Adult Classes and Workshops
Whether you’re looking to explore, develop, or re-visit a hobby, meet new people, or enjoy a date night, we have classes for you. With a mix of stand-alone (one-time) classes and recurring series, keep up to date with our programs calendar throughout the year! We have classes and workshops on weekdays, evenings, and weekends to meet a variety of schedules.
Please note that we do not issue refunds to individuals who need to cancel after registering. In some instances, we may be able to transfer these fees to another program. Please contact the Director of Programs with any questions:
Natural Perspectives in Watercolor with Charlotte Chastain (SOLD OUT)
Tuesdays, April 16 - May 7, (4 sessions) 10 AM-12 PM
$220 non members, $199 members
Participants will practice techniques in color washes, layering darks and lights, and focusing on perspectives and composition in watercolor with local artist, Charlotte Chastain.
Wine and Watercolors with Ellen Diamond
Wednesday, May 8, 5 PM - 7 PM
$55 non members, $45 members
Mother's Day Living Moss Wreath Workshop with India Morrow of GardenistaJax
Thursday, May 9, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
$65 non-members, $55 members
Embroidery Basics with Charlotte Chastain
Saturdays, July 13 - 27 (3 sessions) 10 AM - 12 PM
$125 non members, $115 members
Instructor Charlotte Chastain will guide beginners/embroidery novices on the methods of cross-stitch designs to create unique patterns onto a pillowcase or towel.
Participants will bring their own bath towel or pillowcase; the instructor will provide needles, embroidery thread, practice linen swatches, and patterns. Great for teens
and adults.
All supplies included except for pillowcase or towel.
Islamic Geometric Patterns: Drawing and Painting with Dima Kroma
Saturday, August 3, 10 AM - 12 PM
$50 non members, $40 members
Constructed during the 13th to 15th centuries, the Nasrid Palace of Alhambra stands as a testament to Islamic civilization's sophistication and its artistic achievements in Andalusia.
Join us in exploring the most distinctive surface patterns within this architectural marvel. We will study the intricate patterns and tessellations, guiding you through step-by-step drawings where math and art meet.
This workshop is designed for beginners, and the more experienced individuals seeking to refresh or develop their skills in Islamic Geometric Pattern design.
Cultural History Presentation
Religious Vision for Natural Spaces:
Frederick Law Olmsted, Founder of American Landscape Architecture
Join us for an exciting lecture and refreshments in our new building
Friday, August 30, 10 AM - 11 AM
$15 non-members, $10 members
Presented by:
Brandi Denison, Ph.D.
Associate Professor | Program Director
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
University of North Florida
Masterworks Intensive: Impressionism and Beyond Acrylic Painting with Charlotte Chastain
Tuesdays, September 3 - October 8 (6 sessions) 10 AM-12 PM
$250
Reproduce Masterworks to gain insight on perspective, color, and composition, while creating your own variation. Instructor Charlotte Chastain
will guide participants to choosing a master work and creating the reproduction to practice master techniques.
Master Artist Portrait Features Workshop - Oil Painting with Master Artist Christina Mastrangelo
Friday - Sunday, October 18, 19, 20, 2024, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
$370 non-members, $330 members
Instead of trying to paint an entire portrait, this workshop will focus on painting the eye, nose, and mouth after a master painter. We will paint one feature per canvas, to end up with a tiny trilogy of studied anatomy. This three-day workshop is pivotal for portrait artists and those wishing to explore the elements of painting that define the work of master painters. A guided examination of the master’s work will reveal much about palette choices and value structures and enable correct identification of colors and values as they relate to accuracy in color mixing. Students will examine the structure and anatomy of the eyes, nose, and mouth as portrayed by a master painter. Most importantly, students will learn to observe the subtle value shifts and edge variety that allow master portraits to look so powerfully realistic.
Still Life and Floral Painting Workshop with Qiang Huang
$550 (non-members)
Realistic Flower Painting from a Photo 2025 with Master Artist Christina Mastrangelo
April 5 and 6, 2025, Saturday/Sunday
10AM - 5PM
$270 for non members, $250 for FCCC members
Course Description:
Learn traditional and dependable techniques for painting realistic flowers. We start with a foundational wash drawing, then learn accurate color mixing principles that we then use while delicately painting each flower. We will work from a photographic reference (supplied by the teacher) that includes a variety of flowers in the bouquet, so that after the workshop has ended you will be able to continue to practice what you learned and finish your piece. This workshop is suitable for all levels, and we may sit while we paint.
