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St. Johns County Council on Aging

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The Arts (writing, painting, acting, etc.)

Journal Projects: Using Book Pages on Monday, March 23 at River House

$1250

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Mar 23, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 1 week

Book pages add a charm to various elements in your journal to give it vintage feel. See all the ways you can bring back the old days while creating beautiful ephemera.

Supplies specific to this class:

  • Pages from old books,
  • Glue,
  • Scissors,
  • Distress ink (Vintage Photo),
  • Dauber or cosmetic sponge.

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

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Journal Projects: Hidden Paper Clips on Monday, March 30 at River House

$1250

with Liz Monaco

Calendar Mar 30, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 1 week

Using paper clips to attach a special note or floating pocket is especially nice when the paper clip is hidden.

Supplies specific to this class:

  • light weight 8 1/2 by 11 decorative paper,
  • 2 inch paper clips.
  • Decorative elements used to bring interest and charm to the clip like pieces of lace, trim, stickers, etc.

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

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

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.

Will run

Jamming to the Classics - Easy Level on Wednesdays in April at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 9:45 am, runs for 5 weeks

A great way to get used to playing alongside others and having fun, learning easy songs, in an encouraging environment.

Open to Guitar, Ukulele or other small stringed instruments.

Music Stand highly encouraged. Pen or pencil for notes. Knowledge of very basic chords.

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, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. at River House, 179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084.

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

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

Guitar 2 for Beginners on Wednesdays in April at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 11:30 am, runs for 5 weeks

Guitar 2 for Beginners:

  • Learning more open string chords
  • Introduction to 12 Bar Blues progressions
  • Smoother chord changes
  • Having fun learning more pop / classic rock songs

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, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 11:30 to 1 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

 

Will run

Tap Dancing Level 3 on Wednesdays in April at River House

$3750

with Judy Woodruff

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

For the experienced tap dancer with a good command of tap technique and vocabulary this intermediate level class emphasizes choreography. Practice includes a variety of time steps, more syncopated rhythms, developing speed with clarity, and performance quality. Choreography includes new work and some dances from the Matanzas Tap performance repertory.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Belly Dance Basics and Beyond on Thursdays in April at River House

$25

with Gina Marie Newman

Calendar Apr 2, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 5 weeks

Welcome to Level 2 Belly Dance, the next step in your dance journey with Gina! This class is specifically designed for students who have successfully completed Gina's Level 1 Belly Dance class and are ready to build on their foundational skills. Please check class requirements for additional requirements.

In Level 2, we will shift our focus towards learning to perform choreography, integrating the movements and techniques you have mastered into beautiful, fluid routines.

What You'll Learn:

  • Choreography Integration: Learn to combine various bellydance movements into seamless choreography.
  • Performance Techniques: Discover how to enhance your dance with expressive gestures, emotional engagement, and stage presence.
  • Group Dynamics: Practice dancing in synchrony with a group, honing your ability to perform in unison with others.

Class Structure:

  • Warm-Up: Gentle stretching and conditioning to prepare your body for dance.
  • Technique Review: Quick recap of key movements from Level 1 to ensure a strong foundation.
  • Choreography Breakdown: Step-by-step instruction on new dance routines, with a focus on mastering each section before moving on.
  • Drills and Repetition: Practice sequences to build muscle memory and precision.
  • Performance Practice: Opportunities to perform the learned choreography, with constructive feedback from Gina.

Requirements:

  • Completion of Gina's Level 1 Belly Dance class or equivalent experience.
  • Comfortable dance attire and a willingness to explore and express through movement.

Barefoot or dance shoes. No sneakers. Comfortable clothing such as yoga wear or something you can move freely in. A coin belt or hip scarf is fun to wear if you have one.

Gina Marie is Director of Blue Lotus World Dance and is a certified SharQui Belly Dance Fitness Instructor.

Class sessions will be held on Thursdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 9:30 - 10:30 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run





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