LIFELONG LEARNING Summer 2026 Catalog   

Join us on the eve of the nation’s 250th anniversary for a guided discussion of the themes of nationhood and identity in artwork on display at The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville. This special day trip, led by Prof. Chris Balaschak, Ph.D., Professor of Art History at Flagler College, will explore a variety of artwork at The Cummer that wrestle with ways of seeing and representing the United States. Also included is a discussion of artwork in The Cummer Museum’s permanent collection, as well as artwork from special exhibitions such as "Touring the Landscape and Moment in Time." Focused on the genres of landscape and portraiture, the group will explore and compare the distinct forms, materials, and iconography American artists have used to depict a land that contains multitudes. After Dr. Balaschak's guided discussion, you're free to explore the museum and gardens.

Plan to meet in front of the Cummer Museum at 10:45 AM. The cost of this day trip includes the entrance fee to the Cummer and Dr. Balaschak's guided tour and discussion from 11:00-12:30 PM. After the guided tour, you're welcome to stay and enjoy the museum and gardens on your own. The Cummer offers complimentary parking located across Riverside Avenue from the Museum entrance and on the corner of Riverside Avenue and Post Street. Accessible parking is available in the Riverside Avenue lot as well as at the Art Connections entrance between the Museum and the Red Cross building. https://www.cummermuseum.org/

There's also a cafe in the museum.https://www.cummermuseum.org/cafe/.

StAAA members are invited to register for $20.00. Contact lifelonglearning@flagler.edu

Cummer Museum Address:
829 Riverside Avenue
Jacksonville, Florida 32204

Drections: From I-95S, take exit 352-352A to Forest Street. Turn right onto Riverside Avenue. Museum will be on the left.
From I-95N, take exit 351A to Park Street. Turn left onto Riverside Park Place, then right onto Riverside Avenue. Museum will be on the immediate left.

Shari Duval founded K9s For Warriors in 2011. Her vision was to train shelter dogs as Service Dogs and pair them with Veterans afflicted with military-connected traumas. When her son, Brett, a civilian K9 police bomb dog handler who served in Iraq, came home with PTSD, she realized he was only himself when with his dog. Doctors couldn’t help her son, but she found that a Service Dog could. Shari found a new mission in life: to put all her time and resources into helping restore the life of her son, and the lives of returning combat Veterans through the use of Service Dogs. Today, K9s for Warriors' mission is to end Veteran suicide. It is the nation’s largest provider of trained Service Dogs to military Veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma.

Join Shelly Haser, Flagler College Lifelong Learning Institute Director, as we take a tour of this incredible world class facility and learn more about this unique program. Please note that there is walking involved during the tour. Participants need to wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. We will tour the kennels and the Warrior living and training spaces. 

This tour meets off site at K9s for Warriors National Headquarters, 114 Camp K9 Rd, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081. When you arrive, there is a gravel parking lot immediately on your left. You can park anywhere in that lot. Meet at 9:45 a.m. in the parking lot. Look for the Lifelong Learning sign. We will enter the facility at 10 a.m. https://k9sforwarriors.org/

Are you getting ready to retire or are you already starting this chapter in your life? 

The reality is retiring from work involves work! This informative course is about practical ideas for preparing for retirement (pensions, investing and taxes), the process of retiring (Social Security, Medicare, and employer benefits) and what to do while retired (staying involved, dealing with aging, and estate planning). Join instructor Stephen Parrish, a nationally recognized retirement planning professor, on the challenges, realities, and opportunities of planning for a positive retirement.

Here are the topics he will present: Preparing for Retirement (defining retirement, determining how much you need, qualified vs nonqualified plans, and taxes and insurance considerations); The Process of Retirement (understanding how and when to file for Social Security and Medicare, accessing employer benefit plans, creating a withdrawal strategy); Planning While Retired (staying engaged, phased retirement, dealing with aging issues, and estate and legacy planning); Managing Risks in Retirement (Understanding and dealing with mortality and longevity risks, healthcare, market uncertainty, taxes and family dynamics). Note: The instructor is not associated with any retirement or investment agency. No paid or unpaid promotional information will be shared.

