The Calligraphy Summit
Name
The Calligraphy Summit
Created 2 months 1 week ago
Organizer Jill Burk
The Calligraphy Summit
Timezone
Timezone: Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Event date(s): -

Registration ends: Thu, Oct 2, 2025 5:00 PM (6 days 11 hours ago)

Description

Call for Speakers

The Calligraphy Summit is the place where passionate lettering artists, creative entrepreneurs, and calligraphy educators come together to share their knowledge, inspire the community, and help others turn a develope a love of calligraphy and if they desire turn it into a thriving, profitable business.

We are looking for speakers who can bring fresh, actionable, and inspiring presentations that help our audience grow their skills, confidence, and income.

Who we are looking for
Our ideal speakers are skilled in areas such as:

  • Pricing and valuing your creative work
  • Teaching calligraphy in person or online
  • Building a profitable calligraphy business
  • Creating and selling digital calligraphy products
  • Marketing your art and growing your audience
  • Licensing and scaling creative offerings
  • Mindset and confidence for creative entrepreneurs
  • Any other topic that supports calligraphers in turning their craft into a sustainable income source

If you:

  • Have experience helping creatives build income from their art
  • Can share real strategies, systems, or insights that our audience can apply immediately
  • Are excited to inspire and teach a global audience of calligraphers

…then we would love to hear from you.

About the Event
The Calligraphy Summit is a free, 3-day live virtual event. Each day, attendees will gain access to a series of sessions from top lettering artists, business coaches, and creative professionals. The focus is on giving our audience the tools, strategies, and motivation to confidently grow their calligraphy into a business they love.

Event Details

  • Dates: September 30th to 2nd, 2025
  • Format: Live presentations in Zoom
  • Audience: Calligraphers and creative entrepreneurs eager to grow their income and confidence
  • Session Length: 45 minutes per session
  • Opportunity: Demonstrate the depth of your knowledge and skill to a targeted, motivated audience of calligraphers and potential students 

Speaker Guidelines

  • Your talk should focus on delivering value with minimal self-promotion
  • Introduce yourself briefly, then focus on actionable strategies or inspiration
  • Offer a free resource to attendees to grow your list (no direct paid offers during your talk)
  • We will provide promotional materials for you to share the event with your audience

Promotion Commitment 
Because this is a free event, we rely on each speaker’s promotion to reach as many attendees as possible. We ask all speakers to help promote the summit through their email list and social media.

Why Promote
This summit thrives when every speaker shares it with their audience. More promotion means more attendees, more energy, and more opportunities for you to connect with potential clients, students, and collaborators. Many of our past speakers have gained paying students, workshop attendees, and customers directly from their presentations.

Leaderboard Prizes
Top promoters will receive bonus visibility, including features in summit emails, social media spotlights, and special promotion opportunities.

How to Apply
If you are ready to inspire, teach, and connect with a global audience of calligraphers, click the “Apply” button below and share your presentation idea. Once approved, we will send you a link for onboarding details.

We can’t wait to see how you will inspire our attendees to transform their passion for calligraphy into a profitable and joyful business.

Speakers
From Ink to Internet: Teaching Calligraphy Online
Alejandra Gonaldi Calligrapher and Graphic Designer

Teaching calligraphy online has been an adventure filled with both challenges and wonderful surprises. In this talk, I’ll share my journey of moving a very hands-on, traditional art form into the digital space. I’ll talk about what has worked (and what hasn’t!), the tools and approaches that help students feel connected, and how teaching online has allowed me to reach calligraphers from all over the world. Whether you’re curious about trying online teaching yourself, or simply interested in how our craft can thrive in new spaces, I hope to encourage you to see the possibilities and maybe even inspire you to give it a go.

How to Turn Your Lettering Skills into a Thriving Event-Based Business
Alex Hirsch Calligrapher

In this workshop, Alex from Signs of Our Lives shares exactly how she built a full-time career as a live lettering artist for brands like Versace, Jack Daniels, and Comic-Con. You’ll learn what it takes to bring your calligraphy and art on-site, from retail activations and brand launches to weddings and festivals.

Alex breaks down the mediums, logistics, and mindset shifts required to succeed in this space, providing a roadmap for honing your craft, crafting clear messaging, and making the right connections. If you’re ready to take your lettering out of the studio and into the real world, this session is your blueprint.

Business
The Silent Partner: Building a Website That Sells 24/7 while you create
Anahita Shahrvini Business, Web, & Tech Expert

Your creative passion deserves a partner that works as hard as you do. In this presentation, The Silent Partner: Building a Website That Sells 24/7 while you create, I'll show you how to transform your website from a simple portfolio into a powerful, automated sales engine.

I'll walk you through the three key parts of building a website that works for you:

  • Why a website is your most crucial business asset

  • What essential elements you need to include to attract and engage clients

  • How to set up automation and list-building systems that keep your business running around the clock

I'll share practical, actionable steps to help you build a website that not only showcases your art but also handles the business side of things, freeing you up to do what you love most: Create.

