CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY

In March, slow down and make space for calm, focused creativity through the art of Chinese calligraphy. Led by May Yu, this welcoming Belonging Older Adults visual arts series introduces participants to the beauty, philosophy, and expressive power of brushwork. Together, we’ll practise simple characters, explore the meaning carried in each stroke, and begin pairing calligraphy with ink brush painting. No prior experience is needed.

Across the series, participants will learn foundational brush techniques using brush pens and traditional tools, then build toward creating finished pieces to take home. The sessions move from basic strokes and nature-inspired characters, into everyday phrases used as blessings, and then into the relationship between calligraphy and ink brush painting.

• Session 1: Introducing Chinese calligraphy. Explore different calligraphy styles, learn basic strokes, and practise simple characters such as 日 (sun), 月 (moon), 山 (mountain), and 水 (water).

• Session 2: Calligraphy and everyday life. Practise popular characters and short phrases like 平安 (peace) and 大吉 (big luck). Participants can also create a Chinese nickname or pen name for their work, and try a first ink brush painting exercise, such as painting a mandarin orange in black ink.

• Session 3: From calligraphy to ink brush painting. Learn key themes and philosophies of Chinese ink painting, and practise techniques by painting familiar subjects like plum blossoms, bamboo, vegetables, fish, insects, and more. Participants will develop a theme and a matching character or short phrase for a final piece.

• Session 4: Final work development. Create a finished artwork that combines calligraphy and ink brush painting on a framed card, signed with a pen name. Participants will take home one or two framed cards to keep as decorations or share as blessing cards with family and friends.

This series is a great fit for older adults in Toronto who are interested in calligraphy classes, ink brush painting, or hands-on visual arts workshops that bring together culture, storytelling, and gentle skill-building. The pace is supportive and encouraging. Participants register for the Belonging Older Adults program, then can drop in to any Tuesday session that works for them.

Support free community arts

Jamii’s workshops are free so that cost is never a barrier to participation. If you’re able, you can help pay it forward by donating through Jamii’s website. Your support helps keep community arts accessible and welcoming for everyone.

These workshops are open to people of all experience levels. No background in visual arts is required. Participants are encouraged to take part in a way that feels comfortable and meaningful to them.

Workshops are free for participants. Registration is required, and space is limited.

Jamii's Belonging Older Adults workshops are sponsored by Government of Canada - New Horizons for Seniors Program, Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, and St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association.