Art / Calligraphy

Instructor: Carol Savage, a lettering artist and owner of Calligraphy for Life’s Celebrations, has been teaching in a wide variety of settings for decades. Her passion and skill for fine lettering was ignited with the release of The Saint John’s Bible.

Years of private weekly art classes throughout elementary school introduced Carol to watercolor, pastels, printmaking, pen and ink, charcoal and pencil. Sewing became such a beloved activity during her teen years that she had the skills to sew her wedding dress. Employment as engraver at a printing company led to earning a Master’s Degree from Webster University.

As a high school art teacher, Carol’s skills expanded further in a wider variety of media. Each day she taught a combination of clay, leather, technical drawing, sketching, photography, macrame, design, painting and more. Is it any surprise to learn that her most complex art involves the adventuresome results of mixed media?

Carol’s engagement prompted her to practice italic lettering, a style she learned at Washington University so she could design their wedding invitations. She began her business as a professional calligrapher with projects needing hand lettering, painting and design. She was challenged to write on exotic surfaces such as papyrus, birch bark, animal skins and basketballs. In the past decade, she has explored fiber arts- modern embroidery, needle felting, weaving, macrame, and sewing home decor items.

Carol has taught art in Catholic schools, to homeschoolers and in non-profit art centers for more than 20 years. Teaching is always a thrill for her. Students in her classes discover the ability within themselves to express ideas in a variety of media. Older students are challenged with more detailed projects, often combining media and styles. She loves to present materials and ideas to jump start the innate creativity within each student and guide each individual to achieve a personally satisfying result for their project.

History: The Saint John’s Bible is a work of art and work of theology. A team of Benedictine monks and scholars from Minnesota under the guidance of the Queen’s calligrapher, artist Donald Jackson from Wales, merged the ancient techniques of calligraphy and illumination with an ecumenical approach to the Bible rooted in Benedictine spirituality.

Class: Pallottine’s replica of the Saint John’s Bible allows class participants a hands-on opportunity to study this work of art. Come explore the Word of God through a blending of ancient Benedictine tradition with 21st Century technology and learn some practical basic lettering skills. ALL MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED.

Syllabus Outline:

1. Introduction of traditional hand-lettering materials, general concepts and vocabulary of calligraphy.
2. Examination of the unique styles of lettering in the Saint John’s Bible in contrast to familiar fonts.
3. Discussion of the Saint John’s Bible contemporary illuminations, spiritual meditations, rendered by master lettering artists.
4. Students discover foundational principles of lettering for everyday writing.
5. Students experience broad nib lettering of unical, a medieval alphabet, by dipping their pen in ink.
6. Students learn the process of calligraphy by developing a personal project, such as illustrating a Bible verse.