Calligraphy Guild Pittsburgh upcoming events

Once Upon a Circle (April 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Circles…no beginning, no end...looking around us we can see circular designs everywhere! For lettering artists, circles invite us to step away from the ‘straight base line’ and create something different, something fresh.

In this workshop we will look at circles differently, learning how to incorporate circles into our lettering designs and lettering into our circle designs. As we stretch, pull, and push the boundaries of what we think is possible, we will enjoy creating unique works.

‘Free Writing’ will be addressed and encouraged as Suzie walks participants through her process and shares her love of this form of writing. She will supply many samples and ideas for participants’ enjoyment and inspiration.

Members: $140 • Non-Members $160

INSTRUCTOR SUZIE BERINGER is a letteringartist who makes her home in the Pacific Northwest. With a degree in commercial art and a lifelong passion for calligraphy and mark-making, she is constantly exploring new possibilities and expanding her creative endeavors. As an artist, Suzie loves the challenge and discovery that lettering on different surfaces brings. As a teacher, she loves to share her calligraphic passions with others. Her work has been featured in LetterArts Review as well as other publications. It has been said that if something around her doesn’t move quickly enough, it may end up with letters on it!

Circles, like the soul, are never-ending and turn round and round without a stop. Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Images courtesy of Suzie Beringer

PLEASE NOTE: Our cancellation policy is detailed HERE

FOR DETAILED CMU PARKING INFORMATION, CLICK HERE

Once Upon a Circle (April 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Members: $140 • Non-Members $160

Circles, like the soul, are never-ending and turn round and round without a stop. Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Images courtesy of Suzie Beringer

PLEASE NOTE: Our cancellation policy is detailed HERE

FOR DETAILED CMU PARKING INFORMATION, CLICK HERE

Ketchup City Creative Exhibit - Register by April 18, 2026 (April 26, 2026)

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 13:15:00 GMT

Saturday May 9 to 16 Calligraphy Exhibit

Call for Entries!

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

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.

Organizing for the Creative Person - with CGP Supply Exchange! (May 17, 2026)

Sun, 17 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Organizing for the Creative Person

with CGP Supply Exchange!

Photo: Anne Semmler / Leonardo da Vinci's studio at Le Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise, France

Join us at the CGP Play Day on May 17, 1-4 PM! Anne Semmler will present ideas on how to give your creative space some love and reorganization. We will also have a tour of Karen Nordstrom Roberts' home studio as well as a members' Supply Exchange!

We will look at practical ideas to reduce clutter and plan projects, not only with physical solutions but also a highly adaptable "kanban" process for creative workflow. We will discuss ideas for how others have organized their spaces, no matter what size, so bring your suggestions! We will compile everyone's tips and send a summary and resources to all attendees after the meeting.

Karen's address will be sent to those who register.
This is a members-only event. Non-members are welcome to join the guild to attend, with their payment applied to membership dues for the 2026/27 year.
The event is free, but your RSVP is required to secure your spot. Attendance is limited.

Supplies

Notebook & Pen, if you would like to take notes
If you have items to bring for a Supply Exchange, please bring in a small container or box. We will have bags if needed to take new treasures home.

About Our Hosts:

Anne Semmler is a CGP member and candidate for the Phipps Botanical Illustration Certificate. She owns (and organizes) more fun art supplies than she would like to admit, and has recently taught several classes at Osher Lifelong Learning at Carnegie Mellon University, including one on the history of notebooks and thinking on paper.

Karen's Studio: Before & After Organization

Karen is a self-described Clutter Bug with 30 years of calligraphy supplies, paper, completed and partially completed work. She'll give a tour of her studio and describe what organizing strategies have worked for her but admits that any system is only as good as you are committed to following it. The easier the system, the better!

Parking Information

There will be plenty of street parking available in front of Karen's home.