Workshops & Community Experiences   

*Please Note: Date in printed catalog is incorrect. Date has changed to Tuesday, April 28*

Step onto the home turf of the Arizona Diamondbacks and experience Chase Field like never before! This exclusive guided tour for OLLI members offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of Major League Baseball’s most unique ballparks – complete with a retractable roof, poolside areas, and air-conditioned comfort in the heart of downtown Phoenix. During this 90-minute experience, participants will walk through the main concourse, dugout, and suite level, visit the luxury suites and Diamondbacks Hall of Fame exhibits, and tour the premium season ticket locations where Advantage Members sit. The experience also includes a Q&A session with members of the Diamondbacks ticket sales staff (TBD). Bring your curiosity, comfortable walking shoes, and your love of baseball – or simply a love of seeing how things work behind the scenes! Parking will be free at the Chase Field Parking Garage.

Join Chef Larry Canepa for a flavorful journey into the quirky, colorful world of food idioms! From “bringing home the bacon” to “spilling the beans,” many of the expressions we use every day have surprisingly rich – and sometimes downright bizarre – histories. These idioms often trace back to historical events, cultural traditions, and legendary figures, revealing how food has shaped not just our meals but our language and storytelling. You will discover the origins and meanings behind some of the most curious and creative food-related phrases in English. Along the way, we’ll enjoy tastings of a few delicious favorites that tie into the idioms we explore. Come hungry for knowledge and snacks as we mix language, history, and a pinch of humor in this one-of-a-kind culinary adventure!

Come experience Indigenous creativity at the Heard Museum! Dan Hagerty, Chief Advancement Officer, will welcome you with a 30-minute presentation about the museum. Following the welcome, enjoy a guided tour with Heard Museum Assistant Registrar Roshii Montaño (Diné) of Kay WalkingStick / Hudson River School, which showcases landscape paintings by the renowned contemporary Cherokee artist Kay WalkingStick in conversation with classic works from The New-York Historical Society’s 19th-century Hudson River School collection. The exhibition examines contemporary Indigenous art within the changing discourse of American art history while also sparking critical discussions on land dispossession. After your tour, stay for lunch at the Heard Museum Courtyard Café and visit the newly remodeled Heard Museum Shop.

This class will cover the basic tools of literary memoir, with a focus on micro and flash memoir – memoirs in the 250–1,000-word range. We'll read, discuss, and write micro-memoirs, which we'll share in class and with your permission, publish on the ASU OLLI Community Blog. No prior writing experience is required.

This four-week series explores the music of America and how it both shaped – and was shaped by – the nation’s identity from its infancy to the present day. We’ll begin by examining what America inherited musically from the European roots of its colonists and how the people and the land they encountered influenced and expanded that musical language. How did different approaches to religious life shape the music used in rituals and ceremonies? Regional influences also played a major role in the development of American music, and we’ll explore those contributions. Along the way, we’ll ask: “Is there an American sound, and if so, what might it be?” Audio, video, and visual art examples will illustrate this journey, covering the creation of popular music, jazz, country, American concert music, theatre music, rock and roll, and contemporary sounds.

The Phoenix Art Museum presents more than 30 examples of painting, sculpture, and decorative arts drawn from the most important Florentine Baroque art collection outside of Italy, assembled over more than 40 years by Houston-based art collector and co-founder of the Medici Archive Project, Sir Mark Fehrs Haukohl. Featured artworks by local Florentine artists and artists across Europe reflect Florence’s flourishing art industry, as well as the cultural and intellectual legacy of the Medici Grand Dukes on the Renaissance and Baroque movements. Led by Phoenix Art Museum docents, join us as we explore these themes and more through a lecture-style presentation and in-gallery exploration.

