The Sacred Arts Guild of Alberta in collaboration with St. Mary's University presented an art talk titled “Illumination of the Word”. Susan Keyes, a former Bow Valley Calligraphy Guild president, detailed the symbolism within the artwork of The Saint John's Bible. She set the tone for the presentation by sharing the history behind this first hand-lettered Bible project in over 500 years. The Smithsonian has dubbed it "one of the extraordinary undertakings of our time."
The unique illuminations combine classical iconography with contemporary styles. Many images harken back to biblical times, while some illuminations depict modern-day scenes, events and scientific discoveries such as DNA molecules and even satellite imagery. Scribes designed a calligraphic hand specifically for this project using modern and historical alphabets, and tools. St. Mary’s University has a set of the Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible, one of only five copies in Canada and one of just 299 in the entire world. Two of the seven volumes were available to examine during the evening. The Saint John’s Bible is open to the public for viewing at the university’s library, St. Basil’s Hall.
Bow Valley Calligraphy Guild volunteers made the event extra special by demonstrating the traditional and modern calligraphy styles and many attendees went home with a beautifully hand-lettered bookmark.
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