In Person Classes   

Take a journey through the early modern period in architectural history - from the monumental stature of neo-classical manors to the fantastical sculptures of art nouveau gardens. This course explores how architecture changed over centuries, shaped by shifting cultures, philosophies, and artistic ideals. Along the way, you'll look at key buildings that define each era, get to know the ideas behind their appearances, and draw connections between structures that were built worlds apart.

By the end of the course, you'll have a solid understanding of the cultural backgrounds, informing major architectural movements, be able to identify significant buildings and their symbolic features, and recognize how architecture from different times and places connected in surprising ways. No background in architecture is needed - just curiosity and an appreciation for the built world.

This course introduces students to basic photographic principles and the use of cameras, lenses, and lighting equipment. There will also be a brief overview of the history of photography and the development of cameras and lenses over the last century. To better understand how cameras turn light into images there will be simple explanations and comparisons of how film cameras and digital cameras work.

Discussions will include basic composition concepts to enhance images. The course will conclude with information on image file handle and simple image manipulation with basic photo editing tools. Students will also have an opportunity to participate in a fun weekly photo assignment involving shooting a common theme and critiquing the results.

Did you know that when you are completely immersed in your current action, you are meditating? Creating art is an example of an activity that teaches you how to focus on, and live in, the moment. Join us to experience the joy of creating amazing art with the humble but versatile medium of colored pencils. Learn simple tips, tricks and techniques for creating rich and vibrant artwork, which can be applied to all subjects including florals, still-life, landscapes, portraits, abstracts and more. No drawing experience or expertise necessary. Instruction will be tailored to suit each individual's skill level.

This games course is designed to help students with individual wellness, creativity, and both mental and physical stimulation in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Students will participate in improvisational games designed to enhance memory, engage with other students and explore movement. This course is accessible to students of all skills and abilities.

Designed especially for active retirees, this class focuses on building strength, improving balance, and enhancing everyday movement with confidence and ease. Led by an experienced Pilates instructor, each session offers clear guidance, supportive progressions, and plenty of options to meet you where you are.

Participants will learn foundational Pilates principles - posture, breathing, alignment, and core support - while gently strengthening the legs, hips, back, shoulders, and abdominal muscles. Special attention is given to balance, joint health, and functional movements such as standing, walking, reaching, and getting up and down safely.

Classes are mat-based and low-impact, with the use of chairs and simple props for added comfort and support. No prior Pilates experience is required. This course is ideal for students who want to stay strong, steady, and active - whether for daily life, hobbies, or travel - while enjoying a calm, encouraging community environment.

Please bring a mat and wear stretchy clothes.

Required Form: All fitness/movement class students are required to complete the “Activity Release, Limitation of Liability and Assumption of Risk” form before participating the class. Please click Activity and Release, Limitation of Liability and Assumption of Risk to download the form and bring the completed form to the instructor on the first day of the class.

Please join us as we continue our study of Washington geology! Geologic Tales of Washington will build on the geologic story we have been teasing out of Washington's landscape in previous courses. This course is designed to appeal to people new to geology as well as to students who have attended previous classes in this course series. There will be something new for everyone!

Topics discussed will include evolving plate tectonic models, a deeper dive into our glacial history, more on Washington's earthquakes, and new thoughts on Washington's mountain ranges including the beautiful volcanic cones of our Cascades.

This course is designed to help students tap into their life experiences and transform them into compelling stories. Guided Autobiography (GAB) is a unique approach to writing memoirs that combines the power of guided reminiscence with writing exercises. Whether you are a seasoned writer, or just starting out, GAB offers a structured, supportive environment to explore your memories, reflect on your life and create meaningful narratives.

Creative writing can spark new ideas, serve as a powerful vehicle for self-reflection, and sharpen our attention to the world. In this class, we'll read short works together in class that invite discussion of the basic "building blocks" of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction (as well as theatrical scripts and comics/graphic narratives, time allowing), then write new work in response to generative prompts.

We'll discuss a few unique approaches to finding inspiration and breaking through writer's block, too. All levels of experience are welcome. If you're exploring creative writing for the first time or looking to invigorate an existing practice, this class should have something to offer you.

This class is a continued exploration of games designed to help students revive their ability to play and have fun. Games focus on the skills of communication, listening, self-awareness and spontaneity. Activities are designed to enhance memory, engage other students and explore movement. This course is accessible to students of all skills and abilities.

Learn how to move and stay fit while traveling (or staying home) using just your body and simple, portable props! This fun travel fitness course will keep students moving wherever they go! Using simple, packable props (bands, balls, etc.) students will learn how to keep their body strong and flexible. Students will be guided through the process of learning how to utilize their travel & home environments to accomplish their fitness goals. This travel-themed Pilates workshop is available for all levels of experience.

Please bring a mat and wear stretchy clothes.

All props needed for this workshop will be provided in a Prop Bag.

Required Form: All fitness/movement class students are required to complete the “Activity Release, Limitation of Liability and Assumption of Risk” form before participating the class. Please click Activity and Release, Limitation of Liability and Assumption of Risk to download the form and bring the completed form to the instructor on the first day of the class.

Through life's ups and downs, poetry can be a valuable companion, whether you are reading it or writing it. In this class, students will do both. By studying elements of craft such as metaphor, imagery, and theme, students will read both ancient and contemporary poems, discuss them together, and write new poems. No prior experience is necessary. If you've ever been curious about poetry and wanted to learn more in a welcoming and supportive environment, this class is for you.

