Friday​​​​​

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​​​10 am - 5 pm - Auction Preview. Location: Kent Room

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10:00 am - 11:00 am - Better Handwriting for Busy Professionals and College Students  – in just an hour! $30 for First Time Attendee & $25 for anyone who has previously taken a seminar with David Barker (limit of 20) Camden Room *Must also purchase a weekend pass 

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Improve your handwriting in just an hour with David C. Barker – Attorney, Artist, and Teacher of Fine Writing.  This class is designed for the professional and young scholar who want their handwriting to reflect their intellect, drive, and professionalism.  Pens, pencils, paper, and other writing tools are included, however, David recommends each attendee bring what they typically use everyday for quicker integration of concepts into their daily life.  During the seminar, David will teach key concepts of fine handwriting, analyze attendees work, and provide immediate feedback during class!  All in under an hour!  See you there!

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10:00 am - 11:00 am - When Fountain Pens Meet Planning with Nikki Ameling, FREE, Windsor Room (limit of 20)*Must also purchase a weekend pass

Nikki Ameling also know as@nameling1011 on TikTok shares educational content on TikTok in her  series Nib-Bit & Fountain Pen 101

When Fountain Pens Meet Planning is designed for planners, journalers, and stationery lovers who are curious about fountain pens or want to use them more confidently in their everyday planning routines. We’ll cover fountain pen basics through the lens of planning and journaling, including beginner-friendly pens, nibs, inks, and paper, as well as practical tips for ink behavior, dry times, and common pitfalls. The focus is on modern fountain pens and real-world use — making them functional, fun, and unintimidating.

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​1:00 pm  2:00 pm - Journal Jumble with KC, Ogden Room, FREE 

Come take a break with your journal and fellow journalers for a roundtable. Gather prompts, learn techniques, and share your favorite sort of journaling. Journalers of all levels are welcome. 

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1:00 pm - 2:30 pm The Analog Line: A Journey Through Pen & Ink, Vintage Flex, and Creative Practice with Scott Jones, $60, limit of 20, Windsor Room

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​A hands‑on session focused on nurturing the creative process through simple mark‑making and the core fundamentals of art as they relate to pen‑and‑ink rendering. I also spend a substantial portion of the class on the history behind the tools — both the golden age of illustration and the early development of fountain pens — and why this heritage is worth preserving and keeping alive. Using vintage pens from the 1920s and earlier, I go over filling systems, basic maintenance, practicality, and the patient, respectful approach needed when working with early pens. The session is designed to be helpful for complete beginners as well as experienced artists, with an emphasis on rhythm, confidence, and expressive line work.

​Fee: $60 (includes a signed copy of my latest book)

Materials: I provide all materials — paper, ink, and vintage pens for hands‑on demonstration. Attendees don’t need to bring anything unless they want to. I will have vintage pens available for sale afterward, but the class itself is not sales‑focused.

Skill Level: Beginners and up

Printed Syllabus: A printed syllabus outlining the full session structure will be provided to all attendees during the class.

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2:00 pm - 3:30pm - Gamify Your Life: A Geeky Planning System with Anna Reinert, $35, limit of 35, York Room 

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Make planning, journaling and getting sh*t done a game! Using techniques collected from RPG games, video games and the world of fantasy and sci-fi, you can turn your day-to-day activities into a loot-acquiring missions and side quests. We will build a D&D/video game character sheet with your goals and regular activities and combine it with a dice casting method to add a bit of fun and chance to your day-to-day life. Accomplish goals and get loot! 
Includes 2 sticker sheets, zine and a set of dice for your gamification. (Retail value: $20) 
Bring your current journal and/or planner or a new notebook to start Gamifying your Life. Pens, stickers, washi and assorted ephemera also welcome.

