Non-Western Calligraphy Course - Hands-on and Historical -
Begins on January 23 at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus

Brooklyn, N. Y. - Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing. Both the technique and history of this art form, which has its roots in ancient China, are the focus of a new course for the Spring semester at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus. Called "Non-Western Calligraphy," it will explore Arabic and Hebrew as well as Chinese calligraphy, providing hands-on experiences and historical background.

No art experience is needed and all materials will be supplied for the course, which is offered as Art 187 and meets every Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., beginning January 23.

Long-time calligrapher Cynthia Dantzic, who is also an expert on the history of calligraphy, author and professor of visual arts at the Brooklyn Campus, will teach the class. She is a member of the governing board of the Society of Scribes, an educational organization in New York City that promotes the study, teaching and practice of calligraphy.

"It is unusual for a calligraphy course to concentrate strictly on non-Western writing styles," Professor Dantzic notes. "I feel that the combination of a hands-on and historical approach widens the scope of what the students will learn."

The Brooklyn-based artist has three forthcoming books, including, the "100 New York Calligraphers," to be published next year by Schiffer Publishing, "100 New York Photographers" and "Alphabet City: Signs of New York." Last year, her richly illustrated "100 New York Painters," was published by Schiffer to rave reviews,

The Brooklyn Campus offers the B.A. in Visual Arts, the B.F.A. in Studio Art and the B.F.A. in Teacher of Visual Arts in Urban Schools.

Posted: January 18, 2008

Contact Helen Saffran: 718-488-1015