Karen McMannon

KAREN MCMANNON is one of the most influential calligraphers in the Greater Cincinnati area. Her teaching and enthusiasm inspire the student calligrapher.

Karen began studying the lettering arts in 1959 and became an established professional in 1976. In her quest to perpetuate calligraphic skills, Karen originated the Greater Cincinnati Calligraphers’ Guild in 1980. In 1992, Karen opened the doors of her teaching studio, CALLIGRAPHY, THE WRITE WAY in the heritage district of Montgomery, Ohio. As a professional creating calligraphic art, Karen enjoys the challenge of visually expressing the meaning of words. Moreover, Karen enjoys meeting and working with her clients, understanding their calligraphic requests and sharing in their poignant moments of life.

A FOUNDER OF THE GREATER CINCINNATI CALLIGRAPHERS’ GUILD, 1980
Served as President and NEW LETTERS Editor and in other capacities

• PROFESSIONAL
  • Among Karen’s most recent clients are Colin Cowie Lifestyle, The Violin Society of America, Association of Medical Illustrators, Proctor & Gamble, ISABELLA CATALOG of Books and Gifts for Reawakening the Spirit, Tiffany & Co., Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., All Occasions, M. Hopple, Saks 5th Avenue.
• INSTRUCTOR
  • On-going Studio Classes and Instructional Critique
    • Most recent classes feature Copperplate Script and Spencerian Script
  • Taught "The Italic Hand" at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, Mt. St. Joseph Weekend College and
    The University of Cincinnati Communiversity
  • Taught "Introduction of Lettering Styles, Broadsides" in the continuing education programs of Wyoming and Sycamore School Districts

• AUTHOR
  • CALLIGRAPHY TECHNIQUES, a series of Four Workbooks, published by Northlight Books, Second Edition published by Random House, 1990
  • Cover art and project pages 1 thru 15 in CALLIGRAPHY by Don Marsh, 1996
  • Calligraphy featured in Colin Cowie's EXTRAORDINARY WEDDINGS, photographs of menus, envelopes, placecards, table numbers and Guest Book from several weddings

• JUDGE
  • Indiana State Fair, Calligraphy Category, four years

• EXHIBITOR
  • Three showing with GCCG at the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County
  • Three Traveling Shows at various library branches within Greater Cincinnati area, Northern Kentucky and Southeaster Indiana
  • Two showings in Studio San Guiseppe, College of Mt. St. Joseph:
    • Bicentennial Faculty Show and Curator of "Lasting Impressions", 1991
  • Summerfairs
  • Celtic Music & Cultural Festivals
  • Celebratory Exhibits of Guilds: Louisville, KY, Columbus, Cleveland, Marietta & Sandusky, OH
  • Montgomery Art Fairs – First and Third Place Ribbons
  • Madeira Art Fairs
  • THE TOWN CLUB, downtown Cincinnati – One Woman Show
  • LETTERS & LATTES, a Cincinnati Fine Arts Sampler, exhibited at the American Classical Music Hall of Fame
  • BACK TO COOL ON CALHOUN, as performing artist during poetry readings
  • ARTIST IN THE PARK – First Artist featured by the Montgomery, Ohio Arts Commission

• PRESENTER/DEMONSTRATOR/LECTURER
  • Pioneer Village, Sharon Woods, 1976
  • Cincinnati Art Museum
  • Hamilton County Public Library Branches
  • Guild of the Golden Quill, Dayton
  • International Master Penman, Engrossers & Teachers of Handwriting, 36th Annual Convention
  • Mt. St. Joseph Lettering Classes
  • Xavier University Workshop "Institute for Teachers"
  • Greater Cincinnati Calligraphers' Guild
  • WCPO news segment "Interesting Occupations"

• AMONG PRESENTATION TOPICS:
  • "Historical Styles"
  • "Queen City Quotes"
  • "Calligraphy and Children's Literature"
  • "Flourishing"
  • "Attempting Tools – Using unique writing instruments"
  • "Commissions & Pricing"
  • "Creative Copying"
  • "Mid, Back and Foregrounds"
  • "Writing on a Curve – Spirals & Circles"
  • "Metalic Inks and Other Additives"
  • "GoUache"- how to use qouache
  • "Making Corrections so no one know"
  • "Creating Calligraphic Art – from start to finish"

• CALLIGRAPHIC SERVICES
  • Quaker Marriage Certificates
  • Invitations
  • Envelope Addressing
  • Place Cards
  • Seating Charts
  • Table Numbers
  • Marriage Vows
  • Program Covers
  • Wedding Albums
  • Monograms
  • Fine Art
  • Mission Statements
  • Resolutions
  • Quotes/Poems
  • Logo Designs
  • Signs
  • Banners
  • T-Shirts
  • Tattoos
  • Any and all lettering needs