The Arts/Literature & Writing   

Together we’ll read Old Home Town by Rose Wilder Lane, daughter of Laura Ingalls Wilder and editor of the Little House book series. Written while she was struggling to find content for her own projects, she looks to her hometown of Mansfield, Missouri, to recreate small-town society of pre-World War I America with a precise feeling for decorum, dress, and kitchen dialogue. The overlay of nostalgia cannot hide some sharp observations about marriage and women's rights. As we read, we’ll place the novel in its historical context, examine its publication history, and consider Rose’s life and her complex relationship with her parents.

We all carry stories—moments that shaped us, surprised us, or stayed with us long after they passed. This four-week course invites participants to revisit those moments and gently shape them into short, meaningful monologues. Through guided prompts, brief mentor texts inspired by The Moth, and time to write and reflect, participants will explore how memory becomes story—how a single moment can hold humor, insight, and connection. The course grows out of recent community storytelling workshops, including work with an international group of adults in Mazatlán, Mexico, where storytelling became a way to build community across difference. No prior writing or performance experience is needed. Sharing is always optional. Together, we will write, remember, and listen—honoring the stories we carry and the lives behind them. The course will conclude with an optional, informal gathering for those who wish to share their work.

Lessons on how to present sleight of hand and details explanations on misdirection, as Meyers breaks the magicians' "rule" and teaches us tricks of his trade - or at least some of them!

The course offers an overview on the development of American opera during the 20th and 21st. centuries by exploring the operas that have established their place in the American opera repertoire. The course also provides composers’ biographical information and their contribution to this genre.

One of the most iconic lines in all of philosophy is Descartes’s, “I think, therefore I am.” In this six-week course, we will work through René Descartes’s most famous work, Meditations on First Philosophy, which is the source of this iconic line. The book is divided into six parts. Each week, we will take a deep dive into one of the Meditations. The book is a classic for a reason. Descartes asks (and answers!) some of the most fundamental questions that we as humans face. What can we really know? What is the nature of the self? Is there a God? What is reality like, in itself? This class presupposes no prior knowledge of Descartes or philosophy. Classes will be discussion-based, so come ready to dig into philosophical discussion together.

Our Paint & Sip for Adults program offers a relaxed and engaging creative experience designed for beginners and experienced painters alike. This structured 4-week session allows participants to select one painting from our studio’s curated collection of 160+ available designs and develop that piece over four 1-hour guided classes. BYOB. Participants will receive step-by-step instructions, individualized support, and access to all necessary materials. The extended format allows for thoughtful layering, detail work, and skill development, resulting in a finished artwork of professional quality. This program provides a welcoming, social atmosphere that encourages creativity, connection, and relaxation. It is ideal for adults seeking a consistent creative outlet, a structured art experience, and an enjoyable social environment.

Georgia OKeeffe is one America's greatest artists. She made many summer visits to New Mexico and moved to New Mexico for the last 37 years of her life. This course tells the story of O'Keeffe's life in New Mexico and the art that this time inspired. A 50-minute multi-media presentation with 400 photographs, special music, and a spoken narrative connects the actual places in New Mexico O'Keeffe lived and painted, and the paintings these places inspired. The multi-media video includes 87 of O'Keeffe's paintings. An open discussion for questions and comments follows the multi-media video.

Drawing is fundamental when making art. We’ll spend four weeks improving our observation and drawing skills.  We’ll use both pencils and charcoal.  We will draw from both still life and photo references. The grid method will be covered for working from photographs. References will be provided but feel free to bring your own photos for subject matter. This class is good for both beginners and those with drawing experience.  

A variety of films exhibiting the range of Mike Leigh’s signature style. Mr. Turner (2014) Historical Biography of English landscape painter, J.M.W. Turner.   Secrets and Lies (1996) Adopted child finds her birth mother creating tension and change in birth mother’s family.  Topsy-Turvy (1999) Challenges of musical team Gilbert and Sullivan during the production of The Mikado.   Vera Drake (2004)  Working class wife and mother suffers the fallout from illegal abortions in Post-War Britain.   Another Year (2010)  Stable couple stays afloat while their circle of friends struggle to find contentment.  Actors include:  Timothy Spall, Lesley Manville, Jim Broadbent, Brenda Blethyn,  Imelda Staunton. 

