An Exclusive Two-Day Workshop at MacGregor Downs Country Club
May 17-18, 2025 | Only 30 Seats Available
We’re thrilled to announce an extraordinary opportunity to learn from one of today’s most talented traditional lettering artists. Skyler Chubak, renowned member of the “International Association of Masterpenman, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting” {IAMPETH), will be conducting an immersive two-day workshop on Layout and Lettering at the elegant MacGregor Downs Country Club.
What You’ll Experience:
Master fundamental and advanced layout principles
Learn traditional lettering techniques from a globally recognized expert
Receive personalized guidance in an intimate setting
Network with fellow lettering enthusiasts
Take home new skills to elevate your artistic practice
Skyler’s unique approach combines classical techniques from turn-of-the-century masters with contemporary applications. His workshops are known for their detailed instruction, hands-on practice, and Skyler’s personalized attention to each participant’s development.
Workshop Details:
Dates: Friday, May 17 & Saturday, May 18, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (both days)
Location: MacGregor Downs Country Club
Investment: $250 (includes lunch and light refreshments)
Capacity: Limited to just 30 participants for an optimal learning experience
Early registration is strongly recommended as Skyler’s workshops consistently sell out. Reserve your spot today to avoid disappointment.
To make an online payment: click here for Paypal registration
If you have any questions about this exclusive workshop, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [contact email).
   
Master Lettering Artist
Skyler Chubak is an exceptionally talented lettering artist based in Salt Lake City whose artistic vision bridges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary sensibilities. While his heavily tattooed appearance and penchant for eclectic fashion might suggest a purely modern aesthetic, Chubak’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in classical techniques and traditional methodologies.
Despite his youth, Chubak’s dedication to his craft spans many years, beginning with his initial explorations of calligraphy during his high school years. His commitment to mastering traditional letterforms has been unwavering since these early beginnings.
Since 2012, Chubak has been an integral and distinctive member of IAMPETH (The International Association of Masterpenman, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting). His talent was formally recognized in 2013 when he received a scholarship to attend the IAMPETH convention in Albuquerque—a pivotal experience that connected him with master calligraphers and educators who became instrumental in his artistic development.
Chubak’s work draws profound inspiration from turn-of-the-century artisans: penmen, engrossers, glass gilders, embossers, sign writers, engravers, letterhead designers, and letter carvers. While honoring these traditional influences, he infuses his creations with a distinctive personal touch. His artistic journey has involved global travel—both to learn from the most accomplished practitioners in these specialized fields and to share his knowledge through teaching.
As an artist, Chubak remains focused on two complementary ambitions: achieving mastery in traditional lettering across diverse applications and passing these valuable skills to the next generation of lettering artists. Through this dual commitment to excellence and education, he ensures that these time-honored techniques will continue to evolve and flourish in contemporary artistic contexts.
Foundational, with Tamara Stoneburner
Embark on a transformative journey into the world of elegant strokes and artistic expression with Tamara Stoneburner’s two day Workshop on Foundational calligraphy.
Edward Johnston, the father of modern calligraphy, introduced Foundational calligraphy in the early 20th century. This influential style has become essential for diverse purposes, from everyday items to contemporary typefaces.
Meeting Details
Dates: March 16 & 17
Times: 10am – 6pm
Location: MacGregor Downs Country Club, 430 St. Andrew Lane, Cary, NC 27511
Fee: $150 Members, $180 Non Members
To make an online payment: click here for Paypal registration
Meet Your Instructor
Tamara Stoneburner, professional calligrapher and owner of Gracestone Calligraphics since 1997, specializes in diverse fine art commissions. Her work spans weddings, anniversaries, awards, certificates, family tree charts, and more. Tamara has been mentored by Sheila Waters, the founder of the Washington Calligraphy Guild, for the past 15 years. Beyond her artistic pursuits, she enjoys teaching calligraphy and graphic design for various groups, including IAMPETH, and has a keen interest in arboreal gardening and physics. Explore her portfolio at gracestone.com
Roman Lettering, with Don King
We are privileged to welcome Don King, our instructor for the October program and workshop. Don is a local calligrapher and Past-President of the Triangle Calligraphers Guild.
Don will lead us through a one-day workshop focused on Roman lettering, both majuscules and minuscules.
The morning session will be free to all Guild members. The afternoon workshop will cost $40, payable by cash or check ($45 by Paypal). See Registration section below for Paypal payment info.
