If you’ve been wondering how to actually use all those AI tools cluttering your phone, or you’re curious about the artists who quietly built Sarasota’s creative reputation, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College has just opened the doors to a summer semester built for exactly that kind of intellectual wanderlust.
OLLI at Ringling College is running its Summer 2026 semester from May 18 through July 10, and it’s packed with over 40 classes, lectures, and events that feel less like obligation and more like permission to dive deep into whatever catches your curiosity. Whether you’re a retiree looking to sharpen your mind, a lifelong learner who refuses to stop growing, or someone just trying to figure out what all the fuss about AI is—there’s something here.
The standout offerings reflect what’s actually happening in the world right now. There’s a workshop called “Using AI on Your Smartphone” where you’ll learn practical ways to leverage tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini directly from your mobile device. It’s not theoretical. It’s not intimidating. It’s just about getting real productivity and creative work done. For those more drawn to what built the Suncoast before algorithms came along, “Origins: Sarasota Artist Colony, 1945-1965” takes you back to the figures and movements that shaped the region’s cultural identity during a pivotal moment in American art history.
Beyond the tech-meets-tradition split, the summer calendar includes forest canopy scientist Meg Lowman discussing “Mission Green — The Importance of Both Local and Global Forests,” a live performance of Tennessee Williams’ “The Lady of Larkspur Lotion” by the NoName Repertory, and a program called “Genius Women Erased From History” that examines overlooked female innovators across science, business, and the arts. There’s even “The Sounds of Cigar Box Guitars” with musician Steve Arvey exploring the handcrafted history of those uniquely American instruments.
What makes OLLI stand out isn’t just the breadth of subjects—it’s that you can show up curious without the stress of grades or exams. You’re there because you want to be. Classes are held at the beautiful Sarasota Art Museum campus in Sarasota, and the whole thing operates under the umbrella of Ringling College of Art and Design, one of Florida’s premier creative institutions since its founding in 1931.
Registration is open now. If you want to connect with experts, artists, educators, and fellow community members while exploring something new this summer, that’s what OLLI at Ringling College is offering. Call 941-309-5111 or visit their site to see the full schedule and sign up.
