(online)
Maker University is a mini-online calligraphy conference. It starts off with a Friday evening presentation followed by an entire day where members of The Colleagues share their knowledge and expertise on a variety of calligraphy-related topics. Hands-on, lecture, sharing, Q&A; all methods of exploring calligraphy and related arts will abound!
This talk is part of the Maker U weekend and is free for all Members and is included in the cost of the All-Access Pass for Maker University on Saturday.
If you are not a member and not attending Maker University on Saturday, you can still attend this talk for a nominal fee (purchase from Our Store).
The lively letters of Julie Wildman
A Presentation for the Colleagues of Calligraphy - Maker University Friday Program
The title of ‘Lively Letters’ was given to my very first class taught ‘on the road’ back in 2014. In 2013, a group of calligraphers from an Indiana guild came to see the Chicago Calligraphy Collective’s annual juried show, in which I was exhibiting. One of the women came up to me and asked if I could teach for their guild. I was a bit taken aback because I didn’t teach on the traveling circuit and had only taught a basic Italic class a few times for a local art center. And I had never advertised that I was available to teach. So, I told her I didn’t really have anything to teach other calligraphers other than basic Italic for beginners.
That’s when she said, “Oh, we want you to teach us your lively style!”
At that point, I didn’t know I had a “style,” so her comment caused me to stand back and take a look at my work up to that point. And I discovered I did, indeed, have a “lively” style!
In this presentation, I will talk a bit about how I discovered that style, why I tend to create lively, funky letters, and why I love to teach other calligraphers ways to free up their lettering and tap into their playful side.
ABOUT Julie Wildman
Julie Wildman is a graphic designer, lettering artist and instructor from the Chicago area.
Her calligraphic interest began in the late ‘80s after a friend gave her Timothy Botts’ book “Doorposts.” Ten years later, she had the privilege of taking a year-long class with Reggie Ezell and was hooked. She joined the Chicago Calligraphy Collective soon after and embarked on a lifelong journey of loving and studying letters.
Her work has been exhibited in juried shows throughout the U.S. and Midwest, including the Newberry Library in Chicago—where two of her pieces reside after having won the library’s Purchase Prize Award twice. Her work has also been published in many issues of Letter Arts Review, Bound & Lettered, and various other type and lettering publications. Two of her more recent works are also in the Harrison Collection at the San Francisco Public Library.
Julie was also a co-juror for the 2025 Letter Arts Review 38:4, The Annual Juried Issue. Letter Arts Review is an international quarterly journal that focuses on the art and design of original lettering. It promotes the work of contemporary lettering artists and also explores the rich history of world writing as an art form.
For a complete curriculum vitae and to see more of her work, please visit her website at wildmandesigns.com
Following is an overview and how to participate in the weekend:
Note: all times are in Central Daylight Time
Fri, March 20, 6:30-9:30pm
Presentation & Sneak Peak
Keynote Speaker
Sneak Peak of Saturday’s Event
Included in All-Access pass
Free for members (link shared in upcoming member email), $5 non-members (link shared after purchase)
Sat, March 21, 8:30am-4:30pm: Maker University!
$25 - Members
$35 - Non-Members
All-access pass is purchased in our online store. Once you purchase your pass, you will be sent a links to join Friday & Saturday.
Logo Design by member Patricia Paolella