Creative Arts   

This acrylic class is for the absolute beginner as well as more experienced painters. We will follow step-by-step instructions to create our paintings while also learning why and what we are doing. Paintings will be completed over several class sessions. All materials are provided.

We'll visit museums, art galleries, and studios in the area and talk with curators and artists to learn more about the places and the work. Afterwards, we'll go to coffee houses or restaurants for no-host treats and conversation with group members.

This class examines the precepts of Buddhism in general and of the Chan/Zen branch of Buddhism specifically. We will explore major examples of art and architecture related to Zen. A primary goal of the class is to examine the historical context for the development of the Zen arts; therefore, an examination of the social, religious, political, and cultural influences on the production of art and architecture will be important. In addition, we will consider the fundamental teachings of Buddhism and meditation as a means for developing thoughtful and humane interactions in contemporary life.

Seven OLLI members who love collage will share techniques and projects each week. Come and make art!

Have fun exploring the many possibilities for creating your own unique characters. Learn to draw cartoon heads and bodies, along with all their features. Learn how to bring your characters to life and give each their own unique personality. You will learn how to make them talk and think. Enjoy exploring single- and multi-panel comic strips. Absolutely no drawing ability required. All that's needed is a pencil and some inexpensive paper.

What better way to welcome the new year than with a personal desk calendar created by you! No art experience necessary; just come to create and have fun.

Do you draw, write novels, knit, paint, collage, hook rugs, embroider, or make any other art or craft? Do you need an impulse to get you going? Instead of doing it alone, come to the OLLI Creation Zone. We will have tables (with plastic sheets covering them to allow for messiness) and chairs set up. You bring yourself, your ideas, and your materials. No instruction, no demands, just a group of people creating in comradery.

"Don't let the devil keep all the good tunes." Gospel music hit the airways in 1925 and remained a driving force through the 1950s. The nascent recording industry documented African American spirituals, camp meeting shouts, and country gospel harmonies. This American roots music would go on to influence the development of the rhythm and blues, rock, and soul music that followed. We will explore background history, then sing and play gospel songs from that era. Come ready to have a good time!

You've enjoyed your first dip into improv and want to do a bit more. In this class for those who have taken a previous improv class, we will build on the exercises and skits to get more comfortable with being spontaneous.

This class will provide basic skills for drawing and painting on the iPad. We will navigate three digital art apps, explore techniques for creating digital drawings and paintings, practice using layers, and experience how to export completed digital images for printing. The apps featured in this class are Freeform, Sketchbook, and ArtRage Vitae Mobile Painting.

This class offers a hands-on introduction to one-point and two-point perspective drawing, techniques that create the illusion of depth on a flat surface by using converging lines. The first session focuses on one-point perspective, while the second session covers two-point perspective.

Many beginning artists believe that if they want to learn to draw, they need to do it in a realistic style. It can be pretty intimidating to think that you need to make your drawings look like photographs. Well, it will comfort you to know that most drawings artists create aren't an attempt at realism. In this class you will learn to draw in a way that frees you from the pressure of being perfect. You only need a pencil and some inexpensive paper.

Improv, or improvisational comedy, is like acting, only there's no script. The motto of improv is "yes, and." It's about being spontaneous and listening. You're given a scenario, and you make it up as you go. Join us to build more self-confidence, use your imagination more, and have a lot of fun.

Improv, or improvisational comedy, is like acting, only there's no script. The motto of improv is "yes, and." It's about being spontaneous and listening. You're given a scenario, and you make it up as you go. Join us to build more self-confidence, use your imagination more, and have a lot of fun.

Knitting with others is a wonderful learning environment. This class is designed to give knitters who have mastered the basic stitches of knit and purl a chance to work on a project of their choosing while we chat and share ideas online with other knitters. All levels of ability are welcome! Gale contributes to the class by offering tips and suggestions for patterns, yarn, and tools based on her years of knitting experience.

This class is for people who already know how to play the A-G chords. We play and sing 3-, 4-, and 5-chord songs by Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers, and other musicians from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. The class is mostly to practice feeling comfortable with playing guitar while singing. There is some instruction on more advanced guitar playing. Bring a guitar, ukulele, or other stringed instrument, or you're welcome to come just to sing along with the class.

Reading poetry helps you to know things more fully; it commands your attention; and it can sustain good conversation. In this class, participants select poetry from favorite sources to read aloud with fellow enthusiasts.

Reader's theatre is an easy acting form of theater where actors read the scripts so no memorizing is required. There is minimal physical movement because actors are generally seated while reading the play. The acting is done primarily with the actor's voices, emotions, facial expressions, and gestures. This will be a playful class where we will read a variety of short comic plays with fun characters in silly situations.

Each week the class will read poems by an individual poet, a collection of poems on a specific subject, or a collection of poems in a specific style. A wide range of poets and poetry will be presented, from classic to contemporary. We will discuss poetry from the perspective that the poet creates the work but the reader activates it.

Sing and/or play popular gospel songs. Bring your voice, guitar, violin, cello, harmonica, squeeze box, or other instrument and join a group of people singing and playing for fun. This is not meant to be religious. It's just a place to enjoy great music. Join us!

Sharpen your drawing and watercolor skills as we paint and sketch together on a variety of subjects. The purpose of this class is to provide a supportive community for those who work to keep their journal practice alive. We will share ideas and sometimes our favorite art materials, the ones that make this practice all the more fun. With seasonal sights available to us as examples, plan on some brilliant pages in your sketchbook.

Tap dance involves rhythmic, percussive, and precise movement of the feet while promoting the flow and individual style of the entire body. Classes will include warm-up, structured movement phrases that will build in complexity, and creative explorations. All levels are welcome. Good standing balance is recommended.

Tap dance involves rhythmic, percussive, and precise movement of the feet while promoting the flow and individual style of the entire body. Classes will include warm-up, structured movement phrases that will build in complexity, and creative explorations. All levels are welcome. Good standing balance is recommended.

Start your Tuesday with music and songs. Join us in a fun, informal sing-along. Bring your voices and/or musical instruments. The operative word is "fun." If you like music, you will like this class. All levels welcome!

This class is an introduction to watercolor painting. We will cover techniques, color blending, color mixing, and brushwork. All materials are provided.

Through lectures, videos, and discussions, we will focus on four women artists who challenged expectations of their time about their behavior and approach to subjects: Artemisia Gentileschi, Rosa Bonheur, Kathe Kollwitz, and Frida Kahlo. Additional artists will be included. Participants will receive emails with something to read, something to watch, and something to do in advance of each class meeting.

This writer's workshop serves a community of writers interested in sharing their writing and responding to other writers' work. We will focus on fiction, memoir, creative nonfiction, poetry, travel writing, stories for children, and other types of writing. Following a workshop format, this class will be an opportunity for students to receive feedback for their written work and provide meaningful support to fellow writers.

Learn to write a short 10- to 20-minute play. We will cover the basics of playwriting, including format, structure, character, conflict, and dialogue. This is a workshop-style class in which we discuss concepts and techniques, share what we have written, and write short exercises to develop skills. Prompts will be offered to stimulate your ideas. There will be an opportunity for some of the plays to be performed in the annual OLLI Play Festival.