Saturday May 9 to 16 Calligraphy Exhibit
Call for Entries!
Register by April 18, 2026 via the guild's website
Members, please join us in participating in an upcoming exhibit at Ketchup City Creative gallery in Sharpsburg - home of Henry J. Heinz who began selling food wares in Sharpsburg in 1869.
The exhibit will be on view from May 9 to May 16, 2026
An Open Reception will be held on Friday, May 15 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Outreach Activities at the gallery will include:
- Saturday, May 9, 1 to 4 p.m. - Mother's Day cards with decorated envelopes
- Tues. May 12 & Thurs. May 14, 6 to 8 p.m., and Sat. May 16, 1-4 p.m. - Try Your Hand at Calligraphy
The calligraphy exhibit will be open: during the Open Reception, Mother's Day card event, and Try Your Hand at Calligraphy events.
A SignUpGenius email will go out prior to the exhibit to recruit volunteers to help with the events going on that week. Your participation will make the events successful!
CALLIGRAPHY REQUIREMENTS:
Each member may submit between one and three pieces. We welcome all calligraphic art from advanced beginners to experienced. The only requirement is that it must be submitted in a way that is hangable. Pieces may be available for sale or not.
PRICING:
Types of work that may be submitted:**
- Original calligraphy art pieces (preferred)
- High-quality, framed, ready-to-hang reproductions
The calligrapher keeps 90% of the sale and the guild will donate 10% to the gallery. The price you list should be the total price (your price plus gallery donation). Price your pieces based on a fair market value considering the gallery donation and the amount of time, art, and expertise involved.
For example, a 16" x 20" piece of calligraphy by an intermediate to advanced calligrapher with a significant amount of text and/or with artwork included, could sell in the price range of $200-500.
A piece that is 8" x 10" with a simple quote/simple decoration in a frame, could sell for +/- $50.
Therefore:
A piece that sells for $250, the calligrapher would receive $225.
A piece that sells for $500, the calligrapher would receive $450.
A piece that sells for $75, the calligrapher would receive $67.50.
Framed reproductions typically sell for less than half the price of an original. Price accordingly.
ONLY THE ARTIST CAN DECIDE WHAT THEY ASK FOR THEIR WORK!
1. REGISTER:
Register your pieces online. Follow the instructions on the guild's website when you register. The registration link is HERE
2. DROP OFF:
Please plan to drop off your exhibit pieces:
1) Sunday, April 26
between 9:15 and 9:30 am.
Carnegie Mellon University
5001 Margaret Morrison Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 FRONT DOOR
OR
2) Friday, May 8
between 3 and 6 p.m.
Ketchup City Creative
612 Main Street, Sharpsburg (Pittsburgh) PA 15215
3. PICK UP:
You may pick up your artwork at 12:45 p.m. on May 17 prior to the Play Day (from 1-4 p.m.) at Karen Roberts' house in Fox Chapel or by arranging a time with Debbie Seman at her house in O'Hara Township.
4. RESPONSIBILITY:
The guild takes every precaution to carefully transport artwork to and from the gallery. Artwork should be carefully packaged in a sturdy box or with a sufficient amount of packing material. Put your name large and clear on the packing so it can be used to return your artwork. The guild assumes no risk of loss or damage incurred in the delivery of artworks from the calligrapher to the gallery or their return to the calligrapher. Any damage that occurs in transportation shall be the responsibility of the calligrapher. If a piece of art is damaged or lost during open gallery hours the calligrapher will be compensated by the guild paying them 90% of the asking price of the artwork. A guild member will be onsite as a gallery sitter for all open gallery hours. By registering your artwork in the exhibit, you agree to the responsibilities listed here.
PREPARATION OF PIECES - INSTRUCTIONS:
Your work should be in a quality frame and be ready to safely hang. A painted canvas wrapped around a wood frame with a wire for hanging is acceptable. A plexiglass floating frame with a wire for hanging is also acceptable.
Required method of hanging: A secure wire with eye hooks placed approximately 1/3 of the way down on the sides of the frame. Or, a dog tooth hanger or similar sturdy hook/loop.
Unfortunately, pieces that are unable to be hung safely will not be placed in the exhibit.
Please complete a tag for EACH submission and tape it to the back of your submissions.
REPRODUCTIONS IN CLEAR SLEEVES:
Unframed high-quality reproductions may be offered for sale in a display rack that the guild will provide. The reproduction should be in a clear sleeve with a sturdy mat.* Please place a small sticker in the upper right hand corner with the price, title, and your initials. Reproductions, depending on the size and complexity, may sell for less than half an original piece of art. For example, an 8" x 10" reproduction might sell for $20-40. A larger reproduction may sell for $50 to $125.
Cards in clear sleeves may be offered for sale. The card should be inserted into the sleeve with an envelope. A sticker with the price and your initials should be placed on the back of the card. Please submit up to a max of 25 cards.
* For information about backing boards, click HERE
QUESTIONS:
If you have questions about:
Dropping off or picking up your pieces on a different day than those listed above
Please send an email to the event chair, Debbie Seman debbieaseman@gmail.com
** The exhibit chair in coordination with the guild president, will make the final determination on work that will be hung in the show - if for some reason the work is not suitable for the exhibit. The calligrapher can assume their work will be hung in the exhibit unless otherwise informed.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED
Participation in the exhibit is open to current members only. If you are not a member, consider joining at this time by clicking HERE, with the payment applied to membership dues for the 2026/27 year.
Looking forward to seeing all your work in the exhibit!
Ketchup City Creative exists to make art accessible to the community. It also exists for artists to be able to showcase their talents in a variety of ways. Ketchup City Creative is run by ArtspirationPGH, a non-profit with the mission to be a catalyst for community, creative, and connection in Sharpsburg, Etna, and Millvale, PA through the arts.
Weldon Doran