Italy's most populous and economically powerful regions, with a legacy rooted in a long history of independence, trade, and industry, tell a story of division and unification, shaped by Roman roads and papal influence. These regions are now powerhouses of culture, learning, and culinary excellence. The cuisine of Northern Italy is distinctly different from that of the South, often emphasizing butter, cream, rice, and polenta rather than the South’s olive oil- and tomato-based fare. Heartier flavors reflect the cooler climate and influences from neighboring countries. Northern Italy is considered the country’s “culinary capital” – home to balsamic vinegar, focaccia, pesto, Parmigiano–Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, truffles, and many of Italy’s finest wines.

Step behind the curtain and meet L. Frank Baum, the imaginative mind who brought "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" to life. We’ll explore Baum’s prolific storytelling career, with special attention to the theatrical adaptations that helped turn his fantasy world into a stage spectacle. From early stage productions and silent films to the beloved 1939 musical film, discover how Baum’s vision evolved in the limelight. We’ll also trace Oz’s enduring influence on pop culture – from Broadway hits and reimaginings to countless references in music, fashion, and film – proving that, more than a century later, the Yellow Brick Road still leads somewhere magical. Class: 10:30 - noon, Show: 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Nature journaling is a practice that blends observation, curiosity, reflection, and creativity to deepen our connection with the natural world. Spending time in nature offers numerous physical and psychological benefits, and journaling enhances these effects by encouraging mindfulness and intentional engagement. In this two-part class – Friday in the classroom and Saturday in the field – participants will learn what nature journaling is, its purpose, and the benefits it provides. You will explore a variety of observational techniques to record details about the natural environment, including plants, animals, geologic landscapes, and weather. Through hands-on exercises, you will test out different journaling methods, such as drawing, labeling, mapping, and descriptive writing, discovering which approaches resonate most with your own style. In addition to recording observations, you will reflect on personal experiences in nature, deepening your awareness and appreciation of the world around you. The goal is not to become an expert artist or naturalist, but to cultivate a sustained practice of curiosity and wonder. By the end of the course, you will have the tools to slow down, notice more, and create a meaningful, mindful connection with your environment. Nature walk will be at the McDowell Mountain Preserve, Bajada Nature Trail (starting at the Gateway Trailhead) 7:00 - 8:30 a.m.

Join us for an engaging session at Arizona State University’s Artificial Intelligence Cloud Innovation Center. See firsthand how ASU students are using Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud technology to solve real community challenges. In this session, you’ll hear from the bright minds behind innovative public service projects and learn how artificial intelligence is making a difference in our community. Experience real-world examples of cloud technology in action and chat directly with students and program leaders. Perfect for anyone curious about how today’s technology is improving our daily lives and how students are preparing to enter the workforce – no technical background needed! A lunch break with provided lunch thanks to the generosity of the ASU Cloud Innovation Center will be provided for participants!

From its humble beginnings as a bookseller in 1994, Amazon has transformed into one of the world’s most innovative enterprises. In this session, an Amazon senior leader and certified Culture of Innovation expert will reveal the deliberate strategies behind this remarkable growth. Discover the core principles and organizational systems that drive Amazon’s continued success, including its Leadership Principles and Day 1 culture. Through compelling insights and firsthand experiences, learn how Amazon consistently fosters innovation across its global operations.

Gardening in hot, arid regions presents unique challenges that differ significantly from those in other climates. This class – taught by horticulturist Noelle Johnson (“AZ Plant Lady”) – provides practical guidance on creating and maintaining a vibrant, sustainable desert landscape. Topics include avoiding common design and maintenance mistakes, selecting appropriate plant species, and implementing effective strategies to ensure a thriving garden in hot, dry environments.

Arizona-based artist Jana Peterson creates striking images that range from earthy abstractions and portraiture to futuristic galactic visions. Coming from a family of artists and teachers, she holds an M.A. in Art Education from A.S.U. and has been teaching and painting for over 30 years. Jana is a professional painter with the soul of Matisse – her work is dramatic, vivid, and bold, merging art and technology. Peterson is joining us to celebrate her works on display – and to have a little fun making art with us! We’ll be painting "Bryggen" (the dock), a historic harbor district in Bergen, one of Norway’s oldest port cities on the west coast and a center for Hanseatic trade. Bryggen has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979.