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SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW MEMBERS FOR A LIMITED TIME: 

New members will receive a FREE link to two 2-hour long videos: 

Complete Beginners Intro to Broad-Edge Calligraphy and Complete Beginners Intro to Pointed Pen Calligraphy presented by our guild president, Karen Nordstrom Roberts. The videos cover all the basics for complete beginners: supplies including the recommended nibs, inks, and paper plus basic techniques and calligraphy principals for two of the major styles of calligraphy. This is a great way to start your calligraphy journey or dive into a quick refresher course. CLICK HERE to see  a description of the major calligraphy styles.


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Calligraphy Art Exhibit 

Please Stop By!


Ketchup City Creative

612 Main Street (Sharpsburg)

Pittsburgh PA 15215


May 8th through the 16th


Calligraphic art, from traditional to abstract expressive works, will be on display from 14 members of Calligraphy Guild Pittsburgh at Ketchup City Creative gallery in Sharpsburg. There will be lots of opportunities to visit the gallery for some special events.


PERSONALIZED MOTHER'S DAY CARDS

The first event will give visitors the opportunity to get a personalized Mother’s Day card that will be hand lettered by members of the guild on Saturday, May 9 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Guild will provide hand-made cards and envelopes that will be creatively lettered by a calligrapher to give a personalized message to take home to mom just in time for Mother’s Day.

RECEPTION OPEN TO ALL:  Friday, May 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. Meet the calligraphers and enjoy refreshments.

 TRY YOUR HAND EVENTS

While the gallery has open hours for the exhibit, visitors can give calligraphy a try. Guild members will be on hand to show anyone who is interested how to use a metal dip pen and ink to write beautiful lettering.

Tuesday, May 12  6-8 p.m.

Thursday May 14 6-8 p.m.

Saturday May 16 1-4 p.m.

Gallery also open Wednesday, May 13 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Stop in to see the wonderful calligraphy art by members of the Calligraphy Guild Pittsburgh.



Once Upon a Circle 

April 25-26 - 2-day in-person workshop at CMU

with Suzie Beringer from Bellingham, WA



Circles…….no beginning - no end….looking around us we can see circular designs everywhere. As lettering artists they also provide a way for us to step away from the ‘straight base line’ and create something different - something fresh!

In this workshop we will look at circles differently and how to incorporate circles into our lettering designs and lettering into our circle designs. We will stretch, pull and push the boundaries of what we think is possible in order to create something that is unique!

‘Free Writing’ will be addressed and encouraged - Suzie will walk you through her process and explain why she often uses this form of writing. 

There will be many samples of ideas for you to enjoy and be inspired by.

More information coming soon. Watch your inbox and social media. Registration begins six weeks prior to the workshop.


Save the Dates!




Weathergram by Carol DuBosch


View video of Weathergrams in the Garden

HERE



2025-26 Calligraphy Guild Pittsburgh Events

Save the Dates


We are planning a full year of calligraphy events - classes, play days, workshops. More details and registration information will be announced for each event soon. Most events open 6 weeks in advance.

September 28- Annual meeting & Bullet Journal & Brush Pens Play Day led by Lori Mitchell-Mahon

October 10 & 18 – Opening reception and calligraphy demo at a month-long exhibit at The Artists Hand gallery in Indiana, PA

November 15-16 - Lively Letters, Refreshed! 2-day workshop in-person with Julie Wildman

December 7 – Play Day - Sparkle Season with Karen & Lily – writing with metallics & holiday festivities

January 18 – Play Day - Casual flat-brush script with Andrew Paul

February 8 - Play Day - Watercolor Backgrounds with Teri Geever

March TBD Designing with Neuland - Online multi-week class with Sue Greenseth of Portland, OR

April 25-26 - Once Upon a Circle 2-day in-person workshop with Suzie Beringer of Bellingham, WA

May 17 – Play Day - Organization for the Creative Person with Anne Semmler







Upcoming events

    • May 15, 2026
    • 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • 612 Main Street, Pittsburgh PA 15215



    Calligraphy Guild Pittsburgh Exhibit

    Starts May 9


    Hand-lettering will be making a big splash in Sharpsburg the week of May 9 to 16 at Ketchup City Creative at 612 Main Street.

    Calligraphic art from traditional to abstract expressive works will be on display from 12 members of Calligraphy Guild Pittsburgh.

    The exhibit will be on view from May 9 to May 16, 2026


    *  *  *  *  *  

    Reception Open to All will be held on Friday, May 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. You can meet the calligraphers and enjoy delightful refreshments. We encourage all members and friends to come up to say hello and see some new calligraphy art pieces.

