Step Into a Summer of Discovery!
The inaugural QUiLL Summer Passport Program delivers enriching experiences from Queens Lifelong Learning, created especially for adults who never stop exploring.
This summer, join fellow lifelong learners in the very first QUiLL Summer Passport Program at Queens University of Charlotte. Designed for intellectually curious adults, this enriching program pairs engaging, interactive sessions led by Queens professors and local experts with meaningful cultural experiences each afternoon.
Rooted in the university’s mission to cultivate critical thinking and global perspectives, the Passport Program offers a welcoming, inspiring environment to learn, connect, and grow. Whether you’re diving into a new subject or reconnecting with a longtime interest, this is your passport to a summer of thoughtful exploration and lasting connection.
DISCOVER MORE. CONNECT MORE. BE MORE.
The QUiLL Summer Passport program is a 4-day, multidisciplinary community engagement experience curated and convened by Art/Design/Music and Gambrell Center programs of Queens University of Charlotte. To register, just select 3 programs that meet 4 times, over the course of 4 days between June 1 and 4 this summer.
Armchair Travel
Explore the globe without ever leaving the comfort of Queens. This unique session features four distinguished faculty members who have led John Belk International Program (JBIP) study abroad experiences to various countries. Through their expert guidance, you’ll experience diverse cultures, histories, landscapes, and tastes. Each session will delve into different program themes, offering you a rich tapestry of global perspectives. Whether you’re fascinated by the ecology of Ecuador or England through the lens of Jane Austen, there’s something for everyone. Our faculty members will share their firsthand experiences, captivating stories, and insightful knowledge, making you feel as if you’re right there with them. Don’t miss this opportunity to broaden your horizons, gain new insights, and connect with fellow travel enthusiasts. No passport required — just bring your curiosity and a comfortable seat!
Mike Wirth, MFA
Associate Professor, Art & Design
Led trips to: Japan
Shawn Bowers Buxton, MFA
Assistant Professor, English
Led trips to: Costa Rica, Greece, Argentina, England, South Africa
Dr. Jennifer Daniel Assistant Professor, English
Led trips to: Paris, London, Rome, Greece
Dr. Patricia Koplas Professor, Biology
Led trips to: Ecuador, Iceland
The John Belk International Program is managed by the Pulliam Center for International Education at Queens.
Pulliam Center JBIP Faculty
Creating Home:
Traditional Design Meets Contemporary Living in Myers Park and Eastover
Join Garrett P. Nelson and Lindsay Rocco from Garrett P. Nelson Studio as they explore the Intersection of Traditional Southern Style and Contemporary Architectural Design. You will tour beautiful new homes in Myers Park and Eastover while discussing the Principles of Design and Current Trends. Gain Exclusive insights and inspiration for your own design projects while learning from professionals in the Charlotte design community.
Garrett P. Nelson has developed a keen eye for style and form that exudes charm and whimsy in custom residential architecture. He served two terms on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission and also held the role of Design Review Chairman for four years. Garrett’s passion for education led him to earn two degrees in Architecture from UNCC and serve as an Adjunct Professor in Queen’s Interior Architecture + Design Program since 2018.
Lindsay Rocco brings 30 years of experience to the Garrett P. Nelson studio. Specializing in interior architecture and design, construction, and zoning, Lindsay has degrees in Art History from Syracuse University and Interior Architecture and Design from Queens University Charlotte which have given her a unique perspective regarding historical design foundations and their contemporary interpretation.
Garrett Nelson + Lindsay Rocco
Strum Into Summer:
Guitar Workshop for Skill & Confidence
Join our Summer Guitar Workshop to level up your technique, musical knowledge, and confidence, whether you’re a modest or intermediate guitarist. From mastering fingerstyle and rock riffs to applying music theory in your playing, you’ll walk away with practical tools to boost your musicianship. Connect with fellow guitarists, improve your skills, and make music in an inspiring, hands-on environment!
Bring your own guitar.
Bob Teixeira (left) and Sal Contrino (right), guitar faculty at Queens, are known for their expertise as clinicians and educators. With years of experience in performance and instruction, they have collaborated extensively, co-teaching and mentoring students in various styles and techniques. Their dedication to the craft and innovative teaching methods have made them highly respected figures in the guitar community.
Bob Teixeira + Sal Contrino
Tile Your Summer: Crafting Beautiful Ceramic Tiles
Unleash your creativity this summer by joining our Ceramic Tile Making Program! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artisan, this hands-on workshop is the perfect way to explore the art of ceramics. Over the course of the program, you’ll learn the basics of shaping, glazing, and firing your very own unique ceramic tiles.
