Kalligraphia Spotlight: Carl Rohrs

All images by Carl Rohrs

On Saturday, August 4th, lettering artist, graphic designer and typographer Carl Rohrs will demonstrate Brush Writing in the Latino/Hispanic Community Metting Room at the Main Library, Lower Level. Carl has led previous Kalligraphia demonstrations here at the Main Library before and has presented the Book Arts & Special Collections Annual Holiday Lecture in 2010.

Carl Rohrs is a lettering artist, graphic designer and typographer. He was introduced to the art of calligraphy while a student of Reese Bullen at Humboldt State University, Arcata, California, in the 1970s. After graduation, with an interest in building on his knowledge of letter forms, Carl pursued a career as a sign painter, eventually establishing a well-known and highly successful sign business in Santa Cruz, California. Apart from his sign business, he also continued his study of calligraphy, at first learning through books and solitary practice, later studying with a variety of teachers in workshop settings. Eventually he became a teacher himself; for almost thirty years he has taught at Cabrillo College, in Aptos, expanding his repertoire from calligraphy to include classes in graphic design and typography. He also maintains an active schedule as guest workshop teacher for calligraphy societies throughout the United States and in Europe, Japan, Australia and South Africa. Over time Carl has developed a distinctive calligraphic style which is highly acclaimed for its originality and vitality of form, using both the pen and the brush, and drawing inspiration from historic and contemporary sources. He is represented in many collections, including the Library’s Harrison Collection of Calligraphy & Lettering in the Book Arts & Special Collections Center.

While you're here, come up to the 6th Floor for Kalligraphia 13, an exhibition of modern calligraphy by members of the Friends of Calligraphy, a non-profit Bay Area organization. Kalligraphia 13 will be on view in the Skylight Gallery on the 6th floor of the Main Library through August 26.