Students will need to bring the materials to class to learn to assemble “signatures” for a handmade journal. A demo will be given on sewing the papers the cover. 

Supplies:

Bring a variety of papers, in different sizes, to form your “signatures” for your book. At least 10 papers. Listed below are some suggestions on types of papers to consider. When in doubt, just bring it! 

• Choose Variety for Texture and Interest: Mix different types of paper such as watercolor paper, kraft paper, vintage book pages, tissue paper, or handmade mulberry paper, pages from old books
• Think About Compatibility: Ensure the papers are compatible with the media you'll use. For example, sturdy watercolor paper works well with paints, while thinner paper may be better for collages or writing.
• Size and Weight: Select signature papers that fit your desired journal size and are thick enough to withstand your artistic techniques without bleeding or warping.
• Color Palette: Pick papers that complement your overall color scheme or theme. Neutral tones can serve as backgrounds, while colorful or patterned papers can act as focal points.
• Personal Touches: Incorporate pages with special significance, like vintage letters, handmade paper, or pages from old books to add a personal or nostalgic touch.
• Preparing Papers: Before incorporating into your journal, consider distressing edges, adding doodles or paintings, or even lightly staining papers to give them character. Machine sew the edges for added interest.

Also, please bring these items to class:

• Awl
• Large needle
• Waxed thread
• Ruler
• Scissors

Class session will be held on Monday, February 23 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

This workshop will explore the whimsical world of watercolor art through playful doodling techniques. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this class is designed to encourage creativity and self-expression. We'll cover basic watercolor techniques, experiment with markers, pens and inks. Learn color blending and create delightful doodles that bring your imagination to life.

Supplies needed:

• Paper – Hot press watercolor, or mixed media
• Watercolor set - either pan or tube
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Brushes- various sizes of round and flat
• Markers:  water based colors
• Markers: fine point, permanent black
• Gel pens: Unibal white, gold, silver

Optional: metallic paints, micro pens

This one session class will meet on Thursday, February 26 from 11 to 1 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Who were my ancestors? Where were they from? What did they experience? How did I get here? What decisions did my forebears make that led to my being here? Studying your family's history is a great way of contributing to an enjoyable retirement. It keeps our brains active and can generate interesting conversations with relatives. In this introductory course we will teach you the basic techniques and show you how you can use them from home. We will also help you avoid researching someone else's family!

Please bring pen and paper to take notes.

Paul founded the One-Name Study into his surname, reconstructing families for anyone named Howes (or House or Howse) anywhere in the world, now over 224,000 people at howesfamilies.com. Currently President of the St Augustine Genealogical Society, Paul has spoken on Family History topics to groups and conferences on both sides of the Atlantic. Paul was Chairman of the Guild of One-Name Studies for three years and is now a Vice-President.

Elizabeth Heinze is a St. Augustine resident and a Board Member of the St Augustine Genealogical Society. She has been doing genealogy all her adult life. She has self-published genealogies of her father's family and those of her husband's. She has been a member of various genealogy societies and has been published in Family Tree Magazine. 

Class sessions will meet on Mondays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 12:45  to 1:45 at River House located at 179 Marine St. in St. Augustine. 

Pockets will bring an interesting and an interactive approach to add storage, hidden places for special notes, and creativity to your art journals. Embellish them with clusters, labels, charms, stickers and other decorative elements.

Supplies specific to this class:

• Decorative papers or cardstock in colors that compliment your journal colors.
• Lace, Stickers, Stamps, Ink pad, Charms, Magazines or books for images to embellish, etc.
• White PVA Glue
• Scissors

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, March 2 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, 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, March 3, 10, 17, 24 (no class session on March 31) from 9 to 10:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

 For ages 18 and up.

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 Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 10:45 - 12:45 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Come join us for a fun filled group course where our Ukulele and Guitar 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!

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, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 1 to 2:30 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, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine St.   St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.