2025 Summer Courses
by Category

Course Description: Explore the Pantanal, a neo-tropical wonderland, through the images and stories of a professional wildlife photographer. As the world’s largest tropical wetland, the Pantanal is a place of superlatives. It’s home to the world’s largest parrot, world’s largest rodent, world’s largest toucan, longest member of the weasel family, tallest flying bird in South America, and the largest jaguars in the Americas.

Facilitator Bio: Jeff Parker is a professional wildlife photographer who leads photo tours worldwide. He has photographed all of the world's big cats in the wild.

Fees: $40
Fees Description: Basket weaving material, plastic bottles, and fresh flowers. 

Course Description: In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to weave a hanging door basket (measuring 9" tall with 4" diameter without its handle; natural and brown in color). Then, you'll learn to fill that basket with a hanging style ikebana flower arrangement. No experience necessary. Participants must bring an old large towel, scissors, a small bucket, ikebana scissors or shears, and a hand towel. 

Facilitator Bio: Alice Fujita is an instructor of Ikebana Sangetsu School and a basket maker. She first came into contact with arranging flowers when she lived in Japan, and has been practicing the Japanese style of flower arranging for 20 years. Alice started her basket weaving business mainly for making containers for Ikebana. She is looking forward to meeting flower loving people! 

Course Description: Though the cherry blossoms have long fallen in Washington, D.C., you are invited to embrace hanami, the traditional Japanese custom of “flower viewing,” by going cherry blossom viewing in the museum’s Japanese art collections. The revered sakura, or cherry blossom, has been celebrated in landscapes, figure paintings, and prints by artists from medieval Japan to Katsushika Hokusai and beyond.

Facilitator Bio: The course facilitator is associated with the National Museum of Asian Art on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., a leading resource for visitors, students, and scholars in the United States and internationally. The museum offers a wide variety of virtual tours for WILL members, showcasing artistic works housed at the museum while following a particular theme. 

Fees: $15

Fees Description: Course fee includes all materials and use of jewelry-making equipment so that participants will bring home unique jewelry pieces.

Course Description: Do you have earrings missing mates? A drawer full of broken jewelry? Found objects and tidbits that could be used to create unique pieces of jewelry? Let’s use such items – yours and those provided – to get creative! Course fee includes all materials and the use of jewelry making equipment so that you can bring home new-to-you jewelry made from this and that.

Facilitator Bio: Mary O. ("MaryO") Parker enjoys creating interesting pieces from old and broken jewelry and found objects. When not engaging in this sort of creativity, MaryO creatively thinks outside the box as the Executive Director of WILL.

Course Description: How did Navajo weaving transform from the creation of handmade garments, useful home products, and horse gear to practical craft items and regional style rugs and, most recently, to contemporary fine art and multimedia extravaganzas? The first session will cover a richly illustrated presentation and discussion. We will explore the dynamic period from 1970s to 2000. During this time, the facilitator met and worked with talented Navajo artisans of several generations, lived among their families, and collaborated on books, articles, exhibits, and other projects. In our second session, we will discover some exciting 21st century weavers who have moved into a post-colonial period of cultural expression and experimentation. Gathering inspiration from the mainstream art world, digital technology, and social media, many of these amazing artists also maintain deep ties with their own cultural and cross-cultural heritages, combining historic and esoteric influences to create works of impressive complexity.

Facilitator Bio: Ann Lane Hedlund, PhD, is a cultural anthropologist and recognized expert on historic and contemporary textiles from the American Southwest. She has collaborated with Indigenous weavers and other visual artists to understand their creative processes in social contexts. In the 1970s, she began to work with weavers around the Navajo Nation, hearing their stories and documenting their artistic practices. From 1997 to 2013, she served as curator at Arizona State Museum and professor at University of Arizona, Tucson, where she also directed the nonprofit GFR Center for Tapestry Studies. A popular lecturer, Hedlund has curated several dozen exhibitions in museums across the country. She is author of more than three dozen articles and book chapters, and eight books and catalogues, including Navajo Weaving in the Late Twentieth Century and Gloria F. Ross & Modern Tapestry. Her latest book, Mac Schweitzer: A Southwest Maverick and Her Art, will launch in fall 2025. Retired from academia since 2014, she lives in Silver City, where she gardens, hikes, and continues to write.

