New Art Exhibit at The Watermark Bellevue: "Feeling Our Age"

The Watermark at Bellevue has recently opened the “Feeling Our Age,” an art exhibit by Portland-based artist Kathleen Cosgrove that celebrates the inherent beauty and power in aging. The exhibition features 62 paintings of women over the age of 60, alongside personal essays that divulge the subjects’ personal stories, unique challenges of growing older, and plans for the future. This is the second stop for the traveling exhibit, which opened at The Watermark at the Pearl in Portland, Oregon last summer. It will continue to travel to other communities in the Watermark Retirement Communities portfolio, sharing its important messages about aging far and wide.

Among the women featured in the exhibit are former legislators, nurses, artists, pilots, etc., each with fascinating pasts and inspiring messages of hope for future generations. Their images, stories, and the collection’s accompanying coffee table book aim to redefine the narrative of aging and fight age discrimination, which especially impacts women. More than half (53 percent) of women over 65 have reported ageism in the workplace, and women are 40 percent more likely to have experienced discrimination in health care compared to men because of their age. With the World Health Organization reporting that one in six people is projected to be over 60 by 2030, this is an urgent problem to solve.

“We are delighted to welcome Kathleen Cosgrove and to be a catalyst for this important conversation about age discrimination and how growing older can be a superpower rather than a weakness,” said Shawn Jervis, campus executive director for The Watermark at Bellevue. “This exhibit reflects our community’s commitment to helping seniors thrive and find their own unique passions and purposes later in life.”

The “Feeling Our Age” exhibit complements The Watermark at Bellevue’s rich collection of arts and cultural programming. The community’s calendar of events is designed to enrich the mind, nourish the soul, and encourage residents to discover new friendships and hobbies. For example, Watermark University is an award-winning program that encourages residents, associates, and community members to share their areas of interest and expertise with residents. The community also is home to several resident-formed clubs that encourage deeper exploration of common topics in the arts, from fine arts to literary arts, to culinary arts. Furthermore, caring associates take residents on journeys outside the community to all of the rich cultural landmarks, iconic establishments, and parks that Bellevue has to offer.

“It is an honor to have ‘Feeling Our Age’ find a second home at The Watermark at Bellevue,” said artist Kathleen Cosgrove. “This exhibition has already opened so many eyes and hearts to the joys of aging, and I look forward to sharing the stories of these 62 amazing women with a brand new audience.”

This exhibit exemplifies Watermark Retirement Communities’ mission to create communities where seniors can thrive and where all residents are valued and celebrated. A brand-wide focus on arts and culture is a key aspect of that mission. Many communities feature art studios with dedicated art therapy classes, providing residents with valuable opportunities for creativity that help them discover new passions and express themselves. Additionally, many communities in the portfolio offer gallery spaces where residents can display and share their artwork with their neighbors, which gives them a sense of pride and recognition.

The “Feeling Our Age” exhibit opens with a celebratory reception on November 7 for residents and the general public to meet with Kathleen Cosgrove and view her artwork and essays. It will be on view until early 2025 at The Watermark at Bellevue’s newest restaurant, Evergreen Point Bistro, and in the community’s lobby. The restaurant is open to the public, a rarity for senior living, enabling art lovers of all ages to explore and learn about what it is like to be a woman over 60.