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St. Johns County Council on Aging

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

Journal Projects: Making Faux Paper for Journal Pages and Covers on Monday, May 11 at River House

$1250

with Liz Monaco

Calendar May 11, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 1 week

This paper making technique is easier than the traditional way of making handmade paper. Just by using white liquid glue and napkins or tissue paper you can create amazingly strong and durable pages that resemble rice paper.

Supplies Needed Specific to this Class

  • Plain or printed napkins/tissue paper,
  • White liquid glue (Elmers),
  • Parchment paper,
  • Soft flat paint brush to apply glue,
  • Small wide mouth container with lid.

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 elements to add to your paper 

  • Seeds,
  • Flowers/greens,
  • Threads,
  • Spray inks,
  • Metallic watercolors (gold),
  • If you would like to create book cover include a 12x12 piece of muslin fabric.

Class session will be held on Monday, May 11 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Journal Projects: Making Folios for Journals on Monday, May 18 at River House

$1250

with Liz Monaco

Calendar May 18, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 1 week

Folios can be made from various size envelopes to create interesting pages, pockets, and Flip outs. They can be attached in your journal or used as a separate element.

Supplies specific to this class:

  • Envelopes: 2 large, 2 medium, 2 small
  • Scrap papers to cover envelopes,
  • Paints,
  • Markers,
  • Stick glue,
  • Various decorative elements (i.e. stickers, ribbons, trims, magazine images, 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, May 18 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Happy Days Are Here Again! The Songs of the Great Depression on Mondays in June at River House

$3750

with Thomas Hischak

Calendar Jun 1, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 5 weeks

This class looks at popular music during the 1930s. What a decade it was for American songs! Some songs thumbed their nose at the Depression with wild optimism while others were laments during hard times. Songs from the movies, Broadway, and Tin Pan Alley make up the 1930's songbook with such songwriters as Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Rogers and Hart, and others. We will also hear from the best vocalists during the Depression, including Al Jolson, Shirley Temple, Bing Crosby, Ethel Waters, Judy Garland and many others.

The class is part-lecture, part-listening to classic recordings of outstanding songs.

Thomas Hischak is a retired Professor of Performing Arts from the State University of New York College at Cortland. He is the author of over thirty books on theatre, film, and popular music.

Class sessions will be on Mondays, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 9:30 to 11 at River House (179 Marine St. in St. Augustine)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Jewelry Wire Wrapping Class on Mondays in June at River House

$50

with Kathy Tengesdahl

Calendar Jun 1, 2026 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, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 10 to noon at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Ballet on Mondays in June at River House

$3750

with Judy Woodruff

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

This ballet class is designed for seniors but emphasizes classical technique rather than exercise for its own sake. Approximately the first 20-30 minutes of class will be devoted to floor work that develops range of joint motion, strength, stretch and muscular sequencing necessary for ballet technique. That will be followed by about 30 minutes each at the barre and center. These exercises are selected to improve balance, posture, upper body range of motion and enhance the ability to transfer weight with confidence and grace. Some prior dance experience is recommended. The ability to work lying or sitting on the floor, get up from the floor, and the ability to stand and move unaided are required.

Ballet shoes are recommended.

Class sessions will be held on Mondays, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 1:30 - 3 at River House (179 Marine St.)

For ages 18 and up.

 

Journal Projects: Handmade Art Book Covers on Monday, June 1 at River House

$1250

with Liz Monaco

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

Students will be building an Art Journal Book from scratch. Using basic book making techniques and simple materials you may already have on hand. Starting with a base made from a cereal or other box and covering it with fabric or collaged papers to create your very own personal art journal.

Supplies specific to this class:

  • Base: Chip board or a commercially produced food box (cereal, crackers, etc.)
  • Cover: Fabric or decorative or brown papers to create a collage White glue or mix medium (Elmers, Mod podge, Liquitex)
  • Sponge brush
  • Clips or Clamps
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Scissors

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

For ages 18 and up.

Singing on Tuesdays in June at River House

$25

with Abigail Dyer

Calendar Jun 2, 2026 at 10:15 am, runs for 5 weeks

Group singing class is focused on the basics of classical singing technique.  You'll learn exercises to improve your breath control as well as your vocal strength, range and clarity.  You'll also have a chance to apply your new technique to the repertoire of your choice.  

Please bring two printed copies of the sheet music for a song of your choice to work on over the course of the month. Students of all levels are welcome.

Singing teacher and classical singer Abigail Dyer was born in West Orange, New Jersey. With a private voice studio in St Augustine Beach and over 20 years' experience teaching opera professionals and amateur singers alike, Abby specializes in developing healthy vocal technique in the service of expressive singing.

Abby is a graduate of Vassar College (BA) and Columbia University (MA, M.Phil., Ph.D.), and the Mannes College Wagner Theater Program.

Class sessions will be held Tuesdays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 10:15 to 11:15 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Blues Guitar Course on Tuesdays in June at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Jun 2, 2026 at 1 pm, runs for 5 weeks

Come explore the world of Blues Guitar in a fun group setting.

Requirements:

  • 12 Bar Chord Progressions - Multiple Keys
  • Dominant 7th Chords
  • Minor Pentatonic Scales and Riffs
  • Playing well known Blues songs together
  • Blues Phrasing

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, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 from 1 to 2:30 at River House (179 Marine St.   St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run





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