Course Description: How did Navajo weaving transform from the creation of handmade garments, useful home products, and horse gear to practical craft items and regional style rugs and, most recently, to contemporary fine art and multimedia extravaganzas? The first session will cover a richly illustrated presentation and discussion. We will explore the dynamic period from 1970s to 2000. During this time, the facilitator met and worked with talented Navajo artisans of several generations, lived among their families, and collaborated on books, articles, exhibits, and other projects. In our second session, we will discover some exciting 21st century weavers who have moved into a post-colonial period of cultural expression and experimentation. Gathering inspiration from the mainstream art world, digital technology, and social media, many of these amazing artists also maintain deep ties with their own cultural and cross-cultural heritages, combining historic and esoteric influences to create works of impressive complexity.

Facilitator Bio: Ann Lane Hedlund, PhD, is a cultural anthropologist and recognized expert on historic and contemporary textiles from the American Southwest. She has collaborated with Indigenous weavers and other visual artists to understand their creative processes in social contexts. In the 1970s, she began to work with weavers around the Navajo Nation, hearing their stories and documenting their artistic practices. From 1997 to 2013, she served as curator at Arizona State Museum and professor at University of Arizona, Tucson, where she also directed the nonprofit GFR Center for Tapestry Studies. A popular lecturer, Hedlund has curated several dozen exhibitions in museums across the country. She is author of more than three dozen articles and book chapters, and eight books and catalogues, including Navajo Weaving in the Late Twentieth Century and Gloria F. Ross & Modern Tapestry. Her latest book, Mac Schweitzer: A Southwest Maverick and Her Art, will launch in fall 2025. Retired from academia since 2014, she lives in Silver City, where she gardens, hikes, and continues to write.

Course Description: Let’s get together to enjoy each other’s company and eat delicious treats! Facilitators Barbara and Joe will serve up ice cream (rocky road, vanilla, cookies and cream, mint chocolate), rainbow sherbet, and some homemade cookies.

Facilitator Bio: Barbara Taylor and Joe Wlosinski both enjoy socializing with other WILL members. Collectively, they have been active WILL members for 24 years and have facilitated, co-facilitated, or shepherded over 120 courses!

Fees: $5

Fees Description: Fees will be used to purchase new commercially-made Sequence games, awarded to the winner(s) of a tournament on the last day of the course.

Course Description: Whether you’re hosting a game night or just looking to jazz up your next gathering, Sequence is a great game to add to your repertoire. Sequence is a combination card and board game, best played by two, three, or four players. The board contains pictures of 100 cards (10 vertical by 10 horizontal), using two regular card decks. The object of the game is to make a sequence of 5 cards in a row, either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Players must consider each move from both an offensive and defensive view.

Facilitator Bio: Joe Wlosinski and Charles Manger have each been playing games, both indoors and outdoors, for about 70 years. Between them they have facilitated over 50 WILL classes.

Course Description: Learn to play this engaging game, considered a new classic. Embark on a quest to settle the island of Catan! Reveal Catan's many harbors and regions: pastures, fields, mountains, hills, forests, and desert. Guide settlers to victory by clever trading and smart development. Gather resources to build roads, settlements, and cities. Acquire resources by rolling the dice and trading with others. But beware! You never know when the wily robber might steal some of your precious gains! (Note: Participants may sign up for either Section 1 or 2 or both sections.)

Facilitator Bio: Rick Lass has been playing games since being a kid and still loves to learn and teach new games.

