Ringling College Lifelong Learning Academy Announces
Winter Semester: 2017-2018
January 8-March 2
Registration Opens December 12!
The winter semester includes more than 100 courses on a wide variety of topics. It also features a special series by David Houle designed for business owners and entrepreneurs, the “Boomer Conference 2018,” and a lecture and performance by award-winning songwriter and singer Jill Colucci.
(Sarasota-Manatee) “Supreme Court: 2017 Cases,” “Symphonic Life,” “iPad for Beginners,” “Aromatherapy,” “20th Century Elections,” and “Quantum Mechanics.” This is only a sampling of the more than 100 in-depth courses offered this winter by Ringling College Lifelong Learning Academy. Classes, lectures, Academy Talks, Einstein’s Circle series and special events are held at the Academy’s interim headquarters at Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 S. Tuttle Ave., Building #1, Sarasota. Classes are also offered at State College of Florida in Lakewood Ranch, The Center of Anna Maria Island, Westminster Towers and Shores in Bradenton, and, new this semester, a lecture series at the Paradise Center on Longboat Key. Weekly classes run two to eight weeks. No refunds on lectures, workshops, or special events; registration is transferrable. To register, visit www.rclla.org or call 941-309-5111.
The winter semester includes a special series: “Futurist in Residence Workshop Series: 21st Century Thought and Trends with David Houle.” (Mondays: 7-9:30 p.m.: Jan. 22, Jan. 29, Feb. 5.) David Houle is one of the most prominent futurists in the world today. He is the “Futurist in Residence” and guest lecturer at Ringling College of Art and Design and known as “the CEO’s Futurist.” The series is designed for people active in business who are interested in trends, roadmaps, and envisioning what future belief systems will be. The fee is $250 per person for all sessions; $225 per person for two or more participants for all sessions; $200 per person for four or more participants for all sessions. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 941-309-5111, or visit www.rclla.org.
The winter semester also features the Boomer Conference 2018: Creating Your Next Chapter with Joy and Purpose (Feb. 1, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at Temple Beth Sholom). The event focuses on the social and psychological aspects of retirement and features speakers, roundtables, networking sessions, and more. Speakers include the keynote speaker, Nancy K. Schlossberg, and workshop presenters, Louise Gallagher, Dr. David Klain, Andrea R. Nierenberg, Debbie Drinkard Grovum, and Susan M. Larson. The fee is $109 for general admission; $98 for members. The fee includes a light breakfast and a boxed lunch. Pre-registration is encouraged. To register, call 941-309-5111, or visit www.rclla.org.
The winter semester includes a Lecture and Lunch: “Sicily: Erupting with Culture” (Feb. 16, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Mattison’s 41, 7275 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota). This presentation digs deep into the art, cultural, and food history of this mystical island with chef Robert Gaglio, founder of Italian Culinary Tours and Ciao Bella Productions. The fee is $64 and includes the presentation and a four-course, gourmet lunch. Pre-registration is encouraged. To register, call 941-309-5111, or visit www.rclla.org.
The winter semester’s second lecture is: ““From Pineapple to Platinum: Confessions of a Hit Songwriter” with Jill Colucci. (March 1, 3-4:30 p.m., at Temple Beth Sholom). Jill Colucci made her mark on country radio as a songwriter with such hit songs as “No One Else on Earth” (performed by Wynonna Judd) and I’m Gonna Be Somebody” and “Anymore” (performed by Travis Tritt). The fee is $15 general admission; free for members of RCLLA. Pre-registration is encouraged. To register, call 941-309-5111, or visit www.rclla.org.
The semester also includes an Academy Talk: “Progress and Pollution: How Do We Strike a Balance Between the Rights of the Individual and the Interests of the Community?” (Jan. 17, 3-4:30 p.m., at Temple Beth Sholom) Susan Spector will explore traditional Jewish texts in English translation to see how sages in biblical and Talmudic times dealt with environmental issues of their day. The fee per talk is $10 general admission; $9 for members of RCLLA. Pre-registration is encouraged. To register, call 941-309-5111, or visit www.rclla.org.
RCLLA’s winter documentary film series, “Connections: Exploring Today’s Global Issues,” is an opportunity for students to connect to many of today’s pressing global issues via the penetrating perspectives of contemporary documentary films. The moderator and host of the series is Julie Cotton, a member of the Advisory Council’s Strategic Program Committee, a former organizational development consultant, executive coach and aficionado of documentary films. The film series is scheduled for the winter and spring terms. Each term will feature three films. Students may register for the entire series or register for individual films. The winter films are shown on Tuesdays, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Jan. 9, Jan. 30, and Feb. 20, at Temple Beth Sholom. The fee is $36 general admission; $32 for members of RCLLA. Fees for individual films are $12 general admission; $11 for members of RCLLA.
Janna Overstreet is Ringling College Lifelong Learning Academy’s executive director. Lifelong learning is both her passion and profession. “Studies show that lifelong learning helps create a positive aging experience, boosting health and longevity and increasing the overall sense of joie de vivre,” she says.
“We provide seniors with that vital intellectual and cultural stimulation in an informal, supportive atmosphere. Our students experience lively discussions promoting personal growth and social engagement. It’s a true meeting of the minds.”
About Ringling Lifelong Learning Academy
As private, not-for-profits, both the Lifelong Learning Academy and Pierian Spring Academy served the Sarasota-Manatee region for almost 20 years growing lifelong learning program offerings in number and variety as the demand for services grew. Now they have combined forces with Ringling College of Art and Design to become Ringling College Lifelong Learning Academy, offering educational opportunities for adults to pursue new interests, expand intellectual horizons and enrich their lives. Courses cover a wide range of stimulating topics and are taught by scholars, retired faculty members, and professional practitioners. Courses are taught in an engaging, collaborative manner where learning results in the development of civic awareness, ongoing learning communities of peers and intellectual and cultural connections to our communities. Visit www.rclla.org.
About Ringling College of Art and Design
For 85 years, Ringling College of Art and Design has cultivated the creative spirit in students from around the globe. The private, not-for-profit fully accredited college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 11 disciplines and the Bachelor of Arts in two. The College’s rigorous curriculum employs the studio model of teaching and immediately engages students through a comprehensive, first-year program that is both specific to the major of study and focused on the liberal arts. The Ringling College teaching model ultimately shapes students into highly employable and globally aware artists and designers. www.ringling.edu.
