Western Canada Calligraphy Conference
Calgary, Oct 27–30, 2025
The cure for your calligraphy plateau is… a vacation?
Ever look at your lettering and feel like it’s missing something?
Perfect strokes and polished script, but it still looks incomplete?
Without borders, your beautiful work just floats—like a gourmet meal on a paper plate. It feels unfinished.
And clients notice.
Even pros with years of experience can look amateur without proper framing.
The fix?
Royal Borders—a system based on centuries-old calligraphy techniques used by royal court scribes.
But simplified and modernized for today’s artist.
In-person learning and the getaway you’ve been dreaming of.
Break through—4 unforgettable days of world-class instruction, inspiration, and connection that'll ignite your craft and transform your lettering.
And, a community and friendships that last long after the conference ends.
More than a Conference,
A Festival of Calligraphy!
Four Days and Nights of immersive learning, creative exploration, and unforgettable community.
World-Class Instruction
Hands-on classes with internationally renowned calligraphers and artists.
Enjoy a daily lunch buffet with fresh, chef-prepared meals—for refueling, relaxing, and connecting.
Social gatherings and shared meals where creative bonds and lifelong friendships begin.
Serendipity Hour with instructor demos of pens, inks and techniques.
Evening origami classes with your practice paper.
Live Jazz night in the hotel lounge Wednesday.
Instructor and Participant Gallery & Art Sale
View and purchase original works by faculty artists.
Vendor Marketplace
Access to calligraphy supplies, books, and specialty materials curated for lettering artists.
Excursion Option
A post-conference trip to Banff for relaxation, inspiration, and time together in the Rockies.
Networking & Collaboration
Space to connect with guilds, peers, and professionals who share your passion for the lettering arts.
They’ll ask how your trip was. You’ll say, ‘Life-changing…
and my calligraphy’s never looked better.'
Can't Make it for the Full Conference?
Not just for calligraphers.
Our 1- and 2-day workshops are perfect for tattoo artists, illustrators, designers, and anyone who wants to master the elegance of the written line.
Learn from internationally recognized masters in concentrated sessions designed to give you skills you can take straight back to your studio.
From Gothic power lines to delicate Spencerian curves—this is where traditional technique meets modern artistry.
One Day And Two Day Classes
Ever look at your lettering and feel like it’s missing something?
Perfect strokes and polished script, but it still looks incomplete?
Without borders, your beautiful work just floats—like a gourmet meal on a paper plate. It feels unfinished.
And clients notice.
Even pros with years of experience can look amateur without proper framing.
The fix?
Royal Borders—a system based on centuries-old calligraphy techniques used by royal court scribes.
But simplified and modernized for today’s artist.
In-person learning and the getaway you’ve been dreaming of.
Break through—4 unforgettable days of world-class instruction, inspiration, and connection that will ignite your craft and transform your lettering.
And a community and friendships that last long after the conference ends.
More than a Conference,
A Festival of Calligraphy!
Four Days and Nights of immersive learning, creative exploration, and unforgettable community.
World-Class Instruction through hands-on classes with renowned calligraphers and artists.... all in a private setting in small groups and one-on-one.
Enjoy a daily lunch buffet with fresh, chef-prepared meals—for refueling, relaxing, and connecting.
Social gatherings and shared meals where creative bonds and lifelong friendships begin.
Serendipity Hour with instructor demos of pens, inks and techniques.
Evening origami classes with your practice paper.
Live Jazz night in the hotel lounge Wednesday.
Instructor and Participant Gallery & Art Sale If you've ever wanted to take home a "pro" piece, now's your chance.
Vendor Marketplace Access to calligraphy supplies, books, and specialty materials curated for lettering artists.
Excursion Option Take in a post-conference jaunt to Banff for relaxation, inspiration, and time together in the awe-inspiring Canadian Rockies.
Networking & Collaboration
Space to connect with guilds, peers, and professionals who share your passion for the lettering arts.
They’ll ask how your trip was. You’ll say, ‘Life-changing…
And, my calligraphy’s never looked better.'
Vacation. Inspiration. Transformation. All in one trip.
