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Learning the Art of Calligraphy
The Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto offers courses featuring local, regional and international instructors primarily at our studio facilities at Neilson Park Creative Centre. Open to youth and adults, CAGT members have registration priority; non-members pay a small additional cost.
Interested in modern or traditional calligraphy? Learning scripts using tools such as the broad edge pen, pointed pen, brush, marker? Art techniques from illumination, book and paper arts? Individual course information details will help ensure the best fit for your skill level and interest.
Workshop
workshop with Heather Held
Date: September 27, 2025 from 10 am to 4 pm.
Location: Neilson Park Creative Centre
56 Neilson Drive
Etobicoke, Ontario
Studio A2
Course Description
TBA
Workshop
Pointed Pen basics with StarLee Lively Odorico
Date: September 20, 2025 from 1 pm to 3 pm
Location: Neilson Park Creative Centre
56 Neilson Drive
Etobicoke, Ontario
Studio A2
Course Description
TBA
Course
Blackletter Study with Mark Lurz
Date: September 18, 25; October 2, 16, 23, 30 from 7 pm to 9 pm
Location: Neilson Park Creative Centre
56 Neilson Drive
Etobicoke, Ontario
Studio A2
Course Description
TBA
Course
Italic: Then and now with Lee thureson
Date: May 25, 2025 from 10 am - 4 pm (with 1/2 hour break for lunch)
Bring a lunch and snacks!
Location: Neilson Park Creative Centre
56 Neilson Drive
Etobicoke, Ontario
Studio A2
Course Description
'Italic', is derived as having been from Italy, and chancery was an officiant's office. Slanting of letters was a natural evolvement for business, as it was quicker, and more space efficient.
This class explores its historical beauty, and the ways it has become flourished over the years.
Materials
Grid or other paper for layout • Pelican 4001 Black ink •. Pelican Parallel Pen (2.4) • Mitchell Broad Nib #2 • envelope
Some supplies will be available for purchase
Instructor Bio
Lee Thureson has been a graphic designer in the printing industry for over close to 30 years, and a calligrapher many of those. With a love for the historical development of the western hands, she involves her students on a little historical walkthrough.
Workshop Fee: CAGT Members $95.00 Non-members $110.00
Questions: cagtprograms@gmail.com
Workshop
Inverse Lettering with Michele Nidenoff
Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025 from 10 am - 4 pm (with 1/2 hour break for lunch)
Bring a lunch and snacks!
Location: Neilson Park Creative Centre
56 Neilson Drive
Etobicoke, Ontario
Studio A2
Course Description
These inverse letters are drawn, beginning with a monoline alphabet based on “Amen” designed by Corita Kent, with added width and a slight flare on the ends of strokes and very little inter-linear space. The letters are the paper and the negative space around them is filled in. We will be using coloured pencil and watercolour to do this, and gold or other metallic paint.
Materials
Grid or other paper for layout • Tracing paper • Several sheets of watercolour paper • Black or other dark paper • Coloured pencils, including metallic if you have them • Palette, water container • A few tubes of watercolour • Paper towel
Several small watercolour brushes • Pencil, ruler, eraser • Gold or other metallic gouache or watercolour if you have it • Fine black marker
Some watercolours and coloured pencils will be available to use in class. Tracing paper, black paper, and watercolour paper will be available for purchase at the workshop at $.50 per sheet for tracing paper, $1.00 per sheet for black paper and watercolour paper. Exact change would be appreciated.
Instructor Bio
Michele Nidenoff is a freelance illustrator and calligrapher. She has been teaching calligraphy to students ranging in age from children to seniors since 1990. Michele also teaches drawing and watercolour and is a longtime member of CAGT. https://michelenidenoff.com
Workshop Fee: CAGT Members $95.00 Non-members $110.00
Questions: cagtprograms@gmail.com
Workshop
Willow: A MONOLINE CLASSIC with Lily Yee-SLOAN
Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 9:30am-4pm (with 1/2 hour break for lunch)
at Neilson Park Creative Centre
56 Neilson Drive, Etobicoke, Studio A2
Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928), a Scottish architect, designer, and painter introduced his distinctive lettering during the art nouveau period. The letters first appeared in the captions on his architectural plans. Subsequently, a number of font designers based their typefaces on his handwritten letters.
I adapted Mackintosh’s hand for a commission, and called it Willow (after his Willow Tea Room designs). It is taught as a hand drawn monoline style and can be stacked for texture and tinted to mimic his famous stained glass.
Whether you’re new to calligraphy or want to polish tarnished skills, the Willow hand will ease you into drawing letters with confidence while sharpening your critical eye to notice shape and line quality.
Novice and skilled calligraphers will pick up studio tips while designing a composition using their new-found letters.
Enrolment Limit: 18
WORKSHOP FEE
Members: $100
Non-Members: $115
To register, complete the registration form. Payments can be made by cash, cheque, or e-transfer. Please read the registration form for payment details.
Questions: cagtprograms@gmail.com