About us
A creative community for calligraphy enthusiasts in Canberra and surrounds.
The Canberra Calligraphy Society was founded in 1986 by three passionate calligraphers (Ricky Edmunds, Gemma Black and Ali O’Flaherty) with a vision to expand and enrich the calligraphic community in the ACT.
What began as informal gatherings in members’ homes quickly grew into a thriving society, moving to larger venues in Fyshwick, Narrabundah and eventually Urambi Village, where members have met regularly since the 1990s.
Over the years the Society has continued to grow, welcoming members of all skill levels who share a love of calligraphy, lettering and the written arts. Our monthly workshops feature respected tutors from across the ACT, around Australia and from overseas, providing members with opportunities to learn a wide range of traditional and contemporary calligraphy techniques.
The Society has also benefited from the achievements of founding member Gemma Black, who was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1991 to study the teaching of calligraphy in the UK and Europe. The knowledge and experience she gained have been generously shared with Society members and have helped shape calligraphy practice in Australia.
From early newsletters created using cut-and-paste techniques to today’s professionally produced full-colour publications, the Society has continually evolved while remaining true to its founding purpose: fostering a vibrant calligraphy community in Canberra and surrounds.
This year we celebrate 40 years of creativity, learning and friendship. Alongside our membership and annual exhibition of members’ work, we are delighted to welcome a growing number of new and younger members who are helping to ensure a bright future for the art of calligraphy in the Canberra region.