As Queen Elizabeth I tightened England’s grip on Ireland, Grace O’Malley—one of the most famous woman sea captains of all time—led her country’s fight against English rule. In 1593 these powerful women met in an encounter that shaped the fate of Ireland. Historian and author Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger traces O’Malley’s remarkable life—from gaining wealth and land through marriage and battle to continuing to resist English authority.
This course is based on contemporary research about visual perception and its application to the practice of drawing. Through a series of exercises, study major elements that are the foundation of visual language including the concepts of line, shape, light and shadow, and composition.
Around the year 1000, explorer Leif Erikson crossed west from Greenland and made his way down the coast to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Viking activity in the Americas has been more precisely dated to 1021 by scientists examining a Norse settlement in Newfoundland. But there is more to the story of Norse exploration of North America. Historian, writer, and BBC broadcaster Eleanor Barraclough shares other evidence and delves into the 19th-century afterlife of Viking adventures.
Along with Jerusalem and Rome, Spain’s Camino de Santiago was one of the three great destinations of medieval Christendom. After centuries of decline and neglect, this ancient pilgrimage sprang to life again in the last quarter of the 20th century, drawing millions of visitors every year. George Greenia, professor emeritus of medieval studies at William & Mary, highlights the history of this road of faith and its continued popularity as a religious and secular quest for those seeking spiritual clarity.
Indulge in a colorful midwinter escape as horticultural expert Keith Tomlinson leads a series of virtual visits that highlight the beauty of notable botanical gardens in settings as varied as Singapore, the Arizona desert, and the American Midwest. In vibrant visuals he explores how each garden has taken a unique approach to design and interpretation as they celebrate plant collections, conservation, education, and the distinctive environments and landscapes in which they bloom. This session focuses on the Boyce Thompson Arboretum and the Desert Botanical Garden in Arizona.
Create a powerful personal record of experiences by drawing and painting moments from your life that you include in your sketchbook.
Cultural historian George Scheper explores Oaxaca, Mexico—a vital crossroads from pre-Columbian times to today. He highlights the Zapotec and Mixtec peoples, Spanish colonial legacy, and Oaxaca’s evolution into a global arts center. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city boasts well-preserved colonial churches and palaces and a dynamic cultural life that reflects centuries of rich heritage and creative expression.
Discover the power of reflective writing guided by the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, Mary Hall Surface. In this workshop, participants explore the innovative compositions of the 20th-century Dutch printmaker M.C. Escher, to discover how his interlocking forms and shifting patterns inspire creative reflection about the connections and transformations in our lives.