Got your ticket? All aboard for a suspenseful ride on Alfred Hitchcock's classic film, "Strangers on a Train."

Join film film enthusiast, Greg Barry, for a special screening of the master director’s thrilling tale of chance encounters and deadly bargains. Enjoy the rich black‑and‑white cinematography, Bernard Herrmann’s haunting score, and Hitchcock’s signature twists and turns that continue to captivate audiences more than 70 years after its release. Starring: Farley Granger, Ruth Roman and Robert Walker. A lively discussion period will commence directly after the screening. Come for the suspense; stay for the conversation!

Join Chris Balaschak, Ph.D., Professor of Art History at Flagler College, for a screening and discussion of the 2013 documentary "Finding Vivian Maier." Directed by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel, "Finding Vivian Maier" focuses on the fascinating story of Maloof’s detective work in rediscovering the late Vivian Maier’s photography. After purchasing an archive of Maier’s photographic negatives in 2007, Maloof pieces together the life of a woman who worked most of her life as a nanny while prolifically photographing the street life of mid-20th century Chicago. During her lifetime, Maier (who passed away in 2009) never exhibited or published her photographs, and is now considered an icon of American street photography.

https://findingvivianmaier.com/

Following the film, the discussion will focus on themes of photography’s aura as fine art, the ethics of photographic authorship, and the value of owning a camera. "Finding Vivian Maier" runs 1 hour and 23 minutes, a half hour discussion led by Dr. Balaschak will follow. Step out of the heat and join us at the Gamache theater for this intriguing and interesting story. This event is in partnership with St. Augustine Film Society. https://staugustinefilmsociety.com/

Step back in time for an engaging exploration of law enforcement a century ago. While the role of officers has evolved significantly, the perils they faced remain eerily familiar to today. In this captivating seminar, delve into the events that led to the tragic deaths of three Clay County sheriffs—Josephus Peeler, Charles Wilson, and Theodore Shelton “Shelt” Cherry—during the years 1894, 1906, and 1913. Step into the shoes of these valiant lawmen as they carried out their duty to protect the citizens of Clay County. Hear gripping accounts from witnesses who were present during these pivotal moments through historical court documents and newspaper articles that provide a vivid snapshot of the era. Join us!

Rich stories and past structures are part of the tapestry and footprint that shaped St. Augustine's history. Unfortunately, so many of St. Augustine’s stories are lost to those who live in or visit the ancient city; they are tucked away, hidden in libraries and archives. Once glorious historic buildings have been destroyed either through neglect or in the name of progress. Join Bob Nawrocki, retired Chief Librarian of the St. Augustine Historical Society Research Library, as he shares "lost stories" uncovered from the archives of the St. Augustine Historical Society (SAHS). Hear about the folk artist who  built a fish scale house, the woman who made hats for the carriage horses and appeared on national television, the remains of a 150-year-old hotel, and the tale of buried treasure in Lincolnville!  Join us to learn a quicky tales and forgotten stories about St. Augustine and a few of its past resdients! This seminar meets at Pollard Hall.

What was it like to go to the movies in 1943?

This seminar recreates moviegoing as experienced by the American public during the war-time year 1943. After a presentation explaining what a Saturday afternoon visit to the local movie house entailed, participants will view a cartoon, then a short newsreel, and then previews for movies coming to your local theatre in 1943. Finally the feature presentation: the wacky Preston Sturges classic "The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek" starring Eddie Bracken and Betty Hutton (1 hour 38 minutes). There will be a a brief post-screening presentation then an interactive discussion for those who don’t want to return to 2026 right away! Join Tom Hischak, Emeritus Professor of Performing Arts, State University of New York College at Cortland, for this unique seminar that will take you back to a Saturday in 1943!

Immerse yourself in the smoky world of mezcal, peated whisky, and aged rum, and discover how fire, smoke, and barrel influence create layers of complexity. Join Dr. Zac Cole, professor and program director of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Flagler College, for a curated tasting highlighting how production methods and regional traditions shape each distinctive spirit. Gather at the historic Markland House for an engaging evening celebrating the flavor, craft, and intrigue of smoke-forward spirits!