Morning Session
1.5 hours – Basic characteristics of the minuscule letters. Following a brief demo/ talk, the students will begin writing the minuscules using a 2mm pen and an observe-and-repeat worksheet.
1 hour – Characteristics of the majuscules. After a brief demo/talk the students will use a observe-and-repeat worksheet to practice the majuscule letters.
Lunch Break
Afternoon Workshop
40 minutes – Demo/talk on pen sharpening, Mr. King’s Higgins ink formula, using gouache, razor correction technique, use of sandarac and writing with a base line only.
1.4 hours – The students will write their own words, first on pre-lined (base line only) practice paper, then on pre-lined good-quality paper to be provided.
Supplies
The use of dip pens and ink will be encouraged, but the students’ choice of 2mm broad edged instrument is OK.
Morning Session
- Each student’s usual working kit, plus:
- A 2mm pen: Brause 2mm, Tape 2mm or Speedball #C3 (I will have 2mm Tapes for $1 each) OR student’s choice of 2mm tool
- A brush for mixing and pen filling (#6 round watercolor – the cheapest available) I like the NB-38 Silverado or Princeton Brush Co., but any will do
- Black ink – preferably Higgins Eternal
- Water container, for pen cleaning
- Slanted board: preferable for any writing, but necessary to control ink flow when using pen & ink
- Artist’s or masking tape
- A pen/brush rest
- A pillow, for elevation mainly, but for comfort too
Afternoon Session
- Each student’s usual working kit, plus the morning list, plus:
- Black gouache + a favorite color if you wish
- Two water cans, for washing then rinsing pens & brush
- A pallet for mixing colors, if you wish
- Two or three favorite poems or prose, each about 20-30 words
 Meet Your Instructor
A fixture in the North Carolina calligraphic community for over 40 years, Don King took up writing after a long career as an Army Special Forces soldier. His hobby became his vocation when, in 1987, he became a full-time calligrapher and lettering artist.
Mr. King is a Past-President of the Triangle Calligrapher’s Guild and life-member. He creates resolutions, certificates, and other engrossed works of all descriptions. You can learn more about his work on his website.
Meeting Details
Date and Time
October 14th, 2023 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, program; with workshop after.
Location
100 W Lochmere Dr, Cary, NC 27518
We meet in the school portion of the church, on the second floor. As you enter the building, the stairs are on the left for those who are able and an elevator is directly ahead and to the left if needed.
Registration
The cost to attend the afternoon workshop is $40.00 by check/cash ($45 by Paypal).
To make an online payment: click here for Paypal registration
Or to send your payment through the mail, send a check to The Triangle Calligraphers Guild, through our treasurer, Luann Bacchi.
Weaver Writing, with Bill Kemp
A one-day workshop on Mar 11th, 2023 – open and free to all TCG members.
This workshop will be from 10 am to 4 pm, on zoom only, and it will be taking the place of the regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
Zoom will be available to log on at 9:45 a.m. Saturday morning. The meeting will be recorded and available in the members portal of the website for 30 days.
Please see student workbook provided by Bill Kemp in the Members’ Downloads section of the website.
Workshop Details
Supply List
- Oblique Pen holder with a stiff nib such as Nikko G
- Smooth, translucent writing paper such as Borden and Riley Marker Layout. Bill will be using Rhodia
- Walnut Ink or smooth flowing ink of your preference
- Printed Guide sheet from the Student Workbook: The Student Workbook is available as a PDF on the Member Downloads section of our website. For learning, sometimes it is helpful to just print several copies of the guide sheets on high quality copy paper. A good choice is HP Premium 32 lb
- Lightbox if you do not print the guide sheets directly on your paper
Class Schedule
10:00-10:15
General welcome
Guild announcements from Robin
Instructions for asking questions and keeping profile muted on Zoom
Introduction of Bill by Kymberly
10:15-12:30
Pointed Pen warm-up exercises
Background/Story/History about Gwen Weaver
General characteristics of the script and beginning instruction on the letter forms
Student Questions – Submitted through the chat feature in Zoom
12:30-1:00
Break for lunch
1:00-3:00
Respond to questions
Finish instruction on letter forms
Discuss how to handle tricky double letters (especially those f, s, g, y ascender and descenders)
Perhaps write a quote together, discuss layout issues
3:00-3:30
General questions
Class work share
About Bill Kemp
A calligrapher for over 40 years, Bill’s great love is the pointed pen, and his hand is truly that of a master! A personal student of the great penmen Bill Lily, Michael Sull, and Mike Kesceg. Bill now teaches nationally and internationally. While a variety of examples of Weaver writing can be found on the internet, Bill worked personally with the late Gwen Weaver and brings us an accurate exemplar of her intended script. A gallery of his work can be viewed at billscalligraphy.com (The above image is taken from Bill’s website). Bill resides in New Mexico where he is active with his local guild, and we are honored to host an instructor of his caliber.
