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UD OLLI Summer Selections: June 22 – July 25, 2026
Five weeks of fun topics, short courses and field trips — Registration reopens June 8
Use the dropdowns below to view available offerings by day of the week, category, or other filters.
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Wilmington (Arsht Hall): June 25, 2026 to July 23, 2026
Thursday at 9:00 AM
Why do some color mixes turn muddy, but others glow? Watercolor artists need good tools and techniques, but the powerful punch is knowing your pigments and how they play together. Find the essential science that explains it all, in a way that any artist will be able to grasp and use immediately. Chase light from Newton’s original color circle to modern digital analysis, and explore the magic of light interacting with pigments. Hands-on painting will reinforce weekly color and harmony themes.
Taught by: Patti Morse, Tricia Watson
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): July 6, 2026 to July 16, 2026
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 9:00 AM
Prerequisite: Previous experience playing a stringed instrument. Required Text: Essential Elements for Strings Books 1 and 2. This is an 8 session (2 weeks Monday through Thursday) course for students who already play a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass, ukulele, guitar, bass guitar) and wish to learn an additional, orchestral string instrument. Students who do not have access to this second instrument will be assisted by the teacher before classes start in arranging to rent or borrow an instrument locally for a fee lower than the usual rent-to-own arrangement.
Taught by: Carl Van Valkenburg
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): June 25, 2026 to July 23, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
This class is created collaboratively using five AI models, each with their own role and personality. Participants learn that AI isn’t a tool they use – it’s a cast of characters they create and direct. Learn to design personal AI assistants, explore creative image generation, and discover how AI can handle the technical friction while you focus entirely on the joy of creating. From playful storytelling to powerful real-world tools, this course follows one simple rule: the human is always in the driver’s seat.
Taught by: Brian Medina
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): June 25, 2026 to July 23, 2026
Thursday at 10:45 AM
What really happens to our bodies as we age? Why do our joints creak, our memory blur, and our energy fade – and what does science say about it? This course is your invitation to explore aging from the inside out. Blending biology, genetics, and health science with a clear, engaging teaching style, The Physiology of Aging: From DNA to Organism takes participants on a journey through the human body as it moves. Together, we’ll uncover the processes behind everything, from gray hair and cataracts to metabolic shifts and neurodegeneration. By the end of the course, participants will not only understand what aging is, but also how new discoveries are reshaping our ideas of health and longevity.
Taught by: Krishna Thakkar
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): June 25, 2026 to July 2, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
A slow, focused mind/body approach to increased flexibility of the body. Please bring a floor yoga mat and a small pillow. Wear loose clothing, no belts and your curiosity.
Taught by: Yvette Rudnitzky
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): June 25, 2026 to July 23, 2026
Thursday at 10:45 AM
Chair yoga is offered as an option for those who wish to practice yoga and are uncomfortable transitioning between floor poses and standing poses. Options for stretches and yoga poses are offered, including sitting on a chair and standing using a chair for support.
Taught by: Carol Lovett
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): July 2, 2026 to July 2, 2026
Thursday at 12:00 PM
This is the compelling story of the USS Houston CA-30 and its struggles fighting in the Asia West Pacific, commencing with the outbreak of WWII. The story chronicles the prisoner of war experience for the modest number of survivors and directly correlates to the famous WWII war movie titled Bridge on the River Kwai. Learn the true story of what happened that is historically untold and unknown.
Taught by: John Schwarz
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): July 23, 2026 to July 23, 2026
Thursday at 12:45 PM
Join us for an immersive sensory tasting exploration of wines of the Mid-Atlantic’s most celebrated vineyards. This course bridges the gap between the coastal plains of Delaware and the historic terroir of Chester County, Pennsylvania. Participants will learn the fundamentals of cool-climate viticulture, the art of “Old World” vs. “New World” styles, and the science of local food pairing.
Additional fee: $30 to cover cost of food and beverages.
Taught by: Arun Loptes, Karen Asenavage, Walter Makarucha
Course added since catalog publication.
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): July 2, 2026 to July 2, 2026
Thursday at 9:30 AM
Gather to watch and discuss the 2004 film, “Iron Jawed Angels.” This film tells the story of activists in the women’s suffrage movement.
Taught by: Yvette Rudnitzky
Wilmington (Arsht Hall): June 25, 2026 to July 23, 2026
Thursday at 10:45 AM
The Bags2Mats for the Homeless initiative is dedicated to creating environmentally responsible sleeping mats for individuals experiencing homelessness. Through this program, single-use plastic bags and packaging materials are repurposed by volunteers into durable, hand-crafted mats. Each mat provides a water-resistant barrier from cold, hard outdoor surfaces, offering greater comfort and protection. Completed mats are distributed through Volunteer Delaware 50+ and its network of community partners, helping ensure they reach those in need. This course offers participants the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while learning practical recycling skills. Participants will learn how to transform plastic waste into reusable materials by cutting and preparing it into long strands, which are then crocheted or woven into mats. No prior experience is required—tools, materials, and guidance are all provided.
Taught by: Guadalupe Murphy
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Delaware
OLLI is an academic cooperative for adults 50 and over to enjoy classes, teach, exchange ideas and socialize together, with no exams or educational requirements for participation. OLLI welcomes you.
Kent/Sussex | Wilmington