Inge Kern

​Inge Kern was born in Greifswald, Germany, where she was raised and educated. While she was taking private art lessons at the age of nine, her teacher recognized her talent and commitments to the study of lettering. In her teens, thanks to her mother's encouragement, Inge was able to enter into a three year apprenticeship as a calligrapher with a renowned East German graphic artist, Helmut Maletzke. In 1958, Inge immigrated to Canada. She had been employed as a draftswoman, and had learned to work with discipline and accuracy. When she began her freelance career as an artist, graphic designer and calligrapher, she brought this same care and precision to her studio. Inge has completed many private and public commissions, and has exhibited her work in Brockville, Ontario and the surrounding area since 1970. She taught calligraphy at St. Lawrence College in Brockville from 1982-1987. In 1998 Inge expanded her calligraphic skills and knowledge to chip carving and wood burning. She was inspired by chip carvers in Austria, touring that country in previous years. Inge is currently a member of the Calligraphy Society of Ottawa and is freelancing from her home studio in Maitland, Ontario.