Complimentary Flagler parking is included.
Participants must be 21+.
Doors open at 5:45 pm

"St. Augustine in Photographs – 1870-1930" takes you on a fascinating journey into the heart of St. Augustine, as viewed through the lenses of both professional and amateur photographers from the transformative era of 1870 to 1930. This era bore witness to drastic changes in St. Augustine, including the aftermath of three disastrous fires and the impactful changes brought by Henry Flagler and other developers. While we spotlight the remarkable work of professional photographers – the Meyer family, Richard Twine, and W.J. Harris – we also celebrate the unearthing of captivating pieces from unidentified amateur photographers. So, grab your virtual camera and let's step back in time together!

Through a captivating slideshow, Bob Nawrocki, retired Chief Librarian of the St. Augustine Historical Society Research Library, will share scores (over 200) of intriguing and fascinating photographs of St. Augustine during this transformative era!

Located in the Old Minorcan Quarter of St. Augustine, and just steps from St. Augustine’s historic city gates at St. George Street, is St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine.  The Shrine, an institution of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, is dedicated to the first colony of Greek people who came to America in 1768. The Shrine consists of exhibits depicting the life of early Greeks in America and the development of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, and the St. Photios Chapel. Join Flagler College Romance Languages Professor, Dr. Eugenia Charoni, for a special seminar and docent tour of this magnificent shrine. 

The group will meet in Pollard from 5:15-5:45 p.m. for Dr. Charoni's talk on the shrine. Then she will walk the group to the shrine (about a 5 min. walk from Pollard) where the group will have a docent led tour from 6:00-6:45 pm. The tour includes seeing the magnificent Orthodox Chapel filled with Byzantine style frescoes and the historic museum. Special exhibits tell the story of the First Greek Colony in the New World including an exhibit with various artifacts, photographs and historical documents. Don't miss this special and spectacular event! 

Note: Participants need to be prepared to walk or stand for an hour.

During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, many people came to Florida. Some, like Zephaniah Kingsley, sought to make their fortunes by obtaining land and establishing plantations. Others were forced to come to Florida to work on those plantations, their labor providing wealth to the people who owned them. This course focuses on the "two Kingsleys"—Anna and Zephaniah.

Celebrate the artistry and precision behind the world’s most festive wines—sparkling selections from renowned regions across the globe! From traditional-method classics to fresh and vibrant styles crafted in diverse climates, discover how production techniques and regional conditions create bubbles that range from crisp and mineral to rich and complex. Join Dr. Zac Cole as he guides you through a curated tasting exploring the science and tradition behind effervescence. Raise a glass at the historic Markland House for an elegant and engaging evening devoted to sparkle, balance, and celebration. Join us!

Complimentary Flagler parking is included.
Participants must be 21+.
Doors open at 5:45 pm

Join award-winning author Stephen Hundley for a special Lifelong Learning writing workshop weekend! The focus of this workshop is on memorable and accessible life writing and open to anyone, from beginners to advanced writers. The workshop is broken down into three sessions over two days.

(See Schedule Below)

A Flagler College 2-day parking pass is included. This workshop is limited to 14 participants. Participants must be 18+. Join a community of writers for a special weekend! All sessions meet at Pollard Hall, Flagler College.

   Stephen Hundley is the author of "Bomb Island" (Hub City Press, 2024), which won the bronze medal for Fiction in the 2024 Florida Book Awards, and "The Aliens Will Come to Georgia First" (University of North Georgia Press, 2023). His stories and poems have appeared in Prairie Schooner, Cream City Review, Carve, The Greensboro Review, and elsewhere. In fall 2025, Hundley was the Flagler College Storyteller in Residence. He spent the semester engaging students in creative writing, storytelling, and the craft of literature, and also connected with the community through a book reading and discussion on "Bomb Island" for Lifelong Learners.
   Hundley holds an MA from Clemson, an MFA from the University of Mississippi, and a PhD in English from Florida State University. 

