The Guild's Origins

In 1974, Alf Ebsen, a freelance lettering artist, was teaching calligraphy classes at Castlefrank High School in downtown Toronto. The classes grew as students were attracted by word of mouth, inquiries made in art stores and as a result of seeing the work of Mr. Ebsen or his students. The classes were not large - calligraphy had not yet caught the public's imagination. Over the course of time, a small group had become so involved with letters, that, with Mr. Ebsen's aid, they formed a special interest group to pursue this discipline in greater depth.

The group was incorporated in 1975 as The Handwriters Guild of Toronto. The members wanted a method of teaching students not trained graphic arts. They set about developing a system of teaching letter-shapes made with a broad-edged pen. It was hoped that this system would one day be taught in the elementary schools. Teaching was a primary focus of interest: spreading the word and the method. Members of the group assisted Mr. Ebsen in weekend workshops, and soon began to teach classes at community colleges, night schools, and privately. This was the beginning of the growth in calligraphic interest and activity which has continued to this day.

Over time, the guild's members embraced many disciplines related to calligraphy, such as a wide variety of historical and contemporary alphabets, design principles, book-binding, paper-making, marbling, guilding, embossing, printing, and business management for the freelance artist. A change of name in 1985 to The Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto was made to reflect the widening range of these interests.

All levels of skill are represented by the guild's ever-expanding membership. Many members teach evening classes and community college programs, some members earn their living as calligraphers, and for others, calligraphy is a valued hobby. The guild is able to draw on the abilities and talents of many people within the group as well as attracting world famous calligraphers and artists to teach at workshops and lecture at meetings.

In 1999, the guild moved its home to the Neilson Park Creative Centre, a creative visual arts facility built in 1992 by the city of Etobicoke.

 

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