Member Program: Book of Durrow with Della Hutchison
Della will be joining us on Zoom for another excellent presentation. This time…The Book of Durrow.
Program: Artful Gatherings and Nature Wanderings with Connie Fergason
Connie will present a talk in anticipation of her weekend workshop.
February Workshop: Italic Variations and Florals
In this two-session class, students can create a lively variation to the italic hand and explore some florals to add to projects.
Maker U - Keynote Presentation: The Lively Letters of Julie Wildman
This is the program that launches our Maker U 2026 weekend. We are so excited to have Julie Wildman from Chicago giving our opening Keynote Program!
Maker University 2026
A mini-conference conducted by our own members! Friday evening Keynote speaker presentation and a Saturday filled with lectures, demos, and hands-on.
50th Celebration Event: Friday Field Trip to Saint John's University
Field Trip to Saint John’s as part of our 50th Celebration.
November Program: Book Ornaments
Simple book structure ornaments with member artist Georgia Greeley.
October Workshop: Letters With Light
Member Jean Formo will teach a workshop, “Letters With Light” this October.
Program: The Power of The Pencil
The Power of The Pencil - come learn about this humble yet powerful tool.
Season Opener: Colleagues Get Re-Acquainted
This 2025-26 season —our 50th!—is about creating many opportunities for members to reconnect, reflect on our amazing past, and keep looking ahead to what’s next on our personal creative journeys and on the future of The Colleagues.
Field Trip: Visit the James Ford Bell Library
The James Ford Bell Library (part of the Archives & Special Collections of the Andersen Library of the University of Minnesota) makes history come alive through its premier collection of rare books, manuscripts, maps & other materials.
Maker University 2025
A mini-conference conducted by our own members! Friday evening Keynote speaker presentation and a Saturday filled with lectures, demos, and hands-on.
Maker U - Keynote Presentation - Mike Kecseg
In this program Mike Kecseg shows how learning a formal copperplate can serve as a jumping off point to create more modern and expressive scripts.
Workshop: The Poetic Pen-The Magic of Italian Hand with Heather Held
Italian Hand with Heather Held.
Poetry in Motion-The Evolution and Development of Italian Hand: Presented by Heather Held
Poetry in Motion-The Evolution and Development of Italian Hand: Presented by Heather Held
Member Program: Blackletter Double-Trouble with Della Hutchison
Della will be joining us on Zoom for another excellent presentation.
Member Program: Tools From John Neal Bookseller
Our chance to try out some new tools and old favorites from every calligrapher’s favorite online calligraphy tool supplier, John Neal!
Program: Magic of the Masters: The Penmanship of Legend with Michael Sull
A presentation by Master Penman Michael Sull.
A Flourished Weekend with Master Penman Michael Sull
A Flourished Weekend with Master Penman Michael Sull.
Member Program: Welcome Back & Members Share
Welcome back! Come see what some members did (calligraphically) this past summer!
Member Hands-On: Double Stroke Gothic Majuscules
Luscious and rich Double Stroke Gothic Majuscules will delight you with their bounty and generosity of shape and design. Join our member Kris McDonald to explore these delightful letters.
Workshop: Blackletter & Variations with Reggie Ezell
We will begin by grounding ourselves in a strong, basic form of gothic: Textura. Then we will, variable by variable, morph it through a series of permutations; creating variations, modernizing it and doing projects that are anything but traditional.
Member Program: Gilding - A Personal Overview with Reggie Ezell
Take a tour of the expressive ways calligraphers have used both traditional and contemporary gilding throughout the centuries.
Member Program: Catherine of Cleves Manuscript
Della will be joining us on Zoom with her excellent presentation, graphics and handouts. Please register for this unique opportunity to learn about the Catherine of Cleves Manuscript
Member Program: Winter Play Day
No driving in snow or cold for this play date. Pjs and slippers optional but encouraged.
Member Program: Basic Gothic Hand
The fun of Gothic is that it is about rules and rhythm. Learning a gothic hand and lettering with gouache as your writing fluid are both vital skills for any calligrapher of any skill level.
Workshop: Chinese Calligraphy
In this two-day workshop, Chinese brushwork artist and instructor, Hong Zhang will offer hands-on experience in writing Chinese characters with a brush.
Member Program: Chinese Calligraphy & Culture
Hong is a Chinese brushwork artist and instructor with a passion for the cultural and poetic aspects of Asian art forms.
Member Program: Welcome Back!
This will be our first in person season-opener with all the bells and whistles since 2019! This is the perfect opportunity to reunite with your friends and, well, colleagues!