What is film noir? You’ve probably seen examples of it. Crime dramas with cynical anti-heroes, dangerous females, hard-boiled dialogue, complicated plots, lots of shadows, a dark atmosphere – you get the idea. Although it has a French name, film noir was very popular in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s and there are several Hollywood classics in the genre. Join us as we look at the origins of film noir in Europe in the 1930s, then at the golden age of noir classics, viewing scenes from several different films. Such memorable movies as The Maltese Falcon, Laura, Casablanca, The Lady from Shanghai, and The Big Sleep will be discussed along with some lesser-known works. More recent movies that might be considered noir are also included. Join Tom Hischak, Emeritus Professor of Performing Arts, State University of New York College at Cortland, for this fascinating era of film that is still enjoyed today!

Have you already completed a beginner American Sign Language (ASL) course, know finger spelling, and basic words? Then you're ready to move to the next level and join this course! Learn to develop conversational fluency, build narrative and conversational skills, and gain a deeper understanding of Deaf culture. Join Flagler College ASL instructor, Maria Fernandez, in this engaging course!

This course meets 6 times. An ASL interpreter will be present for the first class only. The five remaining classes will be only through ASL!

 

Develop or sharpen your drawing skills! This course is open to beginners and experienced folks alike and focuses on basic drawing techniques by concentrating on the elements of descriptive drawing through observation. Be prepared to develop the qualities of line and volume with a full range of values. The course will also cover linear perspective and compositional design. There will be regular critiques. Come join artist David Ouellette for this informative course!

NOTE: This class meets for 2 hours each week for 6 weeks.

Drawing I Materials and Supplies List

Calling all artists and art enthusiasts, take an adventure into the historic world of painting.

Come learn and explore who the original Impressionist were, what they said about painting, how they were received, and what changes this group made in the world of art. Bring the lessons of Impressionism to life by making your own paintings. Explore brush strokes. Explore color—how to see it, how to mix it, and how to use it. Find out what exploring space means in painting. Join artist Alex Whitney for this unique art course!

Supplies are not included.

SUPPLIES LIST
(Don’t bring supplies to the first class. We will discuss the supply list on the first night.)

Enter the universe of pharaoh Amenhotep III and his Great Royal Wife Tiye (1389-1349 BCE), perhaps the world’s first power couple! They ruled over Ancient Egypt’s opulent Golden Empire, the existing world’s richest and mightiest kingdom. Discover the use of the jackal-headed masks worn by the priests of Anubis, the deity of funerary rites, embalming, lord of the afterlife, and guide to the Underworld. Examine the rare, few existing Anubis mask examples remaining from antiquity! Learn about the rise of Hatshepsut: King’s daughter, sister and wife, who ultimately became pharaoh. Declaring herself offspring of Amun, Egypt’s supreme deity, she seized control of the kingdom. Explore the mysterious Book of the Faiyum papyrus; it relates an important creation myth featuring the divine creator crocodile god Sobek. Add more to your knowledge of ancient Egypt’s complex issues of royal power and religious beliefs. Join Chris Henry for this captivating course on ancient Egypt!

This class is for artists of all levels, from fresh newcomers to seasoned professionals! Learn the essence of reductive figure drawing, advancing your ability to build form through observation and color. Create 3D art on a 2D surface by focusing on figure-ground relationships. Let your personal creativity flourish in this relaxed and engaging setting. Join artist Alex Whitney in this popular course! 

• A model is present for this class, and there is an additional model fee ($30) for this class.
• Supplies are not included.

CLICK HERE FOR SUPPLIES LIST 

(Don’t bring supplies to the first class. We will discuss the supply list on the first night.)

Religion has provided much good for the world, but can we in the modern world believe in it after Darwin’s theory of evolution? Join Flagler College religion professor, Dr. James Rowell, to explore the relationship between science and religion. Are they compatible or incompatible? Arguably, religion has done good in the 20th century. Beginning with figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi, they have shown how religion can seem both realistic and good. The course will explore further questions that involve the challenge of science. Religion can do good, but can it still be believed? How has science since Darwinian evolution challenged our belief? Join us for this thought-provoking course!

