Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Announces Spring Classes and Activities

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The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offers nearly 100 courses this spring, with descriptions and other information, including registration and membership options, available in a printed catalog and on the institute website.

OLLI provides non-credit courses and continuing education opportunities to seasoned adults.

The spring season begins with "The Music and Legend of Josephine Baker," an intimate glimpse into the mysterious history and musical repertoire of the legendary Josephine Baker. The first African-American superstar, Baker was a pioneer of burlesque, a singer, an actress, a World War II spy and a civil rights activist. The team behind the award-winning burlesque cabaret dream play, "Josephine,"  will lead this presentation and performance from 2-3 p.m., Wednesday Jan. 29 at Grand Village at Clear Creek in Fayetteville. The following evening, Jan. 30, the Faulkner Performing Arts Center will bring "Josephine" to the U of A campus.

Topics for the spring season include language instruction, art appreciation, photography, literature, tree identification, stress management, yoga and other aspects of good health. OLLI courses are held at several locations and many require participants to be active, such as hiking, birdwatching and yoga. Other topics cover current events both abroad and at home such as immigration, socialism, gun rights, the green burial movement and sexual abuse of incarcerated women. General registration opens Jan. 28.

Currently, the institute is seeking instructors and course proposals for the upcoming fall term. Current and former U of A faculty, staff and graduate students and other working professionals lead courses, drawing on their personal and professional experience. The deadline for fall course proposals is April 30. In addition to courses, OLLI members have the opportunity to engage in monthly social and cultural events, special programs, book clubs, special interest groups and more.

OLLI at the U of A was established in 2007. It is one of 120 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes across the United States and is the only one in the state of Arkansas. These lifelong learning institutes are partially funded through the Bernard Osher Foundation.