History Talks Lecture Series: From the Whitehouse to the Sea with Rick Paulus

In this colorful presentation, former White House
chief calligrapher, Rick Paulus, takes you on a unique
journey into the worlds of international diplomacy,
White House entertaining and adventure on the
high seas. Using his calligraphy as the backdrop,
Rick shares personal vignettes from working at
the highest levels of government as a calligrapher,
calligraphy’s role in diplomacy, and many insights
into the operations of the White House Social Office.
In 2006, Rick took a bold leap by leaving his coveted
position in Washington to explore new adventures
and art. It is here that Rick confronts his most difficult
and most rewarding assignments; finding a voice for
his work, merging life into art and art into life, and
continuing to strive to achieve the technical skills
required to speak fluently from the hand. Today, Rick
continues his quest for the perfectly formed letter on
the shores of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Free for members/$10 non-members

ABOUT RICK:

Rick Paulus purchased his first calligraphy pen and bottle of ink on his 10th birthday, thus
beginning his appreciation for beautifully formed letters and his extraordinary career. In 1990,
after sufficient practice, his calligraphy skills were recognized by our government and he
became Engrosser of the U.S. Department of State, where he helped to set the stage for
diplomacy for eight years under four secretaries of state. In 1998, Rick was called to the White
House and served as Chief Calligrapher for President Bill Clinton and President George W.
Bush.
Today Rick continues his quest for the perfectly formed letter in his studio on the shores of Cape
Cod. It is here, on the edge of the continent, that he expresses his passion for the beauty and
the strength of nature through the expressive use of letterforms. Rick’s current work focuses on
the writings of environmentalists, poets and others who have written so eloquently of the sea.
His appreciation of their words and his admiration of nature are thoughtfully expressed through
his fluent use of many calligraphic hands and accompanying illustrations, paintings and
textures.