Online Courses

Courses offered online through the Osher Institute. Includes both partner-provided and Richmond-created classes.

Courses

American Impressionism

American Impressionism was a style of painting related to European Impressionism and practiced by American artists in the United States from the mid-nineteenth century through the beginning of the twentieth. The style is characterized by loose brushwork and vivid colors with a wide array of subject matters, often focusing on landscapes and upper-class domestic life. Join us for an exploration of some famous (and not so famous) American artists working in the Impressionist mode.

Thursday, March 19, Synchronous Online

Artists of the Late 20th Century

When we think about 20th century art, we are often drawn to the mid-century birth of abstract expressionism, colorists, and pop art. But the second half of the century offers us an explosive foray of creative artistic expression. Join us in this engaging look at the next generation of artistic exploration in the 20th century as we consider the emerging artists who brought us a new approach to realism, street art, graffiti and public murals.

Thursday, March 5, Synchronous Online

Bounty of Boatwright

Learn how to find books, articles, and other resources that are of interest to you. This session provides an overview for beginners or those new to Osher and includes a virtual tour of the library.

No session is currently available for registration

Building Foundations of Caregiving, Part 1

This class will explore the role of caregivers and changes they may experience, building a support team, and managing caregiver stress. This is the first of a five-part series, but attendance in all is not required.

No session is currently available for registration

Cheers, Virginia!

Celebrate the work of craft brewing, distilling, and fermenting as well as the makers whose arts fill your glass. From homebrewers to local distillers and wineries, alcohol makers have captured the soul and identity of Virginia with their intoxicating offerings. Explore how craft makers have used their talent and enthusiasm to connect with and represent the people, places, and history of the Commonwealth.

Tuesday, March 31, Synchronous Online

Communicating Effectively, Part 3

This course teaches how dementia affects communication. All forms of dementia can impact someone's communication and can be one of the first warning signs that a family may notice. This session will talk about the changes someone may experience with communication as well as tips for communicating well with family, friends and health care professionals. This is the third of a five-part series, but attendance in all is not required.

Tuesday, Feb 17, Synchronous Online

Death and Mourning in the 19th Century

Find out how Americans sought to hold on to the ideal of the 'good death' in the midst of a conflict that took the lives of over 600,000 soldiers. Discover how funeral and mourning practices changed as a result of the war.

Monday, April 27, Synchronous Online

Exploring Care and Support Services, Part 5

Ever found yourself asking 'where do I go from here' or 'who do I call about this need?' This class examines how best to prepare for future care decisions and change. During the session we will also talk about the different levels of care available to support you and your needs better. This is the fifth of a five-part series, but attendance in all is not required.

Thursday, April 30, Synchronous Online

Gone Too Soon: Influential Songwriters Who Died Young

Many songwriters who died young left an inspirational impact and legacy to audiences as well as to the songwriters who followed them. The classes will cover a few of those songwriters, their stories, and some of their songs. The list includes Robert Johnson, Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, Kate Wolf, Townes Van Zandt, and many others.

Wednesdays, March 18, 25, April 1, 8, Synchronous Online

Hearts at War

Discover the history of Valentine's Day, the start of Valentine's Day traditions in America, and how the Civil War affected those traditions in the South. The program includes images of original valentines in the Museum's collections and excerpts from letters between soldiers and their loved ones.

Wednesday, Feb 11, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - A Beautiful Brain

Most conversations about aging focus on lifespan, but brainspan (how long our mind stays sharp) matters more. In this course, we will explore how the brain ages and what science reveals about protecting memory, balance, and clarity. Topics include normal changes versus early dementia, neuroplasticity, nutrition, sleep, stress, social ties, and purpose. Each session blends science with self-tests and take-home practices. We will build a personalized Cognitive Health Scorecard to track habits and strengthen resilience.

Thursdays, April 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - A History of Street Art

Art in the streets (including graffiti, murals, stickers, and paste-ups) gives voice to marginalized communities, shapes urban environments, and challenges institutional norms. Let's explore graffiti and street art in the US and around the world, examining their histories, motivations, and social impact. Participants will consider the rise of global mural movements, efforts to preserve and present street art, and its evolving role in activism, community identity, and social change.

Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - AI for Regular People

This updated course offers a clear, engaging introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it's rapidly transforming our world. From self-driving cars to chatbots and precision medicine, we will explore how AI works, where it's headed, and what it means for society. No tech experience needed, just curiosity! With fresh examples and timely updates, participants will gain a solid understanding of the opportunities and challenges AI presents today.

Thursdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - California Uncovered: A Journey Through Time, Place, and Identity

California is more than a state: it is an idea, a dream, and a contradiction. We will journey from its earliest Indigenous cultures through Spanish, Mexican, and American rule, exploring missions, the Gold Rush, the railroad, Hollywood, and Silicon Valley. We will challenge myths, highlight overlooked voices, and examine how migration, innovation, and cultural change shaped the Golden State. We will discover what it has meant, and still means, to be Californian.

