About
Who are the Stanford Pen People?
The Stanford Pen People are members of the Stanford community interested in calligraphy and fine writing tools, particularly fountain pens and dip pens. Within our ranks are experienced fountain pen enthusiasts, as well as those who have just recently written with a fountain pen for the first time. Likewise, some of us are quite skilled in various forms of calligraphy, while others are just beginning to develop their handwriting.
The Pen People seek to spread interest in calligraphy, handwriting, and fine writing equipment. We hope to build a campus community around these interests by promoting fine writing, raising awareness of the importance of handwritten communication, connecting existing fine writing enthusiasts on campus, and mentoring those new to fine writing.
How do I become one of the Pen People?
Just show up to a meeting or workshop! We generally meet on campus twice per month, with more frequent meetings at the beginning of the academic year. These meetings are independent of any workshops, lessons, or other special events we may hold.
The easiest way to stay in the loop regarding our events and meetings is by joining our mailing list.
What do the Pen People do?
Our regular events are free of charge and usually take place in Lokey Laboratory (not Lokey Stem Cell):
- Calligraphy workshops assume no previous experience, and we will provide all necessary materials. The sign-up form generally opens about a week before each workshop. Workshops are taught by our professional calligrapher in residence.
- Pen meetings usually feature an informal talk given by a local calligrapher or pen expert. After the talk, we play with pens, ink, and paper and get to know one another. From time to time, there are also nice free goodies.
In addition to our regular events, we
- Travel to regional meetings and pen shows, such as the San Francisco International Pen Show
- Promote calligraphy and fountain pens on campus
- Host or co-host Bay Area pen events.
See the list of upcoming events for this quarter.
How many pens do I have to own to be a part of the Pen People? Do I have to have previous experience with calligraphy?
You don’t have to have written with a fountain pen or have previous experience with calligraphy to be a part of the Pen People. In fact, we generally cater to those who are new or just beginning to explore the worlds of calligraphy and fountain pens; most of our members have little to no experience.
That said, several members of the group are quite experienced, and we will hold more advanced workshops or discussions for time to time. Our members with more experience can help introduce you to the calligraphy and fountain pen community of the Bay Area at-large.
Are fountain pens and calligraphy materials expensive?
While there do exist expensive fountains and calligraphy materials, you can get pens and ink that will do just about anything you want for relatively little. A budget of $40 or less should be able to get you started with quality materials to start exploring the worlds of fountain pens and calligraphy. In addition, we are able to provide paper and ink for little or no cost and pens and calligraphy materials for short- and long-term loan.
My fountain pen has ceased to write normally. Can you help?
Feel free to bring your pen to an upcoming meeting or contact us.
Who designed your logo?
The Stanford Pen People logo was lettered in Copperplate script by resident calligrapher Nikola Pang.