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St. Johns County Council on Aging



Hobby

Jewelry Wire Wrapping Class on Mondays in January at River House

$3750

with Kathy Tengesdahl

Calendar Jan 5, 2026 at 10 am, runs for 3 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, January 5, 12, 26 (No class session Jan. 19) from 10 to noon at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Drawing 1 on Mondays in January at River House

$2825

with David Ouellette

Calendar Jan 5, 2026 at 11:30 am, runs for 3 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 Mondays, January 5, 12, 26 (no class session on Jan. 19) from 11:30 to 1 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Art Journal Projects: Creating My Own Color Palette on Monday, January 5 at River House

$1250

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Jan 5, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 1 week

Creating My Own Color Palette.

Join our inspiring hands-on class designed to help you craft and personalize your very own art journal! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this workshop offers a perfect space to explore your creativity, experiment with different techniques, and develop your unique artistic voice.

Page Techniques: Practice diverse methods like watercolor washes, mixed media layering, doodling, stamping, and collaging to bring your pages to life.

Creative Exploration: Use prompts and exercises to unlock ideas, encourage spontaneous art-making, and let your pages evolve naturally.

Personalization: Learn how to incorporate your own memorabilia, quotes, and themes that resonate with your personal story or interests.

Maintaining Your Journal: Tips for staying motivated, documenting your everyday moments, and making journaling a fun and ongoing creative project to continue exploring long after the session.

Who Should Join: Anyone interested in art, self-expression, or simply exploring new ways to create! No prior experience needed—just an open mind and a love for making art.

Basic Supplies to bring each week:

  • Journal-A Commercial or handmade journal with heavy paper for mixed media projects 
  • Glue – Mod Podge or PVA (white school glue), Fabric tac glue, and Glue stick 
  • Scissors 
  • Pencil 
  • Eraser  
  • Ruler
  • Acrylic paints- Metallic and primary colors 
  • Graphite Pencil 
  • Color Markers
  • Gel Pens (White, Gold, Silver,) 
  • Color Wheel 

Additional supplies may be needed depending on the type of project offered each week. You will want to adapt these projects to your own style and colors. Art prompts are offered at each class to help encourage working with different materials. Note: Whenever you can, try using or adapting what you have on hand. 

Contact Liz Monaco at lizart23@gmail.com for any of the upcoming projects and supply lists. Let me know the dates you will be attending.

Class session will be held on Monday, January 5 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 January at River House

$3750

with Donna Frantz

Calendar Jan 6, 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, January 6, 13, 20, 27 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.

Watercolor 1 on Tuesdays in January at River House

$50

with David Ouellette

Calendar Jan 6, 2026 at 10:45 am, runs for 4 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:

  • 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 Tuesdays, January 6, 13, 20, 27 from 10:45 to 12:45 at River House (179 Marine St. St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Band Jam Class on Tuesdays in January at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Jan 6, 2026 at 1 pm, runs for 4 weeks

Learn how to relate to a percussion drum instrument in a Band type setting. We'll be jamming together to classic pop and rock favorites. This class is open to Guitar and Ukulele players. Come join the fun!

Requirements:

  • Guitar or Ukulele
  • Music stand 
  • Pen and paper

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, January 6, 13, 20, 27 from 1 to 2:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Fishing on Wednesday, January 7 at River House

$1250

with Donna Frantz

Calendar Jan 7, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Get ready for a morning of excitement and adventure.

Want to go fishing and get help learning? Grab your friends and join us for a morning filled with laughs, learning, and of course, fishing! Don't worry about lugging your gear around because all the equipment you need will be provided. Soak up the sun, cast your line, and reel in some unforgettable memories. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a complete beginner, this is your chance to enjoy a morning of fun by the water. Don't let this opportunity slip away – book your spot now for a morning to remember.

Participants younger than 65 may be required to have a fishing license. Some Florida Resident licenses are free. See the website for clarification: https://sjctax.us/saltwater-fishing-license/  Adults must carry proof of age and residency.

The group is limited to 10 total. Don't miss out on this fun fishing event/activity!

This class will meet, light rain or shine and will be mainly outdoors, so bring your water and your sunscreen. I'd also suggest wearing a hat.

Class session is on Wednesday, January 7 from 9 to 11 at River House (179 Marine Street)

For ages 18 and up.

Ukulele 1 for Beginners on Wednesdays in January at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Jan 7, 2026 at 9:45 am, runs for 4 weeks

In this friendly, introductory class, you will learn:

  • instrument part names
  • types of ukes
  • string names/tuning
  • reading uke tabs
  • easy basic chords
  • easy strum rhythms
  • to play along with your favorite classic songs!

Requirements: 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 run on Wednesdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28 from 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. at River House, 179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084.

For ages 18 and up.





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