THE OCALA CALLIGRAPHY GUILD PRESENTS THEIR 2020 SPRING WORKSHOP Arabic & Persian Calligraphy with STEWART JOON THOMAS SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020 10AM - 4PM $75 No previous experience with calligraphy or knowledge of Arabic or Persian is required. INTRODUCTION TO ARABIC & PERSIAN CALLIGRAPHY Arabic calligraphy in a myriad of forms adorns nearly every conceivable surface, on paper, fabric, metal, tile work, stone and the entire surfaces of buildings. Along with the calligraphic traditions of China and Japan, Arabic calligraphy is a preeminent cultural art form. Arabic script is used for over 60 languages, second only to the Latin script. In this workshop participants will be given an overview of the rich historical and contemporary uses of Arabic calligraphy, learn the alphabet and the calligraphic techniques for forming the lettering, and complete a design project focused on a short phrase, proverb or line of poetry. Participants will learn to use the traditional reed or bamboo pen (qalam) as well as how to use other writing tools to form Arabic lettering. A short primer on design techniques will lead into the project portion of the workshop. Workshop fee of $15 includes a hand cut bamboo pen, calligraphy marker and all required materials. Students may optionally bring their own broad nib pens if they wish to try these out with Arabic calligraphy. Stewart Joon Thomas has been in love with pen and ink for most of his life. His first calligraphic teaching was in the Arabic script, writing out lines of Persian poetry in elementary school. His teacher would walk around the class and cut a nib on each student’s reed pen and write out a line of poetry at the top of a notebook page. They would lean over their pages, copying the line of poetry over and over again. My, what a mess of indelible blots they made with those reed pens dipped in bottles of ink! He still uses dip pens, both reeds and metal pens with reservoirs. He also loves using Chinese brushes, thin strips of flexible wood veneer, or even his fingers! Since 1979 he has been a professional calligrapher in a number of different scripts and languages. He specializes in the Latin script used in English, French, German, Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese and a host of other languages worldwide; Arabic script used in Arabic, Persian (Farsi), Urdu, Dari, Balti and other languages; the Devanagri alphabet used for Sanskrit, Hindi and many other Indian languages; and Chinese brush styles. Many of his larger calligraphy works include elaborate border designs, illumination and watercolour illustration. He creates original border designs in the tradition of manuscripts and miniature paintings from the Middle East, Europe and India. Arabic & Persian Calligraphy STEWART JOON THOMAS Saturday, MAY 2, 2020 10AM - 4PM $75 No previous experience with calligraphy or knowledge of Arabic or Persian is required. Members $75 for class. Non-Members additional $15... Join Today and Start Saving! Check & Registration Form will hold your space. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: APRIL 15TH Class Location: Marion County Sheriff Office, 3260 S.E. 80th Street, Ocala, Florida 34480 Materials/Supply: Supplies list and details will be sent to you upon registration. Please email the Workshop Officer that your form and check have been mailed, she will email the supply/location flyer. Cancellation: No Refund one week prior to event. In case of a written cancellation sent/emailed to the Workshop Officer two weeks prior to the event, funds can be applied to a subsequent event. Cancellations must be made in writing to the Workshop Officer & receipt acknowleged - [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Send this form & check to: ! ! ! LIMITED SEATING RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY ! ! ! OCALA CALLIGRAPHY GUILD Post Office Box 1223 Ocala, Florida 34478 SIGN ME UP FOR: Arabic & Persian Calligraphy Workshop - $75 Non-Member (Additional) $15 Check #________ Class as a Member ($75) Check #________ Class as a Non-Member ($90) Yes, I would like to Join Today and Save *Join for $25 Senior 55+ or $30 regular annual membership SEPARATE CHECKS PLEASE - Membership Check & Class Registration Check Check #________ for Membership $30 Annual Membership $25 Seniors (55+) ($________) Check #________ for Arabic & Persian Calligraphy Workshop ($ 75.00 ) PLEASE PRINT: NAME ____________________________________________ PHONE ( )________________________ ADDRESS _______________________________________________________________________________ CITY ____________________________________________ STATE _____________ ZIP ________________ YOUR EMAIL (VERY IMPORTANT for Confirmation and Updates!) PRINT CAREFULLY _______________________________________________________________________.