Course Description: Learn to play this engaging game, considered a new classic. Embark on a quest to settle the island of Catan! Reveal Catan's many harbors and regions: pastures, fields, mountains, hills, forests, and desert. Guide settlers to victory by clever trading and smart development. Gather resources to build roads, settlements, and cities. Acquire resources by rolling the dice and trading with others. But beware! You never know when the wily robber might steal some of your precious gains! (Note: Participants may sign up for either Section 1 or 2 or both sections.)

Facilitator Bio: Rick Lass has been playing games since being a kid and still loves to learn and teach new games.

Course Description: The "prescription" for adult coloring dates back to Carl Jung (1875-1961). Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist, believed that coloring helped his patients access their subconscious and new self-knowledge. In times of stress (and is 2025 a time of stress?!), coloring can be a calming tool for adults and children alike, allowing for focus on the act of coloring complicated pictures rather than focus on troubling thoughts. And there is more to be learned about adult coloring! The class will involve a short, fun, educational presentation, followed by a period of personal artistic expression! Coloring pages and all other necessary implements of color will be provided. 

Facilitator Bio: Mary Stoecker relocated to Silver City/Grant County 44 years ago after looking for: a small town, in the Southwest, in the mountains, with a university. Starting off working as a clinical registered nurse and later moving into the community organizing wing of the NM Department of Health, Mary worked many years with providers of behavioral health services as well as community members receiving behavioral health services. Now retired, she continues volunteer work at the local detention center where "adult coloring" is one of the activities. Mary has volunteered with WILL since its early years; she tends to teach "armchair travel" types of classes, yet an occasional foray into a class about a less-practiced skill set does happen!

Fees: $10

Fees Description: Room rental

Course Description: Kundalini Yoga is an ancient practice rooted in Vedic and Tantric traditions dating back at least 3,500 years. Students will recognize postures seen in hatha yoga, but Kundalini Yoga integrates them with breath work and music or a mantra (repeated mentally or aloud). We will cover basic tenets, philosophy, and sequences geared towards bringing fresh energy into one's body and life. This course caters to beginners and anyone who would like to do a different kind of yoga in a slow, gentle, and fun way. Students need to bring their own mat and a folded blanket or cushion for comfortable floor sitting and end-of-class relaxation.

Facilitator Bio: Colleen Jiron, PhD is a retired neuropsychologist and public school educator as well as a Kundalini Yoga teacher with 14 years of experience and a 40+ year personal practice. She has authored historical and speculative fiction (Indie Award finalist) and nonfiction reference books on neuropsychology, self-help, and the use of plant medicines. She and her husband relocated to Silver City in 2023 to be closer to family.

Course Description: This two-hour course will begin by explaining the connection between neurology, movement, and memory. Then, participants will be led through a Qi Gong meditation, continuing with a sequence of simple Tai Chi movements chosen to improve memory. A short cool down Qi Gong meditation will end the class.

Facilitator Bio: Katherine (Kit) West taught Tai Chi for five years in Loveland, Colorado. She now teaches classes at The Lotus Center that include several unique approaches to learning Tai Chi.

Course Description: In this course, participants will learn and practice simple stretches and exercises to stay functional and healthy as we age.

Facilitator Bio: Helen Lemal has been a lifelong athlete. She has competed and coached in several sports, from swimming and figure skating, to tennis and pickleball. She has worked in cardiology as a Cardio-Pulmonary Tech for 20 years at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital. She then went back to school to become a Physician's Assistant in Family Practice in Raleigh, NC, with an interest in women's health and sports injuries.

Course Description: This course will cover what an e-bike is, how it functions, and what is required for maintenance and happy riding in our area. Participants will gain valuable information on what to consider when thinking of purchasing an e-bike.

Facilitator Bio: Dave Baker is the owner of Silver City Cycles, a bike shop located in Silver City. His shop sells new and used bikes and runs The Bike Works, a nonprofit DIY bike repair program.