Fridays, April 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Comic Book Literature

Comics (blending words and pictures to tell stories) stretch from cave paintings and the Bayeux Tapestry to today's Batman and Spider-Man. Far more than superhero tales, comics are a versatile literary artform, capturing intimate and epic stories, social issues, and cultural moments through panels and word balloons. In this course, we will trace their history, explore their power, and read and discuss works including 'Understanding Comics,' 'Watchmen,' 'Maus,' 'Fun Home,' and 'Persepolis.'

Tuesdays, March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Frank Lloyd Wright and Modern Architecture

Frank Lloyd Wright designed nearly 1,000 buildings and helped define modern architecture. This course explores highlights of his practice, from Prairie houses to Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum, alongside lesser-known projects like affordable housing and city planning. We'll examine how Wright's work reflected cultural shifts in technology, science, and politics, offering a deeper understanding of his lasting influence on architecture and modern design.

Tuesdays, April 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - From Leo XIII to Leo XIV: History of 20th and 21st Century Popes

The death of Pope Francis and the election of the first US-born Pope have been in the news repeatedly over the last few months, capturing the imagination of many people, including non-Catholics. Who are these men? What are their life stories? How were they similar to and different from each other? In this course, we will discuss the lives and dominant perspectives of the last ten Popes, exploring their influence on world affairs.

Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Ghosts in the White House: The People Behind Presidential Speeches

Have you ever wondered who writes presidential speeches? This course traces the evolution of speechwriting from George Washington's administration to today. Yes, Hamilton helped draft Washington's Farewell Address, but no, Lincoln did not scribble the Gettysburg Address on an envelope. We will study the writing process presidents used and examine drafts from FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter, and George H.W. Bush. We will view clips from speeches and former White House speechwriters describing the process.

Mondays, March 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Great Science Stories

Science is full of surprises. Dyes, accidentally discovered, launched the modern pharmaceutical industry. A failed experiment opened the door to new physics. Discoveries are never just facts. They are moments of creativity, struggle, and chance with far-reaching consequences. In this course, we will explore the human side of science, tracing breakthroughs in biology, chemistry, physics, and more. We will ask not only what was found, but how and why it matters.

Thursdays, April 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - JFK's Quest for Peace: Lessons for Turbulent Times

Throughout his 1000-day presidency, John Kennedy pursued peace through a broad spectrum of initiatives. He saw a connection between learning and leadership and sought to use military deterrence, diplomacy, and soft power in novel ways. Let's explore how his character and life experiences were the origins of those efforts. We will evaluate his powers of persuasion by listening to key speeches, and we will assess his successes and failures and their relevance to today's world.

Thursday, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Music: Controversies and Curiosities

Music has long provoked debate, from Beethoven and Stravinsky's bold innovations to Broadway works like 'Annie Get Your Gun' and 'South Pacific,' now revisited through modern concerns about race, consent, and gender. Is political correctness enriching art or erasing cultural heritage? We will examine plagiarism and borrowing in pop and film music, with cases involving The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Peter Frampton. This course blends audiovisuals, anecdotes, and humor to explore music's most controversial moments.

Wednesdays, April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Place, Memory, and Environmental Psychology

How much of who we are is shaped by the places we live and experience? This course invites reflection on the psychological and emotional relationships between people and their environments. Drawing on psychology, geography, architecture, and design, we'll explore environmental psychology and how physical environments shape behavior, cognition, identity, and memory. We will discuss concepts such as place attachment, identity, and cognitive maps, and reflect on memory, home, trauma, displacement, and nature's role in well-being.

Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Siberia: Russia's Frozen Wasteland or Economic Heartland?

Siberia covers three quarters of Russia's territory but is home to only a quarter of its population. Yet its role in shaping Russia as a vast and wealthy empire is profound. We will explore Siberia's economic significance, indigenous cultures, and history as a penal colony, along with its importance for climate change, environmental issues, and Russian-Chinese relations. We will also consider Siberia's role in both the rise and possible fragmentation of Russia.

Wednesday, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - The Lost Generation

Let's examine the cultural transformations in thinking and living that reshaped America and Western Europe between World War I and the Great Depression. Known as the Roaring Twenties, the Jazz Age, and the Lost Generation, this period redefined values and norms. We will explore the vibrant world of 1920s Paris through F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'Babylon Revisited' and 'Bernice Bobs Her Hair,' Ernest Hemingway's 'The Sun Also Rises,' and Gertrude Stein's 'The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas.'

Wednesdays, April 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - The Scopes Monkey Trial: Then and Now

In July 1925, Clarence Darrow, William Jennings Bryan, and others converged on Dayton, Tennessee, for the Scopes Monkey Trial: an eight-day clash over religion, science, public education, free speech, and textbooks broadcast nationwide. Now, 100 years later, these debates continue. This course explores why the trial happened in Dayton, how Bryan and Darrow became involved, what occurred in the courtroom, whether 'Inherit the Wind' reflects reality, who won/lost, and why it all still matters today.

