On Saturday, November 14, 2009, a group of calligraphers gathered at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Grafton to pay tribute to our of our own in a most unique way – by attending a workshop!  Flowers for Barbara…A Tribute to Barbara Kendall, presented by nationally acclaimed instructor Barbara Close, was an apt and appropriate way to honor the memory of our dear friend.  The event drew a crowd of 58 participants, including 5 charter members of Cream City Calligraphers.  It was a day of camaraderie, learning and fun, accompanied by a bountiful array of delicious food.  (A tempting lunch was available for purchase, along with a multitude of snacks and sweets which participants brought to share.)

The workshop topic, pen-drawn florals, was a beautiful merger of two of Barbara Kendall’s passions, flowers and letters.  We were each provided with a lovely exemplar handout of flourished capitals and lower case letters done with a pointed pen, the simple strokes required to make delicate blossoms, leaves and stems, an example of the embellished letters, and a page of floral quotations, as well as several sheets of laser paper which is very pointed pen friendly (compliments of Debi Zeinert).  Barbara Close walked us through each of the capitals using the Dukane machine (a document camera which allows table to screen viewing), and toured the classroom to see our progress and offer pointers. The instruction was geared to all calligraphic levels, so that even those without much pointed pen experience could participate successfully.

Sue McConnell displayed an assortment of photographs of Babara from childhood throughout her life, which were a delight. 

Sue also brought a “grab bag” for each workshop participant; each bag held some small treasure from Barbara’s collection of rubber stamps, needlecraft, and calligraphic and paper arts accoutrements.  Barbara Close gave each of us a beautifully hand decorated floral bookmark in memory of Barbara.

If you did not have the pleasure of knowing Barbara Kendall, here is a brief introduction.  A native Texan, Barbara married and settled in Wisconsin.  She taught English at Whitefish Bay High School until her retirement, and taught both beginning and intermediate calligraphy classes in the community for many years.  She was instrumental in the creation of Cream City Calligraphers and the Embroiderers Guild of America Badger Chapter.  Barbara loved reading, calligraphy, needlework, knitting, bridge, gardening and antiques.  She willingly shared her enthusiasm and expertise and was an inspiration to many.  She was warm, kind, creative and eternally optimistic; she never backed away from a challenge.  Barbara Kendall will be long remembered and sincerely missed, but in gatherings such as the Nov. 14th workshop, we can still feel her influence and her presence.

Barbara Close, who was one of Barbara’s favorite teachers at conventions and traveled from her home in southern California to be with us on the 14th, also has a very welcoming, positive teaching style and immense talent in a wide variety of subjects.  I would strongly encourage everyone, beginner or advanced student, to take a class with her whenever the opportunity arises.  Many kudos and thanks to everyone (most notably Marji Groth, Debi Zeinert, Marcy Schneider, Sue McConnell and Barbara Close) for coming together in Barbara’s memory and making this wonderful workshop possible!