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3:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Better Handwriting for Busy Professionals and College Students  – in just an hour! $30 for First Time Attendee & $25 for anyone who has previously taken a seminar with David Barker, Camden Room, limit of 20 

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​​Improve your handwriting in just an hour with David C. Barker – Attorney, Artist, and Teacher of Fine Writing.  This class is designed for the professional and young scholar who want their handwriting to reflect their intellect, drive, and professionalism.  Pens, pencils, paper, and other writing tools are included, however, David recommends each attendee bring what they typically use everyday for quicker integration of concepts into their daily life.  During the seminar, David will teach key concepts of fine handwriting, analyze attendees work, and provide immediate feedback during class!  All in under an hour!  See you there!

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3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Lovely Letters: Creating Custom Stationery with Stickers with Danielle Kindsfater from Happiness Handmade $28 (limit of 20), Ogden Room

 

 

Discover the happiness in personalizing letters with stickers to create unique stationery designs. Gain basic understanding of composition techniques, effective sticker placement and utilization, and a little color theory to craft visually appealing and harmonious combinations on your letters to family and friends. These principles also apply to designing the pages of your favorite journal! Will walk away from the class with enough customized stationery to write a letter or two to loved ones!

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5:00 pm Meet & Greet with David Barker, FREE, Camden Room 

Meet-n-Greet with fine handwriting teacher David Barker for those with finger, hand, and arm disabilities. Learn some tips on how to overcome your physical disabilities to achieve fine handwriting during this meet and greet with fine handwriting teacher, attorney, and wounded Army combat veteran David Barker. Its free, so stop by and say Hi!

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​​​​7 - 8 pm - Auction Preview. Location: Kent Room

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8 - 10 pm - PEN AUCTION - Location - Kent Room

 

 

 

 

Saturday

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8:00am - 9:00 am - The art and science of journaling with Jeanne Florini, Ogden Room, $35 (limit of 20) *Must also purchase a weekend pass

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​​"We write to discover the layers that reside below the surface of our ordinary day" - Kay Adams

"Art opens the closets, airs out the cellars and attics. It brings healing." - Julia Cameron

In this hands-on session, Jeanne explores both the art and the science of journaling. You'll learn how handwriting, letter writing, and creative journaling can support approaches you can use at home or at work, and spend time actually writing. 

Included in your fee: a curated journaling set (each one unique) with a fountain pen-friendly notebook, decorative paper, stickers, stencils, several pens, and journaling prompts. Additional stickers,, paper, and writing instruments will be available during our practice time. ​​

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10:00 am - 12:00 pm - The Capital Letter Variations with Hong Nguyen, Ogden Room, $50 (limit of 20), (materials and handouts are included)

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Please bring your favorite pens and join Hong Nguyen at the 2026 Chicago Pen Show. Although we write in lowercase ninety percent of the time, stunning uppercase letters help spice up our writing, making it stand out and impress the audience. Capitalizing on the impact of intricate uppercase letters will take your work to the next level, transforming it into an astonishing piece of art. Each stroke of the pen creating a majuscule letter is a subtle stroke of genius, fitting together into a florid puzzle that introduces each sentence and forms labyrinthine paragraphs of artistry.​

 

 

 

10:00 am - 12:00 pm - Brush Pen Calligraphy, Cermak Room, $40​​​, limit of 12

A beginner calligraphy class with Laurie Paolinetti, a member of the Chicago Calligraphy Collective

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This beginner-friendly workshop with brush pens will guide you through Copperplate script basic strokes & the lowercase letters. The script is known for its graceful slant, thin upstrokes, thick downstrokes & its elegant appearance. Often used today for formal invitations & certificates, these decorative letters will have you captivated with calligraphy! Brush pen Copperplate combines traditional elegance with modern brush pen convenience. Attendees will receive (2) Tombow Fudenosuke brush pens & a detailed handout to further their practice at home.