Course Description: Zumba Gold is a low-impact, modified version of Zumba that is fun and engaging and can be suitable for any fitness level. It was designed for active older adults. Zumba Gold focuses on balance, coordination, and range of motion while incorporating easy-to-follow choreography with primarily Latin rhythms. The class aims to improve all aspects of fitness, including flexibility, balance, cardiovascular health, and muscular conditioning. No prior dance experience or physical coordination needed. Wear comfortable clothes and exercise shoes. Bring water and a towel. Participants must sign a health and accident waiver.

Facilitator Bio: Barbara Taylor is a certified Zumba Gold instructor and has been participating in Zumba and Zumba Gold for over 15 years.

Course Description: In this class, we will engage in basic information of our nervous system in a variety of ways: through lecture, but also by exploring sensations, images, emotions, and meanings found within our tissues through Qigong-inspired movements, mobility exercises, and sounding tones. Movements will vary from gentle and subtle to larger and deeper movements, always within the range of what is available to the student.

Facilitator Bio: Martha Everett is a licensed massage therapist in NM since 2006, serving the different communities of Grant County. She is also a longtime Qigong enthusiast, experienced dog and cat companion, and is currently more than halfway through her 3-year Somatic Experiencing Practitioner training.

Course Description: Ayurveda is the first holistic and most effective healing system. The plant medicines of Ayurveda have been used by western medicine to create drugs for hundreds of years. In this session, participants will learn some of the stories of what those drugs and plants are, including the drug Levodopa from Mucuna pruriens (used for Parkinson's), medicines for asthma, blood pressure, and more. Vaidya will also discuss popular Ayurvedic plants that can be detrimental as well as beneficial, depending on how they are used; these include well-known herbs like ashwagandha, turmeric, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, frankincense, myrrh, and others.

Facilitator Bio: Vaidya Athena Wolf lived in an ashram for 26 years studying Ayurveda and was a student of Vaidya Shom and Vaidya Vasant Lad. She has been practicing full-time as an Ayurvedic physician for 25 years, with a focus on chronic disease, and is currently writing an encyclopedic manual of Ayurvedic therapies. For the past nine years, she has taught an international school for healers. Vaidya is also the executive director of a nonprofit that gifts Ayurvedic plants, native medicinal plants, and heirloom vegetables to the community.

Course Description: Though the Constitution is regularly referenced and disputed, too few Americans really understand it. The Federalist Papers are an explanatory guide, written by three of the Framers, to justify the proposed Constitution. Today these papers are an important source of the very intentions of the Framers. Join in an exploration of five of the Federalist Papers dealing with the Presidency to understand the Constitution better. This is not an academic course jammed down your throat! We'll read about five pages per session. No prior knowledge of The Federalist Papers or the Constitution is necessary.

Facilitator Bio: Andrew Warren holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science (University of Kansas), a master's degree in American History and Government (Fort Hays State University), and a law degree (Washburn University of Topeka). He's a retired Professor of Criminal Justice and History and current Adjunct Professor of Humanities at WNMU.

Course Description: Did you know the first non-indigenous person to explore the Southwest in the 1500s was an enslaved African? Esteban, a native of Morocco, guided the exploration that led to the Coronado Expedition’s search for the Seven Cities of Gold. In this new presentation from our friends at SE Arizona National Parks, participants will learn the fascinating tale of how Esteban came to play a crucial role in helping a group of shipwrecked conquistadors survive eight years lost in the wilderness of Florida, Texas, and Mexico. Then, they'll discover how he became the first non-Indian explorer to enter and travel through Arizona. Facilitators will share how Esteban used his language and diplomatic skills as he encountered Native American tribes and examine different theories of what happened to him when he disappeared in New Mexico. Finally, participants will learn how his journey inspired Coronado’s quest to find the Seven Cities of Gold, and why we don’t hear more about Esteban's achievements today.

