Pre-enrollment is required so please register here. Enrollment is limited for this program. 

Learn successful plant choices and design ideas for planting in pots. Also, learn how to start your own plants from cuttings! Doesn't everyone love FREE plants! There will be an informative and interactive presentation along with a live design/planting demonstration. Then everyone will have the opportunity to do their own, hands-on container of cuttings to take home. If you want to make your own container garden please bring a small container, soil and plants, and Karen can show you how best to plant it.

Presented by St. Johns County Master Gardener Karen Doyle.

This one session class will meet on Monday, August 18 from 9:15 to 11:15 at River House (179 Marine St. St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

New to fishing or just new to fishing in Florida? 

This series you will learn:

• Know before you go - this will give you the basics
• Florida Rules and Regulations
• Learn what to keep and what to throw back
• Knot tying
• Bait selection
• When/where to fish
• What to have in your tackle box
• Proper fish handling

During this series you will learn how to fish from the beach, along the shore of the Intracoastal, or from a pier and how to catch a variety of interesting species. 

Come get schooled up and have fun! Attend all scheduled class sessions in the month for a chance to win a Rod and Reel Combo!

Class sessions will be held Tuesdays, September 2, 9, 16, 23 (no class session on Sept. 30) from 9 to 10:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

There is a separate Fishing class on Sept. 30 from 9 to 11 that you might want to register for in order to put what you have learned in this class to use. Donna Frantz teaches that class as well.

 For ages 18 and up.

Chess, as in playing casual, over the board chess will transform you through the practice of contemplation. Every piece is a possibility. This class will not only teach you how to play chess, it will take you through an unusual perspective of the history, the culture, and the realms of mystery, defeat, victory and belief. It will impress upon you how making choices on the board, as well as in your life, will shift into better decision making just by playing chess. You don’t have to be a genius either to have this valuable tool.

Estelle Thibodeau has a chess club in St. Augustine, called The Cheesy Chess Club and is an ordained minister active in the art of contemplation and choice. Make your move to the COA's River House for this fascinating perspective on chess. 

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 9:15 to 10:15 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Neurographic art goes beyond creating visually appealing pieces; it can also have positive effects on mental and overall well-being. 

Neurographic Art was termed by Pavel Piskarev as a technique of drawing random lines into and off the paper’s edge in ambling free flow. Then, one thickens some of the lines to define and form shapes and finishes by FILLING IN the interstices aka, intersections which created in a relaxed, soothing manner activates (neuron) curves to soften any points resembling the neural patterns of our brain.  

Talent in Art or drawing is not required. This is an intuitive, relaxing exercise and not just a DOODLE on paper. You will feel your brain releasing the residue of stress and trauma as you work your way through this Manifestation of ARTFORM.  

 BENEFITS OF THIS ART PRACTICE

• Relief from anxiety
• Finding peace 
• Stress reduction 
• More mindful presence and awareness 
• Clarity and perspective 
• Expression of inner feelings
• Creating art for personal spaces 
• Therapeutic mental health strengthening

Supplies for your neurographic art will be provided however, if you have your own favorite markers, crayons or paints, please feel free to bring them to the class.  

Estelle Thibodeau is an Ordained Minister of The Alliance of Divine Love. Through her work with other ministers, she learned different methods of healing and teaching. Several years ago she was introduced to neurographic art at a class taught by a fellow minister and has been practicing and sharing this method since. “This art form, is meant to induce a meditative state in which anxiety, sadness, fear, and trauma can be processed. It opens your eyes to see the unique creation you will express & share with others in the group.” Estelle has lived in St.Augustine for 15 years, is a graduate of Flagler College, and has a business called The Seventh Root located in downtown St.Augustine. She is also the founder of The Cheesy Chess Club, a nonprofit organization providing casual unrated over the board Chess to our community.

This one session class will be held on Tuesday, September 2 from 11:30 to 1 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Students will learn the basic concepts of working with acrylic fast drying paints with the objective of completing three 16 x 20 paintings and framing one. The first class consists of prepping three canvases and subject matter selection while listening to lectures on the topic of art history, prep, supplies, care of brushes, and digital and old school transposing of references. In the remaining class sessions students will receive hands on instruction on pallet paint layout, supplies, taping techniques, history & symbolism, foreground and background, variations of canvases, mixing colors, brush strokes, shading, different size and framing challenges, and in-class plein air instruction and principles. Students are required to bring their inner child creativity so we can paint.

Suggested Class supplies

• One inch disposable paint brush (needed first class)
• Pencil (needed first class)
• Rubber Eraser (needed first class)
• 3 pack of Artist Canvas 
• 16x20 (stretched or pannel) (needed first class)
• White Gesso Primer 8 oz (needed first class) 
• styrofoam egg carton  
• Grumbach Acrylic Paint Set Pack of 6, 3 oz tubes "primary"  
• 12 to 14 piece professional Artist Paint Brush Set   
• 1/2 inch green painters tape   
• Optional table or stand easel
• Additional Grumbach Acrylic Paint:  Yellow, Ochre, Bunt Sienna, Raw Umber
• Old Picture Frame 16x20

Heather Harley Davidson is an award winning multi medium artist and builder. A local of St. Augustine for 45 years, her distinct impressionism style is known by locals who delight in her use of color and depiction of historical St. Augustine. She is an active member in the St. Augustine Art Association and participates in their annual Plein Air events. She attended the University of North Florida where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology Building Construction Management. Heather's art interests motivated her studies to focus on architecture principles and art history, complemented by traveling around the world on pilgrimages to view the masters. She has taught private art classes over the years and at her mother's former Historic Grounds Book Store in Green Cove Springs.

Class sessions will meet on Tuesdays, September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine St.   St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

This course is designed to teach the student the techniques of transparent watercolor using both the ”wet” and “dry” methods. Student will learn the unique characteristics of the watercolor medium, its possibilities and limitations, as well as the special papers and brushes used in the execution of art works.

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
• #8  and #10  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
• masking tape
• materials box
• non-breakable container for water
• roll of paper towels

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, September 3, 10, 17, 24 from 9:00 - 11:00 at River House (179 Marine St. St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

This class is open to students at all skill levels. Instruction will consist of watercolor techniques and studies in landscapes, portraits, and intuitive painting. Students are welcome to bring their own references for study. First Class will consist of some color theory. 

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, September 4, 11, 18, 25 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,  September 4, 11, 18, 25 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.