TU Osher News & Notes

The unofficial start to summer

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. Of course, it’s a time to honor the fallen men and women who have served this country, but it also marks the unofficial start of summer. This year has been like no other and we can expect that the summer will be different too. Graduations, weddings, birthdays, and other events are all being celebrated online. While it’s not a replacement for being face to face, it’s wonderful that we can use technology to enrich our lives during this time.

We hope you will continue to enjoy the lectures that we've been bringing to you over the past several weeks. And as we look forward to having you Zoom into summer with us! Beginning at the end of June and going through mid-August, you will be able attend our online lectures for our revamped Summer Series—you’ll be hearing more about it soon. We appreciate your patience and support during this oddball spring. Our small staff has had to adapt just like everyone else and it is an understatement to tell you how grateful we are to have you as part of our Osher community!

Stay safe and healthy,

image name

Tracy Jacobs

Osher Member Artwork

Water color greeting cards made by Mara Marchand

Water color greeting cards made by Mara Marchand, who says "Since I'm not shopping and still need to send cards, these come in handy."

Free online lectures.
No sign-up necessary.

Each week we will have a new lecture for you to view. For some lectures, we will have additional resources that will enhance your experience and we will also have some discussion groups that will require signing up ahead of time. The beauty of these on-demand lectures is that you can view them when you want.

La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat

Georges Seurat and Pointillism with Joseph Paul Cassar

This lecture addresses the importance of Georges Seurat, the Neo-Impressionist movement, and the scientific theories about color that were being studied at that time. We’ll take a look at several other artists who embraced Pointillism at some point in their careers such as Pisarro, Matisse, Sisley, and Signac. We will also see the impact that Pointillism has had on contemporary artists like Chuck Close. VIEW LECTURE

Joseph Paul Cassar, Ph.D., is an artist, art historian, curator and educator. He studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti, Pietro Vannucci, Perugia, Italy, the School of Art in Malta (Europe) and at Charles Sturt University in NSW, Australia. He is the author of several books and monographs on the pioneers of modern art of the Mediterranean island of Malta, and lectures at the Smithsonian Institution, The Renaissance Institute, Notre Dame University, and Towson University, among others.

More lectures

The Jersey Boys—Oh What a Night! with Ellen Katz

Modernity: Science Dominates with John Spears (available through May 28)

Casablanca (1942) and the Films it Influenced with Peter Lev

The Rise of Benny Goodman with Seth Kibel

Holocaust Remembrance: Connecting Memory and Responsibility with Jon Aaron

Osher Instructor Spotlights

four Osher instructors

Over the last several weeks, we've spotlighted four Osher instructors and their teaching journeys. Each one has also shared words of wisdom that helps to keep them sane during our current times. Take a look when you have a chance. MORE

Weekly resources you may enjoy

Each week, we'll be sharing online resources that may be useful to you while we are all social distancing. We've compiled all links in a Facebook Note, which we update each Thursday.

The Loch Raven Review, a Maryland-based literary journal that showcases poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, essays and translations of both well-known and emerging writers who demonstrate excellence in their work.

Sunday, May 31, 3:30 p.m. The Jewish Museum of Maryland: An Afternoon of Storyfinding and Storysharing (registration required)

Strathmore Virtual Events

How to organize your old photos and digital memories before they get lost

We want to hear from you!

Do you have pets keeping you company? Send us a picture—tell us their name and a little bit about them. We’ll share some responses in an upcoming newsletter and on our Facebook page. Bonus if you’re also in the picture! Email us at osher@towson.edu.

TU Osher staff

Catch up with us on Facebook

Each day this week, we've been sharing on Facebook how the Osher at Towson University staff are dealing with life under quarantine. Follow us on Facebook to see their selfies and find more helpful and fun resources.

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Towson University, 7400 York Road, Towson MD 21252

osher@towson.edu | 410-704-3535

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