Melissa Noeth started The Art House in St. Augustine Beach in June 2023. She’d seen a gap in St. Augustine’s hands-on creative offerings and sought to create a space for the community to unwind and explore art. It is such an artistic community in many ways, so many galleries and opportunities to view and patronize the arts, but not many spaces to create and learn.
Noeth didn’t have a background in art, but she took pottery in high school and loved it. When she opened The Art House, Noeth shared that she wanted the studio to be beginner-friendly and give people the opportunity to have fun with art instead of worrying about creating the perfect masterpiece.
The open studio allows visitors to walk in anytime during their hours without reservations to enjoy bisque pottery painting, acrylic on canvas, beginner watercolor workbooks, air dry clay or beginner’s embroidery kits.
The studio also offers a variety of classes in different mediums for kids and adults. The studio teaches an art series that runs parallel to the school year where kids get to experiment with drawing, watercolor and clay. At the end of the school year, they have the chance to share their work. Other classes for kids include sewing, clay hand-building and wheel throwing.
The studio also offers various art and pottery classes for adults. Their Sip & Paint and Sip & Ceramics classes are perfect for groups of friends or a fun and unique date night.
The Art House is for artists from all walks of life. Beginner and intermediate classes are available along with private lessons. The studio is available for private event rental and offers customizable experiences for all types of celebrations. Most of the instructors have their BFA or MFA in various mediums and create a welcoming atmosphere where artists of all ages can thrive. The Art House celebrates progress over perfection and fosters a relaxing and enjoyable learning environment.
Noeth said it is very rewarding to see people enjoying the space and seeing the intentions she set for the studio fulfilled. She sees it as a kind of “refuge from the chaos.” It’s almost like meditation, she explained. Art, she said, helps people to “stay present,” which is excellent for developing positive mental health.
The Art House is committed to giving back to the community and donates 10% of their profits to organizations that advance the advocacy of human rights, racial justice, immigrant advocacy and anti-trafficking efforts. The studio has hosted benefits including an Empty Bowls fundraiser to help support local food banks, an event with the Whitney Lab Sea Turtle Hospital and this July they will host a Sip & Sculpt for SAFE pet rescue while making coil pet dishes.
Their mission is to inspire creativity and connect the community through art, education and events while hosting diverse programs and providing a welcoming space for the community to explore art.
To learn more about The Art House and to book classes, go to 904arthouse.com. The studio is located at 3920 A1A S. Unit 8, St. Augustine Beach. Their hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
