Art & Architecture   

Art journaling is a visual, tactile way of getting in touch with our intuitive, deeper self, using visual free-association. Anyone can make these personal art works, with no special expertise in drawing or lettering. The technique I teach is fun, simple and can put you on the road to discover own visual journaling and your own style of visual free-association. In the first week we’ll gather the materials for our artwork. Week 2, we’ll assemble those materials into a collage, drawing out the first layer of meaning. In the third week, we’ll take our collages and add paint and ink to help visualize the associations between the images we’ve created, deepening and enriching their meaning. Please purchase your own supplies, about $35.

Kate LaBore is a cultural anthropologist, educator, visual thinker and lifelong learner. Her current passion is promoting mental and emotional wellness among those actively working to balance their life and enjoy their own capacity for creativity.

This 4-week course delves into the dynamic relationship between art and culture, examining how each influences and reflects the other. Each week focuses on a central thematic question—ranging from identity and social purpose to diversity, gender, and politics—through a multidisciplinary exploration of visual arts, performance, architecture, and other creative forms. Rather than providing definitive answers, the course encourages critical thinking, inviting participants to engage in thoughtful dialogue and inquiry. The ultimate goal is to cultivate curiosity and foster the ability to ask deeper, more meaningful questions about the role of art in society.

Dr. Burcu Senyapili Ozcan, is an architect and professor of architecture. She has been the Chair of Department of Architecture at Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey before relocating to Ann Arbor at the end of Summer 2024. She has years’ long experience teaching Art and Culture, Basic Design and Architectural Design courses.

Join us for an informative tour of the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, where we’ll explore remarkable objects from the ancient Middle East, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The tour will highlight the legacy of Francis Kelsey and the history of University of Michigan expeditions. We’ll delve into key artifacts from each of the museum’s main collection areas, offering insight into the rich histories and cultures they represent.

Robin Little is a retired museum professional. She has been a docent at the Kelsey since 2020.

This class will examine ekphrastic poetry, i.e., poetry inspired by particular works of art. Each week, we’ll look at the art, see what poets have written in response, and occasionally listen to music inspired by art as well. A painting will be emailed ahead for class members to respond to in a brief piece of writing. This is not a writing class – we’re using writing to help each of us observe carefully and articulate our feelings and thoughts in a paragraph or a poem. We will briefly provide background information on poets and artists, but we anticipate lots of discussion.

Beth Spencer has taught study groups in the past on women and aging and women’s memoirs. She has used the humanities to broaden horizons and build empathy as a lecturer in social work and gerontology departments. CarolynRose Stone is a writer, teacher, and lover of art. She has taught composition to students and older people, aiming to help writers look deeply and examine conflicts in themselves and art.

Although the style and vision of socialist realism originated in the Soviet Union, its influence extended to several other countries, each adapting it in unique ways. In this four-part series, we will explore how China, North Korea, and Cuba incorporated socialist realism into their art movements. While these nations borrowed heavily from the Soviet style, their interpretations reflect distinct cultural and political conversations. Join us as we delve into the similarities and differences, and understand how these movements shaped the artistic landscapes of each country.

Carol Veldman Rudie is retired from the position of education outreach coordinator at The Museum of Russian Art. She uses her college teaching skills to research and present background on Russian art and culture. She earned her MA from the University of Minnesota and did further graduate work that included art history. Continued involvement as a volunteer guide keeps her interest in research alive.

In the late Bronze Age, two migrating peoples arrived in what we now call Italy. The Greeks settled in southern Italy and Sicily, establishing colonies and bringing with them their expertise in architecture, painting, and statuary. They traded with the Etruscans, who possibly came from Asia Minor, for raw materials. These two cultures coexisted peacefully, without waging war on one another. Meanwhile, the Latini, the precursors of the ancient Romans, expanded their territory through conquests of neighboring tribes and the Etruscan city-states. Their stronghold on the Tiber River eventually became Roma, the capital of the Roman Empire. Through military conquests and cultural exchanges, the Romans acquired not only advanced building technologies but also a deep appreciation for fine art.This study group will explore the influence of Greek and Etruscan cultures on Roman art, examining how the Romans adopted and adapted artistic traditions from their neighbors to create their own distinctive style.

Dr. Molly Lindner received the Ph.D. at the University of Michigan. Her book, Portraits of the Vestal Virgins: Priestesses of Ancient Rome, was published by the University of Michigan Press in 2015.

Meets every Monday online from 1-3pm and the

first Friday of the month in-person 10am-1pm at the Jewish Community Center

Calling all artists to join, share, learn, improve, and explore. Bring your art materials, and choose your subject, be it a landscape, a portrait, flowers, or an abstract. We come together for camaraderie and to encourage the improvement of our art skills. The group has experienced artists as well as novices.

Each Monday Zoom session we will choose an art goal of our own making and are encouraged to share progress the next week. The sessions include an instructional video tailored to the group. We paint together in person every first Friday of each month. The group will have meet-up outing opportunities to explore community art shows, museums, and events together.