Facilitator Bio: The facilitator is part of the National Park Service's Southeast Arizona Group (SEAZ), including Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Memorial, and Fort Bowie National Historic Site.

Course Description: Ready to ignite your muse and pursue some fun with poetry? In this three session course, we'll do just that! The first two classes will focus on generating new poems, focusing on imagery and sounds. For each poem, you will be led through a series of prompts and given poetry handouts to use as models. For the last class, we will do a mini-workshop over a poem or two that you have written doing the first two sessions. You will be guided through workshop etiquette on constructive criticism. The atmosphere of the class will be playful, a way to enjoy writing, reading, and critiquing poetry.

Facilitator Bio: Heather Frankland is the current poet laureate of Silver City and Grant County. She holds an Master of Fine Arts in Poetry and a Master of Public Health from New Mexico State University. She was a Peace Corps and Peace Corps Response Volunteer in Peru and Panama. In 2022, she was among 12 poets selected to attend the Marge Piercy Poetry Intensive Workshop. Her poetry chapbook, “Midwest Musings,” was published in 2023 by Finishing Line Press, and she has been published in Sweet Lit, Sin Fronteras Press, and others. Originally from Indiana, she lives in Silver City, NM where she teaches at Western New Mexico University.

Course Description: Did you know we have a horse rescue right here in Silver City? Since 2005, End of the Road Ranch Horse Rescue (EOTRR) has provided sanctuary to equines in need and educated the community regarding horsemanship practices. In session one, facilitators will discuss how they interact with horses following EOTRR philosophy: using compassion and gentleness, as well as the reciprocal healing qualities people bring to horses and they bring to us. Participants will learn about general horse care (e.g., grooming, feeding, massage therapy and maintenance). Specific biographies of several horses will be shared. In the second session, participants will visit End of the Road Ranch for firsthand learning. This visit will include an equine massage demonstration by Peter Fishburn. For the field trip to the farm, participants should wear a hat and good walking shoes, as we will be walking on uneven surfaces. They should be able to be mostly standing for TWO HOURS in the heat, and should bring water. Participants are also encouraged to bring carrots, apples, or horse treats with them on the visit - - the horses love 'em!

Facilitator Bio: Carol Gadda is a volunteer at the ranch. She has had a love of horses from her adolescent years, when she worked as a stable hand at thoroughbred racetracks on the East Coast. When a famous East Coast grandstand burned down in the 80s, she decided her architectural thesis would focus on the racetrack “backside,” where the horses and workers reside. Carol practiced architecture for 35 years in Reno, NV. Traveling gave her a great appreciation for the wilderness which resulted in her decision to relocate to New Mexico in 2018. Upon retiring, she found The End of the Road Ranch Horse Rescue, where she has renewed her love of horses since June 2021. 

Peter Fishburn is happily retired from the NM Department of Health. Silver City became home 8 years ago, and EOTRR has been a focus of his volunteer efforts. Trained in equine massage, he now brings those skills to the rescue.

Course Description: We’ll step away from our everyday habits for a few hours and immerse ourselves in the vibrant Gila Forest, focusing on all our senses. This three-hour outdoor experience invites you to deepen your connection with the natural world through sensory explorations. We’ll hike on a gentle path at Little Cherry Creek for a mile or so, and then find a peaceful spot to consciously and deliberately absorb what the Gila has to offer. After sitting in silence, gently exploring our surroundings by focusing on sounds, smells, sights and textures, we will have time to record our thoughts, draw simple sketches, or just continue with mindful meditation, capturing the unique beauty and essence of the present moment. 

The session will conclude with an optional sharing circle where participants can share an observation, journal entry, sketch, or reflection, fostering a sense of community and shared appreciation for the Gila’s natural wonders. We’ll share any individual techniques to foster a more intimate relationship with the natural environment. 