We’ll continue our practice with watercolors for those returning, and beginners are welcome! We’ll experiment with washes, wet on wet, controlling edges, color mixing, dry brushing, working with layers, etc. We may include ink lines too. Subject matter will be nature themed and may include flowers, birds, landscapes, etc. Feel free to bring your own references for painting inspiration.

The origami course introduces participants to the relaxing and creative art of paper folding while supporting hand coordination and cognitive engagement. The course is scheduled to last 4 weeks, with 1 session per week.

Session 1: Participants learn basic folds and simple models such as hearts, tulips, and boats to build confidence and familiarity with folding techniques.

 Session 2: Focuses on classic origami figures, including the traditional crane, butterfly, puppy, pistol..., helping participants practice step-by-step instructions and develop spatial thinking.

 Session 3: Learners explore decorative and practical designs such as lilies, small boxes, and envelopes, allowing them to create useful and aesthetically pleasing objects.

Session 4: Encourages creativity through modular and collaborative projects, such as simple stars or group displays. By the end of the program, participants will have developed basic origami skills and produced a collection of handmade paper creations.

Discover the relaxing and creative art of crochet in this fun, hands-on class! Perfect for beginners and those looking to refresh their skills, this class will guide you through the basics of crochet, including how to hold your hook, create foundational stitches, read simple patterns, and start your first project. Participants will learn at a comfortable pace in a supportive and encouraging environment. By the end of the class, you’ll have the confidence and skills to continue crocheting on your own and creating beautiful handmade items like scarves, coasters, and small accessories. All materials are provided—just bring your creativity and excitement to learn!

This class is designed to help you step back into the past and spend time recreating those family stories that are in danger of being lost. You will collect stories from your past, either from your own memory or the memories of others you may contact.  We will work in pairs (sign up with a friend or family member and treat the course like Story Corps of NPR fame with people signIficant to one another having a conversation -- or just bring yourself and we'll pair/group you with others to delve into the past together) to recreate and read these stories.  This is not a performance class, but it will offer an opportunity to record -- and if desired share -- and pay tribute to the family stories we all have.

The Oklahoma State University Museum of Art will host a guided walking tour exploring the outdoor public artwork and architecture located across the OSU campus. Participants will learn about campus sculptures and university history. The tour follows an approximately one-mile loop that is wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes and are encouraged to bring water, sun protection, and any needed mobility or hearing devices. Please arrive 10 minutes early at the designated meeting location. In case of severe weather, registered participants will be notified of any schedule changes. For more information about Public Art on Campus, visit museum.okstate.edu.

In this course we will complete monoprints using acrylic paint. We will use the prints to make mixed media forms of art including collage and weaving.

Step beyond the gates and discover cemeteries as places full of stories, history, and beauty. In this four-week course, we will explore cemeteries not as places of sadness, but as meaningful spaces that connect us to people, art, and the past. Together, we’ll uncover the lives behind the headstones, learn to interpret symbols and gravestone art, and share stories that reveal the history of our communities. Through discussion, images, and optional local exploration, you’ll learn how to “read” a cemetery in a whole new way. This course is designed to be engaging, social, and thought-provoking, perfect for anyone interested in history, storytelling, genealogy, or simply seeing familiar places with fresh eyes. No experience needed, just curiosity!

Do you wish you knew more about how to appreciate poetry? This course will help you develop skills to approach reading and interpreting poetry with confidence. We'll discuss and practice reading strategies, from learning to recognize and scan metrical patterns, to placing poems in their historical context. Drawing from primarily the British and American poetic traditions, we'll follow several forms, like the sonnet, from their origins up to present innovations.

Join us for four outstanding films starring Barbara Stanwyck: Stella Dallas (1937), Remember the Night (1940), Ball of Fire (1938), Double Indemnity (1944), Christmas in Connecticut (1945), and Sorry Wrong Number (1948).

We're transforming the classroom into a clay studio for the afternoon! Each participant will select among a mug, a cup, or a planter to create with the guidance of expert Kris Potter.

From its emergence amid rapid cultural change in the early 20th century, country music has resonated with people who feel left behind by a shifting world. A key genre of American roots music, it captures hardships of modern life while intentionally evoking emotional response. Whether facing troubled relationships, unemployment, homelessness, loneliness, or spiritual bereft, there is a country song for you. This course traces the history of country and American roots music through the stories and artistic developments of influential performers. Each session highlights key figures including the Carter Family, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, and Dolly Parton.