Bill Kemp in Calligraphy Crush magazine article.
Bill Kemp’s website: http://www.billscalligraphy.com/
P.S. This class presumes a comfort level with the oblique pen holder and a pointed pen nib. Bill will not teach the basics of preparing the nib, proper nib angle, or holding a pointed pen. For those who have not used these materials before, please see some instruction sheets provided by Ian Searle, on the tips and tutorials section of our Members Downloads page. This was sourced from the Facebook group Copperplate Script for All. Weaver is written at a different angle, but this will provide the basics for practicing with pointed pen. I highly recommend this Facebook site for a number of instructional ideas and practice files.
– from K.A. and R.G.
Offhand Flourishing Workshop, with David Grimes
A two-day workshop on Feb 4th – 5th, 2022
Offhand Flourishing is an ornamental branch of the pen arts performed with carefree spontaneity and confident movement. The flourishes—often based on penmanship’s intersection with the natural world—are excellent additions to lettering-based calligraphic works, or may stand on their own as specimens of pen art.
See below for registration info and online payment link.
Also see David Grimes’ (masgrimes) self-study program “Offhand Flourishing” on his website.
In this workshop, students will learn:
- The fundamentals of how to hold the straight pen in the offhand position.
- Throwing strokes from the elbow with arm movement.
- Several easy strokes that can be repeated at varying scales to create offhand designs.
- A number of offhand motifs with varying degrees of difficulty such as: a 60-second bird design, simple quills, and strokes for ornamenting text lettering.
Offhand Flourishing requires a modest amount of coordination to produce well, but this workshop will impart some excellent habits that can help any student who does not feel graceful with their pen to develop confidence of movement with time and practice. This workshop is suitable for beginners to the pointed pen.
 
Workshop Details – all events are held at the Cary Art Center
The guild will welcome David at an Artist Reception on Friday February 3rd from 7-9pm. This event is open to the public.
The workshop is available to Guild members only and will be held from 10am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday, February 4th and 5th with an hour lunch break.
Registration
Registration opens December 12th and closes on January 9th
The cost to attend is $175.00.
To make an online payment: click here for Paypal registration
Or to send your payment through the mail, send a check to The Triangle Calligraphers Guild, through our treasurer, Luann Bacchi.
A supply list will be emailed to registered participants in early January.
Please direct any questions to Kymberly Arana.
About David Grimes
David Grimes is an American penman and calligrapher with a zealous interest in penmanship history. His work is deeply rooted in the traditions of the American penmen and engrossers of the 20th century. His aim is to preserve the heritage of American Penmanship, promote innovation among contemporary practitioners, and encourage others to higher levels of accomplishment in the Art of Writing.
 
The Creative Sketchbook for Calligraphers, with Patti Adams
A two-day workshop on Oct 8th – 9th, 2022
Patti Adams will be with us teaching The Creative Sketchbook for Calligraphers in-person for the usual morning session from 10-1 p.m., then continue as an afternoon workshop, 2:00-5:00 p.m., and as an all-day workshop on Sunday the 9th, 9 am – 4pm.
See below for registration info and online payment link.
 Patti Adams’ “The Angel” Patti Adams describes this special workshop:
Creativity is something that requires nourishment. One of my favorite books about creativity is by the great dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp, The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life. There are so many quotes in this book that resonate with me: “In order to be creative you have to know how to prepare to be creative. No one can give you your subject matter, your creative content; if they could, it would be their creation and not yours. But there’s a process that generates creativity – and you can learn it. And you can make it habitual.” In this workshop, my goal is to share with you my creative process; how I have learned to make it a habit in my daily life.
My sketchbooks have always been a safe place for experimentation and reflection. No deadline is involved. There are no expectations – a sketchbook is a place free from pressure – from you or the client! It is a place to store ideas and inspiring visuals, whether it be a painting, a piece of fabric, a flower or a feather. It can be a place to constantly hone your skills, whether it be with a new lettering style or calligraphic hand.
Most importantly, a sketchbook beckons you to come and play – a vitally important part of creativity – making time to make marks on the page. In fact, most of my commissioned artwork begins on the pages of a sketchbook. The seed of an idea takes root there and grows into something I could not have imagined otherwise.
