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St. Johns County Council on Aging



Hobby

Watercolor 1 on Wednesdays in April at River House

$50

with David Ouellette

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 5 weeks

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:

  • 3/4” or 1” flat

  • #8 and #10 rounds,

  •  rigger brush 

 Paper:

  • Arches 22”x30”, 140 lb. cold press, one sheet or an Arches w/c block. 

           With the larger sheets, you can cut or tear them in half for easier             transportation to class.

 Paints:

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

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

Other materials:                            

  • plastic palette with wells for paint and flat mixing areas
  • painting board, approx. 16”x20”
  • masking tape, biege 
  • materials box
  • non-breakable container for water
  • roll of paper towels
  • portfolio
  • hair dryer if you have one

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 9 to 11 at River House (179 Marine St. St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Drawing 1 on Wednesdays in April at River House

$50

with David Ouellette

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 11:15 am, runs for 5 weeks

This course is structured to develop basic drawing techniques by concentrating on the elements of descriptive drawing through observation. 

Students will develop the qualities of line and volume with a full range of values. The course will also cover linear perspective and compositional design.

Materials needed:

  • 18" x 24" drawing paper pad (not sketching paper)
  • 16" x 20" (approx.) drawing board
  • #2 and #4 graphic pencils
  • white plastic eraser
  • kneaded eraser
  • masking tape

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

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Watercolor Techniques on Thursdays in April at River House

$50

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Apr 2, 2026 at 11 am, runs for 5 weeks

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, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 11 to 1 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Colored Pencil Art on Thursdays in April at River House

$50

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Apr 2, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 5 weeks

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, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Jewelry Wire Wrapping Class on Mondays in April at River House

$50

with Kathy Tengesdahl

Calendar Apr 6, 2026 at 10 am, runs for 4 weeks

Jewelry art students can expect to learn basic tool use and refine a wire loop in the first class as well as creating a pair of wire wrapped crystal earrings. In subsequent classes we will create spirals combined with crystals to create earrings and advancing to a tree of life wire wrapped pendant as well as a wire link bracelet. Along the way you will learn correct tool usage, wire straightening, wrapped loops, unclosed loops, and making your own loop clasps.

Supplies required:

  • VOUIU 6 piece jewelry plier set
  • PH Panda Hall 34 color 4mm electroplate glass crystals AB.
  • Bencreat wire, roll of 20 gauge and 26 gauge silver wire
  • GUFJUCH stainless steel earring hook set, wires, backs, jump rings

(These 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, April 6, 13, 20, 27 from 10 to noon at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Journal Projects: Gelli Press Prints on Monday, April 6 at River House

$1250

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Apr 6, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 1 week

Using a Gelli Press you can make a collection of patterns to use as page backgrounds, collage works, and more.

Supplies specific to this class:

  • Gelli Print Press
  • Breyer
  • Assortment of acrylic paints
  • Stencils

General Supplies needed:

  • Journals- blank sketch/watercolor books, or you can hand make a book or alter a book.
  • Pens, markers, pencils, rulers, brushes Paints (acrylics, watercolors, inks, metallics)
  • Colored pencils
  • Collage materials: (magazine clippings, newspapers, paper scraps)
  • Glue or adhesives 
  • Stamps and stencils
  • Washi or decorative tapes
  • Gesso: white or clear
  • Sponges
  • Palette knives

Optional supplies

  • Fabric,
  • Textured papers, 
  • Brayer
  • Gel press
  • Ink sprays 
  • Found objects or memorabilia 

Class session will be held on Monday, April 6 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Know Before You Go Fishing Clinic Series on Tuesdays in April at River House

$3750

with Donna Frantz

Calendar Apr 7, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 4 weeks

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, April 7, 14, 21, 28 from 9 to 10:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

 For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Jamming to the Classics - Advanced Level on Tuesdays in April at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Apr 7, 2026 at 1 pm, runs for 4 weeks

Come join us for a fun filled group course where Ukulele, Guitar, and other small string instrument players will be playing together side by side. We will all be playing several classic pop and classic rock favorites. Focus will be on tightening up our chord changes, learning new songs, building friendships and having a great time!

Open to Guitar, Ukulele or other small stringed instruments

Requirements:

  • Ability to play open string chords reasonably well
  • Instrument
  • Music stand
  • Pen or pencil

Dennis Fermin has been playing guitar for over 30 years and joyfully helping others learn to play along the way. As a graduate from Musician's Institute of California, he has the skills and the patience to teach on many different topics and styles of music. Currently you can hear him perform locally as Fermin Spanish Guitar.

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28 from 1 to 2:30 at River House (179 Marine St.   St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run





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