The public often sees the art world as the domain of wealth, trendsetters, and high rollers, yet deception lurks behind the façade. After weapons and drugs, art is the third most lucrative illicit trade, with reports suggesting that more than half of artworks are fake or misattributed. In this course, we will ask: When is a copy simply a copy, and when is it a forgery? What techniques do master forgers use? Does a collector hold true title, and how important is provenance? What can science tell us about art authenticity? We will uncover riveting stories of criminal art activity, gallery closings, and master forgeries.

This course examines royal succession through acclaimed British films that explore power not as ceremony, but as moral and political crisis. We will trace the monarchy’s evolution from personal rule to institutional authority, beginning with the Plantagenet struggles in Becket (1964) and The Lion in Winter (1968). We will then examine the moral costs of kingship and the performance of national leadership through two Shakespeare adaptations: Chimes at Midnight (1965) and Henry V (1989). The course will conclude with the Tudor rupture: A Man for All Seasons (1966) and the consolidation of legitimacy Elizabeth (1998).

Route 66 is as much an idea as it is a place. Since its creation in 1926, America’s most famous highway has evolved from a 2,400-mile transportation corridor into a powerful symbol of nostalgia, travel, and the American road. Today, it functions as a kind of pilgrimage route, marked by neon signs, roadside attractions, and preserved motels, cafés, and gas stations. In this course, we will explore the history, cultural meaning, and enduring appeal of Route 66. Together, we will examine its origins, rise and decline, late-20th century revival, the role of nostalgia and car culture, preservation efforts, and the possible futures of this iconic highway.

Since the 1890s, when Americans were beginning to develop their own traditions in classical music, composers have recognized the dilemma of creating the American sound. We will explore how classical musicians, and Broadway and Hollywood composers, most of them Jewish, followed parallel paths in creating sounds that have been defined as evocative of these lands and its people. Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, William Grant Steel, Florence Price, Alex North, Elmer Bernstein and others will be the protagonists of this lecture, supported with audiovisuals and anecdotes.

From sleek new industrial materials to innovations in housing, mid-20th-century designers faced the challenge of shaping an aesthetic that reflected the ideals of post-World War II America. In this course, we will explore the optimism that defined the relationship between design and lifestyle during this period, particularly through the emergence of open living spaces in architecture. We will examine the influence of the Case Study Program and the work of leading designers, including Charles and Ray Eames, John Lautner, Eero Saarinen, E. Fay Jones, and Donald Wexler, while considering these developments within the broader context of rapid social and cultural change.

This course is a history class with a laugh track. We will analyze the significant periods and players of the 20th and 21st Centuries against their historic context and legacy, using humor as the platform. We will discuss how comedy was shaped by and responsive to American society, and how comedians influenced and shaped American life. We will cover Silent Films, Vaudeville, Radio, Screwball and Romantic Comedies, Comedy Teams, and the Golden Age of Television. We will study how America laughed in each generation, and how the change in American character and persona shaped how they laughed and what (and whom) they laughed at.

August Wilson was the first African American playwright to have a Broadway theater bear his name, a fitting tribute to a dramatist who brought African American culture and lived experience to the stage. In this course, we will read, watch, and examine the first five plays in Wilson’s American Cycle, a ten-play series representing each decade of the African American culture’s 20th century. We will explore Wilson’s life and the influences behind his work while focusing on Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Seven Guitars, tracing his powerful interpretation, celebration, and perseveration of African American culture.

Journey into the vibrant world of early 20th century art and witness the birth of abstraction. This transformative period reshaped the cultural landscape, from the bold colors of Fauvism, the fractured forms of Cubism, to the dreamlike realms of Surrealism. Each session focuses on the movements’ leading artists including Matisse, Kandinsky, Picasso, Mondrian, Duchamp, and Dali. We will explore their aesthetic goals and the social and cultural currents that influenced them.

There 1960s is a decade wrapped in myth and misunderstanding. In this course, we will cut through that haze by turning to something powerful and concrete: the speeches of the era. The times and the conditions demanded these significant speeches. Together, we will listen to the voices that moved a nation and shaped history. With recordings preserved through television, video, and YouTube, we will discover what these speeches still have to teach us today.