ICYMI: The art of beautiful lettering

(From January)

• The group focuses on the skill and techniques of calligraphy
• The extremely warm and inviting community welcomes brand new and expert artists

Tanya Swaren quietly writes at a small wooden table.

She periodically dips her pen in ink, artfully spelling out 'Happy New Years 2022.'

Displayed behind her on a ping pong table are dozens of artfully decorated greeting cards, envelopes, and creative writings, showcasing the wide variety of styles calligraphy offers.

“Our purpose is to educate people in calligraphy, and to encourage beautiful handwriting and beautiful lettering,” Swaren told Kelowna10.

She is the membership coordinator for the Kelowna Calligraphers Guild, a non-profit organization that started roughly 35 years ago when a group of interested calligraphers got together to hone their craft. After working together for a short time, they decided to establish a society.

“We still have some of those members with us, which is delightful,” Swaren said.

The guild has a range of calligraphers, from those who are brand new and don’t know where to begin, to highly experienced and professional artists.

“We meet once a month, except for in December, June, July and August, and we have learning activities at each one of our meetings,” Swaren said.

Due to COVID-19, the group had to learn how to do all of the educating online, participating in activities through Zoom instead.

“Many people lamented that of course, we didn’t like the idea that we couldn’t get together. But it has actually opened the world to us,” Swaren said.

At the core of the group is encouragement.

Guild members learn about what different equipment to use and what the tools of the trade are.

“We welcome anybody who is interested in beautiful lettering,” Swaren said. “The calligraphy community is an extremely warm and inviting community of very supportive people who love to share their knowledge, and that’s something that really warms my heart.”