TOUCH, CONNECT - 2nd Mark-making & Beach Calligraphy Workshop with Andrew van der Merwe

The smooth, swept surface of a beach is a quiet space, readily trodden and scratched, but it responds with surprising beauty if you touch it in the right way.

Ephemeral, meditative and energetic, beach calligraphy is more than a scratching of the surface. There are observational skills to be learned. These transfer readily to work and life contexts where they are more valuable. There are also spiritual lessons to be learned and refreshing little pleasures to be had.

But this workshop will not only be an inward journey. It will be an exploration, an instruction in technique and discipline and, hopefully, a lot of fun.

About the Presenter

Andrew van der Merwe is a professional calligrapher and letter artist from Cape Town. His work ranges from traditional illuminated addresses to commercial lettering, and from calligraphic art and murals to period movie props – anything that involves skilled writing. But he is more widely known for a new art form that he calls beach calligraphy and has presented workshops here in South Africa, in the United States and Belgium. His work has been published in calligraphy journals such as Letter Arts Review, Alphabet and Colophon and reported on in the Sunday Times, The Weekly Mail, Huffington Post, and CNN, among others. Have a look at his work under the name @beachscriber on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram where he has a strong international following.

Andrew will also be presenting a free lecture / slide show. Details to be announced soon.

Equipment

You will be supplied with some tools to use, including a beautifully-crafted "Beach Wand" which will be optional to keep at R250.

Other than that, please bring the following:

• Warm clothes, hat, bottle of water, snack

• Camera or mobile phone

• Optional extras: A big old knife and a big old serving spoon and/or anything else you think might make interesting marks. Slip-slops or Crocs can help with reducing footprints

Communication and Weather

• Please supply a cellphone number. A WhatsApp group of up to 10 participants will be created for communication. If you prefer to not be added to the group, please communicate directly with the organiser using Andrew van der Merwe's contact info supplied below.

• The workshop will be cancelled only if the weather proves to be intolerable, and only on consultation with the group, and if a move to the afternoon is not feasible. A full refund will be issued if the workshop is cancelled. A patch of mild wetness won't stop us though.

* The reason the workshop starts so early is to make the best of the lovely morning light.