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The Nashville Calligrapher’s Guild was formed in 1981 by Sarah Schuyler and Betty Gilpin. Schuyler gathered eight members to share calligraphy projects monthly on Saturdays at Gilpin’s kitchen table. The group called themselves “the Crazy Eights” and quickly became close friends.

The arrangement of words on the page is as important as beautiful lettering in good calligraphy - Sarah Schuyler, guild co-founder

The Nashville Calligrapher’s Guild was formed in 1981 by Sarah Schuyler and Betty Gilpin. Schuyler gathered eight members to share calligraphy projects monthly on Saturdays at Gilpin’s kitchen table. The group called themselves “the Crazy Eights” and quickly became close friends.

Once the Nashville Calligrapher’s Guild became official, Gilpin was elected the first president. Their membership expanded to include more Nashvillians, and they began to host a variety of workshops for those interested in the calligraphic arts. The topics covered in these workshops span a wide range of techniques and skills, from Italic Calligraphy and Blackletter Variations to Colored Pencils, Illuminated Letters, and Envelope Decoration. Instructors include Reggie Ezell, Michael Clark, Rosemary Buczek, Heather Held, and many more talented calligraphers.

I appreciate the beauty of calligraphy. It can be like a painting rather than something you see on a greeting card, or a certificate. - Betty Gilpin, first guild president

On October 13, 1991, twenty-five Guild members and associates met at Woodmont Christian Church’s Counseling Center to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Nashville Calligrapher's Guild. Charter members Betty Gilpin, Donna Robert, Sandy White, and Nancy Rice were honored with exquisite certificates designed and lettered by Barb Bartels and mounted on hand-marbled paper made by Betty Wagner. Betty Gilpin received special recognition as a Guild founder and driving force, and voiced the opinions of many when she said “Anything I’ve given to the Guild, I’ve received back, blessing, after blessing, after blessing.” The event ended in true southern tradition with a delicious meal.

The Guild celebrated its 25th anniversary on September 9, 2006, with an exhibit entitled “25 Years, 26 Letters” at the Centennial Art Center. Guild members reminisced as they enjoyed viewing the exhibit while sharing in a delicious lunch buffet brought by members and set up in the courtyard. Past presidents Vannah Husband and Carolyn Lovelace were presented certificates of appreciation. Nancy Rice and Lilo Regen were recognized for their contributions to the Guild with Life Memberships. Betty Gilpin was once again recognized for her immense contributions as a founding member.

What began as a group of eight calligraphers gathered around a kitchen table has now grown into a talented and tight-knit group of 80 calligraphic artists from Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. Mrs. Gilpin states that it is a blessing to see how the organization has continued and blossomed from the original eight members to where it is today.

Artwork by Beth Paul

Artwork by Vicki Brandt, Valerie Cypress and Louise Thompson. Layout by Miranda Fuller.

Today, the Nashville Calligrapher’s Guild continues to foster the study, practice, and use of calligraphy among its members, as well as promote community awareness of the art of calligraphy. Members meet at Plaza Artists Materials, but previous meeting locations span a wide range of venues, from Cheekwood Estate & Gardens to Belmont University. Meetings occur five times a year, and consist of a meet-and-greet time, business meeting, and a program related to some facet of calligraphy. The Guild regularly sends out newsletters that include a message from the current president, information about upcoming exhibitions and workshops, and photos of lettering projects from members. In 2016, the Nashville Calligrapher’s Guild celebrated its 35th Anniversary.

The Guild has been represented by three different logos since its inception:

Designed by Barb Bartels

Designed by JoAnn Truss

Designed by Vicki Brandt

Perhaps the most special event organized by the Nashville Calligrapher’s Guild is Scribehaven. In the early 2000s, Guild member Vicki Brandt dreamt of a retreat where Guild members could spend an entire weekend away from Nashville, studying the calligraphic arts together. After researching various venues, she settled upon Lake Barkley State Park in Kentucky. Fourteen members attended the first retreat in February 2009, and since then the yearly event has remained well-loved and well-attended.

Activites at Scribehaven include:

• Pre-planned demonstrations and mini-workshops led by Guild members on everything from watercolor flowers to flourishing to zentangles to background papers to everything imaginable.
• A Trash and Treasures table where members can bring things that they no longer use or want to be given to someone else who can use the items.
• A mini-store set up by us, Paper & Ink Arts, for the convenience and shopping pleasure of Scribehaven attendees.
• Beautiful lodge rooms with lake views, spacious conference rooms, and delicious food.
• Scribehaven logo designed by Vicki Brandt.

The Nashville Calligrapher's Guild also offers a vast collection of calligraphy-related books and periodicals to its members, including titles by Tom Gourdie, Heather Child, and Speedball Press. Calligraphy books and journals have been donated by guild members as well as the Nashville community. Their shelves boast a collection of over 150 materials. For a full list of titles available, click here.

Want to know more? Additional history can be found on the Nashville Calligrapher’s Guild website.

Information about membership, including dues and other requirements, can be found here.

Upcoming classes and workshops can be found here.

An archive of the Nashville Calligrapher’s Guild’s newsletters can be found here.

Left: Various guild members | Right: Beth Paul

Special thanks to Ann Cobb for providing an extensive guild history as well as permission to use photos.

Tennessee cover artwork by Sarah Bogdal