Calligraphy As Meditation Day: June 19, 2026

This month of June 2026, I’m joining an online gathering to explore the healing power of calligraphy—where presence matters more than perfection.

Calligraphy as Meditation Day is a 24-hour global event starting at 11 am Eastern on June 19. Bringing together 24 artists from around the world, each leading a one-hour session, with a short break between to keep the pace calm and human. Additionally, the event also supports the Emerging Artists Society, funding scholarships and creating more access to arts education.

I'LL BE TEACHING:

Calligraphy Mechanics

SESSION TIME:
→ Friday, June 19th at 5pm (NYC Time)

→ Friday, June 19th at 11pm (Barcelona Time)

→ Saturday, June 20th at 7am (Melbourne Time)

TOPICS I’LL COVER:

This is a practical demo where I’ll explain principles to better understand alphabets based on the construction of its letterforms with the writing tool. I'll cover concepts such as: slant, contrast, cursive and script alphabets, scale versus ratio, and ligatures. We will finish the session talking about calligraphic color and how to apply this notion into a meditative calligraphy practice.

Quote by Timothy Goodman. Modern Carolingian calligraphy using a 3mm Brause broad nib and liquid watercolours.

A Personal Invitation

I wanted to invite you to something I’m really happy to be part of.

It’s called Calligraphy as Meditation Day, and it’s a full day of artists, teachers, and calligraphers from around the world sharing the slower, calmer, more human side of lettering.

Not to “be productive.”

Not to “build your brand.”
Not to “optimise your morning routine.”

Just making beautiful things with your hands and remembering your nervous system exists.

I’ll be teaching "Calligraphy Mechanics — Principles to better understand alphabets based on the construction of its letterforms with the writing tool".

One of the reasons I said yes to this event is because it supports the Emerging Artists Society, funding scholarships and creating more access to arts education. Additionally, I'm an advocate for creative mental health, and this event feels like a great fit.

If you’ve been craving more creativity, quiet, inspiration, or simply a reason to sit down with pen and paper again, I think you’ll really enjoy this.

You can register below.

Hope to see you there!

Copperplate calligraphy using a Hunt 101 pointed flexible nib and liquid watercolours.

About  My Trajectory

My name is Maria Montes, I’m a graphic and type designer specialising in branding, typography, lettering and calligraphy education.

My first contact with calligraphy was in 1996 (yes, last century!). In 2011, while studying typeface design, I picked up a calligraphy pen again… and haven’t put it down since.

Alongside this, I’ve been teaching calligraphy independently since 2014, working with 500+ in-person students and 150+ online students across all continents.

I offer in-person and online courses, in-house workshops, and private 1:1 coaching services.

I teach students around the world, from beginner to intermediate level, across styles including Roman Capitals, Modern Carolingian, Italic, Neuland, Blackletter, Copperplate, and brush script. I’m currently teaching a 4-month calligraphy course (in-person in Melboure and online).

In 2025 I published an educational platform called Writing Calligraphy. This project is the culmination of many years of hands-on calligraphy practice and study. It has been created with the intention of educating and bringing a contemporary light to calligraphy and its close relationship to its younger cousin, typography—two elements that have always been present in my career since 2011.

Hey! I'm Maria Montes, a Catalan-Australian multilingual, multicultural designer, calligraphy-and-type educator. My creative practice is set by the principles of never stop learning, sharing knowledge and create emotion through my work.

I have been teaching calligraphy independently since 2014. My favourite way of learning is by teaching others. I offer in-person and online calligraphy courses, corporate in-house workshops, as well as private 1-on-1 tutorials.