Please bring a notebook, a pen or pencils, comfortable walking shoes, and a willingness to experience the familiar in a new way. There will be minimal overall elevation change and shade, but there will be some rough and rocky areas and probably, depending on precipitation, some creek crossings. This hike is rated EASY. To ensure we all enjoy the day, participants must have the ability to be in the heat for hours of walking, standing, and sitting on rocks or the ground. 

HIKING/OUTDOOR ACTIVITY POLICY: Please honestly evaluate your ability to handle the summer heat and extended time standing and walking on uneven surfaces before enrolling in this course. If you are unable to complete a hike or outdoor WILL activity, you risk making the experience unpleasant and possibly dangerous for yourself and other participants. All participants must ensure they have appropriate equipment and adequate water/equivalent hydration fluids to participate in this activity. No open toed footwear is allowed. Participants must wear shoes or boots that are suitable for walking over uneven surfaces. Footwear and hydration fluids will be inspected before proceeding with this course, and if participants do not have appropriate equipment, they can be denied participation in the activity.

Facilitator Bio: Steve Blake has been hiking, studying nature, and leading mindfulness circles in the Gila for over 25 years.

Course Description: Discover Jewel Cave! It's one of the world's longest cave systems, over 220 miles long! Located near Custer, South Dakota, Jewel Cave is known for its length and the unique crystal formations that cover its walls. Join Jewel Cave Monument rangers to learn about the cave formation, discovery, and modern exploration.

Facilitator Bio: Jewel Cave National Monument rangers work to protect and educate others about one of the longest caves in the world and the surface above it.

Course Description: An empirical answer to the so-called hard problem of consciousness is simple enough, but explaining it involves an understanding of conceptual Newtonian physics, as well as C.G. Jung's schema for the psyche. The facilitator will use the idea of the "inertial reference frame" to model conscious content. This frame shows that it is the psyche which directs homeostasis in life, meaning all life is sentient empirically. This extraordinary claim and supporting evidence come from a landmark neuroscience study, confirming Denis Noble’s view of physiology as directed.

Facilitator Bio: Charles Wood, retired CPA, now an independent researcher on the so-called hard problem of consciousness.

Course Description: This course offers an engaging and educational driving tour of the Western New Mexico University (WNMU) campus, focusing on its transformation into an arboretum. This two-hour guided experience will take participants on a journey through key horticultural locations across campus, highlighting the design, challenges, and ongoing projects involved in elevating WNMU’s landscapes. This course will require getting onto and off the van several times, and climbing as many as 25 steps in the summer heat. Please be sure you can meet these physical requirements before signing up.

Facilitator Bio: Born in Muir Beach, CA, Chala Werber first arrived in the East Fork of the Gila in 1974. She has lived in five countries, spent summers in four others, and was at one point fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, with basic proficiency in French and Japanese. After attending multiple universities, she earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees from Western New Mexico University. Chala built successful careers in high-end fashion sales, non-profits, graphics, and tech before dedicating herself to horticulture. She returned to the area in 2003 to care for her father and has remained ever since. As WNMU’s Horticulture Manager, she oversees the campus landscape, Natural Science Department greenhouses, and the WNMU Arboretum. Above all, she is the mother and sole parent of an incredible 16-year-old daughter.

Course Description: Wow! Sounds and data travel long distances through the air! That’s not magic, of course... it’s science. This class outlines the beginnings of wireless transmission of Morse code and pours through shortwave, AM, FM, and point-to-point communications. We’ll meet the inventors, examine the equipment, and listen to the wide array of available stations. We'll also note the role of radio personalities in popular culture. If you enjoyed WILL’s course on recorded sound last year, or regretted missing it, you’ll love this companion seminar.

Facilitator Bio: Howie Richey studied radio, television, and film with a concentration in audio production at the University of Texas in the early 1970s. He served as a disc jockey and program host for NPR and community radio stations (including KURU), as well as a DJ for private parties. His invitation to “tune in” at once compels and entertains. Howie, his wife Linda, and pets make their home on Chihuahua Hill, where they host frequent lavish celebrations.