Holly Monroe, a third generation calligrapher, grew up with an appreciation for beautiful letters and fine art. Since her graduation from Miami of Ohio, she has studied with a number of the world’s finest calligraphy instructors. In 1980, she opened her own studio under the family name, Heirloom Artists.

Holly’s motivation is to “feed the soul by making meaningful words beautiful.” She captures Biblical and inspirational texts with flourishes, florals, illustrations and colorful hand lettering.

Private commissions and design for the gift industry comprise much of Holly’s work, but her creative lettering and design is found in commercial, corporate, and church collections as well as several presidential collections. She teaches a variety of workshops and conference topics.

 

STUDIO:
1980-2003 Owner of Holly Monroe, Heirloom Artists freelance calligraphy and design studio.
Holly’s calligraphic designs and letters are found internationally in corporate and private commissions and in the gift and commercial markets.

They exist as framed art (originals and prints), lettering on beauty products, mission statements, resolutions, greeting cards, magazine covers, T-shirts, watches, family trees, wedding invitations and other imaginative items. Her calligraphy has been commissioned for documents presented to officials such as President G.H. Bush, President Clinton, Jacques Chiraque (France), Entrepreneur Carl H. Lindner, and promotional pieces lettered for Pete Rose.

CLIENTS: (partial list)
Abbey Press, Alphabetica, Bath & Body Works, Bethany Farms, Dicksons, Gibson Greetings, Hidden Life, Home Interiors, Leanin’ Tree, Living Epistles, Paramount Greetings, The Printery House, Twinrocker Wedding Album, Universal Designs, Warner Press, Zondervan, and Misc. Businesses/Churches/Hospitals/Individuals,etc.

INSTRUCTOR:
1996, 16th International Calligraphers’ Conference, “Soundings”Seattle,WA
1998, 18th International Calligraphers’ Conference “Discoveries” San Diego
1999, 19th International Calligraphers’ Conference “PenUltima”Alberta, Canada
2003, 23rd International Calligraphers’ Conference “Celebration-2003”
Traveling workshops include: Contemporary Decorated Letters, Family Trees, Calligraphy as a Business, Flourishing , Italic and various Lettering Styles.
Cincinnati, Ohio Portland, Oregon Louisville, Kentucky Seattle, Washington Huntsville, Alabama

PROFESSIONAL OFFICES:
1998-2002 Association of the Calligraphic Arts, Business Development Director
1980-2003 Local Guild: President, Secretary, Workshop Coordinator, ACA liaison

SHOWS:
CIVA, “SCRIBES OF HOPE”, 1997-98, National traveling show
Cincinnati Women’s Club-, 1998, Individual month long show of my work
ALPHAMARK-1999-2001, International traveling show/ACA sponsored, (2) pieces
Judge for calligraphy exhibit, 2000, Indianapolis State Fair
The Written Word Remains, Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, June 2003

DEMO’S:
Demonstate live calligraphy, in costume. Most recently, Cincinnati Art Museum, 1999.

BOOKS & JOURNALS:
Lettering Arts, Speedball Textbook/ 23rd Edition; pp. 42, 85
Pen Calligraphy Manual by Fran Strom p. 101
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Calligraphy by Jane Eldershaw pp. 53, 133, 139, 143
Letter Arts Review, 2002, Volume Seventeen, Number Four, p. 39

DEGREE:
Miami University of Ohio, Bachelor’s of Education, Business Minor

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE:
1994-1997 Den Mother 2001 Junior Achievement Instructor
1991-2003 PTA 1992, 2000 Coordinator, Reflections PTA Art Contest
2001-2003 WWMS PTA President