Creating Altered Books: An altered book is an old or discarded book transformed into a new piece of art by reworking its pages and structure. Rather than being read, it becomes the canvas itself. This is a great way to repurpose books that are damaged, outdated, or otherwise headed for the donation pile or trash. 

Supplies:

• Old book
• glue stick
• scissors

Covers may be altered, as well, by collage using vintage images ephemera, or scraps, ribbon or fabric, paint

Class session will be held on Monday, September 14 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Decorating Pages of Altered Books: These new versions as altered books can go in many different directions. Many students theme their books. Some suggestions are: Cooking, Travel, Faith, Nature, Butterflies, Fairyland, Colors, Favorite artists, etc. Every page is used to demonstrate your own artistic expression. 

Supplies:

• Acrylic paints
• Gesso
• Brushes 
• Markers
• Images relating to your theme
• Glue
• Scissors

Class session will be held on Monday, September 21 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Adding Pockets, Tucks, and Flipouts: To create more interesing pages, the artist can add special hiding places for notes, tags, and bookmarks that enhance the book design. Be as creative as possible!

Suggested Supplies:

• Decorative paper
• Ephemera
• Scissors or paper cutter
• Glue
• Trims

Class session will be held on Monday, September 28 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

In this class, students learn fundamental watercolor skills, including how to create smooth gradients with washes, control bleeding for soft transitions, and combine different techniques to develop textures and patterns. They will explore how color choices and washes can set the mood and atmosphere in their artwork. The class emphasizes integrating these techniques into a cohesive composition, culminating in a final project where students apply what they've learned to create a small, complete watercolor piece that demonstrates their understanding and creativity. 

Supplies needed:

• Set of pan or tube watercolor paints. 
• Brushes – mop brush or large round, several sizes of round and flat brushes, a fan brush.
• Paper- 140lb or higher watercolor paper, hot or cold press
• Liquid resist
• 2 water containers

Class sessions will be held on Thursdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 11 to 1 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

With instructor Liz Monaco, this class is designed to teach you the popular art of Colored Pencil to create your very own works of art. You will learn color mixing, layering, and other techniques to get the results you have always wanted. 

*Supplies Needed:

• Prisma Color Premier Colored Pencils – Set of 24
• Open Stock Colors: Black Grape, Magenta
• Colorless Blender
• White Plastic Eraser, Pencil Sharpener, Ruler
• Bristol Vellum Drawing Paper
• Tracing paper, Graphite Transfer Paper

Class sessions will be held on Thursdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Prerequisite: You must have taken one of the River House Jewelry Wire Wrapping monthly classes.

This advanced class will move from basic loops, earrings and bracelets to making wire wrapped elements such as roses, wire love knots, Celtic elements, and clover leafs. These will be incorporated into matching sets of jewelry. You will wrap your own clasps as well as learn various tools and techniques. 

Supplies needed:

• Shynek 10 piece Jewelry tools kit
• Ph Pandehall 1200 piece 4mm bicone AB crystal beads
• Bencreat wire 18, 20, 26 gauge
• Any other beads you may have 

(Items can be found on Amazon)

Kathy Tengesdahl has an AA degree in art and a BS in Education. She combines that with 35 years of creating Jewelry art and she is adept at bead weaving with a focus on creating with wire wrapping. She has taught for the past 5 yrs in The Villages, Florida and now 7 months living in St Augustine. She hopes you will join her in creating something beautiful that you will be proud to wear.

Class sessions will be held on Mondays, October 5, 12, 19, 26 from 10 to noon at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Cut, tear, layer, and glue your way to a finished piece — no experience needed, just bring your curiosity.

Join us for an afternoon of paper, texture, and color. We'll explore how torn and cut edges, layering, and composition come together to build a finished collage — you'll leave with a completed piece of your own and a few new techniques to keep experimenting at home.

Most-needed supplies — feel free to bring extras from your own stash

• Assorted paper — old magazines, scrapbook paper, tissue paper
• A sturdy backing board or heavy cardstock
• Sharp scissors
• Glue stick and/or white glue
• A pencil, for sketching your layout first
• A small container for water (if using paint or gel medium)
• An apron or old shirt — collage gets a little messy!

A limited supply of shared materials will be on hand, but bringing your own favorites is encouraged.

Class sessions will be held on Mondays, October 5, 12, 19, 26 from 1:30 - 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084).

This Watercolor class is designed to expose you to the unique characteristics and techniques of the medium using various scenes and compositional layout. We will be studying atmospheric perspective and depth of field that makes landscape watercolor painting so effective. There will be regular critiques and discussions to improve your understanding and skill development.

Mr. Ouellette received his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Arts in Painting from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He taught at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and showed in many galleries and museums including the Detroit Institute of Art. He moved to St. Augustine in 1981 where he continued his career as an artist and professor of Fine Art at the Florida School of the Arts in his twenty-six year tenure. He was also a professor of Fine Arts, Painting and Design and Art History at SJRCC St. Augustine campus. He is currently teaching Art History and Studio classes at Flagler College Continuing Education.

Watercolor Materials and Supplies                

Brushes:

• sable (preferred), ox hair (if you can find it or sable blends or sable synthetics 
• 1”       flat
• 1/2”    flat
• #6 and #8 round
• rigger brush 

 Paper:

• Two sheets of Arches 22”x30”, 140 lb. cold press,  or a 9” x 12” block      

Paints:

Box sets of tube watercolors which should include most of these:        

• ultramarine blue
• cerulean blue
• cobalt blue
• thalo blue
• alizarin crimson
• cadmium red light
• cadmium yellow light 
• new gamboge
• burnt umber
• burnt sienna 

Other materials:                            

• covered palette, plastic
• painting board approx. 16” x 20”
• masking tape
• materials box
• non-breakable container for water
• roll of paper towels

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28 from 9 to 11 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.