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 a course of three online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. The sessions spotlight a diverse range of visual art chosen to inspire writers of all experience levels to deepen their process and practice. This writing session is inspired by The Green Door by Lois Mailou Jones.

Stoicism’s core teaching is that happiness arises from virtue, reason, and harmony with nature. Contrary to appearances, people do not react to events themselves but to their judgments about them. Stoics aim to recognize and refine these judgments, eliminating irrationality to live more wisely. Drawing from his book The Practicing Stoic: A Philosophical User’s Manual, Ward Farnsworth, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law, offers practical guidance for clearer perception, resilient living, and easing life’s burdens.

Discover the power of reflective writing guided by the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s popular Writing Salon, Mary Hall Surface. In this workshop, participants explore the innovative compositions of the 20th-century Dutch printmaker M.C. Escher, to discover how his interlocking forms and shifting patterns inspire creative reflection about the connections and transformations in our lives.

In 1996, historian Anthony Cohen embarked on an 8-week, 1,200-mile journey tracing the Underground Railroad from Maryland to Canada. Traveling by foot, boat, and rail across five states, he visited towns, safehouses, African American communities, and Quaker sanctuaries, documenting freedom stories through artifacts, documents, and oral accounts. In 2026, marking the 30th anniversary of his walk and the nation’s 250th celebration, Cohen retraces his trek, sharing memories, images, and aspirations for a renewed journey of remembrance.

Romance novelist Katherine Center, known for stories about resilience and joy, discusses why she believes love is good for you. Her new novel The Shippers follows JoJo Burton, who boards a cruise for her sister’s wedding hoping to fix her bad luck in love by pursuing an old crush—with help from childhood friend Cooper. Close quarters rekindle unresolved feelings, and they stumble into realizing they might be meant for each other. Center explores how love, humor, hope, and real-life lessons shape her work.

Experience forest bathing as Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a certified nature and forest-therapy guide, leads a 2-hour walk along a scenic stretch of Rock Creek in the nation’s oldest urban national park. Move slowly to soak up the beauty of the flowing creek and the lush greens of the trees. Focus on the sights, sounds, and woodsy fragrances of Rock Creek Park, letting go of cares while slowly exploring the surroundings through all senses.

Experience forest bathing as Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a certified nature and forest-therapy guide, leads a 2-hour walk along a scenic stretch of Rock Creek in the nation’s oldest urban national park. Move slowly to soak up the beauty of the flowing creek and the lush greens of the trees. Focus on the sights, sounds, and woodsy fragrances of Rock Creek Park, letting go of cares while slowly exploring the surroundings through all senses.

Yoga therapist Linda Lang introduces seated and chair-based practices rooted in classical yoga and integrative medicine. She demonstrates adaptable postures, breathwork, and mindful movement that honor physical changes while preserving therapeutic value. Participants learn key seated poses, supported standing options, and everyday mobility strategies to enhance balance, joint health, and functional movement. Emphasis is placed on safe alignment, effective prop use, and modifications for common concerns. The inclusive, experiential session invites participation, observation, questions, and discussion.

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 a course of three online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. The sessions spotlight a diverse range of visual art chosen to inspire writers of all experience levels to deepen their process and practice. This writing session is inspired by Mary Cassatt's The Boating Party.

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 a course of three online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. The sessions spotlight a diverse range of visual art chosen to inspire writers of all experience levels to deepen their process and practice. This writing session is inspired by works by Henri Matisse, including Open Window, Collioure.