Calligraphy Conference and Workshop at Southern Illinois University

If people complain that they can't read your handwriting, don't write them off. Instead, consider this local opportunity that could help improve your script: a week-long calligraphy conference and workshop at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

"Calligraphy today is entirely different than what it was up until about 1970," says Patricia Dresler, who is heading the 24th International Conference of Calligraphy and the Lettering Arts. The conference, which is hosted by the 30-member St. Louis Calligraphy Guild, begins on Saturday.

"Lettering is no longer just beautiful addresses on envelopes and nice lettering on simple certificates," she says. "Now, it includes pieces that can be hung on the wall as fine art."

During the conference, 49 workshops will be offered, including classes on "Word Pictures," "Classic Bindings" and "Zen Calligraphy and Paper Casting." The event is expected to draw more than 300 calligraphers and calligraphy enthusiasts from every continent except Antarctica, according to Dresler.

Charles Mullen, a St. Louis calligrapher who has attended several conferences, is especially looking forward to a presentation on the St. John's Bible project under way in a scriptorium in Wales.

"It is the first time perhaps since the 1500s that a monumental illuminated Bible is being hand-written. I've