Capital Region

"Christian" art and architecture didn't appear until the middle of the 3rd century, long after the development of Christian worship and theology. What took so long? Or was it there and we just don't recognize it? There are fascinating mysteries in the visual emergence of a new religion in an ancient world, where gods, emperors, magicians, chameleons, and donkeys could be transformed, and tombs, courtrooms, and laundries could be converted by Christian creativity. Visit catacombs and villas to follow the flights of imagination of a new faith and its visual expression.

Born in the backwoods of Texas in 1868 - in the aftermath of the Civil War - Scott Joplin, African American, decided not to labor in the fields but instead to head north where he would promote his self-taught talents at the piano. Advanced study in harmony and composition at the George Smith College for Negroes led to a profusion of original works: Rags, waltzes, marches, dances, one serenade, and two operas. But for his acclaimed Maple Leaf Rag, most of them met with dismissal or distortion from a still prejudicial northern society. Ultimately over time, the novelty, structure, brilliance, and energy represented in Joplin's music speak to his genius in creating an iconic musical genre, unique in American art history. In this course, we will discuss Joplin's life and play selected examples of his music on the piano.

This course will trace the humble beginnings of the internet. We will share the early lucrative years and how they affect how we use our electronics today. What are the most popular applications and how did they get so popular? And why is the smartphone one of the most loved and hated innovations of our lifetime? Bob Rosenshein - a guest lecturer from Israel - will join us. Bob is an internet entrepreneur who knows firsthand how the first companies used this new technology for the greater good. He was founder, Chairman, and CEO of Answers.com.

Home of the waltz and the coffeehouse, Sigmund Freud and Hedy Lamarr, Vienna has left an indelible mark on Western culture. Its grand palaces, renowned museums, and soaring churches delight visitors from around the world. At the same time, ordinary Viennese face life with a wonderful sense of irony. “The situation is hopeless, but not serious,” they say – an outlook that served them well during the traumatic years of Nazi and Soviet occupation. This course offers a fascinating look at the glorious past and enduring charms of Imperial Vienna.

This course will examine how we can live better together. In an interactive environment we will be the teachers and learners together as we learn principles of dignity and respect toward others who have different political, cultural and religious viewpoints. To guide our discussions, we will be using the book Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict by Donna Hicks. Course participants are encouraged to read the book prior to the class. 

Franklin Delano Roosevelt is often listed among presidential raters as one of the top ranked presidents of all time for his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II. There is no doubt that he provided inspired words and actions for Americans when things looked bleak. But the spiraling debt, food and gas rationing, crippling taxes, covert war activities, and political shenanigans were at work by Roosevelt, his advisors, and the president’s many friends. We will explore a number of serious decisions made by FDR and his leadership team that left many Americans in the dark, yet hopeful, during these very challenging times.

This workshop at Rainbow Vision’s teaching studio is intended to introduce you to the colorful art of stained glass and to show you how fun-filled this craft is. You will learn a little bit about glass cutting, how copper foil is involved in the process, and how to flow solder. At the end of the workshop, you will end up with a neat suncatcher ready for hanging. This 2-hour workshop includes standing for periods of time and sitting on a high stool without back support. Participants will be working with a soldering iron and will be cutting glass. Jan McKelvey and Lynn Haunstein have more than 21 years of experience in working with stained glass. They learned the art of stained glass at Rainbow Vision Stained Glass and have taught many classes together over the years. The group is expected to return to Messiah Lifeways by 3:30 pm.

Participants will be introduced to aquaponics, a method of food production that combines conventional aquaculture (raising fish) with hydroponics (soil-less growing of plants). The recirculating aquaculture system located within the greenhouse at Steelton-Highspire School District will serve as a living laboratory to learn the importance of balancing the needs of fish and plants. Rachel Fogle, Ph.D. and Joseph Tetreault, M.S. will lead the tour. Rachel is an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and the Lead of Aquaponic Initiatives at Harrisburg University with a focus on providing students authentic experiential learning opportunities. Joe, with a degree in Agricultural Sciences, is the Aquaponics Technician that manages the daily aspects of greenhouse management to maintain overall system health. Student interns will also participate, as available, in various aspects of the tour experience. Facility is not ADA compliant. The tour will involve standing and walking for about one hour.

Food as Medicine is an old concept that is gaining new credibility. Nutrition research is finding more evidence that certain foods act to maintain health and treat disease in later life. What should our “food prescription” be? Although we have many nutritional needs in common with others in our age group, we also have individual reasons for eating or not eating certain foods based on the condition of our bodies and our lifestyle. In this class, we will look at ways that food works with body systems such as the digestive, immune, and cardiovascular systems and look at how to choose the eating behaviors you want to change.

In 1998, the American Film Institute (AFI) polled over 1,500 artists and film industry leaders to gather their votes for the top 100 American films of all time. These “arbiters of excellence” chose from a list of 400 nominated films. The criteria included critical recognition, major awards won, popularity over time, historical significance, and cultural impact. Controversy ensued as often happens with any list of excellence. The AFI produced a revised list in 2007, and films were dropped, others added, some moved up, and others dropped down. This 2007 list will serve as the basis for the course. In Part 1 we will count down from #100 to #51. For each film, we will examine the historical and cultural context, the impact of each film on the art of feature narrative films, and discuss why this film found its way onto this exalted list. Clips will be shown for each film. Part 2 will be offered in Spring 2022.