A Weekend of Spencerian Calligraphy with Barbara Calzolari
This November, I had the absolute pleasure of organising a very special calligraphy workshop: welcoming the incredibly talented Barbara Calzolari over from Italy to teach a beginner-friendly Spencerian course here in London.
Held over a full weekend at the beautiful Sun Street Hotel in Shoreditch, the workshop brought together calligraphers and lettering enthusiasts eager to immerse themselves in one of the most graceful and historic scripts.
Why Spencerian?
Spencerian is a script known for its rhythm, delicacy and flowing movement. While it can look intimidating at first glance, Barbara has a remarkable gift for breaking it down into clear, achievable steps, making it accessible even for those completely new to pointed pen calligraphy.
Throughout the weekend, students were guided through:
Understanding the foundations of Spencerian letterforms
Learning the importance of posture, pressure and movement
Practising drills to build muscle memory and confidence
Gradually forming lowercase and uppercase letters with intention and ease
Barbara’s calm teaching style and deep knowledge of the script created an encouraging environment where everyone could progress at their own pace.
A Beautiful Setting in Shoreditch
Sun Street Hotel proved to be the perfect backdrop for a weekend of focused learning. Tucked away just moments from the buzz of Shoreditch, the elegant interiors offered a quiet, light-filled space that felt both luxurious and welcoming.
Long tables filled with nibs, ink and practice sheets, the gentle sound of pen on paper, and plenty of thoughtful conversation made for a truly immersive experience.
More Than a Workshop
What made this weekend particularly special was the sense of community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds and stages of their calligraphy journey is one of my favourite parts of organising in-person workshops. There was so much generosity - students sharing progress, encouraging one another, and celebrating the small wins that come with learning a new script.
It was also a joy to see Barbara teaching in the UK and to facilitate an opportunity for students to learn directly from an internationally respected calligrapher without having to travel abroad.
Looking Ahead
This Spencerian weekend was a reminder of how powerful in-person learning can be; slowing down, focusing on the process, and connecting through craft.
If you joined us, thank you for being part of such a memorable weekend!