Venice, a painting by Joe Farr, a self-taught artist who works primarily with oil paint on canvas, has been included in a national calendar. Annually, Watermark Retirement Communities produces an award-winning full-color wall calendar that celebrates active aging and the arts. Farr’s piece was selected from more than 200 submissions from talented residents at Watermark communities around the country and is featured in the Creative Inspiration section of the 2023 Expressions Calendar.
A three-year resident of Watermark Retirement Communities’ The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods, an independent and assisted living community in Sarasota, Farr rediscovered his love of painting a decade ago, after not having painted since childhood.
“About 10 years ago, my partner encouraged me to try oil painting again, since I was now retired and had the time,” Farr said. “I was quite rusty, and it took a while to develop my style and talent.”
Farr has honed his craft by watching online painting tutorials, and he always has a project underway in the community’s Nat Krate Art Studio, named after accomplished realist painter and former resident of The Fountains, Nat Krate. The community built the art studio several years ago based on requests from residents who were interested in having a space in which to create. Farr and other resident artists use the studio to create and appreciate each other’s work in media that include oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, ceramics, clay, textiles and printing.
“We’re committed to creating an environment where residents thrive, and we have so many artists – some formally trained, some self-taught – who live here,” said Peggy Beasley, executive director of The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods. “We are so glad to offer them a dedicated space to practice their craft in the Nat Krate Art Studio. Seeing Joe and all our other residents doing something they love is such a joy, and it makes our jobs incredibly rewarding.”
The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods also offers residents regular art classes for active and aspiring artists through Watermark University, and plans regular resident outings to the opera, theatre, orchestra and art museums. The community also hosts an “Artist of the Month” celebration, showcasing a resident artist’s work in a display in the lobby during the month. The month is kicked off with a champagne reception to honor and toast the selected artist.
Farr was featured as the community’s Artist of the Month in January. Over the past several years, he has produced roughly 40 oil paintings. He recently donated two pieces to a fundraising exhibit to raise money for Watermark Kids, a national non-profit organization with a mission to reduce barriers so that all kids can thrive.
For 25 years, the Expressions Calendar has been published by Watermark Retirement Communities, a national senior housing operator that manages more than 70 communities nationwide, including The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods. 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.
Watermark Retirement Communities printed 4,000 copies of the Expressions 2023 Calendar, which are available at its communities throughout the country, including The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods.
Since 2018, eight residents of The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods have been featured in the Expressions Calendar.
About The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods
Located at 3260 Lake Pointe Blvd., The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods is a retirement community in Sarasota, located on a 53-acre property with lakes, walking trails, mature trees, native wildlife, migrating birds and gazebos. The community offers independent and assisted living with short and long-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation at The Springs, an on-site health center operated by Summit Care. The Fountains offers a country club lifestyle featuring three dining options, an extensive calendar of events, outings, classes, clubs and fitness opportunities. Managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods is committed to creating an extraordinary and innovative community where people thrive. For more information, visit http://lakepointewoods.watermarkcommunities.com.
About Watermark Retirement Communities®
Watermark creates extraordinary and innovative communities where people thrive. We believe aging is about renewal rather than retirement. Watermark communities are known for highly trained and caring associates, a lifestyle built on choice, fine amenities, integrative wellness and innovative programs including the award-winning Watermark University featuring a wide variety of engaging classes for residents and area seniors. Watermark has been named in the top 25 Best Workplaces for Aging Services in a national program conducted by the Great Place to Work Institute and published on Fortune.com. A privately held company with a reputation for over 30 years for service, innovation, integrity and financial stability, Watermark manages more than 70 retirement communities in 22 states coast to coast. Based in Tucson AZ, Watermark is ranked as the nation’s 9th-leading senior housing operator by the American Seniors Housing Association. Visit watermarkcommunities.com for more information.