Join Ann Purdy for a two-day immersive workshop inventive letterform design using markers, watercolor, colored pencils, and graphite. 

Description:

Come join Ann Purdy in a hands-on lettering workshop where participants will invent original characters by exploring how lines and curves can evolve into new letterforms. Using markers, watercolor, colored pencils, and graphite pencils, she will guide you to experiment with shape, rhythm, and expressive techniques to create letters that do not yet exist. Alongside the creative play, Ann will discuss layout and composition – how to arrange, balance, and integrate these invented letters into cohesive designs. The session moves from individual shapes to full visual compositions, blending imagination with practical design principles.

Supply List:

A detailed supply list will be provided closer to the event date.

When:

May 30–31, 2026 
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (includes a lunch break) 

Registration fee:

Members: $125

Non-Members: $145

Maximum of 18 participants

Registration opens:

Members: April 1, 2026

Non-Members: April 7, 2026

Registration for a maximum of 18 students: Check back on the registration date and a Register button will appear here. For non-members, a button to "Sign up without becoming a member" will appear after clicking Register on April 7th.

Important notes:

• Fees are nonrefundable unless you are cancelling for a medical reason OR your spot is filled from a wait list.
• BVCG reserves the right to cancel the workshop if registration is insufficient; in that case, workshop fees will be refunded.
• When paying by credit card, our software provider Yapla covers the service charge of 3.9%, so that the BVCG receives the full workshop fee. In doing so, they allow members to donate to Yapla, to support their work as a non-profit organization helping other non-profits. Watch for the purple "Modify" link at the bottom of the screen at the Payment step. Click on "Modify" to delete the donation or change the amount. Yapla has been great to work with and is a Canadian company.

About the Instructor:

Ann joined the Bow Valley Calligraphy Guild more than 20 years ago after taking an introductory italics class taught by Renate Worthington and Gail Stevens – an experience that opened her eyes to the incredible range of calligraphic styles she could explore! She quickly immersed herself in Guild workshops offered and even attended several international conferences to deepen her skills. While working full-time as an administrator in various industries and raising a family, Ann also pursued other creative outlets, including quilting, papercrafting, scrapbooking, oil painting, and drawing. Her love of pointed pen calligraphy eventually inspired her to explore engraving and painting on glass, which has become one of her favorite areas of focus. Today, she continues to grow as an artist and enjoys teaching others what she has learned.

 

Questions? Click HERE and we will get back to you as soon as possible!