QUiLL: Queens Lifelong Learning

Dr. Russ Greenfield

Discover a holistic approach to achieving well-being with “whole health,” an approach where the conversation goes from “what’s the matter with you?” to “what matters to you?” This class will address common questions about healthy eating, proper use of vitamins and supplements, stress management and more. Learn how to nurture your body, mind, and social connections for a healthier, happier life. Join us and together we’ll explore the essential elements that contribute to a well-rounded, thriving you.

Garrett Nelson + Lindsay Rocco

Join Garrett P. Nelson and Lindsay Rocco from Garrett P. Nelson Studio as they explore the Intersection of Traditional Southern Style and Contemporary Architectural Design. You will tour beautiful new homes in Myers Park and Eastover while discussing the Principles of Design and Current Trends. Gain Exclusive insights and inspiration for your own design projects while learning from professionals in the Charlotte design community.

Jayne Johnson

Explore the wonder of nature in this four-day immersive oil painting class. This course is designed to guide the beginner and the intermediate level painter through the techniques of oil painting to capture the beauty of nature wherever you live. Examine color and light through composition as you paint. With personalized instruction you will leave with the skills to continue your artistic journey. Join us and let nature inspire your next painting! In this immersive landscape painting class, you will complete a painting along with small studies. Handouts and all materials will be supplied.

Denny Gerwin

Unleash your creativity this summer by joining our Ceramic Tile Making Class! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artisan, this hands-on workshop is the perfect way to explore the art of ceramics. Over the course of the class, you’ll learn the basics of shaping, glazing, and firing your very own unique ceramic tiles.

Sarah Creech

How many lives have you left behind? What chance occurrences shaped this identity and not another? What core part of “you” would carry through no matter the free will choices you made in this life or any other? Together, we will read The Midnight Library, a New York Times bestseller, by Matt Haig, and host a book-club style discussion with creative nonfiction writing exercises built in so that we can reflect and share about who we’ve been and who we’re becoming.

Nate Michaelwitz

This workshop will provide an overview of generative AI. We will explore what makes generative AI different from other artificial intelligence and how to use it effectively. How does it work? Is it just a neat chat bot or something more? What is prompt engineering? How can we use AI in our own life? And how is it impacting society? After participating in this workshop, you will be able to engage in informed conversations about where AI has come and where it might go. You will be able to use generative AI tools that go beyond the chatbot. You will also learn how businesses are implementing AI (such as Retrieval,  Augmentation, and Generate workflows) to connect with company data more quickly. In order to participate in this workshop, you do not need to have any technical background. We will use all no-code tools in our exploration.

Judy Schindler + Adrian Bird + Hadia Mubarak

Did you know that Charlotte is home to more than eleven hundred houses of worship? Our Queen City is strengthened by interfaith bridge building. The religion faculty of Queens University live the value of pluralism that they teach and are eager to share their passion and wisdom with you this summer. This course will deepen your understanding of and appreciation for your religious neighbors’ culture and faith. Dr. Adrian Bird, Dr. Hadia Mubrarak and Rabbi Judy Schindler – all professors in the Philosophy and Religion Department of Queens – will lead you through an exploration of the key sights, the most prominent sounds, and some of the unique tastes of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. You will be given the tools to evaluate the commonalities, the uniqueness, the challenges and the strengths of these four faith communities that are central to Charlotte.

Pulliam Center JBIP Faculty

Explore the globe without ever leaving the comfort of Queens. This unique session features four distinguished faculty members who have led John Belk International Program (JBIP) study abroad experiences to various countries. Through their expert guidance, you’ll experience diverse cultures, histories, landscapes, and tastes.

Each session will delve into different program themes, offering you a rich tapestry of global perspectives. Whether you’re fascinated by the ecology of Ecuador or England through the lens of Jane Austen, there’s something for everyone. Our faculty members will share their firsthand experiences, captivating stories, and insightful knowledge, making you feel as if you’re right there with them. Don’t miss this opportunity to broaden your horizons, gain new insights, and connect with fellow travel enthusiasts. No passport required—just bring your curiosity and a comfortable seat!

Joe Cornelius

Ever wanted to start your own podcast but didn’t know where to begin? This beginner-friendly workshop is the perfect place to dive in! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn everything you need to plan, record, edit, and publish your very own podcast. We’ll explore the art of storytelling, ways to connect with your audience, and the essential equipment and best practices for recording high-quality audio. You’ll get hands-on experience writing scripts, conducting interviews, and practicing voice techniques in a dedicated podcast studio at the Knight School of Communication at Queens University. After recording, we’ll walk through the editing process using easy- to-use software, helping you enhance your sound and polish your final product. We’ll also dive into podcast branding, audience growth strategies, and how to effectively share and promote your podcast. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have created a short podcast episode to share with your peers and receive valuable feedback. Come join us and bring your podcast idea to life!

Michael Kobre

Ever since he appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek magazines simultaneously on October 27, 1975, Bruce Springsteen has been recognized as one of the world’s most important rock stars and songwriters. Still shaking the walls of stadiums all over the world at the age of 75, Springsteen has created a body of work that sits comfortably alongside the legacies of artists like Bob Dylan and The Beatles—and, arguably, alongside the work of great American writers too. This course will examine Springsteen’s life and work in all its scope and complexity. We’ll marvel at his ability to rock the house, but we’ll also probe the nuances of his songwriting, covering everything from love, despair, faith, family, politics, to the spiritual release of three chords and a backbeat. By listening to his music and watching performance footage, we’ll explore the different periods of Springsteen’s career as we journey together to the promised land.

Siu Challons-Lipton

What do Albert Einstein, John Cage, Buckminster Fuller, Merce Cunningham, Josef Albers, Ruth Asawa and Robert Rauschenberg have in common? Black Mountain College – a legendary experimental liberal arts school in our backyard (1933–1957). This class invites
you to step into that legacy, exploring the radical, interdisciplinary spirit that fostered groundbreaking ideas in art, science, music, and literature. A class strongly recommended for those who dream, take risks, and believe.

Bob Teixeira + Sal Contrino

Join our Summer Guitar Workshop to level up your technique, musical knowledge, and confidence, whether you’re a modest or intermediate guitarist. From mastering fingerstyle and rock riffs to applying music theory in your playing, you’ll walk away with practical tools to boost your musicianship. Connect with fellow guitarists, improve your skills, and make music in an inspiring, hands-on environment! Bring your own guitar.