$25 supply fee will be applied, 8 person max.
Denny Gerwin began his education at Bowling Green State University in Ohio where he earned a BFA in 2004. Then, he pursued post-bachelor’s studies at the Hartford Art School in Connecticut before finishing his MFA at Utah State University in 2009. In 2010 Denny was awarded a residency in the Arts/Industry program at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. He accepted a position as Professor of 3D Art at Queens University of Charlotte in 2012. Denny enjoys making his work alongside his students in the on-campus studio and showing his work in national juried exhibitions and regional invitational exhibitions.
Denny Gerwin
Sarah Creech
At the Wheel of Responsibility: Reading Culpability in the Age of AI
Join a group of engaged readers as we explore Bruce Holsinger’s new novel about family life in the age of Al. His novel, Culpability, is an Oprah’s Book Club pick for 2025, and follows a privileged family who owns an autonomous driving minivan. The novel opens on a family road trip with their 17 year old son in the driver’s seat who overreacts, jerks the wheel, and swerves into another lane, killing an elderly couple. From there, the novel investigates the legal ramifications of human error and Al control while exploring how technology shapes our interpersonal connections and our futures. It’s a must-read. We will discuss the novel in full and then conclude our course by exploring different perspectives on the Al debate and ways to navigate Al tools in your life from a beginner’s mindset.
Sarah Creech is the author of two novels, Season of the Dragonflies and The Whole Way Home, both published by William Morrow. Her short fiction and essays have appeared in various publications, including Lit Hub, The Cortland Review, Writer’s Digest, StorySouth, Monkeybicycle, The Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Independent Review of Books. She’s an Associate Professor of English and Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte.
Alchemy of AI
This workshop will provide an overview of generative AI. We will explore what makes generative AI different from other artificial intelligence and how to use it effectively. How does it work? Is it just a neat chat bot or something more? What is prompt engineering? How can we use AI in our own life? And how is it impacting society?
After participating in this workshop, you will be able to engage in informed conversations about where AI has come and where it might go. You will be able to use generative AI tools that go beyond the chatbot. You will also learn how businesses are implementing AI (such as Retrieval, Augmentation, and Generate workflows) to connect with company data more quickly. In order to participate in this workshop, you do not need to have any technical background. We will use all no-code tools in our exploration.
Nathan Michalewicz teaches at Queens University of Charlotte in the history program and the data analytics program. He was trained in the Digital Humanities and is currently working on a project to fine tune a large language model on the letters of historical figures, such as Catherine de Medici, to better understand and explore the past.
Nate Michalewicz
Rabbi Dr. Judy Schindler + Adrian Bird + Hadia Mubarak
The Sights, Sounds, and Tastes of Interfaith Bridge Building
Did you know that Charlotte is home to more than eleven hundred houses of worship? Our Queen City is strengthened by interfaith bridge building. The religion faculty of Queens University live the value of pluralism that they teach and are eager to share their passion and wisdom with you this summer. This course will deepen your understanding of and appreciation for your religious neighbors’ culture and faith. Dr. Adrian Bird, Dr. Hadia Mubrarak and Rabbi Judy Schindler — all professors in the Philosophy and Religion Department of Queens — will lead you through an exploration of the key sights, the most prominent sounds, and some of the unique tastes of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. You will be given the tools to evaluate the commonalities, the uniqueness, the challenges and the strengths of these four faith communities that are central to Charlotte.
Rabbi Dr. Judy Schindler is the Sklut Professor of Jewish Studies and was the founding director of the Stan Greenspon Holocaust and Social Justice Education Center at Queens University. She authored Recharging Judaism: How Civic Engagement is Good for Synagogues, Jews, and America (CCAR Press, 2018). She was named Rabbi Emerita of Temple Beth El in Charlotte, North Carolina, after serving as Senior Rabbi from 2003-2016 and as Associate Rabbi from 1998-2003.
Hadia Mubarak is an Associate Professor of Religion at Queens University of Charlotte. She is the author of Rebellious Wives, Neglectful Husbands: Controversies in Modern Qur’anic Commentaries (Oxford University Press, 2022), which explores significant shifts in modern Qur’anic commentaries on the subject of women against the backdrop of broader historical, intellectual and political developments in twentieth-century North Africa.
University Chaplain Adrian Bird has extensive teaching experience, leading courses in Christian History (Ancient & Modern), Christian Encounters with World Religions, Mission and evangelism, and Christian Ethics across several institutions, including Union Presbyterian Seminary, Columbia College, Lenoir-Rhyne University. Currently, Dr. Bird teaches within the Philosophy and Religion Department at Queens University.
