A Perfect Community for Artists and Art Lovers

It’s no coincidence that several accomplished artists are among the many fascinating residents who live at Blakehurst. The premiere senior living community in Towson, MD, is also home to a spacious, light-filled art studio that gives creative types the space, camaraderie, and inspiration to continue their artistic journeys.

“I chose Blakehurst over other communities because of its studio,” says Melanie Heacock, who paints in oils. “When I was touring other places, I kept seeing tiny rooms with a single 8-foot table, uncomfortable chairs, and no place to store anything — forcing you to schlep everything back and forth from your apartment.”

“The community’s studio was built with artists in mind,” explains Director of Sales and Marketing Elizabeth O’Connor. “Blakehurst is built on the Deford estate. Three decades ago they were considering knocking down the carriage house, but the residents wanted to save it. So it was renovated and is now home to our artists’ studio and woodworking shop. It’s an amazing building now — a real mix of old historic charm and with all the modern bells and whistles.  I’m not an artist, but every time I walk in there, I get inspired to be creative, too!”

To highlight and share pieces created by its talented residents, Blakehurst also has an art gallery that offers a series of exhibitions throughout the year. Each exhibition has a distinctive theme and also includes works by outside artists that residents loan the gallery from their private collections.

A Lifelong Passion for Art

Just like each masterpiece, every artistic journey is unique. Creativity has been an integral part of Susanna Doctor’s life since childhood, when drawing was her favorite pastime as a young girl. Her interest and talents led her to study at the Art Students League in New York. She started with professional renderings of floorplans, and then focused on more fine art, particularly plein air work and portraiture, often donating sittings to charities.

Over time she’s explored various media, as well, including watercolors, acrylics, and oils, but her current passion lies in working with pastels, which she loves for its forgiving nature. “It’s great because you can make changes. Once you put watercolor down, that’s it.”

In addition to painting, Doctor has branched out into jewelry making, using a unique medium called precious metal clay. This metal, which starts in clay form, allows her to model, stamp, mold, and add stones before it’s fired in a kiln to reveal her beautiful silver, bronze, and gold creations. The versatility and hands-on nature of this medium reflect her continued exploration of new artistic forms, even after decades of experience.

The stellar arts programming and amenities were only a part of Doctor’s reasoning for choosing Blakehurst. “My family is up here in Baltimore, and it was time for me to get a place where I could be secure so they didn’t have to worry about me,” she explains. “My husband passed away a few years ago, and I was living alone in Florida and they convinced me to come up here.  We looked at various communities and Blakehurst offered the most beautiful setting, plus wonderful facilities and programs. I’m very happy here.”

A Late Bloomer Blossoms in Her Field

Like Doctor, Melanie Heacock discovered a drawing as a child — though she didn’t formally begin her art education until she was 50.

“I was an empty nester,” she says. “I gardened a lot and I volunteered a lot, but I really wanted to do art. I started studying oil painting with Carol Lee Thompson and I’ve been studying with her for 30 years.”

Heacock, who focuses mainly on landscapes and animals in her work, also enjoys being part of vibrant artistic communities, both in her classes with Thompson and at Blakehurst. She exhibits her work regularly and sells pieces, as well.

The Blakehurst community provides her with the perfect platform to continue honing her skills, as she enjoys painting in her studio, surrounded by the support and encouragement of fellow artists.

The Whimsical Collagist

Sharon Krulak brings a different flavor to the Blakehurst art scene with her torn paper collages. Mostly self-taught and whimsical in style, Krulak has been creating her collages for the past 15 years, using everything from tea bags and coffee filters to sheet music and newspapers. Her approach to art is organic and free-flowing, allowing her to create vibrant, happy pieces that bring joy to those who view them.

“I’m very whimsical,” she says. “I’m not a realistic artist. And I have a great time doing it! I paint my own papers and then I tear them up little tiny bits before gluing them down.”

Sharon’s love for mixed media and her need for ample space to store her supplies made Blakehurst the perfect choice when she was deciding where to live. She was drawn to the art studio, which allows her to work whenever inspiration strikes. The sense of community among the artists at Blakehurst has enriched her creative process, allowing her to continue growing and evolving as an artist. “It’s not a formal artist’s enclave, but there’s always people popping in and out of the studio, and it’s inspiring to see what everyone is working on,” she says.

A Thriving Artistic Community

One of the most striking things about the artists at Blakehurst is the strong sense of camaraderie and mutual support. Although each artist has their unique style and approach to art, they share a deep appreciation for creativity and the joy it brings to their lives. When Doctor, Heacock, and Krulak discuss art together, they repeatedly praise each other’s work.

Perhaps more importantly in a community where lifelong learning is prized, they are also encouraging to artistic novices and people just dipping their toes in as a hobby. When Director of Sales and Marketing Elizabeth O’Connor says she admired artists and wished she could be more creative, the trio all jumped in to tell her “Of course you can!” and to “Just start playing with color!”

Blakehurst Art Shows

Blakehurst hosts Art Shows several times a year, giving residents, both experienced and emerging, a chance to showcase their artistic creations.

“I’m particularly excited about the next Art Show,” says Krulak. “It’s themed ‘America the Beautiful,’ and people are creating or pulling out all sorts of pieces to interpret that theme. I’m working on a cheeseburger, a Coke bottle, and some fries — in paper collage form, of course.”

Each exhibit is a labor of love, and the team works hard to ensure that the art is displayed beautifully, with the help of a new hanging system and lighting that will elevate the gallery experience.

Blakehurst’s firm commitment to providing a creative and supportive environment for its artists ensures that this passion for art — and life — will continue to thrive.

To learn more about Blakehurst’s Art Studio and Art Gallery, as well as all the other services, amenities, and care options it offers residents, schedule a tour at https://blakehurstlcs.com/contact/.