Presentation: Capital Ideas Revisited

Saturday, 8/2/2025
2:00 - 4:00
Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room A
Latino/Hispanic Meeting Room B
Main Library

100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

415-557-4400

Calligrapher Carl Rohrs demonstrates the art of writing in capital letters.

Carl Rohrs has been a freelance lettering artist and sign painter in Santa Cruz, California since 1977 and taught Lettering & Typography and Graphic Design at Cabrillo College since 1984. He has been teaching workshops in modern pen and brush calligraphy techniques for unsuspecting calligraphy societies throughout the U.S. and Canada since 1986 and around the world (Europe, Australia, Japan and South Africa) since 1993. He is currently the editor and designer of Alphabet, the Journal of the Friends of Calligraphy (since 2015) and also from 1989-92. He was designer and co-editor of the 25th Edition of the Speedball Textbook (2021) and is editor and designer for the upcoming 26th edition. His brush lettering has been used as the masthead for Letter Arts Review since 2006. 

Connect: Carl Rohrs – Instagram

This program is part of KALLIGRAPHIA 2025, the triennial exhibition by Friends of Calligraphy, in association with Book Arts & Special Collections. This year's exhibition celebrates the 50th anniversary of Friends of Calligraphy.

Image: Calligraphy by Carl Rohrs

Creative Arts

Exercise your power of imagination with programs that encourage hands-on projects for adults. For craft programs, all materials are provided, unless noted.

Typography and Calligraphy

Attend programming, lectures and workshops on the art, design and function of lettering.

Spotlight

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.

Public Notice and Disclaimer

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The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.