Just got back from the 2026 Calligraphy Conference and I am freshly obsessed with writing and inspired to do a few personal projects!
This was my third time attending the conference held by the International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH).
Between all the people, classes, demos, activities, and popup events, every day feels like 3 days. Somehow, there is always enough energy to get to everything. The week goes by so, so fast!
They held this 78th annual conference at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah, during the first week of August. Keep reading to see my shots from the hotel and downtown SLC, my work from the classes I took, and other things we got into!
This was my first time in Salt Lake City. The weather made me feel right at home — warm and dry! I loved the scent of the trees in the air and walking in their shade.
Little America Hotel
The theme of this year’s conference under President Mike Ward was the Golden Age of American Penmanship, roughly from the 1850’s to the 1920’s. To put it simply, this was a time where systems of cursive were proliferating through classrooms and businesses alike.
The Little America Hotel features decor and architecture from the mid 1930’s, just after that time period. The hotel was gorgeous and spacious with great lighting — perfect for the conference!
Romans; Bone, Flesh, and Skin with Hoang Dao
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Hoang travelled to the 2026 calligraphy conference from Vietnam. He’s a skilled calligrapher in several different hands, and he has extensive experience with gilding.
In this class, he went over the proportions of Roman Capital letters (left). He showed 3 different methods for varying the letter strokes and guided us through creating beautiful serifs on our letters. His were beautiful . . mine will be one day!
Logotypes, Tattoos, and Titles with Adam Klodecki
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Adam travelled from Berlin to teach and I am so glad I met him and got to know him a little bit. I am so inspired by his experience with calligraphy and his zeal to exhaust so many ideas before choosing a favorite to develop!
During class, he demonstrated how he warms up for lettering in his studio and how he develops concepts from sketch to final artwork.
To the right is one of many little works I put together during class!
E.L. Brown Engrossing with Skyler Chubak
Skyler actually lives in Salt Lake City, so short travel for him! He does impeccable sign, gilding, and cetificate work.
He gave us a great step-by-step tutorial for creating headings in the style of E.L. Brown, an engrosser during TIME PERIOD. We learned what order to do the steps of the artwork, resulting in a simple but very polished heading!
To my surprise, Skyler chose my work (left) to show on the big screen! Such a cool moment, and I can’t wait to complete the certificate I took this class for!
Listening to Gold with Martha Laurens
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Martha came to the conference from Australia and showed us lots of different types of gold and glues (sizes) for applying it. Between myself and my neighbors, we each tested 3 or 4 different sizes (right).
Martha shared lots of things to watch out for when working with gold. I’m glad I have several more sheets of gold in my studio to use in a new way!
Shaded-Base Spencerian with Nina Tran
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Nina most likely came to the 2026 calligraphy conference from LA. She geared up by showing us variations on Spencerian Script called “Back Hands”. Nina walked us through how she took her favorite parts from a few different hands and put them together for this fun script.
She taught us a whole new pen hold (left) and how to join the letters with thick, juicy strokes. It was such a fun class to end on and I enjoyed writing the script even more than I thought I would!
Looking back over the photos, I can’t help but feel like I am so, so glad I was there. Being around other people who are as dedicated and excited about calligraphy is unmatched. Not only did I feel my skills and sense of community grow, but I also feel like I did that for the people around me. It can be tough to feel as if we belong where we want to be, and I hope that being together in that setting will make it easier to create belonging in our daily lives.
Other Conference Activities
In addition to class, there were product and technique demonstrations 3 times a day, at least 2 activities and meetups each night! Many of us finished the night in the study room, chatting and practicing calligraphy or working on projects. Here are a few photos I got of the extras!
Mont Blanc Demo
We also had a special treat — Mont Blanc set up for a few hours and let us test some of their amazing pens.
They also provided postcards for us to send home, complete with a mailbox to drop them in!
Professional Penmen “Headshots”
Dave Brewer from Photo Collective Studios came out and we lined up multiple times to pose for the camera! Joining him was someone (I didn’t catch his name!) to edit photos, giving them a sepia tone consistent with the time period. He then printed a photo on the spot for us to bring home!
Several conference-goers brought a pen or similar prop for their photos, and they all looked great! Once all the photos were available in the online gallery, we were able to download the ones we liked. Such a generous activity and I know I’ll use my photos more than once! This one was my favorite of them all!
My Conference Attire
For the most part, it is COLD in the conference rooms, and I am a person who likes to be a little extra warm! I wore thick socks every day and always had a heavy scarf in my backpack just in case!
75% of these articles of clothing were thrifted!
Conference Gifts
We tend to come home with lots of *stuff* after a conference. Some of this is from the swag bags IAMPETH puts together, some is supplies we purchased from the John Neal Books popup shop, and some is gifts from friends!
Main Takeaways
For me, the most profound thing I walked away with is to fully embrace myself as an artist. The second thing was the permission from myself to be good at what I do. For most of 2025 and 2026, I’ve been reading supportive books about families of origin, dysfunction, shame, assertiveness, and healing emotional wounds. I’m almost 42 and for the first time, I’ve achieved a true sense of self-acceptance. To experience that in a setting of other artists and dedicated professionals just fanned the flame I already carry. Everyone added so much joy, and I am so happy to be a part of that community.
The only things I have to decide are which project to start on of the many I have planned, and where to keep my pennies toward next year!
See you there?
