Inspired by the work of Outkast, The Artist’s Way, and creative exercises this Olio explores experiences of our younger selves. We’ll be diving into music and memories from the early aughts and getting in touch with the activities that gave (and still give) us the most joy in our lives.

Using the poetry of Marie Howe and a painting from the Middle Ages we will explore personal narrative, mourning, and sin. This Olio asks us to tap into our notion of “sin” and where we attained our definition of the word and all the baggage associated with it. We’ll have writing prompts, group discussion questions and discover some relevant art to round out a robust Olio experience.

^{Artwork by Liz Ainslie}

In this Olio, we explore our perception of aliveness and our tendency towards disconnection using our relationship to the everyday objects we are surrounded by.

Activities include a guided reflection exercise, discussion, journaling, reading an excerpt by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and dropping into our creative imaginations.

^{Artwork by Margaret Thompson}

​This Olio aims to explore how writers and artists of the African Diaspora have tapped into the universal human experience of nostalgia while also exploring themes of cultural identity, belonging, and personal narratives. By analyzing a personal essay and a painting, we will develop a deeper understanding of the techniques used to convey nostalgic themes and gain an appreciation for the power of art and literature to capture the complexities of memory, emotion, and cultural heritage.

^{Artwork by Pedro Gomes}

​​Let's dive into the topic of FOMO and all of the philosophical and experiential implications that this particular feeling brings up.

​In this Olio, we will explore various philosophical perspectives on time, focusing on Henri Bergson's conception of duration, but also on scientific approaches to time, in the hopes of shedding some light on this ever-elusive concept and how it relates to our feelings of FOMO.

_{Artwork by Alyssa Fanning, courtesy of Good Naked Gallery}

This Olio is full of listening, writing, and conversation guided by the work of Federico García Lorca, Hiroshi Yoshimura, and Natalie Diaz. We'll explore Surrealism, sleep, dreaming, anxiety, and desire.

^{Artwork by Pearl Cowan courtesy of Good Naked Gallery}

Inspired by the work of Audre Lorde and Anne Carson, we will explore the powerful act of pleasure-seeking as a life-giving means of cultivating joy and resilience against the backdrop of today’s complex world. Together, we will discuss a poem about hedonism; listen to a talk on the power of the erotic; and gain new perspectives on our own relationships to each as we write poetry and prose dedicated to pleasure and how it can transform our worlds.

^{Artwork by Corey Ruecker courtesy of Good Naked Gallery}

We often think of philosophy as a scholarly discipline that is largely confined to colleges and universities. This Olio aims to focus on another, deeper, and arguably older conception of philosophy as a way of life that centers on the pursuit and love of wisdom. We will explore the nature of wisdom and why we might want to pursue it, as well as three concrete practices through which we can work to transform ourselves into wiser, better, happier people.