Guest Lecturers and Instructors

Guest lecturers often accompany us on our overnight cruises aboard the Mystic and lectures are usually complimentary. Please see the schedule for the Mystic for dates of cruises when you will be able to take advantage of our lectures or workshops.

Local History or Marine Science may be added to a private charter aboard the Argia or Mystic for a fee of $165 per two or three hour trip.

Local History Cruise Lecturer aboard the Mystic, Professor Lawrence H. Hall

Dr. Hall holds several graduate degrees including a Ph.D. from New York University. During his military career he taught several years at West Point and after retiring introduced a Latin American History Program at Connecticut College in New London. During the past fifteen years he has been lecturing on cruise ships throughout the Western Hemisphere including New England, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Canada and Alaska, as well as the Hudson River and Chesapeake Bay. He is currently working on a biography of a New London sea captain who served in the Brazilian Navy during that nation’s War of Independence. He learned to speak Portuguese after living for two years in Rio de Janeiro where the US Army sent him to attend the Brazilian General Staff College.

Dr. Hall’s wife, Mary, grew up sailing in New London and taught him how to sail after they settled in Mystic some thirty years ago. They sailed, cruised, and traveled together during almost fifty years of marriage. Although she has unfortunately passed away, he continues lecturing onboard cruise ships and sailing vessels. His approach to cruise lecturing is relaxed and low key using a combination of humor and knowledge to explain the history of the places we visit. He enjoys meeting people and is always ready to answer questions and discuss the places we see and stop at on our cruises. Complimentary.

Watercolor Painting Workshop aboard the Mystic, Professor Amy Arntson

Professor Emerita from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Professor Arntson taught art and design for 22 years. She grew up on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan and has always been fascinated by water. Now a full-time artist, Professor Arntson has exhibited her paintings and given presentations on visual perception throughout the USA as well as North, South, and Central America, Europe, and Asia. Her current work is watercolor paintings of water.

Watercolor Workshop: Two 2-hour sessions will allow the participants to explore introductory watercolor techniques. Participants will learn line and wash, texture, the basics of color theory, and watercolor materials. A series of exercises will lead to several small finished paintings. Bring your own materials, or purchase paper and paint on site. Sign up for this workshop when you purchase your ticket. Complimentary except for supplies.