 

Indian Paisley Initial
Anindita Biswas

Join me for a creative deep dive into the timeless beauty of the Indian Paisley. In this hands-on workshop, we will explore the rich history, flowing shapes and intricate details of this iconic motif. You will learn how to sketch, refine and embellish paisley designs while experimenting with colour, balance and composition. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, this session will inspire you to bring your own unique style to a classic pattern loved for centuries.

Creativity as Self-Actualization
C.C. Elian Creativity as Self-Actualization

This will be an interview with Jill, covering the following questions 


1. How do I know if I’m creative?

2. What is creativity?

3. Does my calligraphy have to be good for me to be creative?

4. What makes creativity meditative in calligraphy?

5. Why do you say that creativity is the “heart“ of calligraphy?

6. Do you have to write in a specific style to be creative?

7. Are professional calligraphers more creative than amateurs?

Quick Start Celtic Knot Workshop
Cheryl Tefft Quick Start Celtic Knot Workshop

Discover the timeless art of Celtic knotwork in this beginner-friendly 40-minute workshop. You'll learn to create a beautiful, simple Celtic knot while exploring the rich history and symbolism behind these ancient designs. No prior experience necessary – just bring your curiosity and creativity!

Celtic knots have adorned manuscripts, stone carvings, and metalwork for over a millennium, representing concepts like eternity, unity, and the interconnectedness of life. By the end of our time together, you'll have both a finished piece to take home and the foundational skills to continue exploring this meditative and rewarding art form on your own.

Perfect for artists, history enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a mindful creative outlet.

What's Your Essential Kit
Dr Bob Kemp Your Essential Kit

With so many tools on the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when putting together a calligraphy kit. In this practical and inspiring session, veteran calligrapher Dr. Bob shares exactly what you need—and what you don’t—to get started or refine your practice. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience and training with masters such as Michael Sull and Bill Lilly, Bill will walk you through the essentials: nibs, holders, inks, papers, and a few surprising extras that can elevate your work. You’ll also learn how to choose between budget and premium options, how to care for your tools, and how to avoid costly mistakes. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned calligrapher, you’ll leave with clarity, confidence, and the knowledge to create a streamlined kit that truly supports your lettering journey.

Teach a calligraphy class in 60 days
Gemma Parker

Learn how to teach your first calligraphy class in 60 days or less and enjoy the fun (and profitable) teaching niche.

 

In this session Gemma will cover:

  • Reasons to teach
  • How to feel ready
  • Deciding the date
  • Finding dream venues
  • What resources do you need
  • How to price your tickets
  • Worksheet creation
  • How to get paid
  • How to market your workshop
  • How to get paid
  • Following up with customers

 

Basically, this session will be your go-to guide to teaching your first class, so you can stop dreaming about running workshops and actually get your first one booked, sold, and taught.

Business Education +4
Small Business Calligraphy
Italics Made Simple
Gurpreet Singh Calligrapher

Discover the lively elegance of Turkish Italics! This class explores bold, flowing letterforms with rhythmic curves and a touch of Eastern flair—perfect for adding personality and movement to your calligraphy."

The Calligraphy Plateau: Why So Many Get Stuck (and How to Break Through Together)
Jill Burk Why Practicing Alone Isn’t Enough

Mastery doesn’t happen in isolation.

Have you ever felt like no matter how many hours you spend at your desk, your calligraphy just isn’t improving? You’re not alone. Many calligraphers hit a plateau—frustrated, isolated, and unsure what to fix next. Practice alone can only take you so far.

In this session, organizer and community-builder Jill Burk will explore why calligraphers often stall in their growth and how connection, coaching, and community are the keys to breaking through. She’ll share the hidden struggles many artists face, stories of transformation through feedback, and how ongoing support accelerates mastery.

You’ll come away inspired to stop struggling in silence and discover the power of learning together—whether through the Ink Masters community with Cheryl Tefft or by immersing yourself in the breakthroughs that happen at live workshops and conferences. Mastery doesn’t happen in isolation.

Using Chinese Calligraphy Brushes
Jojo Liu Using Chinese Calligraphy Brushes

Jojo will show how using Chinese calligraphy brushes can enhance English lettering—bringing rhythm, movement, and cultural artistry to every stroke.

Mindful Break: Craft Your Vision & Aligned Action for a Flourishing Creative Life & Business
Justine Hwang Mindfulness Calligrapher + Facilitator

Go from feeling overwhelmed to anchored in this interactive session that blends mindful lettering, creative reflection, and visioning. You’ll clarify how you want to show up and build a creative practice or business that supports your whole hearted life. You’ll craft an empowering affirmation and aligned actions — and letter them into being with mindful presence. Leave feeling calm, clear, and confident, with a tangible affirmation to guide your next steps. Bring something to write with and on, as simple as pencil and paper, or markers/pens and journal.

Entertainment & Art Health & Well-being +1
Mindfulness Purpose +2
Ready to Quiet Your Inner Critic and Create Confidently?
Lynette Melnyk Creative Empowerment Coach | Educator

If you’re a creative with the skills but struggle to show up, sell your work, or put yourself out there, this session is for you.