Past Programs
Guided Meditation through Visual Art with Hilda Cioffi
Saturday, April 6, 10 AM-11:15 AM
$40
Hilda Cioffi, RN, MSN, Usui Reiki Master and animal Reiki practicioner, will lead the group through a peaceful mediation using the visual of an art image in FCCC's gallery, including serene paintings by Teresa Graham. https://www.teresagraham-art.com/
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a therapeutic approach in which the practitioner facilitates the delivery of universal energy to an individual to enhance vitality and promote the body’s innate ability to heal. The intention of the Reiki practitioner is to act as a conduit for the delivery of universal energy and thereby replenish and restore energy flow and balance. Reiki works in harmony with all other types of healing and treatments, but it does not replace ongoing treatments prescribed by your primary healthcare provider.
Sharpen Your Palette Knife Painting Skills with Jeff Desautels
Wednesdays, 10 AM - 12:30 PM
March 6- March 27 (4 sessions)
Intermediate level
$220 non members, $199 members
Wood Working Presentation with Norbert Ploetz
Saturday, March 16, 10:30AM - 12:30PM
Wood-working/wood-carving artist Norbert Ploetz presents an artistic demonstration from concept to process to completion in this exciting format,
surrounded by his current exhibit.
Acrylic Inks on Watercolor Canvas: A Unique Color Technique with Sandy Harrington
Friday, February 23, 10:00am-12:00pm
$55, $45 members
Botanical Mandala - Illustration and Watercolor with Elaine Bergstrom (In process)
First Coast Cultural Center
6000B Sawgrass Village Circle
Ponte Vedra Beach, 32082
Nature surrounds us with beautiful dried specimens during the cooler months.
Learn to draw seed pods with techniques of foreshortening, line, and textures.
Create a dynamic Mandala from nature using watercolors, gouache and microns.
Post Impressionist Acrylic Painting with Master Artist Ellen Diamond SOLD OUT
February 10 and 11, Saturday and Sunday
10:00am - 3:00pm
First Coast Cultural Center
6000B Sawgrass Village Circle
Ponte Vedra Beach, 32082
Landscapes and Seascapes: Acrylic painting workshop inspired by Impressionist Masters, Pissarro, van Gogh, and Monet with Charlotte Chastain
Friday and Saturday, January 26 and 27, 10:00am-3:00pm
First Coast Cultural Center
6000B Sawgrass Village Circle
Ponte Vedra Beach, 32082
$200
Views Through the Window: Acrylic Painting with Charlotte Chastain SOLD OUT
First Coast Cultural Center
6000B Sawgrass Village Circle
Ponte Vedra Beach, 32082
$200
Art History Presentation
Jacksonville and the Origins and History of American Art
Join us for an exciting lecture and refreshments in our new building
January 26, 10:00 am
Presented by:
P. Scott Brown, Ph.D.
Professor of Art History
Department of Art, Art History & Design
University of North Florida
First Coast Cultural Center
6000B Sawgrass Village Circle
Ponte Vedra Beach, 32082
$15 non-members, $10 members
Experimental Photo Transfer Workshop with Matthew Abercrombie
Saturday, November 4, 10 AM - 1 PM
$75
This workshop for ages 16 + will explore the experimental printmaking process of photo transfer. Participants can work with existing photos, photos from their phone or create all new images during the workshop. This is a mixed media process so be prepared to use water, paper, ink and a little bit of elbow grease. We will have fun making unique one of a kind pieces with a process that is perfect for those that "can't even draw a stick figure". Please bring old photos or photos on your phone and be ready to enjoy the process!
Pen and Ink Drawing and Watercolor Painting with Charlotte Chastain: Inspired by van Gogh
Tuesdays, 10 AM - 12 PM
October 3 - November 7 (6 sessions)
First Coast Cultural Center
$200
Friday - Sunday, 10 AM - 5 PM
October 13, 14, and 15
First Coast Cultural Center
$300
Don’t miss your opportunity to unleash your creativity in one of our many art classes and workshops. If you are an artist, novice or professional, we have programs that will enhance your creative process. Please review our Program Policies before registering. If you are unsure about the status of your membership, please call 904-280-0614 ext. 1206. If you would like to become a member of First Coast Cultural Center, please visit membership. Supplies are not included unless otherwise noted. Our dedicated hotel sponsor, Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra, provides special room rates for First Coast Cultural Center workshop attendees, click here to learn more and book a room to use during your workshop.
These programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