Upgrade to the VIP experience: Eight nights of creative luxury
Every detail is designed to fuel your artistry and elevate your experience. From bubbly on arrival to an executive suite stay, chef’s table dining, and autumn in Banff, you’ll be surrounded by beauty, comfort, and inspiration. Add in the Western Canada Calligraphy Conference, world-class teachers, and kindred spirits—and you’ve found the ultimate blend of breakthrough and bliss.
8 Nights of Luxury Accommodations & Dining
Bask in the comfort of an executive suite, with a 24 hour club lounge stocked with snacks and drinks.
Private One-on-One Instruction
Work directly with a master instructor in personalized sessions that focus on your goals, your questions, and your growth.
Exclusive Evening Experiences
Think less “conference buffet,” more VIP dinner party. On Saturday night, you’ll snag a seat at the Chef’s Table in one of Calgary’s best restaurants—sharing food, wine, and insider stories with your instructors.
Portfolio Photo Shoot
Finally—photos that do your work justice. A pro photographer will capture your pieces so they look jaw-dropping on your portfolio, website, or Instagram grid. No more dark, blurry desk shots.
Participant Gallery & Art Sale
At the end of the conference, your work becomes the star of the show. Displayed in our gallery alongside fellow participants and instructors, it will be seen, celebrated.
Curated Vendor Marketplace
Early access to limited edition premium tools, books, inks, and specialty supplies.
Banff Excursion
Post-conference trip into the Canadian Rockies. Includes a gondola ride to a mountain top lunch, a tour of the Whyte gallery with the Curator, and dinner at Banff's iconic Grizzly House restaurant.
All meals included. Every bite, every sip—covered. Start with a sparkling wine-welcome on Sunday, glide into a lavish Sunday Brunch, then claim your priority seats for the week’s showstoppers:
- The star-studded Panel Dinner Monday
- Smooth live Jazz on Wednesday, and...
- The jaw-dropping Gala blowout Thursday night
| Class | Instructor | Day(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Textura | Nina Tran | Mon & Tue |
| Expressive Letters | Gabriela Soba | Mon & Tue |
| Roamin' Letters | Julie Wildman | Mon & Tue |
| Gothic Letters | Barry Morentz | Mon & Tue |
| Intro to Spencerian | Kalo Chu | Mon & Tue |
| Parallel Pens: Letters & Lines | Connie Furgason | Mon & Tue |
| Italics Variations | Gurpreet Singh | Wed |
| Sketchy Romans | Nina Tran | Wed & Thu |
| Playful Letters | Gabriela Soba | Wed & Thu |
| Inside Curve | Julie Wildman | Wed & Thu |
| Intermediate Spencerian | Kalo Chu | Wed & Thu |
| Edged Brush Florals & The Abstract | Connie Furgason | Wed & Thu |
| Italic Variations | Barry Morentz | Thu |
| Turkish Style Italics | Gurpreet Singh | Thu |
Nina Tran
Calligrapher
Los Angeles calligrapher teaching Copperplate, Spencerian & Gothic worldwide; known for making historical scripts come alive today.
Gabriela Soba
Calligrapher & Artist
Barcelona artist blending calligraphy, design & book arts; founder of Typo Estudio; clients include Hermès, Louis Vuitton & Ferragamo.
Julie Wildman
Lettering Artist & Instructor
Chicago lettering artist & instructor; award-winning work in major collections; published in Letter Arts Review & Bound & Lettered.
Barry Morentz
Calligrapher
New York calligrapher with 45+ years’ experience; trained by masters; creates illuminated works for Cartier, Rolex & Estée Lauder.
Kalo Chu
Calligrapher & Educator
Hong Kong–based calligrapher & founder of Kalo Make Art; has taught 6,000+ students and appeared with IAMPETH & NY Society of Scribes.
Connie Furgason
Calligrapher & Artist
Alberta artist & teacher since 1981; inspires creativity with expressive calligraphy & painting; taught across North America & online.
Janet Murata
Calligrapher & Artist
Winnipeg calligrapher and artist, shares calligraphy as a meditative path to well-being, transforming practice pages into playful, eco-friendly origami art.
Gurpreet Singh GP
Calligrapher
A Brampton-based artist blending traditional calligraphy with modern social media, inspiring thousands on Instagram (Calligraphy_Madness), TikTok, and beyond.