The great Maya Angelou said, “You can’t use creativity up. The more you use it, the more you have.” Our days can be filled with daily, repetitive or mundane tasks (the dishes, the bills, the chores, our work routines…) that can deaden our ability to create, leaving us feeling frustrated and sapped of our creative juices. For me, the best preventative for this is to make time for play in the pages of my sketchbook. In fact, whenever I get in a grumpy funk, my husband will suggest: “Maybe you need to go to the coffee shop with your sketchbook…” LOL! And it always works. I feel rejuvenated and refreshed, even if I only have fifteen minutes to spare in my jam-packed day.
In this workshop, I will lead you through a series of exercises designed to boost your creativity and cultivate inspiration as a calligrapher. I will share with you ways to overcome creative blocks in your work and give you exercises that will jumpstart the habit of creativity.
We will:
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- Explore different color palettes and mediums
- Experiment with collage and a variety of tools to strengthen line and texture in our work
- Create unusual and compelling layout designs with our favorite calligraphic hands
- Play with experimental hand lettering styles
- Discuss ways to find inspiration and how to make time for your daily creative practice
- And much more…
Registration
There is no cost for the morning guild session portion of the workshop. The workshop payment of $150 is for the Saturday afternoon and Sunday full-day sessions. All will be in-person sessions.
To register for the workshop, payment may be made through the Patti Adams’ Creative Sketchbook PayPal link or by sending a check to Triangle Calligraphers’ Guild via Luann Bacchi at 7105 Havenwood Drive, Raleigh, NC. 27616.
Please note, if you are not currently a member and would like to sign up for this workshop, please become a TCG member, see TCG membership PayPal link.
Italic Lettering, with Connie Furgason
A two-part workshop on Saturday, April 9th, 2022
Connie Furgason will be with us teaching Italic Lettering via Zoom for the usual morning session from 10-1 p.m., and an afternoon workshop, 1:30-4:30 p.m., on her Italic Lively Letters and a hint of watercolor work.
Morning Session, Italic Lettering
Our monthly morning meeting, from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. for all members, on Zoom only!
Whether you are starting from the beginning or are very familiar with italic and want to brush up on your skills, you will find what you need in this class. Even as “seasoned” calligraphers we sometimes miss small details which can make or break the elegance of our lettering. We will take basic italic and, with some small nuances, create a gentle dance in your lettering.
Afternoon Workshop Session, Italic Lively Letters
This workshop will be held from 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., on Zoom
Connie will be teaching her dancing Italic with a splash of watercolors on the side. We will take the basic italic alphabet and with variations to different elements of the letters, we will create texture, contrast, as well as adding a “dance” to the alphabet.
Registration
There is no cost for the morning guild session.
The afternoon workshop session is $25.00 per member, and since we are on Zoom, there is an unlimited number of seats available for this class! All interested will be included.
To register for the workshop, payment may be made through the Connie Furgason Workshop Paypal link or by sending a check to Triangle Calligraphers’ Guild via Luann Bacchi at 7105 Havenwood Drive, Raleigh, NC. 27616.
Please note, if you are not currently a member and would like to sign up for this workshop, please become a TCG member, see paypal membership payment.
All students are encouraged to practice from the preliminary exemplars in advance of the class which will help prepare the students for the workshop: handouts at Member Downloads page.
Supply List
Favorite practice pad, pencil, ruler
Favorite Ink: Sumi, Higgins Eternal, Pelikan 4001, walnut… whatever your preference. You may work in gouache if you prefer.
Pen Nib Size: Speedball C1,2 and 3 or equivalent size in another brand. I like the flexibility of the Speedball nibs when doing variations of italic.
About Connie Furgason
Connie Furgason was raised on a farm in southern Alberta where her love of nature and the vastness of the prairie is expressed in her work. Her mother was an accomplished artist, gardener and creative soul.
She grew up with the scent of turpentine as her mother painted long into the night after she and her three brothers were asleep. Those influences sent Connie in many artistic directions. She started teaching calligraphy and related arts in 1982. Connie travels across Canada and the US teaching for guilds, private studios and has been part of the faculty at several international lettering arts conferences.
Connie loves the written word and uses her own text in her work expressing it through a variety of different mediums including watercolour, acrylic and mixed media. Her work has been published by art distribution companies and her originals have found many lovely new homes in Canada and the US.
