Seminars and Workshops for the 2025 Philadelphia Pen Show will be offered and hosted by Azizah Asgarali of Gourmet Pens and Michael Ward of mrmgward.com. Additional seminars, workshops, and demonstrations are still being planned (as of April 2024).
- All seminar/workshop attendees must also purchase a Philly Pen Show admission ticket.
- Tickets can be purchased online at the bottom of this web page.
Friday:
5:00pm to 6:00pm
Stitch a Nib Wipe
Azizah Asgarali
In this workshop, you’ll craft your very own nib-wiping tool, a must-have accessory for fountain pen enthusiasts. We will be using very simple sewing; some hand-eye coordination required. You will be supplied with cloth, needles, thread, and cute accessories that will be a surprise!
Early Bird Price until December 14, 2024: $10
Price as of December 15, 2024: $15
6:00pm to 7:30pm
Topic: To Be Determined
Presented by The Black Pen Society and The Pen Notes Project
Panelists: To Be Determined
Moderator: Joshua Lax
Details to follow.
Free with Paid Admission to the Pen Show
Saturday:
10:00am to 10:30am
Pen Show Tour
Come along for a pen show tour! This is a great option for anyone who is new to pen shows, would like a pen show buddy to alleviate the jitters or anyone who would like an introduction to pen show etiquette. Host will answer questions and you’ll get to ease into the show experience!
Free with Paid Admission to the Pen Show
10:00am to 11:00am
Gourmet Pens’ Casual Broad Edge Calligraphy
Azizah Asgarali
Join our workshop and learn the basics of a Gourmet Pens-tweaked broad edge script, and how to make it extra beautiful. Let’s unlock the art of stylish, colorful calligraphy! You will be supplied with a Pilot Parallel fountain pen, ink, guide, and some additional accessories for that GP pizzazz! No experience necessary.
Early Bird Price until December 14, 2024: $50
Price as of December 15, 2024: $60
Noon to 1:00pm
Inksploration of Color – Volume 1 Purples
Azizah Asgarali
Inks + Explore = Inksploration – to go into or travel over for purposes of discovery or adventure. Azizah will guide you on an expedition through a curated selection of tasty purples. This workshop will provide all the tools you will need for this quest, including a generous sampling of the purples we will be using, paper, and a few other tidbits. Bring your curiosity!
Early Bird Price until December 14, 2024: $60
Price as of December 15, 2024: $70
1:00pm to 4:00pm
Spencerian Script for the Fountain Pen User
Michael Ward
Many would say that Spencerian Script is the most artistic and beautiful of all the hands. And they’d be right! But honestly, who wants to carry a dip pen nib, an oblique nib holder, and an ink well with them wherever they go? Who even wants to faff about with these items when at home? Very few, that’s for sure.
Enter Spencerian Script for the Fountain Pen User! Joy! In this three-hour class you’ll need only your favorite writing instrument (be that a fountain pen, a ballpoint, a rollerball, a pencil, etc.). Using the instrument of your choosing, we’ll start by learning the fundamental strokes and lowercase letterforms. We will then move on to the magical world of capital letters and explore the entry and exit flourishes that can add personality to your script. In places where shades are added to the script, you’ll learn to draw them in after the fact to replicate the look of a flexible nib. You will finish this class with the knowledge and confidence to further practice Spencerian at home – and you’ll have an undeniable desire to use it in your own personal correspondence.
Early Bird Price until December 14, 2024: $75
Price as of December 15, 2024: $100
4:00pm to 5:00pm
Doodle Stacking
Azizah Asgarali
A class for pen lovers who think they cannot create cool art! Azizah, a seasoned doodle enthusiast and writing fluid aficionado, will help you explore a stackable style of drawing that will help you maximize the use and enjoyment of your fountain pens, inks, and other writing instruments. Perfect for hesitant scribblers. No prior experience required. This workshop will provide all the tools needed for your opus, including papers, pens, and guides.
Early Bird Price until December 14, 2024: $45
Price as of December 15, 2024: $55
