After our AGM, Valerie teach us how to create a variety of upper case letters and how to use them in combination with lowercase letters. You will experiment with styles and flourishes.
November 21st Meet Up: Script Happens!
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Join us at our November meet up where we’ll explore the rhythmic style of Hans-Joachim Burgert. Whether you’re a total beginner or looking to practice your stroke work with like minded artists, this meetup is all about learning, sharing, and enjoying the art of calligraphy together. We will start by covering some basics, take time to practice and explore techniques, and will then work together to create a finished piece.
Download the PDF flyer: WCS Saturday Meet Up – Nov 21, 2026 (Akim)
Date: Saturday November 21, 2026
Time: 10:30am to 2:30pm
Location: Surrey Public Library – Clayton Branch 7155 187A Street, Surrey BC www.surreylibraries.ca/locations/clayton-branch
Maximum: 20 registrants RSVP is required to attend
Please email us to let us know you’re coming: seminars@westcoastcalligraphy.com
Cost: Free for WCS Members / $10 for returning guests & non-members
Guests and Non-Members: Your first WCS event is complementary!
Contact us at seminars@westcoastcalligraphy.com to ensure we are prepared to welcome you to your complimentary first visit. There will be a nominal fee of $10.00 for non-members to attend subsequent sessions.
Handout (will be sent to participants via email prior to event, please print and bring a copy)
- Basic tool kit: pencils, eraser, ruler, paper towel, water container
- Micron or similar waterproof fine-liners
- Bond practice/working paper or marker paper
Violet Smythe and Valerie Akkerman
WCS Saturday Meetup coordinators
Email to register: seminars@westcoastcalligraphy.com
LAVENDER HAZE – Our 2026 Exhibition Gallery is now online
Thank you to everyone who shared their work for this year’s exhibition!!!
You may view the full gallery here: https://www.westcoastcalligraphy.com/exhibitions/2026-exhibition-lavender-haze/
February 27, 2027 Meeting: Romans and Fun Techniques with Veronica Philips on Zoom
Saturday, February 27th, 2027
Romans and Fun Techniques with Veronica Philips on Zoom
Recorded and available for 60 days to members only
Join us for a journey into creativity, introspection, hand lettering and play. We will work on Arch-es Text Wove and will create spaces and areas to design our own unique art.
We will review and warm up with Casual Romans and variations. Playing with variations of our own handwriting and favourite calligraphic hands and art techniques will be explored. Handouts and supply list will be forwarded closer to the date.
You can see Veronica’s work at https://veronicaphillips.com/ and @azartist.
January 23, 2027 Meeting: Pretty Paisley Letters with Cecilia Boschi on Zoom
Recorded and available for 60 days to members only
In this short program, we will learn about the interesting design possi-bilities offered by a type of paisley decoration that was used in the 16th and 17th century. These decorating elements, that look like a pattern, but are not, are particularly suitable to accompany the elegance of the magnificent Roman Capitals used for monograms and drop caps at the beginning of a sentence or line. We will start with the basic elements and shapes and learn the general rules of a paisley design around a letter, and in compo-sitions for separators or frames. We will then build a paisley design together and go through troubleshooting, tips and tricks of paisley designs.
Supply list and handouts to follow closer to the date.
Cecilia lives in Italy; she graduated in foreign languages but has always held a special interest for visual arts. She started her calligraphy journey in 2013 specifically developing her eye for pointed pen styles. She has been a member of for several years and was awarded the IAMPETH Certificate of Proficiency in Engrossers (part of the new Master Penman Program) in April 2018 . She is the founder at CeciliaB Calligraphy offering her clients wedding and event calligraphy.
Find Cecilia online at Cecilia B Calligraphy and Instagram
October 28, 2026 Meeting: Pointed Pen Mandalas with Wendy Cowley (in person)
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
7:30 pm to 9pm at Peace Church
Join Wendy for this in-person session to learn and practice stroke work to create beautiful Mandalas.
Supplies:
- Pointed pen, ink or gouache, paper that will take your wet medium,
- small water container
- round brush for loading
September 23, 2026 Meeting: Come to the Dark Side! Presented by Violet Smythe and Wendy Cowley
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
7:30 pm to 9pm at Peace Church
In person only – this will not be recorded
A fun session where you will experiment with a variety of mediums on a variety of black papers to create lettered pieces and other sample pieces that have that “wow” factor.
The session will be set up with a number of stations that you will rotate through. All timed, so you will have the chance to try your hand at a number of techniques.
You’ll get to try lettering with odourless gel bleach, working with gouache, gel pens, colour pencils, pastels, metallic paints (water soluble). We will have some dimensional paints on hand and some interesting tools for you to try!
Most of the supplies will be provided; however, there are a few that you will need to have:
- Bring an apron or wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting messed up
- Brushes for gouache and metallic paints (round (4, 5 or 6) or flat (1/2”)
- Broad edge nib and nib holder and a small brush (cheap) for loading ? Folded pen, if you have one
- Pen or pencil and a notepad for taking notes
- Clean empty palette (small 6 well is plenty)