Commissions

We will guide you through the process of choosing an artist, help you decide how you want to commemorate a loved one, or commission a celebratory gift.

Help and Advice

Workshops

Learn to design and carve letters; make illustrated maps, learn the art of Calligraphy and master the art of Lino cut.

Workshops calendar

Welcome to our Lettering Shop

Unique lettered gifts on stone, wood, paper and glass.

Visit our online shop

Sustaining

The art of lettering

Our mission is to ensure that the professional, heritage craft of hand carved lettering continues to flourish.

We are a virtual organisation with events around the UK, see our events page to find out more. Browse our online gallery shop for inspiration. Commission an artist to make a memorial or celebratory work, or visit our national collection of artworks around the UK.

You can also read our apprentice and journeyman diaries - people who have benefitted from a grant or bursary from The Lettering Arts Trust

An A to Z of the Lettering Arts Trust

The Lettering Arts Trust’s primary objective is to sustain the craft of letter carving ON stone by raising awareness for this precious skill through exhibitions, talks and workshops.

Commissions and the sale of fine artworks fund apprenticeships and journeymen schemes that are training a new generation in the precious techniques of lettering design and hand letter carving.

Wherever you look you will see examples of the lettering arts – or at least examples of lettering in writing, signage, on screens, building facades, packaging and publications. For the most part it goes unnoticed, invisible in full view. But occasionally a beautiful example of lettering will make you stop and take a second look. Why is it so arresting? Careful consideration has been given to convey the sentiment through its composition: the design of the letter form; the size and rhythm of the script; the choice of material; the message inscribed with intent to leave a lasting impression.

The Lettering Arts Trust is an advocate for the lettering arts which can be found in diverse media from stone and wood carving to calligraphy, letterpress, glass etching and metalwork. The charity champions those specialist artists who have honed their individual skills and inherited their precious craft from a direct line of artisans that has passed from master to pupil. But this is not a static artform of facsimile. Lettering art is dynamic.

Come and explore today’s lettering exponents through the Lettering Arts Trust’s exhibitions hosted at the Lettering Arts Centre at Snape Maltings or via our virtual exhibition tours. Be inspired by the public and private commissions that mark special events or commemorate much loved people and places – and perhaps commission something yourself. Try your hand on a lettering course and enjoy not just a new hobby, but a whole new fellowship of artists. Discover original artworks and unusual, personalised gifts in our gallery shop. And last, but not least, consider making a donation to the Lettering Arts Trust’s apprenticeship and journeymen training schemes that aim to secure and sustain the art of beautiful lettering and fine letter carving for future generations.

Visit us — VISIT US

The Lettering Arts Trust ‘Art and Memory’ Collection can be seen at at sites around the country, experience for yourself works of art by the UK’s leading lettering carving artists.

We also have exhibitions and events round the country. See our events page for details.
Our National Collection

LEARN ABOUT LETTERING

Take part in one of our exciting courses; experience the lettering arts for yourself. From one-day workshops to two-year letter carving apprenticeships, we've designed many ways to get involved with the art.

Workshops
Training
Calendar

Stone Commission — CONSIDER A COMMISSION

For more than 30 years we’ve helped people commission unique, carved lettered pieces by the UK's leading letter carvers to mark a life, a special occasion, and significant events. We'd love to help you too.

Memorials
Decorative pieces
Public works

Please donate

Even a small donation makes a big difference to what we are able to do.

Your donations help the lettering arts to thrive: funding apprenticeships and journeyman training; helping run our gallery and the presentation of exhibitions; as well as giving support to letter carvers who are just starting out. Due to the pandemic, our revenue has significantly diminished, in turn curtailing our funding for training, future exhibitions and education programme. Please consider making a donation to our work. £20 contributes to a dedicated Journeyman scheme; £100 pays an artist to design merchandise for our fundraising shop; £500 supports the cost of curating an exhibition.