Eastlake care home residents’ painting on online art gallery

Paintings created by residents from Eastlake care home in Godalming are showcasing online as part of National Day of Arts in Care Homes today.

Two older people from Anchor’s Eastlake in Nightingale Road were thrilled to be told their artwork had been selected for the online gallery which is focusing on how arts has been used to keep care settings connected during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The artwork created by Petra Mercer, 85, and Joan Weston, 97, was chosen to be featured on Anchor’s and the Arts in Care Homes Day websites.

Both residents said they were “delighted” that their work had been selected for the gallery.

Petra, who often exhibited and sold her paintings when she was younger, was mostly self-taught and only learnt to paint in her 50s.

Daughter Maria said: “As a family, we are very proud of her. 

“She found she had a talent and passion for oils, pastels and acrylic. Her work is mainly nature orientated as she has a lovely ability to make animals and birds seem very real.

“She belonged to two art groups in Pulborough where she lived and enjoyed learning more under the watchful eye of professional French artist Pierre D’Angelo.”

Fellow resident Joan said she was particularly pleased her work had been chosen as she had never had anything displayed publicly before.

She said: “I’ve painted for many years either at home or at a local day centre. I find it very relaxing.”

Residents and staff from the home took part in the national celebration day by organising a variety of activities, including painting water colours and decorating hats which will be featured in the home’s own art gallery. All the creations were judged by the residents to see which was the top hat design.

More than 30 of Anchor’s care homes across England also took part an art-themed quiz on Zoom so that residents in the homes around the country could compete against each other.

There was also a live Indian dancing demonstration broadcast to the care homes online as part of the day. Residents were encouraged to take part in the chair-based dance exercises run by Bisakha Sarker, Chaturangan’s artistic director, who was awarded an MBE in 2014 for services to Indian dance. 

Diane Armstrong, Anchor’s Wellness Advisor, said: “We are so happy to take part in the National Day of Arts in Care Homes as it builds on the many creative activities we already organise in our 114 care homes across England. 

“Art is a wonderful way for residents to express their feelings, show off their artistic flare and for others to appreciate the talents of the older people living in our care homes.”

The online gallery of older people’s artwork can be viewed here:

For more information on Eastlake, contact 0800 731 2020.