Lifelong Learning
Odyssey USA
Odyssey USA is a community of adult learners who share intellectual curiosity and who participate in educational opportunities offered them through The Center for Continuing Education (CCE). Courses are designed to stimulate the mind and to encourage personal growth throughout life. Topics are challenging and thought-provoking with mind-stretching activities on a wide variety of subjects. These courses are open to any adult in the community, or thanks to technology, any adult in the world! Most courses are offered both in the classroom and on Zoom. There are four terms per year, and each term lasts six weeks.
2025 Spring Term I Courses Available for Registration!
Wednesday Paint Classes: 01/22/25 - 03/19/25
Friday Afternoon Courses: 01/31/25 - 03/07/25
"Mobile's African American Legacy: A Guided Tour!"
*Tour Date 01/24/25 - Guided by Eric Finley
"Exploring Mobile's African American Legacy: Community Life and the Promise of Repair & Restoration"
*Lecture by Eric Finley
"Women of Art"
*Lecture by Laura Roberts
To become a member, simply register for one or more courses in any term throughout the year. There are two terms in the spring and two terms in the fall. Memberships expire on July 30 of each calendar year.
Acrylics Art Courses
Instructor: Marcy Matherne
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Understanding Acrylics and Their Applications
Have you ever wondered if there is an artist in you just waiting to be discovered? Well, there is no time like the present to find out! In this course on understanding acrylics, you will learn about painting with this versatile medium. Is it water-soluble when wet? Yes. Because it is a plastic polymer, it dries into a flexible, water-resistant and durable surface. This course will include information on the theory and technique combined with practical application and hands-on exercises.
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Continuing Acrylics Painting
This course is for students who would like to delve deeper into acrylics. This is a continuation of Understanding Acrylics Paints and is perfect for students who feel comfortable moving beyond the basics!
Friday Courses 01/31/25 - 02/28/25
Exploring Mobile's African American Legacy: Community Life and the Promise of Restore and Restoration
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Instructor: Eric Finley
Location: USA Mobile Campus at University Commons, Rm 115
Eric Finley will teach a 5-season in-depth exploration of the rich cultural, historical, and social legacy of Mobile's African American community, with a special focus on Africatown. Participants will examine key historical events, cultural contributions, and contemporary efforts for restoration and progress within the community.
NOTE: JANUARY 24, 2025 @ 1:00 - 4:00 P.M.
Students may enroll in a bus tour!
• A guided 2.5-hour journey along the Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage
Trail, offering a glimpse into the lives of African Americans who made significant
contributions to the City of Mobile.
• Time: 1:00 PM departure from the Center of Continuing Education.
• Transportation: Passenger bus (coach) to accommodate all participants.
Cost: $35/person
Friday Course 01/31/25 - 03/07/25
Women In Art
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Instructor: Laura Roberts
Location: USA Mobile Campus at University Commons
"Why have there been no great women artists?" This 1971 article posed a question many still ask today.
Forty-four years later, Life Magazine’s 2015 list of 100 Women Who Changed the World included nine artists and arts patrons beginning with the powerful Egyptian female pharaoh Hatshepsut. Join the journey as we explore the history of art through the eyes of women artists including the representation of Woman in art history, the emergence of the female artist, and the examination of feminist theory in art history.
The artists discussed will include the following:
Painters: Hildegard of Bingen, Sofonisba Anguissola, Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith Leyster,
Rachel Ruysch, Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun, Rosa Bonheur, Mary Cassatt, Georgia O'Keeffe,
Emily Carr, Sonia Delaunay
Sculptors: Edmonia Lewis, Barbara Hepworth, Maya Lin
Crafts/Folk Art: African American quilts; Native American pots; Florine Stettheimer, Grandma Moses,
Faith Ringgold
Later 20th Century: Cindy Sherman, Yayoi Kusama, Shirin Nishat, Zaha Hadid
Join Laura Roberts as she takes the class on this journey!