She loves sharing a variety of art techniques with students of all levels and seeing the joy experienced as they discover their own artist within. She loves the prairie, the mountains, the ocean and especially the gift of her four children and four grandchildren. Currently, she lives in Lethbridge, Alberta Canada, just 45 minutes from the Rocky Mountains, with her husband Kevin (another creative soul).”
“Find joy daily in the simple offerings…in the splendour of nature, cherished moments with family and friends and the enchanted pathways waiting to be discovered as art exploration expands our view of what lies at our feet. Words by Connie
Copperplate Flourishing, with Pat Blair
A two-day weekend workshop: Sat and Sun, Nov 13th and 14th, 2021
The Triangle Calligraphy guild is pleased to welcome Pat Blair for an in-person workshop on November 13th and 14th.
Pat served for 12 years as the Chief Calligrapher at the White House, past president of the Washington Calligrapher Guild and chairperson of the Graceful Envelope contest.
She has taught at over ten international conferences and has been awarded the title Master Penman by IAMPETH.
Pat will be teaching fundamental flourishing strokes to the whole guild during our normal meeting time, Saturday morning, November 13th.
Members will leave knowing how to add flourished elements to their work and complete a decorative piece in class.
For those who wish to learn how to flourish Copperplate, a workshop will continue through the afternoon from 2-5 at the church and all day Sunday from 9-4 at the Hampton Inn near PNC Arena.
Pat will be teaching multiple ascender and descender flourishes, flourished entry and exit strokes as well as modified capitals. You will leave the workshop with a finished, flourished quote of your choice. A working knowledge of Copperplate or another pointed pen script is needed to enjoy this workshop.
When and Where
Saturday, Nov 13: Resurrection Lutheran Church: 2 -5 pm
Sunday, Nov 14: Hampton Inn near PNC Arena: 9 – 4 pm
Registration
Registration for guild members is open through Sept 31st, non-guild members may register beginning October 1st. Registration will close on October 25th. An email detailing workshop logistics and supplies will be sent to participants once registration closes. Feel free to send any questions about the workshop to Kymberly Arana at 919-244-1084 or gfarana@msn.com.
There is no cost for the morning guild session. The workshop cost is $125.00 and is limited to 16 participants so Pat is able to give individualized feedback.
To register for the workshop, payment may be made through this Paypal link or by sending a check to Luann Bacchi.
Copperplate Workshop with Rachel Yallop
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The workshop will be held on Zoom, Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7, 2021. It will start at 9am EST each day and last approximately three hours each day.
Rachel will teach her own beautiful style of copperplate, starting with a more formal hand and moving into lots of variations.
The cost of the workshop is $60 USD for TCG members, $90 for non-members.
NOTE: A recording will be available to participants for one month after the workshop.
REGISTER: Registration is now closed.
SUPPLY LIST:
- Pointed nib. I use Gillott 303 or Hunt 101 nibs. (Whatever pointed nib you are comfortable with)
- Pen holder – straight, or angled/oblique if preferred.
- Free-flowing ink or gouache. I use Pelikan 4001 and Schmincke calligraphy gouache. (Again, whatever you are comfortable with – red & black if you want to use Rachel’s favorite color scheme )
- Paper: I use marker or layout paper. Rhodia is particularly good. ( You need a good smooth paper that won’t bleed)
To learn more about Rachel Yallop, visit her website Rachel Yallop, or follow Rachel Yallop on Instagram .
Samples of Rachel Yallop’s copperplate variations:
by Catherine Langsdorf
Saturday, October 24, 2020, 9:50am – 1:45pm
or Sunday, October 25, 2020, 9:50am – 1:45pm
A Zoom workshop to explore Calligraphic Flourishes and Decorative Florals
Learn how to use a modern, pointed brush marker and artist fineliner pens to build up floral designs. Learning how to use and exploit the flexibility of a pointed brush on botanical embellishments will train the calligrapher’s hand for various alphabets. These details can be used in journals, cards, envelopes, and frame-able art. These skills will give you an understanding of important calligraphic skills.
All levels welcome. The Zoomshop version will have three components, with students working along with the instructor to complete two projects.
We will begin at 9:50am and end by 1:45pm, with a short morning break and a longer lunch break.
Catherine Langsdorf is an accomplished and active calligrapher and teacher. You can find out more about her by visiting these websites:
https://www.instagram.com/clangsdorf_calligrapher
https://www.facebook.com/CalligraphyLVS/
https://www.pinterest.com/clangsdorf/
http://longvillagelettering.blogspot.com/
Example of Catherine’s brush lettering and decorations on an envelope
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