We recently connected with Adara Meyers and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Adara, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents loved and respected art and literature: my mother was an illustrator and my father is a voracious reader. I attribute the fact that I’m fundamentally driven by the world of art and ideas to their constant encouragement of my creativity and curiosity. It’s difficult for me to point to a handful of stories that convey this, because I most deeply cherish how they considered art an integral, everyday aspect of being alive: not a “hobby,” not a “phase,” but a process of enjoyment and questioning, a process of of understanding ourselves and our shared humanity.

Adara, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m the founder and calligrapher of Adara Meyers Calligraphy, a bespoke, inclusive, fine art calligraphy company specializing in weddings, special events, gifts, and décor. Based just south of Boston in Sharon, MA, we stylishly blend traditional and modern calligraphy for those who appreciate inspiring, heirloom-quality paper goods such as invitations, envelopes, place cards, escort cards, and other day-of event details.

I’m proud of my background as an award-winning playwright, interdisciplinary artist (MFA, Goddard College), and former theatre producer. These roles have — and continue to — greatly shape the refinement and growth of Adara Meyers Calligraphy, which I founded in late November 2022. We’re uniquely positioned in the wedding market because of my career and lifelong love of letters, as well as my commitment to studying and practicing with European calligraphy exemplars dating back to the 16th century. I also regularly participate in workshops led by industry-leading calligraphers. Every calligrapher has their own “take” on traditional scripts (such as Copperplate and Spencerian), and I always learn a new technique or approach that might appear to be a small adjustment but actually unlocks a new echelon of artistic possibility and rigor. One of our company values is artistic excellence, and that not only encompasses the production of high-caliber calligraphy, but also the ability to translate client’s goals and emotions into heirloom-quality stationery that will be cherished for decades to come.

One of the greatest joys of creating custom calligraphy is engaging in a collaborative process. I love listening to engaged couples tell me their big and small details — their interests, their hopes for their weddings, their aesthetics, the traditions that tie their families together. These conversations guide me toward crafting gorgeous calligraphy that couples are thrilled to both give and receive. It is an honor each time, as wedding invitations are often the first touchpoint a guest experiences.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Even though so many artist-entrepreneurs beautifully prove this notion wrong, the idea that artists aren’t suited to business remains in the cultural zeitgeist. One of the challenges artists face in launching a business is that most of us haven’t formally studied business management. By and large, these brass-tack skills aren’t taught in our undergraduate and graduate programs. There’s an unspoken assumption that we will “figure it out” once we begin their careers, but this lack of education and guidance leaves many feeling incapable. Artists are agile, experimental, and expansive thinkers, and I remind myself of this on a daily basis as I strategize and engage the resources I need to solve the inevitable challenges that arise when running one’s own business.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

It’s essential that my clients know I care just as much about their clarity and happiness throughout our work together as I do about presenting impeccably considered calligraphy. In my mind, they go hand-in-hand. Milestone events, by nature, transform our life stories, and I approach each project with the kind of enthusiasm, wonder, and genuine guidance that ultimately inspire clients to recommend my work to their colleagues, friends, and families.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.amcalligraphy.com
• Instagram: @adaramcalligraphy
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/adaramcalligraphy

Image Credits
Arielle Doneson, Adara Meyers