetings are utilized periodically for planning sessions, board meetings and project sharing.  Our membership is            

       geographically diverse and this platform allows members access to programs offered when unable to attend in person.

Facebook and Instagram pages are The Guild’s online presence for sharing information, projects/works appreciation and attracting new members.

 

Membership

           Prospective new members may contact the Guild via social media pages.

           Facebook-Calligraphers’ Guild of Northeastern Pennsylvania or Instagram-Calligraphers’ Guild of NEPA 

           Annual dues are $20.00.