Beginner Basics of Calligraphy Workshop

Discover the art of elegant lettering in this one-day workshop for adults led by local artist and shop owner Kristen MacCarthy. Through hands-on instruction, you'll learn to use the pointed dip pen and the flexible brush pen while you build confidence in creating beautiful, distinctive letterforms that reflect your personal style.

$ 55.00

Sale Sold out

Age and Experience

This class is for adults, ages 18+.

This class is designed for those without calligraphy experience--beginners are very welcome. This class is also great for those who have experience lettering but would like to deepen their understanding of fundamental skills.

Come experience for yourself why we are regularly voted Athens' favorite place to take an adult creative class!

Instructor

Kristen Ashley MacCarthy

Calligraphy, Drawing, Painting, and Photography Teacher at K. A. Artist Shop

Kristen runs the K. A. Artist Shop in Athens, Georgia, which she considers her perennial work of art. She spends much of her time in the shop’s service wing photographing fabric pieces, ceramics, and paintings, as well as stretching canvases, preparing custom supply kits, and printing archival reproductions for regional and national artists.

A graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Studio Art and a minor in Philosophy, Kristen is a perpetual learner and a devoted lover of color and aesthetics. Her favorite mediums include graphite, oil paint, watercolor, and ink.

Since opening the K. A. Artist Shop in 2014, Kristen has taught numerous classes there and has also led workshops and events at the Cobb Galleria, the Georgia Museum of Art, and the University of Georgia. Always eager to connect with Athens’ creative community, she has participated in a variety of local art-centered events and creativity summits, and has served as a juror for the ATHFest Artist Market and the OCAF Annual Members’ Show.

Check out some of Kristen's work here:
http://www.kaartist.com

And here:
http://www.instagram.com/kaartist

A graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Studio Art and a minor in Philosophy, Kristen is a perpetual learner and a devoted lover of color and aesthetics. Her favorite mediums include graphite, oil paint, watercolor, and ink.

Since opening the K. A. Artist Shop in 2014, Kristen has taught numerous classes there and has also led workshops and events at the Cobb Galleria, the Georgia Museum of Art, and the University of Georgia. Always eager to connect with Athens’ creative community, she has participated in a variety of local art-centered events and creativity summits, and has served as a juror for the ATHFest Artist Market and the OCAF Annual Members’ Show.

Location

This class is held at the K. A. Artist Shop.

127 N Jackson St. Athens, GA

We are located on the second floor of a charming historic building near the Jittery Joe's Coffee at the corner of Jackson and Broad Streets in downtown Athens, Georgia. We're right across the street from the UGA campus, and our front entrance is between Pita Pit and Dynamite Clothing.

Materials

All the materials you'll need for this class will be provided.

We'll use pointed dip pens and flexible brush pens on smooth Rhodia paper, so don't fret...we break out the good stuff! Better materials make your practice more enjoyable, so we look forward to sharing our quality supplies with you.

Registration

To register and reserve your spot, simply use the "Add to Cart" button above and proceed to checkout. You'll get a confirmation email once your order has been received. Then all you need to do is show up! You don't need to bring anything but yourself.

If you need any assistance at all, don't hesitate to reach out. You can reach us via email, call, or text. Or just swing by the shop!

hello@kaartist.com 
1-706-850-1224

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Schedule

Winter/Spring 2026 Offering:

This workshop will meet on Sunday, February 1st from 1:00pm - 4:00pm.

Browse our Calendar

Details

Calligraphy is the art of writing beautifully—and you're about to master it. In this engaging one-day workshop, you'll explore essential tools from pencils to brush markers and traditional dip pens, learning proven techniques to develop your own signature lettering style. Our relaxed, supportive environment lets you practice freely while gaining insider tips from an experienced instructor. Walk away with the skills and confidence to create stunning letterwork on your own, whether for personal projects, gifts, or creative pursuits.

Meet Your Teacher

Kristen Ashley MacCarthy

Kristen spends most of her time running the K. A. Artist Shop and considers it to be her perennial work of art. If you’ve ordered calligraphy, painting, photography, or printing services through us, you’ve likely seen her work.

A graduate of UGA with a degree in Studio Art and a minor in Philosophy, Kristen is a perpetual learner and a lover of color and aesthetics. Favorite mediums include graphite, oil paint, gouache, and ink. Kristen has taught classes at the Artist Shop since its opening, has led workshops at the GA Museum of Art, been a juror at the ATHFest Artist Market, and has participated in various gallery shows and creativity summits around town.

Check out some of Kristen's work here:
http://www.kaartist.com

And here:
http://www.instagram.com/kaartist

Where is your classroom located?

Unless otherwise noted, our classes are hosted inside the K. A. Artist Shop, located at 127 N Jackson Street in downtown Athens, GA.

Please note: We are located on the second floor of a historic building without elevator access. If you are unable to attend a class due to accessibility concerns, we encourage you to reach out! We'd love to accommodate you with a private or virtual class.

Can I attend I have zero experience?

Many of our classes are perfect for those just starting out, and some are even designed for absolute beginners. Other classes are geared toward those with more experience, but everyone is welcome.

The description above will let you know the general experience levels that this class is designed for.

What do I need to bring to class?

We typically provide all the materials you'll need for our classes, and we typically break out the good stuff!

Once in a while we'll need you to provide some materials, tools, or a high-res digital image (for instance in an "Effortless House Portraits" class you'll need to email us your photo in advance).

The description above will let you know if you need to bring anything, but most often, all you need to bring is yourself.

My child is 9 but very mature; may they enroll?

We're sorry! Our classes are designed for older students, yet we do allow for 10-12 year olds to join in our camps and clubs for pre-teens. We hope they'll join us next year when they are 10 years old.

Is there a multi-class discount?

For multi-class registrations, we recommend you take advantage of our rewards program. You're welcome to register in multiple transactions, using the rewards points earned to redeem discounts on additional classes.

Do you offer class scholarships?

Yes! If a discount will help you attend one of our classes, camps, or workshops, we invite you to use this coupon code as many times as you’d like:

CLASSROOMSCHOLARSHIP15

What is your classroom cancellation policy?

We understand that things happen and you may not be able to attend the class you purchased. If your plans change, please let us know at least 7 days before your scheduled class begins. If you let us know with at least 7 days notice, we can issue a full monetary refund to your original form of payment or switch you to another class at no charge.

We cannot offer refunds after the 7-day-mark, but we are happy to offer make-up sessions in other classes as space allows or a credit toward a birthday party to any student who needs to miss their scheduled class.

Regretfully, we cannot issue refunds or make-ups for no-shows. Please reach out to us prior to class if you need to cancel or reschedule.

On occasion, a class might not reach the minimum number of students needed. If this is the case and we need to cancel a class ourselves, we will let registrants know at least three days prior to the scheduled event. You'll of course receive a full refund or re-scheduling, and we will also provide a small gift card as a token of our appreciation.