Whole Health:
Balancing Mind, Body, Spirit and Community for Wellness
Discover a holistic approach to achieving well-being with “whole health,” an approach where the conversation goes from “what’s the matter with you?” to “what matters to you?” This program will address common questions about healthy eating, proper use of vitamins and supplements, stress management and more. Learn how to nurture your body, mind, and social connections for a healthier, happier life. Join us and together we’ll explore the essential elements that contribute to a well-rounded, thriving you.
Russell H. Greenfield, M.D. is Sr. Physician Consultant for the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation for the Veterans Health Administration and a member of the Whole Health Education team for Cornerstone Collaboration for Societal Change. He was one of the first four physicians to graduate from the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at The University of Arizona College of Medicine in 1999 and is Board Certified in both Emergency Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine. He has directed Integrative Medicine initiatives for academic and community organizations including Novant Health, Levine Cancer Institute, Wake Forest Baptist Health, and Harris Teeter supermarkets, and was a consultant to the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
Russ Greenfield
Joe Cornelius
Legacy in Sound: Not your Grandkid’s Podcast
Ever wanted to start your own podcast but didn’t know where to begin? This beginner-friendly program is the perfect place to dive in! In this hands-on program, you’ll learn everything you need to plan, record, edit, and publish your very own podcast. We’ll explore the art of storytelling, ways to connect with your audience, and the essential equipment and best practices for recording high-quality audio. You’ll get hands-on experience writing scripts, conducting interviews, and practicing voice techniques in a dedicated podcast studio at the Knight School of Communication at Queens University. After recording, we’ll walk through the editing process using easy-to-use software, helping you enhance your sound and polish your final product. We’ll also dive into podcast branding, audience growth strategies, and how to effectively share and promote your podcast.
By the end of the program, you’ll have created a short podcast episode to share with your peers and receive valuable feedback. Come join us and bring your podcast idea to life!
Professor Joe Cornelius is an assistant professor of digital media production at the Knight School of Communication at Queens. Prof. Cornelius has photographed, produced, and edited numerous films ranging from full length documentaries (Mike, Over Home: Love Songs from Madison County) to experimental video art installations (The Booth, Wired). His award-winning creative works have been showcased in numerous exhibitions and film festivals across the nation; such as the Anthology Film Archives in New York City, Sony Pictures Studio of Los Angles and the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival.
Glory Days: The
Life and Art of Bruce Springsteen
Ever since he appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek magazines simultaneously on October 27, 1975, Bruce Springsteen has been recognized as one of the world’s most important rock stars and songwriters. Still shaking the walls of stadiums all over the world at the age of 75, Springsteen has created a body of work that sits comfortably alongside the legacies of artists like Bob Dylan and The Beatles — and, arguably, alongside the work of great American writers too. This course will examine Springsteen’s life and work in all its scope and complexity. We’ll marvel at his ability to rock the house, but we’ll also probe the nuances of his songwriting, covering everything from love, despair, faith, family, politics, to the spiritual release of three chords and a backbeat. By listening to his music and watching performance footage, we’ll explore the different periods of Springsteen’s career as we journey together to the promised land.
Michael Kobre is Dana Professor of English at Queens University of Charlotte. His essays and stories have appeared in Michigan Quarterly Review, Inks: The Journal of the Comics Studies Society, South Atlantic Review, Tin House, TriQuarterly, The International Journal of Comic Art, West Branch, and other journals. He’s the author of Walker Percy’s Voices. His writing has also been featured in the collections Reading the Boss: Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Works of Bruce Springsteen, Walker Percy’s The Moviegoer at Fifty, and Superhero Bodies: Identity, Materiality, Transformation.
Michael Kobre
Fully Awake? Fully Connected?
The Legacy of Black Mountain College
What do Albert Einstein, John Cage, Buckminster Fuller, Merce Cunningham, Josef Albers, Ruth Asawa and Robert Rauschenberg have in common? Black Mountain College — a legendary experimental liberal arts school in our backyard (1933–1957). This program invites you to step into that legacy, exploring the radical, interdisciplinary spirit that fostered groundbreaking ideas in art, science, music, and literature. A program strongly recommended for those who dream, take risks, and believe.
Siu Challons-Lipton, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Department of Art, Design, and Music and the McMahon Professor of Art History at Queens. Her research focuses on the legacy of Black Mountain College and the transformative role of the arts in higher education. Her global upbringing fueled her passion for cultural exchange and the power of art to connect diverse perspectives. With degrees from McGill University and Oxford University, she lectures internationally and advocates for the essential role of the arts in shaping personal, community, and academic growth.
