Fine Arts, Film & Literature   

Charlotte Brontë called her sister Emily’s 1847 novel Wuthering Heights “moorish and wild and knotty,” a “savage” masterpiece. Readers through the years have seen it as everything from a romance (or, as Lady Gaga might put it, a “bad romance”), to a gothic classic, to an exposé of class, race, and gender in the Victorian era. In the wake of the recent film adaptation, let’s explore this famed novel together! The class will consist of lecture and discussion, and participants will be expected to read the novel and a few other selections related to it.

Each week will offer a fast, broad sweep of different eras/-ism(s) (e.g, Expressionism, Mannerism) to see what features most define each one. We won’t have time for nuance, but by the end of the class you should be able to do a rough identification of paintings you see in a museum. Class sessions will be focused on looking at and talking about paintings and some sculpture. Classes will begin with a bit of lecture about the week’s subject, with reference to representative works, followed by discussion. LIMIT 20

Participants will explore films of the genre called film noir through weekly film viewings and, if time allows, discussion. Fall-term films are Criss Cross(1948), Leave Her to Heaven (1946), The Killers (1946), Phantom Lady (1944), Gilda (1948), The Blue Dahlia (1939), Hell’s Half Acre (1954), and Sudden Fear (1952).

Participants will hear, see, discuss, and witness a presentation on the history of jazz, often referred to as America's Classical Music and one of its few original art forms. Class will consist of lectures, video, discussion, performances, and encouragement to attend jazz rehearsals and performances. 

This interactive, hands-on session will explore basic theater concepts through short scenes and improv games. No experience necessary. LIMIT 16

Short of flying over the green hills of the western counties and landing at Shannon Airport, modern Irish literature offers the best sense of what Ireland is all about. The class will focus upon the work of four writers—William Butler Yeats, Patrick Kavanagh, Seamus Heaney, and Eavan Boland--authors whose poetry lovingly conceptualizes Irish history, Irish land, Irish mythology, and Irish viewpoints. The class sessions will be largely discussion, with some supplementary background lecture. Read the assigned literary pieces, share your thoughts. LIMIT 20

We will read aloud the dramatic monologues of John Donne and Robert Browning, doing our best to capture tone, nuance, and emotion of the speaker in the poem. Poetry is meant to be heard, not merely read silently, and this focus will bring about the full impact of these remarkable monologues. Come prepared to use your voices. 

Open to beginners, intermediates, and those who just want to get together to paint while inspiring others! We emphasize fun and creativity. The weekly sessions consist of a brief demonstration, time to paint and ask questions, and the opportunity to share individual projects. Basic watercolor supplies are required. LIMIT 20

Haiku, an ancient form of poetic expression, pairs well with the more recent free verse. Did you know that some of our modern free verse "beat" poets were also Haiku poets? During this class we will learn about major writers from both genres. We also will write our own poems every class period and share our work voluntarily.