    *  *  *  *  *  

    Outreach Activities at the gallery will include:

    • Saturday, May 9, 1 to 4 p.m. - Mother's Day cards will be personalized for visitors who want to take a card home to Mom
    • Tues. May 12 & Thurs. May 14, 6 to 8 p.m., and Sat. May 16, 1-4 p.m. - Try Your Hand at Calligraphy - Anyone interested can try their hand a calligraphy using a metal dip pen and ink. Calligraphers will be on hand to guide visitors.

    The calligraphy exhibit will be open: during the Open Reception, Mother's Day card event, and Try Your Hand at Calligraphy events.

    No RSVP is necessary.


    • May 17, 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Karen Nordstrom Robert's Home in Fox Chapel
    • 7
    Register


    Organizing for the Creative Person

    with CGP Supply Exchange!


    Leonardo da Vinci's Studio

    Photo: Anne Semmler / Leonardo da Vinci's studio at Le Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise, France

    Join us at the CGP Play Day on May 17, 1-4 PM! Anne Semmler will present ideas on how to give your creative space some love and reorganization. We will also have a tour of Karen Nordstrom Roberts' home studio as well as a members' Supply Exchange!

    We will look at practical ideas to reduce clutter and plan projects, not only with physical solutions but also a highly adaptable "kanban" process for creative workflow. We will discuss ideas for how others have organized their spaces, no matter what size, so bring your suggestions! We will compile everyone's tips and send a summary and resources to all attendees after the meeting.

    • Karen's address will be sent to those who register.
    • This is a members-only event. Non-members are welcome to join the guild to attend, with their payment applied to membership dues for the 2026/27 year.
    • The event is free, but your RSVP is required to secure your spot. Attendance is limited.

    Supplies

    • Notebook & Pen, if you would like to take notes
    • If you have items to bring for a Supply Exchange, please bring in a small container or box. We will have bags if needed to take new treasures home.


    About Our Hosts:

    Anne Semmler is a CGP member and candidate for the Phipps Botanical Illustration Certificate. She owns (and organizes) more fun art supplies than she would like to admit, and has recently taught several classes at Osher Lifelong Learning at Carnegie Mellon University, including one on the history of notebooks and thinking on paper. 

    Karen's Studio: Before & After Organization

    Karen is a self-described Clutter Bug with 30 years of calligraphy supplies, paper, completed and partially completed work. She'll give a tour of her studio and describe what organizing strategies have worked for her but admits that any system is only as good as you are committed to following it. The easier the system, the better!

    Parking Information

    There will be plenty of street parking available in front of Karen's home. 

Past events

April 26, 2026 Ketchup City Creative Exhibit - Register by April 24, 2026
April 25, 2026 Once Upon a Circle
March 05, 2026 Design with Neuland
February 08, 2026 Watercolor Backgrounds
January 18, 2026 Sign Painter Casual Lettering
November 15, 2025 Lively Letters - Refreshed! with Julie Wildman
October 10, 2025 Calligraphy Exhibit Indiana PA
September 28, 2025 CGP - 2025 Annual Meeting & Play Day
September 28, 2025 Indiana Exhibit Submissions - Register by 9/15/25
May 18, 2025 Free Play Day - Fun with Flourishing
April 26, 2025 Breaking The Rules with Mike Gold
March 23, 2025 Play Day - Aleph Book
February 15, 2025 Calligraphy Rhythm & A Spark of Gold
January 12, 2025 Free Play Day - Monogram Design
December 08, 2024 Play Day - Decorating Names
November 02, 2024 Folded Pen Adventures with Carol DuBosch
October 06, 2024 Play Day: Make a Folded Pen
September 08, 2024 Annual Meeting 2024
June 02, 2024 Play Day: Cut-and-Paste
May 04, 2024 Pointed Pen Uncial with Mike Kecseg
April 06, 2024 Lively Lettering with an Irish Flair
April 05, 2024 The Book of Kells: Its History and Beauty, Friday Evening Lecture
January 09, 2024 Introduction to Uncial
December 03, 2023 Complete Beginner Intro to Broad-Edge Calligraphy
November 12, 2023 Judy Melvin Studio Visit (Full)
November 04, 2023 Monroeville Library reception
October 27, 2023 Monroeville Library Guild Exhibit
October 22, 2023 CGP Work / Playday
October 22, 2023 Exhibit Submissions - Register by 10/22/23
October 09, 2023 Nina Tran, Copperplate Intensive
October 07, 2023 Nina Tran, Copperplate Bootcamp
September 17, 2023 Annual Meeting
September 15, 2023 Complete Beginner Intro to Pointed Pen
August 06, 2023 Board Meeting
May 06, 2023 Mike Kecseg, Pointed Pen Blackletter (register by 4/28)
April 28, 2023 Mike Kecseg, Pointed Pen Blackletter registration due 4/28
April 08, 2023 Test Meeting
March 26, 2023 Test Class
March 25, 2023 Test Play Day
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