SAN FRANCISCO, August 3, 2010 — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at San Francisco State University expands this fall to the main campus on 19th Avenue, offering 17 new courses on a rich variety of arts and creativity-related subjects. Registration is now open. The first session begins Sept. 13.
Rich variety of creative arts courses creates community of learners age 50 and up; open house Sept. 2
OLLI is a learning community for people age 50 and up who are interested in enriching their lives before and after retirement. OLLI offers small, interactive classes as well as interest groups and discussion groups. With a full annual OLLI membership, students can enroll for up to 15 courses, at less than $26 each. Individually, each four- to six-week course is $75–$160.
“These new courses are tailor-made for the most vibrant population in America today: the baby boomer,” OLLI Director Debra Varner said. “We look forward to establishing a tight-knit community on the west side of the city that will be full of creativity, culture and enrichment.”
Classes scheduled on the main campus, at 1600 Holloway Ave. (at 19th Ave.), include drawing and painting, concert lectures, Broadway musicals, ballet, improvisation, enjoying Shakespeare, history of video games, calligraphy, political thrillers and art gallery tours. SF State’s College of Creative Arts hosts an open house 3:30–5 p.m. Sept. 2 in Knuth Hall, Creative Arts Building.
On Sept. 11, OLLI presents “Creativity: The Arts and Your Gray Matter,” a mini-conference on how creative pursuits can continue to strengthen and sharpen mental capacity throughout life. It will include an interactive workshop with legendary drummer Jimmy Cobb, of SF State’s Generations Jazz Band, and a panel discussion. Conference registration includes a one-year OLLI membership.
The institute also offers 21 courses at SF State’s Downtown Campus at 835 Market St. Courses this fall include writing, neighborhood walks, body intelligence, meditation and spiritual practices, web design, investments and saving gas. An open house for Downtown Campus classes takes place 3–5 p.m. Sept. 8.
The OLLI faculty is comprised of senior and retired professors from SF State and other universities, as well as expert professionals, artists and writers from the Bay Area.
All courses are open to the general public; formal admission to the University is not needed.
The institute, founded at SF State in 2003, is based in the College of Creative Arts. It is one of 118 centers across the country for people age 50 and up, designated and funded with grants from the Bernard Osher Foundation of San Francisco.
For details, visit creativearts.sfsu.edu/olli or call 415/817-4243.
Contact: Matt Itelson, (415) 338-1442, matti@sfsu.edu, College of Creative Arts, San Francisco State University 1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco, CA 94132