For most of his life, Steven Dunn has helped shape the world’s beauty, first as a landscaper and as a painter.
Now, as a resident at Arbor Acres Retirement Community, he’s sharing that creativity with his neighbors.
Dunn has been creating art for as long as he can remember, experimenting with watercolors, textures and palette-knife techniques while working professionally in landscaping. Even then, he continued painting, bringing the landscapes he tended to life on canvas.
At Arbor Acres, Dunn now teaches fellow residents who choose their own medium. He moves through the room offering guidance and encouragement, focusing on enjoyment over perfection.
“When you get involved in your work, the world goes away,” Dunn said. “You’re so focused. You’re so present. It’s healing. It’s calming.”
He reminds students that painting requires vulnerability and self-expression, urging them to create for themselves rather than for others’ approval.
“The magic is when you paint for yourself and stop worrying about what others will say,” he said.
Arbor Acres is believed to house the second-largest art collection in Forsyth County, and students proudly display their work in the community’s galleries.
“I’ve been blessed most of my life to do something I love,” Dunn said. “These students believe in me — and believe I can help them.”
Dunn says the greatest reward is helping others see the beauty in the world around them.
To view the FOX8 interview in full, click here: https://bit.ly/3KiNMTw
