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Vance-Granville Offers Calligraphy Course

Vance-Granville Community College will offer a course in the art of calligraphy, beginning Wednesday, April 5, on the main campus in Vance County.

Maxine Chauvaux, who has taught the writing technique about 15 years, will be the instructor. A retired elementary school teacher from Pennsylvania, Chauvaux learned the basics of calligraphy from an English visitor to her school. She practiced the art and taught herself its fine points, and she taught it in Raleigh before moving to Oxford about a year ago.

“Calligraphy is an ancient style of writing practiced by monks who wrote the Scriptures in this style before the printing press was invented,” Chauvaux said. “I teach Italian calligraphy, which is the most-often used style and is the basic style learned before going on to others.”

Chauvaux said she will start her class at VGCC with the basics. “I will spend time with each individual student as they adopt a style of writing suited to their own tastes,” she said.

Most of her students have started out knowing nothing about the art but have turned out to be good calligraphers, she said. “They get so they can use them for practical applications, such as invitations, greeting cards and even advertisements,” Chauvaux said.

Classes will run from 4 to 7 p.m. in Room 6102, and the course will run each Wednesday through June 14. Cost of the course is $37.50, payable the first night. Pre-register by calling (252) 492-2061, ext. 3316.