Welcome Words Opening Draws Joyful Crowds

The combined exhibit of PSC, Valley Calligraphy Guild, Capital Calligraphers, and Mount Angel’s own calligraphers opened on a beautiful fall afternoon with a lovely reception attended by more than a hundred people. The entry of the Mount Angel Abbey Library was abuzz with friends reuniting and visitors enthusiastically admiring the wide variety of calligraphy on display.

Brother Albert Klotz delivered an entertaining lecture in the auditorium, showcasing examples from the abbey’s prized medieval manuscript collection. Guests enjoyed making Weathergrams at an interactive station created by Peg Falconer and Fr. Philip Waibel. The Capital Calligraphers provided quills and the Valley Calligraphy Guild contributed handmade bookmarks as gifts to those attending. Larry Whitson created a beautiful handmade guest book for visitors to sign, Peg Falconer’s fine Italic hand graced the artists’ nametags, and Ashley Khokhlov generously captured photographs of the event. Leslie Hutchinson, Bryn Cole, and other greeters embodied the spirit of welcome intended by the show’s theme.

Delicious hand-baked treats by Salem and Eugene area calligraphers and refreshing beverages provided by the Abbey were another highlight of the experience. We are very grateful to Fr. Philip Waibel, Dr. Brian Morin, Fr. Anselm Flores, and their team for their hospitality and skillful organization of this exhibit.

We are grateful to all those mentioned above as well as the many who stored and delivered artwork to make this show possible—Tiffany Hatteberg, Judy Large, Michelle Tran, Larry Whitson, and others. Thanks to Rachel Bancroft for setting up an efficient online registration system for our artists. Laura Drager and Heidi Stolp deserve much gratitude for organizing their respective guild members’ entries and for their assistance onsite preparing the exhibit.

Finally, I would like to extend my warmest thanks to PSC exhibits committee members Peg Falconer, Christine Olsen, Tamsen Salvador, and Larry Whitson, who put in months of work to make this exhibit happen, whose wealth of expertise helped things run smoothly, and who are just fun to be around.

The exhibit is still open through November 15. Many of the pieces are for sale—consider purchasing a piece of framed original calligraphy as a special gift for the people you love!

Stephanie Byrd
Exhibits Chair