All upcoming Personal Development programs

Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art. Join Mary Hall Surface, the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, for five online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. This writing session is inspired by Welsh artist Gwen John’s A Corner of the Artist’s Room in Paris.

Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art. Join Mary Hall Surface, the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, for five online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. This writing session is inspired by the mixed media work, Winning, by 20th-century African American artist Emma Amos.

The word “psychotherapy” is derived from the Greek psyche, meaning soul, and therapiea, meaning healing. Thus, psychotherapy is “soul healing,” the term used by ancient philosophers to describe important functions of philosophical reflection: to help people live a good life, seek answers to vexing personal questions, and bring their souls into consonance with the nature of existence. Philosophical counselor Samir Chopra explores the history of philosophy understood as therapy and explains the methods of modern philosophical counseling.

The disappointments and sorrows of life can leave us hurting and isolated. But journalist Steven Petrow, has a surprising insight: Joy is always present—in our everyday routines, in ties to those we care about, even in our grief. In a conversation with Todd Doughty, author of Little Pieces of Hope: Happy-Making Things in a Difficult World, Petrow draws on personal experiences, research, and interviews with experts to describe the many expressions of joy and how to find, cultivate, and share it.

Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art. Join Mary Hall Surface, the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, for five online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. This writing session is inspired by 20th-century artist Edward Hopper’s People in the Sun.

Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art. Join Mary Hall Surface, the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, for five online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. This writing session is inspired by the self portrait of 19th-century French artist Suzanne Valadon.

Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art. Join Mary Hall Surface, the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, for five online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. This writing session is inspired by Japanese American artist Kenjiro Nomura’s The Farm.

Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art. Join Mary Hall Surface, the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, for five online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. This writing session is inspired by Antonio Martorell’s La Playa Negra I (Tar Beach I).

Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art. Join Mary Hall Surface, the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, for five online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. This writing session is inspired by 20th-century African American artist Alma Thomas’ colorful compositions.