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10:00 am - 11:00 am - Better Handwriting for Busy Professionals and College Students  – in just an hour! $30 for First Time Attendee & $25 for anyone who has previously taken a seminar with David Barker, Ogden Room,(limit of 20)

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​​Improve your handwriting in just an hour with David C. Barker – Attorney, Artist, and Teacher of Fine Writing.  This class is designed for the professional and young scholar who want their handwriting to reflect their intellect, drive, and professionalism.  Pens, pencils, paper, and other writing tools are included, however, David recommends each attendee bring what they typically use everyday for quicker integration of concepts into their daily life.  During the seminar, David will teach key concepts of fine handwriting, analyze attendees work, and provide immediate feedback during class!  All in under an hour!  See you there!

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11:00 am - 12:00 pm - When Fountain Pens Meet Planning with Nikki Ameling, FREE, Windsor Room (limit of 20)

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Nikki Ameling also know as@nameling1011 on TikTok shares educational content on TikTok in her  series Nib-Bit & Fountain Pen 101

When Fountain Pens Meet Planning is designed for planners, journalers, and stationery lovers who are curious about fountain pens or want to use them more confidently in their everyday planning routines. We’ll cover fountain pen basics through the lens of planning and journaling, including beginner-friendly pens, nibs, inks, and paper, as well as practical tips for ink behavior, dry times, and common pitfalls. The focus is on modern fountain pens and real-world use — making them functional, fun, and unintimidating.

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1:00pm - 2:00pm  Meet & Greet with David Barker, FREE, Camden Room 

Meet-n-Greet with fine handwriting teacher David Barker for those with finger, hand, and arm disabilities. Learn some tips on how to overcome your physical disabilities to achieve fine handwriting during this meet and greet with fine handwriting teacher, attorney, and wounded Army combat veteran David Barker. It's free, so stop by and say Hi!

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​1:00 pm  2:00 pm - Journal Jumble with KC, Windsor Room, FREE 

Come take a break with your journal and fellow journalers for a roundtable. Gather prompts, learn techniques, and share your favorite sort of journaling. Journalers of all levels are welcome. 

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2:00pm - 3:00pm Creative Writing with Hong Nguyen, Ogden Room, FREE

​Come in and join Hong Nguyen at her "Artistic Writing” workshop. This seminar is specially designed for people who are already happy with their handwriting, but wish to elevate it. This class will help attendees how to embellish their handwriting using various decorative techniques. Though these methods will look beautiful on cards, they are also especially pleasing in any situation that calls for more visual detail.

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3:00pm - 4:00pm - Better Handwriting for Busy Professionals and College Students  – in just an hour! $30 for First Time Attendee & $25 for anyone who has previously taken a seminar with David Barker, Camden Room,(limit of 20)​​

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​

Improve your handwriting in just an hour with David C. Barker – Attorney, Artist, and Teacher of Fine Writing.  This class is designed for the professional and young scholar who want their handwriting to reflect their intellect, drive, and professionalism.  Pens, pencils, paper, and other writing tools are included, however, David recommends each attendee bring what they typically use everyday for quicker integration of concepts into their daily life.  During the seminar, David will teach key concepts of fine handwriting, analyze attendees work, and provide immediate feedback during class!  All in under an hour!  See you there!

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2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Vintage Pens for the Modern User, Hosted by The Pen Collectors of America, Kent Room, FREE

The world of vintage pens offers an incredible opportunity to add fascinating, beautiful, and functional pens to your collection for relatively low costs. But where to start? What should you look for? Is it all about flex? What if the nibs are scratchy? Is it hard to clean and polish the pens? Can they be fixed, and if so, what about parts?  Where can I learn more if I am curious?

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3:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Vintage Pen "Tasting", presented by The Pen Collectors of America, Kent Room, FREE

​Vintage Pen Tasting follows the Vintage Pens for the Modern User as a way to gain some hands-on experience with vintage pens like those discussed in the panel. Come and try a variety of vintage pens! We will supply the pens, ink, and paper, and we will be there to guide you and answer all questions. Beginner questions are welcomed and encouraged. 

