Newton woman keeps calligraphy alive and thriving

By Laurie Gordon
NEWTON — Kathy Milici is a woman of letters.
A calligrapjhy student when she graduated Sussex Tech in 1975, Milici is now an internationally known artist, font designer, traveling instructor and mentor. Her work has been seen in books, magazines, and on television. Her business, 24 Karat Designs Calligraphy, is thriving and keeping an ancient art alive and kicking.
“The art of calligraphy is in an amazing period of revival, and it’s very exciting to be in the middle of this,” Milici said. “Social media has played, and continues to play, an important role in the perpetuation of calligraphy, hand-lettering, handwriting and penmanship. It’s surprising to imagine that lettering artists from all over the world are so easily accessible on the internet, sometimes in real time. Live video feeds, online classes, sharing and chat platforms, personal/business websites and blogs all play important roles in keeping calligraphy alive, well, and vibrant! The world of technology has helped, not hindered the preservation of this beautiful and ancient art form.”
“After almost 40 years as a professional calligrapher, I have seen many changes in this industry, and my business has reinvented itself more than once through the years,” Milici said. “At one time it was all wedding work, all the time, in the trenches, addressing 100 or more wedding envelopes a day. And hundreds and hundreds of place cards. I have been a 'volume studio' for many years, but the way my clients find me has changed dramatically with technology. Before computers, my work was for mostly local clients, who found me through a newspaper ad or in the phone book. Now, most people find me through social media or an internet search, so my clients are both national and international.”
Milici said that her business continues to move more toward teaching groups, private lessons and mentoring.
“I’m on airplanes monthly, traveling to different states to teach for their calligraphy guilds, galleries and arts organizations,” she said. “At home, I’m now taking private students weekly, small design projects, writing and designing new classes in between trips. I love it all! I’m in the process of re-branding my business and writing a book. A brand new website is currently being designed and will launch soon.”
She is rightfully proud of her accomplishments.
“Teaching at international calligraphy conferences every year is very exciting, especially with over 100 people in my classes,” she said. "Another proud moment for me was when my proprietary font, Gratitude Script, launched and then became a number one international best seller in one month. I’ll always remember the thrill and disbelief that I felt when I found out.”
Born and raised in Sussex County, Milici's home studio is still located in Newton and she's proud to be a fourth generation living in the county.
“My mother’s grandparents owned a farm in Branchville. My father’s parents were from Lake Mohawk in Sparta. No matter where I travel now, I’ll always come back here, the place I love most. I’m a calligraphic homing pigeon! Sussex County is where my heart is. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
“As my generation of professionals ages, I’m always concerned about how to stay relevant in an ever-changing business,” Milici said. “One of the most challenging things about teaching is keeping up with trends in our field. Like most industries, trends come and go, sometimes very quickly. Social media is a great way to see trends coming, what’s hot now, and what’s leaving. I spend a lot of my time designing new classes to appeal to all age ranges, from traditional to modern. These classes range from learning pure letter forms to designing custom alphabets to ornamental flourishing, painting and gilding. I’ve been teaching for nearly 40 years, and I never grow tired of sharing what I love with others.”
Constant flying can be grueling, but Milici tries to keep it in perspective.
“As someone who is a nervous traveler and an anxious flier, I try to focus on the positive, and what’s in store me when I arrive. I get to spend the whole weekend with groups of happy, enthusiastic people who are excited to learn from me. My love of teaching is much greater than my fear of flying, so I try to remember that each time I’m packing a suitcase.”
In most states, as well as at her workshops in Sparta and for the Society of Scribes in NYC, Milici's classes are a quick sell-out.
And the future?
“I’m sure that I’ll be teaching for many more years, as long as people continue to register for classes, or until I rust out," she dsaid. "And rust makes a great ink.”
For further information or to contact Milici, call her studio at 973-300-0331 or visit www.24karatdesigns.com. She is also on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/24karatdesigns.