Welcome to the Chicago Calligraphy Collective.
We are an organization of individuals pursuing this beautiful art by study, collaboration and practice, practice, practice! We simply love to letter. Meet us at a workshop or at an exhibit—in class or at a conference. Come to a study group–we’ll be there. We welcome new members and encourage participation at all skill levels. Join us and learn more about this captivating and engaging form of fine art.
Join us for Into the Heartland Artist Retreat
Everyone is welcome; CCC membership is not required.
July 19-24, 2026
Eaglewood Resort & Spa
Itasca, IL 60143
Registration opens at 10:00 AM (CT) on August 22, 2025.
Into the Heartland is a boutique artist retreat—a gentle pause—a deep breath of fresh air amid life’s hustles. It is an experience of connection, creativity and curiosity that will leave you renewed and enthused long after you return home. Come and gather for a time set apart from your regular everyday to intentionally create and learn together. This is your invitation to slow down, savor each moment and be wholly present.
Proceeds from Roman Holiday (2024 International Calligraphy Conference) have been used to help fund Into the Heartland 2026, allowing us to offset costs and make this event more affordable for participants. By supporting Into the Heartland, attendees are also helping us achieve our broader mission of sustaining in-person calligraphy opportunities.
CCC Presents!
“Beyond the Pen: Turning Calligraphy into a Sustainable, Modern Business”
Presented by Sanjana Chatlani, The Bombay Lettering Company
Our Annual Tribute Fund Scholarship Grant
Members Who Teach
CCC Members who teach calligraphy are invited to submit their contact information
and a brief description of services for future inclusion on the website.
Instructor: Sherri Trial
Skill Level: All levels.
Registration is open.
Where: This workshop will be held online via Zoom.
When: Saturday & Sunday, April 18 & 19, 2026 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Central time.
Fee:
Member Weekend: $109
Non-Member Weekend: $159
Description:
Illumination has adorned calligraphic works for centuries. Gold leaf captures the eye, adding depth and enhancing the art. Traditionally, a lead-based gesso has been used for adhering gold leaf. Its temperamental nature, not to mention the extreme care that must be taken in working with powdered white lead, keeps Sherri joyfully creating with the easy cleanup-with-water polymer-based adhesive Instacoll which we will be using in this 2-day workshop.
Students will use their own simple designs created prior to class (see the supply list for details). After some fine-tuning, students will then transfer them to parchment or paper. Once transferred, we will begin with the Instacoll application process, followed by the gold leaf application and burnishing. There will be ample time for questions, discussions and troubleshooting. Sherri will share a broad variety of extraordinary images and examples to inspire and delight you.
Click here for Sherri Trial’s Bio
Click here for Supply List
This workshop will be LIVE via Zoom. Click here for Workshop Registration Policies and Procedures
Online registration will open for Members on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 10:00 am Central, and will open for Non-Members on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 10:00 am Central.