About

The Colorado Calligraphers’ Guild was formed to promote the study, practice and appreciation of calligraphy in all its historical and present day applications, to encourage individual excellence and foster a deeper understanding of calligraphy.

A non-profit organization, the Guild elects officers and holds regular meetings to conduct its business.

Published periodically, the guild’s Newsletter contains articles of interest to local calligraphers, scholarly articles, book reviews and current information on classes, meetings and related events. See the current newsletter here

Each year the Guild sponsors two or three major workshops.  One or two days in length, the workshops are taught by well-known calligraphers.

Mini-workshops or programs are held several times a year.  These two to four-hour workshops utilize the talents and knowledge of Guild members and other local experts in calligraphy, the book arts, and related subjects.  These workshops are given at low cost to members. See our available workshops here

The Guild sponsors juried and non-juried shows of members’ work.  It also actively encourages local business and institutions to sponsor calligraphy exhibitions.

• All issues of Newsletter
• A certificate of membership designed by James Hayes
• Notice of all workshops and programs sponsored by the guild
• E-mail updates and notices of events of interest in the area for calligraphers and the books arts.

The Colorado Calligraphers’ Guild was founded in 1978 by a small group of enthusiasts including Sandy Marvin who designed the guild’s logo. That fall David Ashley and Margaret Stookesberry joined at a lecture by James Hayes and have been on the board nearly every year since. Mr. Hayes, a noted Chicago calligrapher who retired to Colorado, served as mentor and teacher to the guild for many years.

The first workshop sponsored by the guild was taught by Jaki Svaren in 1979. She also juried the entries for the guild’s first exhibit which took place in Silver Plume.

Through the years, nearly every calligrapher of note has included Denver on their workshop circuit. In the fall of 1985, the guild sponsored an exhibit which combined works by these teachers with a juried member show entitled “Goosequills and Dovetails” at Foothills Art Center. The guild has sponsored an annual open show at Regis University for 26 years.

Members of the guild helped to facilitate the purchase of James Hayes’ important collection of books and art work by the University of Colorado. It is now housed in the rare books room in Boulder. The guild’s own library of books outgrew the librarian’s basement and is part of the Regis University Library collection. The income from a small endowment fund is used to purchase additional books for reference by members.

The guild sponsors workshops by local and nationally known calligraphers and continues to provide resource and inspiration to its members.