Photo Provided This small banner is on canvas and created by Gretchen Long.

WHEELING – Artworks Around Town will showcase the talent of the members of the Marietta Calligraphy Society for the month of June.

A festive reception will kick off this month’s featured exhibition at 5 p.m. p.m. today, Friday, June 5. The party is free and open to the public.

The Society was founded in 1981 by Jean Tasse, who was a professor at Marietta College at the time. She held workshops instructing in lettering, paper preparation and using color, all necessary skills in the art of Calligraphy.

The current president of the society is Sharon Hanse, a long-standing member of Artworks Around Town. In addition to being a steadfast presence for us, she has made beautiful placards announcing our exhibits each month.

There are currently eight artists in the group. Hanse promises this will be an amazing and unique show, most of which will be on paper. There will be some metal pieces and several banners. The group has authored a “Calligraphy Recipe Book” which will be for sale. It features a step by step guide for everything one would need to get started in this art form.

In a recent article about the calligraphers, it was written that The Marietta Calligraphy Society “promotes and encourages the art of calligraphy by providing the opportunity to share knowledge and techniques.” Note cards, prints and framed originals will all be for sale. Join us to help celebrate this special group of artists and their work.

Artworks is a non-profit fine art gallery and educational cooperative located in Wheeling’s Historic Centre Market. Hours are 10-5:30 p.m. six days a week from Monday through Saturday.