Siu Challons-Lipton
Cultural Immersion Events
Each afternoon, after the last session concludes, “Passporters” are invited to a vibrant social gathering in Gambrell that crowns your day of learning! We’ll dive into diverse cultures and unique experiences curated just for us!
Wine and Chocolate
Indulge yourself in an evening of handcrafted chocolates expertly paired with distinctive wines. A luxurious way to unwind, savor rich flavors, and celebrate the finer things in life!
Cinematic Shorts with the Independent Picture House
Kick back and enjoy an exclusive selection of short films curated by local cinephiles and the Independent Picture House — Charlotte’s premier destination for independent cinema.
Queens Campus Mocktail Art Crawl
Sip on a custom mocktail while you explore our campus art collection; an evolving showcase of past, present, and rising stars of the local, regional, national, and international art world with Professor Siu Challons-Lipton.
Mediterranean Jewish Cooking: Taste & Talk with Chef Shai
Join us for a Mediterranean cooking experience where Executive Chef of Yafo Kitchen and Calle Sol, Shai Fargian, brings the flavors, stories, and healthful traditions of the Mediterranean and Levant to life — highlighting the rich Jewish culinary heritage woven throughout the region. (Generously sponsored by the Silverman Jewish Cultural Series Fund.)
Your 4-Day Summer Passport Program Schedule
June 1 - 4, 2026
Each Registration Includes:
3 Programs of your choice
Each program meets for 4 sessions at the same time each day for 4 days
Welcome coffee and tea in the morning & beverages throughout the day
Catered lunch boxes each day
Specially curated Cultural
events at the end of each day
Wine & Chocolate
Cinematic Shorts with the Independent Picture House
Queens Campus Mocktail Art Crawl
Mediterranean Jewish Cooking
Summer Passport Sign Up Form
Early Bird Registration until April 1: $950/person
Late Registration April 2 - May 15: $1,100/person
Plus any applicable supply fees
Please use one signup form per person.
All programs take place in person at the Gambrell Center. Each program has a minimum and maximum number of registrants allowed. If there are not enough registrants or if the program is at capacity, we will move on to the next alternate program you select below.
EMAIL a completed registration form for each person to gambrelltix@queens.edu Put “QUILL REGISTRATION” in the subject line
Go to www.gambrellcenter.org/quill Click the REGISTER button and make your online payment.
About the Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement
Since re-opening in 2020, the 63,000 SF state-of-the-art Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement has been dedicated to discovery, collaboration, and connection with the Charlotte Community. Providing a shared academic home for the visual, performing and literary arts, as well as design and music therapy, the Gambrell Center is the creative heartbeat of Queens hosting 550+ events and 67,000 visitors last season.
The History
On the corner of Selwyn and Wellesley, Queens College dedicated the newly minted Charles A. Dana Auditorium and E. H. Little Fine Arts Center on October 5, 1966. It was part of a 5-year, $3.6 million campus expansion to renovate several existing buildings and construct a new classroom building (Walker), dormitory (Barnhardt) and arts center for the growing student body.
Designed by Charlotte firm J. N. Pease and Associates, the Little Fine Arts Center cost $1.25 million to build and was considered state of the art at the time with a 1040-seat auditorium, 13 teaching studios, 3 classrooms, 22 practice rooms, small recital hall, art gallery, and a drama rehearsal room in the 55,000 square foot facility. The renowned architectural acoustics firm of Bolt, Beranek and Newman of Boston designed the sound of the performance halls having successfully completed work for Lincoln Center and the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood.
Over the next 50 years, Dana Auditorium hosted notable artists and speakers as well as ceremonies such as Commencement, and Convocation. After decades of heavy use, the arts center was ready for an update.
On February 20, 2020, the newly renovated Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement and Sandra Levine Theatre re-opened with Broadway star, Sutton Foster. After an extensive $23 million renovation, the expanded 63,000 square foot arts complex housed a 992-seat theatre, 150-seat recital hall, 3 art galleries, practice and classrooms, teaching studios, a music therapy suite, and the Art, Design and Music academic programs. Each year, these facilities proudly host over 500 events ranging from presented concerts, art exhibitions, lectures, symposia, plays, films, and a wide variety of campus and community-sponsored events.
OUR MISSION
The Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement is a dynamic arts destination for our community and students to share in diverse cultural experiences. The Gambrell Center facilitates creative scholarship through interdisciplinary collaboration and offers a vibrant gathering place for educational exploration. Queens demonstrates its commitment to this mission by presenting world-class performances, conversations, and exhibitions, showcasing exemplary faculty and student works, and providing an inspiration for design, creativity, and artistic expression.