When My Two Worlds Collided: Personalizing Journals at the American Library Association Annual Conference as a Chicago Calligrapher and Teacher Librarian

There are moments in life when everything comes full circle. This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to provide live journal personalization at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Chicago, and it's difficult to put into words just how meaningful this event was for me. For three days, I hand-lettered more than 700 journals for librarians, educators, authors, and library professionals from across the country. It was one of the busiest live event activations I've ever been a part of and one that felt deeply personal. For those who know me, you know that my career has always been split between two passions: libraries and lettering. This event brought those two worlds together in the best possible way.

The 2026 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition celebrated 150 years of bringing together librarians, educators, publishers, and library professionals. I was honored to provide live journal personalization during this milestone event.

From the University of Iowa to the ALA Annual Conference

Long before I became known for live event calligraphy and engraving, I was working toward a very different dream. In 2016, I earned my Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Iowa. Shortly before that, I accepted a position as the district librarian in the very school district where I had once been a student myself and also taught fourth grade for several years. There is something incredibly special about serving the same community that helped shape you.

For years, I balanced my growing art business alongside my work in education.

During the day, I worked with students, built library programs, and encouraged a love of reading and creativity. Evenings and weekends were spent traveling to luxury events throughout Chicago and beyond, creating personalized keepsakes through calligraphy, engraving, bottle painting, and hot foil personalization. For a long time, those two careers existed side by side.

Betting on Myself as a Chicago Calligrapher

In 2023, I reached a crossroads. My art business had grown to the point where I simply couldn't do everything anymore. Every week, I found myself choosing between accepting exciting opportunities with luxury brands or spending additional hours at school. Neither option felt easy. After a lot of thought, I decided to bet on myself.

I reduced my school contract so I could focus on growing Letters from Elliott, my live event artistry business. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Today, I still have the privilege of serving as the district librarian on a limited contract. I get to stay connected to the library I helped grow, continue working with students, and still get my "kid fix"—something I truly cherish. At the same time, I've been able to build a career doing what I love most: creating memorable experiences through live art as a Chicago calligrapher. It turns out I didn't have to completely leave one world behind to pursue the other.

One of my favorite parts of live event calligraphy is connecting with guests one-on-one. Every journal was personalized by hand, creating a memorable experience for attendees throughout the conference.

Personalizing More Than 700 Journals in Three Days

The ALA Conference was everything I love about live event artistry.

Over the course of three days, I personalized more than 700 journals by hand.

Every attendee walked away with something uniquely theirs. One of my favorite things about live calligraphy is watching guests see their name or meaningful phrase beautifully written for the first time. It's such a simple gesture, yet it creates an immediate personal connection. Despite the incredible volume of journals, every name was written individually with care and attention to detail. The lines stayed busy from the moment the exhibit hall opened until it closed each day—and I loved every minute of it.

After three incredible days at the American Library Association Annual Conference, I personalized more than 700 journals for librarians and educators from around the country. It was one of my busiest—and most meaningful—live event calligraphy activations to date.

Why Live Calligraphy Is Perfect for Conferences

Conference attendees love experiences that feel personal. Adding live calligraphy to an event transforms a simple giveaway into something guests genuinely treasure.

Instead of walking away with another notebook or promotional item, attendees leave with something created just for them. It's interactive. It's memorable.

And it naturally draws people into your booth, creating opportunities for meaningful conversations. Whether it's journals, notebooks, leather goods, luggage tags, water bottles, or gift boxes, personalization consistently becomes one of the busiest activations on the show floor.

More Than Just Calligraphy

Although many people know me for modern calligraphy, my live event services have grown to include:

• Hand engraving

• Hot foil and leather burning

• Wood burning

• Bottle painting

• Watercolor fashion illustration

• Live event calligraphy

• Corporate gifting personalization

• Luxury retail activations

  
  

From conferences like the American Library Association Annual Conference to luxury retail events, hospitality experiences, and private celebrations, I love helping brands create memorable guest experiences through handcrafted personalization.

Still a Librarian. Still an Artist.

People often ask whether I miss teaching full time. The truth is…

I don't feel like I had to choose between being a librarian and being an artist.

I simply found a way to let each one strengthen the other.

Libraries taught me patience, creativity, community, and lifelong learning.

Art taught me to take risks, trust my instincts, and build something entirely my own.

Standing at the American Library Association Conference, surrounded by thousands of librarians while doing the work I now love, felt like every chapter of my story had come together in one place. It was one of those rare moments where you stop, look around, and realize you're exactly where you're meant to be. And for that, I'll always be grateful.

Each Library Journal 150th Anniversary notebook was personalized by hand, giving conference attendees a meaningful keepsake created through live event calligraphy in Chicago.

Looking for a Chicago Calligrapher for Your Next Conference or Corporate Event?

If you're planning a conference, trade show, corporate event, or luxury brand activation, live calligraphy is a unique way to engage attendees and create meaningful keepsakes they'll use long after the event ends. At Letters from Elliott, I provide live event calligraphy, engraving, hot foil personalization, bottle painting, and fashion illustration throughout Chicago, the Midwest, and nationwide. I'd love to help make your next event unforgettable.

Ready to create a memorable guest experience? 

Contact me to learn more about live event artistry for conferences, corporate events, and luxury brand activations.