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St. Johns County Council on Aging



Hobby

Sea Shell Art Class (Halloween theme) on Tuesday, October 14 at River House

$10

with Jim Cargilo

Calendar Oct 14, 2025 at 11 am, runs for 1 week

For Beginners and Intermediates.

Come join us for fun and creativity. Use your skill and imagination to turn Sea Shells into shell "Things". Make a Halloween themed critter or item.

This class will have a Halloween theme.

Choose from twenty pre-made kits and customize the kits with your own inspiration.

Jim learned to make things out of Sea Shells, being inspired by his wife, Gayle, who is an Artist and who is now making jewelry.

Class session is on Tuesday, October 14 from 11 to Noon at River House (179 Marine Street)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Container Gardening and New Beginnings on Monday, October 20 at River House

Free

with Karen Doyle

Calendar Oct 20, 2025 at 9:15 am, runs for 1 week

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, October 20 from 9:15 to 11:15 at River House (179 Marine St. St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

 

Will run

Jewelry Wire Wrapping Class on Mondays in November and December at River House

$50

with Kathy Tengesdahl

Calendar Nov 3, 2025 at 10 am, runs for 5 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, November 3, 10, 17 and December 1, 8 from 10 to noon at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

No class sessions Nov. 24 and Dec. 15, 22, 29

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Making and Creating an Art Journal on Mondays in November and December at River House

$50

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Nov 3, 2025 at 1:30 pm, runs for 5 weeks

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.

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:

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

Class sessions will be held on Mondays, November 3, 10, 17 and December 1, 8 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

No class sessions Nov. 24 and Dec. 15, 22, 29.

For ages 18 and up.

Fishing on Tuesday, November 4 at River House

$1250

with Donna Frantz

Calendar Nov 4, 2025 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, 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 Tuesday, November 4 from 9 to 11 at River House (179 Marine Street)

For ages 18 and up.

Exploration of Acrylic Painting from Beginning to End on Tuesdays in November and December at River House

$50

with Heather Harley-Davidson

Calendar Nov 4, 2025 at 1:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks

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, November 4, 18 and December 2, 9 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine St.   St. Augustine 32084)

No class sessions Nov. 11, 25 and Dec. 16, 23, 30.

For ages 18 and up.

Watercolor Landscape Painting on Wednesdays in November and December at River House

$50

with David Ouellette

Calendar Nov 5, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 5 weeks

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, November 5, 12, 19 and December 3, 10 from 9:00 - 11:00 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

No class sessions Nov. 26 and Dec. 17, 24, 31.

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Ukulele for Beginners 3 on Wednesdays in November and December at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Nov 5, 2025 at 9:45 am, runs for 5 weeks

Do you have some experience with a ukulele but want to learn more? This class is for beginners who have some knowledge of how to play.

* More Major, Minor and Dominant 7th. Chords

* 12 Bar Blues chord progressions and songs

* Advanced strum patterns

* Playing smooth chord changes

* Popular Classic rock and pop songs

Requirements: 

  • Ukulele
  • Basic open string chords,
  • Pen or pencil.
  • Music stand suggested.

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, November 5, 12, 19 and December 3, 10 (no class sessions on Nov. 26 and Dec. 17, 24, 31) from 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. at the River House, 179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084.

For ages 18 and up.





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