Stella Szemela, a 95-year-old resident of The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay in St. Petersburg, has been featured in the Expressions 2018 Calendar, an award-winning calendar that celebrates active aging and the arts. Her oil paining, titled “Magnolias,” was selected from entries nationwide to be included in the full-color wall calendar and will be featured during the month of February.
“It’s such an honor when individuals as talented as Stella choose to live in our community,” said Suzanne Burtzlaff, executive director of The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay. “We’re proud to say that we are home to one of the Expressions 2018 artists and look forward to showcasing and celebrating her accomplishment.”
The calendar is published by Watermark Retirement Communities, a national senior housing operator that manages 50 communities nationwide, including The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay. This is the 17th year that Watermark has published the calendar nationwide.
The calendar has been awarded a Mature Media Award from the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) and an ADDY Award® from the Tucson Advertising Federation.
Born in Ludlow, Massachusetts, Stella painted 85 paintings before she took a break from her art. At age 95, she moved to The Fountains and picked up her craft once again. It was then that she created the beautiful painting of the magnolia flowers. Stella hopes that her life will inspire others. When she isn’t painting, she enjoys playing shuffleboard, Scrabble, Dominoes and reading.
Complimentary copies of the Expressions 2018 Calendar are available while supplies last at The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay, located at 1255 Pasadena Avenue South in St. Petersburg.
About The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay
The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay is a retirement community in St. Petersburg located at 1255 Pasadena Avenue South on a 14-acre waterfront property. The community offers independent living, assisted living and memory care, with short and long-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation at The Springs, an on-site health center operated by Summit Care. The Fountains’ vibrant lifestyle includes multiple dining options, an extensive calendar of events, outings, classes, clubs and fitness opportunities. Managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay is committed to creating an extraordinary community where people thrive. For more information, visit bocaciegabay.watermarkcommunities.com.
About Watermark Retirement Communities, Inc.
Watermark Retirement Communities has a thirty-year history of creating extraordinary communities where people thrive. Watermark communities are known for highly-trained associates, a lifestyle built on choice, and innovative programs including the award-winning Watermark University featuring a wide variety of engaging classes for residents and area seniors. A privately held company with a reputation of service, success, growth, integrity and financial stability, Watermark manages 50 retirement communities coast to coast, including communities in Sarasota, St. Petersburg and Trinity. Visit www.watermarkcommunities.com for more information.