 

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​6:00 pm - 10: 00 pm - Fountain Pen Social Saturday  - with KC, FREE, York Room

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Join KC for a 2nd year of Fountain Pen Social! This time there will also be some giveaways!

Join fellow pen and stationery enthusiasts for an evening of sharing how much we love our hobby. An opportunity to mingle, do some activities, and show off that pen show haul! Everyone is welcome whether you just got your first fountain pen or have had fountain pens for decades. Hosted from 6 pm to 10 pm, feel free to come and go throughout the time. This gathering will be all ages friendly, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 

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8:30 pm - Whisky Tasting Event, The Connoisseur's Selection $45, 21 and over. Kent Room

 

This years pour is over $3700

 

• • Tomatin 12yo Highland

  • Tobermory 42yo!

  • Signatory Ben Nevis 1991- Legendary!

  • Bruichladdich 13yo Single Cask Private Bottling

  • Glen Scotia Victoriana

  • Octomore 15yo '25 Islay Festival Special Release​

 

Thank you to our 2 donors, James Brown & Dr Brandon Reed

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Our resident pen community whisky expert, Mario Campa, will once again be presenting the latest iteration of the Chicago Pen Show whisky tasting now, unbelievably, in it 10th year! This event has become a highly anticipated part of the show, and talked about the year through. Due to last year's enthusiastic reception, and the accolades offered by the event's attendees, this year's pour list has been elevated! It will include...  A whopping $3700+ in pours, this is a night absolutely not to be missed by fans of any style spirit. This one will be talked about for years to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday

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9:00am - 12:00pm - Learn Copperplate with Nikola Pang $80, limit of 20, Ogden Room

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Come learn the beautiful calligraphic style of copperplate script! Copperplate calligraphy, also known as roundhand, engrosser's, and engraver's script, is considered by most to be the mother of all pointed pen hands. course is geared towards beginners but those with more experience may attend it as a refresher course and I do my best to teach to the level of each individual in the second half of the course (plus it's always nice to have experienced attendees help). The course is $80 for the 3 hours and includes all the tools (nibs, holders, papers, handouts). Attendees are welcome to bring their own supplies for use if they wish. I also encourage attendees to bring a pencil and ruler with them.

 

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9:30 am - 11:00 am - SIGILS - Make Magic with Pens & Ink with Ana Reinert $35 limit of 20, Windsor  Room

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​Learn to make magic using pens and ink. I'll discuss the ancient technique of sigil making and help you in creating your own sigil, a symbol imbued with intent and meaning to help you manifest your goals. I will discuss the process of making a magical symbol, how to use color correspondences to strengthen your intention and what you can do with your creations. We will walk through the process step-by-step so you will leave the class with a finished sigil. No drawing skills are required. You just need an open heart and a creative spirit. I will discuss the process of making a sigil, how to use color correspondences to strengthen your intention and what you can do with your sigil creations. 

What’s Included? 
Include our original Sigils zine. (Retail value: $12) 
What's needed: Just pen and paper to use in making your sigil and taking notes.​​​​

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10:00 am - 11:00 am - Pens For Kids, Hosted by The Pen Collectors of America, Kent Room, FREE​

Pens For Kids is a workshop that interactively teaches the origins of writing, and where pens fall within that history. Among other activities, participants will learn to write a thank you note. All supplies are provided and each child will leave with a pen! ​​​​​​​​​

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10:00 am - Catching the Memories: Travel Journal the Pen Show! with KC, Camden Room, $5 (limit of 20)

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It's easy to get so caught up in an exciting trip that you get home and don't even remember all of the amazing things you experienced. Travel journaling is a great way to capture moments so that you can relive the joy of the trip again and again. Travel journals can seem daunting, but they can be as complicated or simple as you like. Bring your journal, your pens, and any pen show/Chicago trip ephemera. Extra materials will be available.

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