art & the letter 2025 exhibition
The Art & the Letter Exhibition is an annual event held both at the CLAS Creative (previously called AGM Day) and online. We welcome submissions from calligraphers, and lettering artists, regardless of their level of experience.
The Art and the Letter 2025 hybrid exhibition will be held both online and at the CLAS Creative (previously called AGM Day) on Saturday, 8th March 2025, at Regent’s University London, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4NS.
Physical and digital exhibits must be submitted between 17 and 31 January 2025.
You do not need to attend the CLAS Creative 2025 to submit an exhibit. Please note that the CLAS Creative 2025 is a ticketed event, should you wish to attend.
For any further information, please contact Sarah Walker at artandletter@clas.co.uk.
exhibition categories
We are delighted to present this year’s categories for the 27th Annual Art and the Letter Exhibition, celebrating the skills and imagination of all levels of experience, from Beginners to Fellows. Choose one of the following categories.
let the light pour in by lemn sissay OBE FRSL
For the past decade, Lemn Sissay has composed a short poem each morning as dawn breaks. Life- affirming, witty and full of wonder, these poems capture the essence of the moment. Choose one of the two short poems to create your piece.
N.B Copyright permission from the author has already been granted for this exhibition only and no other purpose
Dawn is the spell-checker
For the dreams of night
They cast their spells in the dark
And wait by the sea for light
Day breaks
And a split-yolk sun
Oozes on a lightly toasted
And buttered sky
the art of celtic calligraphy
Celtic calligraphy is an instantly recognisable style that epitomises the ideal of Celtic craftsmanship, featuring intricate knotwork, animals winding into the loops of illuminated letters, or a script carved in wood or etched on stone.
colour of the year for 2025 – ‘future dusk’
Be inspired by the colour of the year for 2025 ‘Future Dusk’, a deep shade of blue purple that’s celestial and mysterious.
musical calligraphy – the rhythm of the pen
Musical calligraphy can be understood as the improvised translation of sound into artistic script, where the artist interprets a particular musical composition through the rhythm of the pen.
N.B May require copyright approval.
entry requirements
1. Entry is open to members and non-members of CLAS free of charge.
2. Only ONE entry per person is allowed. However, applicants can submit the same entry both digitally and physically, only digitally, or only physically. When submitting your entry, please specify your choice.
3. Physical exhibits will be displayed at the CLAS Creative 2025. Digital exhibits will be displayed both online and projected on a screen during the CLAS Creative 2025.
4. Entries must have been created after 1st January 2024 and be the artist’s own original work.
5. The exhibits should be no larger than A2, including mount. There is no restriction on format or medium, unless otherwise stated.
6. Please ensure, where necessary, that you have copyright permission to use the words in your entry.
7. Secure, unbendable packaging which can easily be reused is preferable, with every loose piece labelled with your contact details. Foamboard has been found to damage easily in the post. Please do not oversize the packaging to facilitate transportation. 3D entries should be packed flat if possible.
8. Work must not be framed or with glass. It MUST be mounted, either with a formal cut mount or wrapped round foamboard or similar. Please note that the work will be handled several times and will be attached to the exhibition boards using Velcro.
9. Safe arrival of your work will be acknowledged by email if given (or by post if you enclose a stamped addressed postcard with the words ‘WORK RECEIVED’). No other acknowledgement will be given.
10. A high-resolution digital photograph of ALL entries (physical and digital) must be submitted via email to: artandletter@clas.co.uk. A handy tips document on how to photograph your work is available upon request.
11. Digital entries will only be considered if a high-resolution photograph is received within the deadline date.
12. Photographs of all entries may be reproduced in the Edge, on CLAS social media and on the CLAS website.
13. To avoid customs duty, overseas entries should be labelled as ‘No value/Not for sale – artwork for Educational Project to be returned to sender’.
14. Physical entries must be sent to the Art and the Letter Officer at the address below. Digital entries should be sent via email as indicated below. (Please ensure that the resolution of all digital images is of high quality.) All exhibits should arrive between 17th and 31st January 2025.
15. Whilst we take the utmost care, CLAS cannot accept any liability for any damage or loss which may occur to your entry. You may wish to check that your artwork is covered by your insurance.
16. Physical entries may be collected from the Exhibition at Regent’s University London after 4.00pm on the day of the CLAS Creative 2025.
17. Entries that are not collected on the day of the CLAS Creative 2025 can be returned by post upon request. The postage cost will be invoiced to the entrant. The exhibition entry will be posted only after the payment to CLAS has been received.
18. All participants in this year’s physical exhibition will be automatically entered into the ‘Brian G. Walker Prize’ draw, consisting of a £100 prize from his legacy.
19. CLAS members will vote on their favourite physical and digital exhibits. Certificates and prizes will be awarded to the winners.
20. Special awards will also be presented to the physical entries on adjudication by 3 nominated CLAS Fellows.
21. CLAS kindly requests that all artists follow the exhibition entry requirements. By entering the exhibition, you are agreeing to the above-mentioned terms and conditions.
Please grade your experience level using the following guidelines:
BEGINNERS – up to one year of full-time study or up to 3 years of Adult Education or similar.
MORE EXPERIENCED – more than one year of full-time study or more than 3 years in Adult Education.
ADVANCED – teachers, holders of the Intermediate and/or Advanced CLAS National Diploma in Calligraphy.
FELLOWS – all CLAS Fellows
Please send all physical exhibition entries to:
Jeffrey Bailey
10 Manor House Drive, Northwood HA6 2UJ
Please email all digital entries and photographs to: artandletter@clas.co.uk
For all entries, please state the following information:
- Name
- Full postal address
- Telephone no.
- Email address (if applicable)
- Experience level
- Entry category
- Materials used
- Size of work
Please also state if the entry is to be returned by post or collected in person at the CLAS Creative 2025. If your piece is to be collected by someone else, please include their name.
become a part of CLAS
Join CLAS today for exclusive benefits including the Edge magazine, CLASnews updates, discounted course and competition fees, exclusive diploma access, free entry to our annual exhibition, invitations to exhibit, and discounts on calligraphy items from L Cornelissen and Son.