Sallyportal: Madly Blogging Reed

Calligraphy Returns!

By President John Kroger on October 12, 2012 03:36 PM
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One of the most exciting developments at Reed this fall is the return of calligraphy. As alumni know, calligraphy has a long and distinguished history at our college. From 1939 to 1984, Reed's humanist calligraphy program, under the direction of Lloyd Reynolds and Robert Palladino, inspired countless Reed students who pursued distinguished careers in the visual arts, typography, design, and literature, including luminaries like Steve Jobs and typeface designer (and Macarthur genius grant winner) Charles Bigelow '67.

The new Reed Scriptorium is part of the Cooley Gallery's new Calligraphy Initiative (the brainchild of Stephanie Snyder '91) and was developed and is coordinated by Gregory MacNaughton '89. Stephanie and Greg have both shown immense leadership in bringing this vital program back to the college. I dropped by the scriptorium the other night and it was packed with current students, staff, faculty, and old Reedies alike. Take a look at the Cooley's beautiful calligraphy Tumblr for more information about the program.

Tomorrow, I am leaving on a six-day hiking trip with Reed students in the northern California wilderness, and I am taking along some calligraphed weathergrams from the scriptorium to leave at the trailhead. Very cool.

Tags: calligraphy, Cooley Gallery, scriptorium, weathergrams