Arts & Music   

A broad overview of architecture in the United States from prehistory to the present day, with emphasis on the country’s contributions to architectural principles and design.

In this engaging six-week online course, we will explore the works and legacies of charismatic classical performers through anecdotes, stories, humor, and rich audiovisual examples. The focus will be on artists who redefined technical brilliance, tonal richness, and showmanship on the piano, violin, cello, and other instruments. We will contrast performers who achieve a compelling balance of intensity, passion, and bold elegance—musicians whose distinctive sounds have captivated audiences over the past 150 years. Legendary figures such as Arthur Rubinstein, Jascha Heifetz, Lang Lang, and Itzhak Perlman will be the focal point of the course.

We will explore the fundamentals of the photographic process. We’ll master basic digital camera operation (including cell phone cameras). All your photographic questions will be answered and you’ll quickly feel comfortable capturing better digital photographs. We will have digital image critiques from images classmates produce and bring to class, and from the photo safaris we take during class-time.

 

Fall OLLI Photography Class photo,  11/06/2025, Bob O'Lary

A one-week interactive experience focusing the artistic milieu (music and painting) in France , roughly between 1890 and 1925. Contemporary relationships between music, art and literature of this important period will be explored. Musically, the primary focus will be on selected compositions by Claude Debussy (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun) and Maurice Ravel (Spanish Rhapsody). Learning outcomes include: recognition of common concerns between symbolist poets, impressionist painters and composers, in their pursuit of subtle suggestion over obvious depiction of artistic forms and/or ideas

Join me for an intimate look into the evolution of my nature-inspired art practice and latest collection, Fossilizing the Forest Floor. In this presentation, I will share how my life and work are taking me a step deeper into the woods—quite literally.  How my evolving technique of permanently embedding organic elements—such as moss, bark, petals, and lichen—directly into my pieces coincides with my land conservation work. 

This course is designed for recreational pianists. Anyone who loves music and has always wanted to learn piano is welcome to take this course.

 

This course is designed for recreational pianists. Anyone who loves music and has always wanted to learn piano is welcome to take this course.

 

The Essentials of Floral Design A Foundational Floral Design Workshop by The Highland Gardener Discover the timeless art of floral design in this hands-on workshop led by Catherine Shock, founder and creative director of The Highland Gardener. Inspired by European floral traditions and over two decades of professional design experience, this immersive class is perfect for beginners, flower enthusiasts, and anyone looking to develop confidence and creativity through flowers. More than simply arranging blooms, this workshop introduces you to the principles behind thoughtful floral composition. You'll learn how professional designers transform flowers into works of art by combining color, texture, movement, and balance. Throughout the class, you'll explore the essentials of floral design and bring home a creation each week!

Price includes materials fee.