If you have an interest in the art of lettering and paper arts, The Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto (CAGT) welcomes you. Membership is open to all, regardless of calligraphic ability. Our aim is to provide opportunities for the study of calligraphy, to foster a spirit of cooperation and sharing of ideas and techniques and to encourage public awareness of fine lettering as both craft and art.

The Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto is a non-profit organization, run by volunteers. Funds generated from membership, workshops and special events are used to further the goals of the Guild and its members.

The Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto (CAGT) is celebrating its 35th Anniversary in 2010!

CAGT....The Guild's Origins

In 1974, Alf Ebsen, a freelance lettering artist, taught calligraphy classes at Castlefrank High School in downtown Toronto . The classes grew as students were attracted by word of mouth, inquiries made in art stores and as a result of seeing the work of Mr. Ebsen or his students. The classes were not large - calligraphy had not yet caught the public's imagination. Over the course of time, a small group became so involved with letters, that, with Mr. Ebsen's aid, they formed a special interest group to pursue this discipline in greater depth.

The group was incorporated in 1975 as The Handwriters Guild of Toronto. The members wanted a method of teaching students not trained in graphic arts. They set about developing a system of teaching letter-shapes made with a broad-edged pen. It was hoped that this system would one day be taught in elementary schools. Teaching was a primary focus of interest: spreading the word and the method. Members of the group assisted Mr. Ebsen in weekend workshops, and soon began to teach classes at community colleges, night schools, and in private sessions. This was the beginning of the growth in calligraphic interest and activity which has continued to this day.

Over time, the guild's members embraced many disciplines related to calligraphy, such as a wide variety of historical and contemporary alphabets, design principles, book-binding, paper-making, marbling, guilding, embossing, printing, and business management for the freelance artist. A change of name in 1985 to The Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto was made to reflect the widening range of these interests.

All levels of skill are represented by the guild's membership. Many members teach evening classes and community college programs, some members earn their living as calligraphers, and for others, calligraphy is a valued hobby. The guild is able to draw on the abilities and talents of many people within the group as well as attracting world famous calligraphers and artists to teach at workshops and lecture at meetings.

In 1999, the guild moved its home to Neilson Park Creative Centre in Etobicoke Calligraphic artists have been active volunteers as one of the six resident groups of the centre. Join us in celebrating 10 years at Neilson Park in 2010!

Membership

CAGT membership fee is $100 paid directly to Neilson Park Creative Centre on a joint application form. A $75 portion of your fee is retained by NPCC to cover our resident membership fees. Member benefits include: discount on guild and NPCC workshop fees and Exhibitions, ‘Scribblet and ‘Artists In The Park’ newsletters and an opportunity to link your art related website to NPCC members’ web page.

For those that live outside a radius of 10km from Neilson Park , you may add your name to our emailing list for notification of upcoming guild activities and workshops. For CAGT membership inquiries contact: Marilyn Kronis marilyn.kronis@yahoo.ca

CAGT Meetings

Our programs often feature respected local and international speakers or member led presentations: topics include lettering styles, techniques, materials and tools, history, reproduction techniques and design (traditional, contemporary and electronic). Our extensive library collection allows members to borrow books, magazines, CD’s, slides and videos.

Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at Neilson Park Creative Centre, 56 Neilson Drive , Etobicoke at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments, social and library access start at 7:00 p.m.

April 8, 2010: Uncial and Variations (Michele Nidendoff)
May 13, 2010: Calligraphic Celebrities
June 10, 2010: Treasure Trove

CAGT offers a number of calligraphy courses for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced level. Upcoming calligraphy courses include:

An eight week course by Mark Lurz
Thursday evenings from 7:00 - 9:30 pm
please note that classes are not every week

This course will be of interest to the established calligrapher as well as to the beginner, who has some experience with pen and ink. You are encouraged to concentrate on one of the scripts while being introduced to all five major Gothic styles. Should you not have fun learning the distinct pen strokes of these exacting letters, you will certainly find the history, the medieval background and the design applications of the scripts very interesting. Beside lower case letters we will learn different capital initials and their embellishments. As a practical application we will deisgn a simple greeting card and develop a personal logo.

Mitchel nib 1,5 or equivalent pen, ink and 5 mm graph paper.
All materials can be purchased in class (Cost: Between $15 and $20).

Sunday Scribes is open to like-minded artists - calligraphy experience is not essential.

The program is brought to you through the support of the Adrienne Arvidson Art Fund (AAAF) in the spirit of the promotion of the calligraphic arts and artistic creativity.

Adrienne’s love of lettering, innovative tools and acquiring new skills is the inspiration behind bringing people together to share in an afternoon of camaraderie. Ann O’Shea and Susan Mentis are hosts with participation by guest instructors and you. Our aim is to utilize tools, techniques and materials to inspire and ignite a passion for creative output.

The mini themed sessions are planned to explore a range of artistic disciplines starting from the paper arts, touching the lettering arts and then soaring beyond.

To feed the artist’s soul and senses, a tea delight with treats by our famous resident culinary experts will refresh your spirit.

CAGT Exhibits

‘Letter’ is an exhibition of members present and past in celebration of the Guild’s 35 years as a prominent North American Calligraphy Guild.

Neilson Park Creative Centre Gallery May 11 – May 30, 2010

Reception: Sunday, May 30th from 1:30 to 3:30 . Exhibitors, past CAGT members, friends and family welcome!

CAGT Photo Album

Guild Executive 2009 - 2010

For more information on the Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto please contact: Marilyn Kronis, 416-233-3488, marilyn.kronis@yahoo.ca