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St. Johns County Council on Aging



Hobby

Guitar 1 for Beginners on Wednesdays in January at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Jan 7, 2026 at 11:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Join us for a fun entry level course on the guitar. Topics covered will be:

String names / Tuning

Easy single note melodies

Power Chords / Classic riffs

Basic open string chords and Strum patterns

Supplies needed

  • Acoustic Guitar 
  • Compact Music Stand 
  • Pen or Pencil for notes

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 Wednesdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28 from 11:30 to 1 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

 

Will run

Container Gardening and New Beginnings on Monday, January 12 at River House

Free

with Karen Doyle

Calendar Jan 12, 2026 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, January 12 from 9:15 to 11:15 at River House (179 Marine St. St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

 

Will run

Art Journal Projects: Journal Cover Designs on Monday, January 12 at River House

$1250

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Jan 12, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 1 week

Journal Cover Design.

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 Lia 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 12 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Acrylic Art Class on Tuesdays in January at River House

$50

with Heather Harley-Davidson

Calendar Jan 13, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 3 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, January 13, 20, 27 (no class session on Jan. 6) from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine St.   St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Portraits in Colored Pencil on Thursdays in January and February at River House

$75

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Jan 15, 2026 at 11 am, runs for 6 weeks

This class has 6 sessions meeting over the months of January and February. 

Creating portraits with colored pencils is a delicate and rewarding process that combines observation, technique and creativity. No drawing skill is necessary. Students will learn how to gradually build up color layers to ensure vibrant colors and smooth blending. The first 3 sessions of this course will entail reviewing colored pencil techniques, some basics on color theory plus how to render features of the face, hair and skin tones. The next 3 sessions will be used to complete a full portrait. Below are suggested colors to use. The Prismacolor portrait set is a more economical approach when adding skin tone colors to your own pencils. Check first to see if you already have these colors so you don't end up duplicating. There are a few additional colors in the list for hair and eye colors.

SUPPLIES:

  • HB Pencil, Ruler, Eraser, sharpener, poster putty, Prismacolor colorless blender, painters tape
  • Graphite transfer paper,
  • Artist support board
  • Drawing paper - Strathmore bristol vellum, 11x14
  • Prismacolor Premier pencils (Portraits)
  • Poster tac or putty
  • Mister Clean sponge

Provided by the instructor- Reference photos 

Optional supplies: Battery Power Eraser, stiff stencil brushes

Click here for Suggested colors for color pencil portrait class

Class sessions will meet on Thursdays over the months of January and February - Jan. 15, 22, 29 and Feb. 5, 12, 19 - from 11 to 1 at River House (179 Marine St. in St. Augustine)

No class sessions Jan. 1 & 8 and Feb. 26.

Please read over the cancellation policy found here: https://coasjc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/RH-Cancelation-Policy-01-2023.pdf 

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Colored Pencil Art on Thursdays in January at River House

$3750

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Jan 15, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 3 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, January 15, 22, 29 (No class sessions Jan. 1 & 8) from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Fishing on Wednesday, January 21 at River House

$1250

with Donna Frantz

Calendar Jan 21, 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 21 from 9 to 11 at River House (179 Marine Street)

For ages 18 and up.

Art Journal Projects: Hand Lettering and Where to Add It on Monday, January 26 at River House

$1250

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Jan 26, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 1 week

Learn Hand Lettering and Where to add it on your page.

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.

Please email Liz at lizart123@gmail.com for the supply list for the class.

Class session will be held on Monday, January 26 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run





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