By the end of the course, students will be able to write original poems that demonstrate an awareness of key elements of poetic craft, engage in thoughtful discussions about poetry while emphasizing appreciation and respect, and articulate an understanding of poetry's relevance and value in contemporary life.

Moby-Dick is frequently mentioned as a leading candidate for that elusive honorific, the Great American Novel. Unfortunately, it also has developed something of a reputation as a difficult book due to Melville's stylistic peculiarities and its immense scope. That's a shame, because there is so much to enjoy here: the tragedy of Ahab's obsession, the beauty of Melville's description of life at sea, and a surprising amount of humor.

Our goal in this course will be to uncover these pleasures. We will take it slowly, stop to appreciate the language, unpack the historical references and contexts, and most importantly of all, share our favorite Melvillian jokes with each other.

Instrumental tracks played a vital role in shaping the sound of rock and roll throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Join this class as it takes you on a musical journey through this dynamic era, spotlighting the artists and groups who kept the instrumental flame burning even as vocal acts rose to prominence. From sweeping orchestras to tight-knit combos and standout solo performers, we will explore the wide range of styles and sounds that made instrumental rock a lasting and influential force in popular music.

What was the first rock 'n' roll record? Take a fascinating, informative, and entertaining journey with a former Bay Area broadcaster as we explore the roots of rock. Along the way, we'll discover the influence of radio DJs who helped introduce rock 'n' roll to mainstream America. You'll hear great music, see rare film and video clips, and examine the legacies of the pioneers who made lasting contributions to this popular genre. We'll play 50s rock trivia, hear rare songs, and explore how this music shaped American culture in its early days. So, what was that first rock song? Was it from the 1950s, the '40s, or even earlier? You may be surprised!

Join us for a dynamic musical journey into the roots of one of rock and roll's earliest and most electrifying styles - rockabilly. Discover how this groundbreaking sound emerged from the raw energy of country and rhythm and blues, evolving into a powerful force that helped shape the national music scene. Along the way, we'll spotlight the trailblazing artists who brought it to life - Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Wanda Jackson, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, and many more. With rare studio outtakes, unforgettable tracks, and behind-the-scenes stories, this is a deep dive into the heart and history of early rock and roll.

This participative discussion class looks at national and international current affairs each week. Discussions include politics and other topic matters suggested by the group. Events are considered based on their effects today and into the future, historical context and leadership.

This participative discussion class looks at national and international current affairs each week. Discussions include politics and other topic matters suggested by the group. Events are considered based on their effects today and into the future, historical context and leadership.

Join us on a lighthearted but informative musical journey to find the answer to not only who put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp, but who put the ram in the ram a lam a ding dong. Through rare photos, film and audio clips, we see and hear how early close vocal group harmonizing developed into an art form that became part of mainstream rock 'n' roll during the 1950s and 1960s. Along with your favorites, you'll hear rare studio outtakes and alternate recordings that will demonstrate how this exciting and enjoyable musical style came into being and flourished during those years.

Take a journey through some of the most fascinating periods in architectural history—from the material power of medieval abbeys to the ornamental language of rococo churches. This course explores how architecture changed over centuries, shaped by shifting cultures, philosophies, and artistic ideals. Along the way, you'll look at key buildings that defined each era, get to know the ideas behind their appearances, and draw connections between structures that were built worlds apart.

By the end of the course, you'll have a solid understanding of the cultural backgrounds informing major architectural movements, be able to identify significant buildings and their symbolic features, and recognize how architecture from different times and places connected in surprising ways. No background in architecture is needed—just curiosity and an appreciation for the built world.

Be inspired by the fascinating science and lifestyle factors that contribute to longevity. Through lectures, discussions, media, and interactive experiences, students will explore the latest research on aging, learn about hotspots around the world called "Blue Zones" where people live long lives, and engage in practical strategies for extending the "health-span."

Mars and its secrets have fascinated and mystified humans since ancient times. As we have learned more, first with telescopes and then with spacecraft, the mysteries have multiplied. This course will be an overview of what we have learned in the ongoing exploration of the red planet and what questions remain to be answered.

This games course is designed to help students with individual wellness, creativity, and both mental and physical stimulation in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Students will participate in improvisational games designed to enhance memory, engage with other students and explore movement. This course is accessible to students of all skills and abilities.

This course is designed to help students tap into their life experiences and transform them into compelling stories. Guided Autobiography (GAB) is a unique approach to writing memoirs that combines the power of guided reminiscence with writing exercises. Whether you are a seasoned writer, or just starting out, GAB offers a structured, supportive environment to explore your memories, reflect on your life and create meaningful narratives.

Discover the principles and practice of Buddhist meditation-a timeless method for cultivating inner peace and positive transformation. This course offers both an introduction to the essential teachings of Buddhism and a direct, experiential approach to meditation. Students will explore the how meditation can transform mental habits and gain practical guidance on how to begin and sustain meditation practice. Students will deepen their understanding of how meditation fosters happiness, reduces suffering and enhances overall well-being.

This participative discussion class looks at national and international current affairs each week. Discussions include politics and other topic matters suggested by the group. Events are considered based on their effects today and into the future, historical context and leadership.

Did you know that when you are completely immersed in your current action, you are meditating? Creating art is an example of an activity that teaches you how to focus on, and live in, the moment. Join us to experience the joy of creating amazing art with the humble but versatile medium of colored pencils. Learn simple tips, tricks and techniques for creating rich and vibrant artwork, which can be applied to all subjects including florals, still-life, landscapes, portraits, abstracts and more. No drawing experience or expertise necessary. Instruction will be tailored to suit each individual's skill level.