Join creative empowerment coach and educator, Lynette Melnyk for a down-to-earth conversation where you’ll learn how to quiet your inner critic and find your confidence and creative voice. We’ll talk about why fear pops up just when you’re ready to grow, how to be kinder to yourself when doubt shows up, and simple mindset shifts that actually work.

Expect real talk, gentle guidance, reflection questions, and easy tools you can start using right away—especially when perfectionism, comparison, or fear try to get in your way.

Mindset
Mindset Mindset Coaching +15
Beautifully Organized: Turning Your Workspace into Inspiration
Marybeth Welty The Creative Workspace Designer

Your creative space is more than just a desk; it’s the foundation of your artistry and the secret to sustaining inspiration. In this session, Marybeth Welty, The Creative Workspace Designer, will show calligraphers how an organized and thoughtfully designed workspace can transform not only the way you create, but the way you feel while doing it.

Discover how clearing clutter reduces overwhelm, how intentional design sparks flow, and how an inspiring studio helps you stay focused and finish projects with confidence. Marybeth will share her signature 3 keys to optimizing your workspace, from mental clarity, to a physical studio that fuels your craft, to a seamless digital system that keeps your projects on track.

Leave with practical steps and fresh inspiration to create a workspace that supports your creativity, professionalism, and success as an artist.

Business Design
Organizing Work-life Balance +2
The Artpreneur’s Guide to Selling Calligraphy Without Social Media Burnout
Miriam Schulman Host of The Inspiration Place podcast

Most artists think they need to chase trends, post nonstop, or go viral to grow their audience—but that’s a fast track to burnout, not business success. In this session, #1 artist business coach and bestselling author Miriam Schulman (Artpreneur: The Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Sustainable Living from Your Creativity) reveals the 5 biggest marketing mistakes artists make—and the proven 5-part plan to fix them. 

You’ll leave with a clear roadmap to grow your audience, increase your income, and fall back in love with your creative business—without spending all day on social media.

Business Design +1
Social Media Marketing
Strategic Flourishing - A Process for Beautiful Words
Robert Bree The Flourish Club

Flourishing Made Simple – How the Basics transform to Mastery

In this session, I’ll show you my personal approach to flourishing for any given word. Step by step, I’ll break down every detail so you’ll not only see how it’s done, but also the reason for each decision.

You’ll discover what your own path to flourishing mastery looks like—what to focus on, what to practice, and how to start creating flourishing art that feels truly yours.

We’ll begin with the essentials: The 3 Golden Flourishes—the foundation you can always rely on. From there, we’ll build toward more complex choices and strategies.

This session is designed to inspire, de-mystify the process, and give you practical tools you can use right away in your own calligraphy.

I can’t wait to meet you and share our passion for flourishes!

Design
Online Workshop
Stop Waiting, Start Earning: The Anti-Perfectionist Path from Hobby to Pro
Shinah Chang Calligraphy and Business Teacher

Taught by a former perfectionist corporate lawyer ;) 

Because you don’t have to be perfect before you can get paid for your calligraphy. 

In this booty-kicking, strategic session, Shinah of Crooked Calligraphy will show you: 

  1. how to finally feel “good enough” to start selling, and

  2. how to launch a lean, starter business that feels like you’re playing, not drowning in admin

Plus, you’ll hear inspiring stories of calligraphers who booked real clients long before they felt “ready” and the exact strategies they used to do it.

If you’ve been dreaming of turning your hobby into income, this talk will give you the clarity and courage to take your first paid step now. You don’t need perfect. You need a plan.

Business
Play With The Pointed Pen
Surbhi Aggarwal Play With The Pointed Pen

It's an introduction to the timeless art of modern calligraphy. In this session, you’ll discover how a simple nib and ink can create graceful strokes, elegant letters, and expressive flourishes. We’ll start with the basics, understanding tools, strokes, and movement, and then explore simple flourishing to add personality and beauty to your script. Whether you’re curious about calligraphy for the first time or looking to slow down with a mindful, creative practice, this workshop offers a welcoming space to play, explore, and enjoy the magic of the pointed pen. No prior experience needed, just join in and explore pointed pen with me!!

Carve a Letter, Save the World: the story of the Endangered Alphabets Project
Tim Brookes Endangered Alphabets Calligraphy

Can calligraphy save the world?

In the 15 years since Tim Brookes founded the Endangered Alphabets Project, he has seen threatened minority cultures jump-start their own revival by teaching calligraphy in their traditional scripts, and by inventing new scripts for their own languages.

Tim has taken what began as a hobby, hand-carving signs as Christmas presents for his family, and grown it into a global crusade to revive ancient, threatened traditional scripts and promote the art of writing by hand.

He will tell his story with a particular eye for those who are planning to move their own work from the hobby level into the professional field. 

Copperplate Basics: The Key to Mastering this Script
Younghae Chung Copperplate Demo

Copperplate is a traditional and timeless pointed pen script that can be used for a variety of things like correspondence, wedding/event design, logos, etc. As it is a structured script with many rules and details to follow, it is important to practice with intention using the right guidesheets and resources in order to master this script and practice effectively. 

In this presentation, I will share the importance of using proper guidesheets, the basic strokes that will help you to build consistency in your letters, and demo the word "Peace". 

Design Education
Calligraphy