Jane Rollins | Lettering Artist

In 1980, after having completed a masters program I decided to take a calligraphy class, “for fun” , to wind down from the pressure. I had no art background. I immediately became hooked. In discovering my heretofore untapped creative side, which combined my fascination with ancient history and my love of words and letters, I felt as though I’d come home. Four years later I left the field of special education and began my own business as a freelance calligrapher. It is now nearly 30 years later and I am more consumed than ever. I have owned my own business ( Scribe Calligraphy) on Main Street in East Greenwich since 1989, and have recently expanded and moved to a new location , still on Main Street. I am grateful to have been able to support myself doing something that I love. 

"I am proud to be a founding member of West Bay Open Studios and an elected artist member of the Artists Cooperative Gallery of Westerly."

I feel strongly that exposure to calligraphy is important not only to the general public, but also to the art world. The advent of computers has resulted in a deemphasis on the importance of one of the most personal facets of our being -our handwriting. It is sadly becoming a lost skill.

It is important to me professionally to become involved in fostering a perception of calligraphy as a viable art form, as opposed to the craft of pretty writing. Although the historic basis for lettering was developed from function , it has now evolved into as true an art form as any painting or sculpture. It is my goal to continue this journey that I have been traveling as an artist and to share the experiences in the hope that others will benefit from them - and that the appreciation and understanding of this ancient art will be not be lost.