Tuesdays, March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Violinists: Performers and Composers

Why do so many great violinists also become composers? Let's explore the fascinating legacy of violinist-composers, including Baroque virtuosos like Heinrich Biber, Romantic legends like Niccol< Paganini, and 20th century innovators like George Enescu and Grazyna Bacewicz. We will examine how these artists wrote music tailored to their instruments and themselves. Taught by a professional violinist, this course takes a behind-the-strings look at how performance and composition intertwine.

Mondays, April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11, Synchronous Online

National Osher Online - Writing the Personal Essay: Finding Your Story

The personal essay, one of the oldest forms of creative nonfiction, blends storytelling, reflection, and analysis to give voice to lived experience. We will explore the personal essay as both art and self-expression. Through readings, discussion, and writing exercises, we will study elements such as narrative arc, scene-setting, and reflection. We will draft our own essays, discovering how this enduring form helps us find our voices and tell our stories with clarity.

Saturdays, April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23, Synchronous Online

Nature Journaling

Increase your connection to the natural world by slowing down to focus on drawing from observation and recording your experiences in a nature journal. In this series of weekly classes, students will learn tips and techniques for building their own creative toolkit for keeping a nature journal. Pencil, pen and watercolor will be used as participants learn inspiring ways to draw, write and paint. No experience is necessary for this fun and relaxing introductory class.

Wednesdays; Jan 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, Synchronous Online

Not Another Back-Seat Driver: The Story of Amelia Earhart

As one newspaper reporter stated, 'She couldn't stand a reputation as a back-seat driver, so she flew the Atlantic herself: solo.' Join us as we navigate the journey of Amelia Earhart, record-breaking aviator and first female to fly solo across the United States!

No session is currently available for registration

Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors, Part 4

As communication changes during the journey with dementia, someone may also notice changes in behavior. This class will detail common behavior changes and how they are a form of communication. Tips and strategies will also be shared to better support your loved one during challenging moments. This is the fourth of a five-part series, but attendance in all is not required.

Thursday, April 23, Synchronous Online

Richmond Symphony: Symphony Companion Course 2025-26

Join this deep dive into the 2025-2026 Richmond Symphony Series concerts. Each class in this course will focus on the repertoire of the upcoming Symphony Series concert and feature a special guest with a critical role in the performance. Guests will include Music Director Valentina Peleggi, guest artists, and composers. Through recordings, images, scholarship, biographies, backstage stories, and discussion we will engage more deeply with the music and the artists who bring it to life.

Mondays; Jan 12, 26, Feb 23, Mar 2, April 6, May 11 , Synchronous Online

Susie King Taylor's Civil War

Taylor was the only African-American woman to publish a memoir about her wartime experiences with the army. A former slave, educated in secret, Taylor served as a teacher, laundress, and nurse with the 33rd United States Colored Troops.

Thursday, March 19, Synchronous Online

The Christmas Story Through the Eyes of Western Art

This course offers an exploration of the Christmas story through works of art. The story has inspired artists to produce some of the most tender images created. Images have evolved over time along with changes in society and shifts in religious attitudes. Depictions of the Nativity moved from the mother and child to a scene with a cast of hundreds. Images depicting events preceding and following the Nativity are also examined.

No session is currently available for registration
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The Life and Works of John Singer Sargent

John Singer Sargent was one of the most sought-after portraitists of his time. Of Sargent's early work, the novelist/art critic Henry James wrote that Sargent offered 'the slightly 'uncanny' spectacle of a talent which on the very threshold of its career has nothing more to learn'. Sargent would create roughly 900 oil paintings, more than 2,000 watercolors, and countless sketches and drawings.

Wednesdays; Feb 18, 25, Mar 4, 11, Synchronous Online

The Life and Works of Raphael Sanzio

Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, known as Raphael, was a young contemporary of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. When critics speak of Raphael, they tend to come up with the same word to describe the genius in his work: grace. It is said that his works reflect his character. He was charming, handsome, and insanely talented. It's thought he might have been the happiest, most successful, and best-loved artist in history.

No session is currently available for registration

The Scramble for Africa (Or How The African Counties Got Their Shapes)

Most of Africa was generally unknown to the rest of the world until the 1870s, when an ambitious and ruthless king from a minor European country initiated a rush for glory and riches known later as the 'Scramble for Africa.' The result was a carving up of the continent that generally ignored the cultures and histories of the indigenous peoples. We will examine how the map of Africa transformed into the configuration we recognize today.

Thursdays; Feb 5, 12, 19, 26, Mar 5 (Time period adusted to 9:45-11:15am), Synchronous Online

We Love These But They Did Not Make the Cut: The Outtakes From Five Years of Osher Programs

The first draft of every class we design contains between 12 and 15 artworks picked to fit the program theme. Imagine the heartbreak when some must be cast aside, as we simply cannot cover them all in the time allowed. In this session we will bring back the outcasts to look at, discuss, and enjoy. Join us for this hodgepodge of never-seens and see why, although they were set aside before, they will shine now!

Wednesday, April 8, Synchronous Online