by Audrey Anderson
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Masscribes, New England Calligraphy Organization, offered “Letters are Blooming,” an informative and entertaining demonstration and workshop at the Westwood Public Library (WPL) on Saturday, August 17. As part of the workshop, Masscribes also generously donated three lovely calligraphy books they felt were needed to round out the library’s collection.
Led by Masscribes President Diane Desautelle, Vice President Paula Howard, and Treasurer Kathy Lolinger, the workshop introduced participants to different styles of calligraphy. The Masscribes members demonstrated how to use pens, brushes, and ink pots, draw orientation lines on paper, and follow sample letter style sheets to get started with calligraphy. Participants were able to try out the tools to create their own letters.
Each demonstrator worked at her own table, with people observing the process, asking questions about the tools and techniques, and then working on their own calligraphy. Participants moved among the three tables to see demonstrations of the classic pen and ink, brush pen, and modern styles of calligraphy. Each Masscribes demonstator offered suggestions for learning resources and practical information on using and caring for the tools involved.
The books Masscribes donated to the Westwood library included “Written Letters: 33 Alphabets for Caligraphers” by Jacqueline Svaren, “The Art and Craft of Hand Lettering: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration” by Annie Cicale, and “Foundations of Calligraphy” by Sheila Waters.
Masscribes displays their work a few times per year at the Westwood Library in the gallery space, and they also hold exhibitions of their work throughout the area. According to Masscribes’ brochure, previous exhibits have been held at “the Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston, Rhode Island’s South County Center for the Arts, Vintage Books, Newbury College, Mass Bay Community College, other local libraries, and Moose Hill and Broadmoor Audubon Sanctuaries.” The organization maintains a book, magazine, and video collection that is available to members, and holds workshops and spring and fall classes for members and others on particular techniques or calligraphy styles. If you are interested in learning about calligraphy or attending exhibitions, you can find more information about Masscribes at masscribes.org.
