Juánfer is an artist living at the Santa Llúcia residential home for the elderly in Denia. Credit: Santa Llúcia Facebook
At Santa Llúcia residential home, art and daily life go hand in hand. Juan Fernando Rodríguez Marín, known as Juánfer, has spent the past three years transforming the centre’s communal spaces with his vibrant paintings, from self-portraits and mythological scenes to colourful tributes to local festivals. For residents, staff and visitors alike, his work is a reminder that creativity and community can thrive at any age.
Where creativity and community meet
Juánfer is an artist living at the Santa Llúcia residential home for the elderly in Denia. Born in Alicante but a lifelong resident of San Vicente del Raspeig, Juánfer—his artistic name, by which everyone at the centre knows him—arrived at Santa Llúcia three years ago. He enjoys being there, as it allows him to continue developing the artistic side that has accompanied him since childhood.
“I remember drawing the keel of a boat on my bedroom wall when I was just three,” he recalls. Since moving to Santa Llúcia, he has produced numerous works using oil paints, drawing, crayons and collage. A selection of his pieces is now displayed across the residence’s two communal floors, for residents, staff and visitors to enjoy.
A universe on canvas
Juánfer’s work covers a wide range of themes, expressing his universe through strokes, colours and accompanying texts. His creations include Dali-inspired motifs, intriguing titles such as Anís común mono, self-portraits, depictions of the Virgin Mary, flowers, the bonfires and festivals of the region, and mythological references.
When asked about his favourite piece, he takes his time choosing, ultimately saving it for the end of this morning’s guided tour of the exhibition, joined by Melani Ivars, the Social Services councillor, the residence director Iolanda Cabrera, and anyone else who wished to follow along. The tour concludes in front of an oil painting, Ode to Miguel Hernández, where Juánfer poses proudly for photographs.
Life at a public residential home
For newcomers to Spain, public residential homes may seem unfamiliar, but they are an essential part of the country’s social system. Places like Santa Llúcia offer more than just daily care—they create a structured, safe environment where residents share meals, join exercise or hobby groups, attend cultural activities, and socialise with others. This community-focused approach helps older people maintain independence while staying engaged, active and mentally stimulated—something that can be difficult when living alone in later life.
A centre for wellbeing and creativity
Public residential homes in Spain also play a crucial role where families cannot always provide full-time care. They combine professional healthcare, emotional support, and social opportunities, offering a quality of life that many residents might not achieve on their own. For an expat, understanding this system highlights why these homes are more than care facilities—they are hubs of culture, creativity and community. Juánfer’s art is a vivid example of how life, experience and creativity can thrive in such a setting, showing that ageing does not mean giving up on passion or personal expression.