Delve into the rich history of St. Augustine starting with the Pre-Columbian and Exploration periods and then move through the Colonial and American eras. The focus is on specific areas of the city such as the Castillo de San Marcos Fort and City Gate Area, North Restoration Area, the Plaza, Bay Street, South George St., Aviles St., Saint Francis St., Palm Row, and the area west of the Plaza (including Ponce de Leon Hotel - Flagler College). Explore places off San Marco Ave. (including Fort Mose), Lincolnville, and Anastasia Island (Lighthouse and Alligator Farm and Zoological Park). Learn fascinating stories, struggles, and facts that make St. Augustine a unique city and impress your friends and family when they come to visit you!  Join Flagler College history professor, Dr. Trevor Bryant, for this 6-session course that will take you through all the periods of St. Augustine's history!

This course is an excellent resource for those who are interested in taking the St. Augustine City test for "Sightseeing Tour Guides" and aligns with the Official Handbook for Sightseeing Tour Guides.

Jack Kerouac was an influential American writer who was part of a group of writers, artists, and musicians who became known as "The Beat Generation." There are many stories, legends, opinions, attitudes and theories about The Beat Generation, yet the best way to try to gain an understanding of what they were trying to accomplish with their literary, artistic, music, and spiritual experimentation during the 1950's and 60's is to delve deeply into their work and contemplate it. Join author Paul W. Jacob (Jake)  in this course that will take you back to this experimental time in American history!

Creating portraits with colored pencil is a delicate and rewarding process that combines observation, technique and creativity. No drawing skill is necessary. This course will teach you how to gradually build up color layers to ensure vibrant colors and smooth blending. The first three classes of this course will entail reviewing colored pencil techniques, some basics on color theory, plus how to render features of the face, hair, and skin tones. The last three classes will be used to complete a full portrait. All are welcome! Join longtime Lifelong Learning art instructor, Liz Monaco, and learn all about drawing portraits!

Click on the link for suggested colors to use. The Prismacolor portrait set is a more economical approach when adding skin tone colors to your own pencils. Check first to see if you already have these colors so you don't end up duplicating. There are a few additional colors in the list for hair and eye colors.

SUPPLIES LIST Click Here

Join us for a new Lifelong Learning art course! Beginners to advanced artists will develop and enjoy creating art using their preferred medium. Pick the medium you like for all class sessions or change the medium each week, it’s up to you. Be prepared to learn about a variety of mediums on the first day of class. After that, you choose which medium you would like to use. The class will explore Watercolor, Soft Pastel, Oil Pastel, Oil Painting, Charcoal and Conte, Pencil and Graphite. 

Be ready to learn about artists using each medium, their still life artwork, and what they have to say about art. Each week is an exploration on a new still life. The class will learn color—how to see it, how to mix it, and learn how to bring art alive by learning to use what we "see" and the exploration of “space." Join artist  Alex Whiney in a course that will work from life only.

Supplies are not included.

(Don’t bring supplies to the first class. We will discuss the supply list on the first night.)

SUPPLIES LIST

Are you ready to learn the ancient art of Tai Chi Chuan?

The Beginning Form First Third (B1) Tai Chi Chuan Series is designed for everyone. Regardless of previous knowledge and experience, you can learn the art and science of Tai Chi while meeting new friends, and refreshing the mind and bodies. This program will give an in depth understanding of the principles of Tai Chi so that you can practice for the rest of your life. Now is the perfect time to start and fall in love with this ancient art.

First third of the Cheng Man Ching short form.

Escape into the vivid world of pigments with our exclusive course on transparent watercolor techniques. Embrace the joy of painting as you learn to explore and understand the unique characteristics, possibilities, and limitations of the vibrant watercolor medium.

This course provides insight into the special papers, pigments, and brushes employed thus enriching your artwork and expanding your understanding. Regular critiques ensure your steady growth while immersive demonstrations breathe inspiration into your journey as an artist. The creative power of your brushstrokes will brighten your watercolors with the intrigue of transparency in landscape portrayal.

Students are responsible for their own supplies. Click the link below for a printable list.

Watercolor Materials and Supplies