For This Photographer, a New Adventure is Developing

Ask Kevin Walsh to share a special memory of his many years in New York, and he answers without hesitation. He shares an account of traversing NYC by yellowcab to photograph the city’s skyscrapers and urban canyons on assignment for an ad agency, tasked with capturing Gotham’s grandeur on film.

Kevin’s years in the city spanned getting an education at Parsons to building a career as an art director at some of the city’s most prestigious ad agencies.

Now, at almost 90-years-young, this Army veteran is embarking on a new adventure. 

With help from his family, Senior Care Authority, and Atria, Kevin is joining a new community. And he is bringing them his love of photography.

Kevin realized this fall that living alone at his longtime home in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood was no longer safe, and was actually hampering his ability to enjoy New York.

His family reached out to Senior Care Authority, and that’s when SCANYFL’s owner Cynthia Perthius leapt into action.

“When I met Kevin, it was impossible not to be charmed,” Cynthia says. “His warmth, wit, and creativity were immediately apparent. I immediately knew the right place for this special man was Atria 86.”

With its classic post-war building, residents who’d worked in an array of creative fields, and location blocks from Central and Riverside Parks , Atria 86 has a lot to offer a through-and-through New Yorker who loves the city’s energy.

Working hand-in-hand Atria 86 and SCANFYL were able to help Kevin relocate in less than a week.

Upon his arrival, the Atria team was as taken by Kevin as Cynthia had been. Atria 86’s Jeanette Cooper said, “We are so blessed to have Mr. Walsh here with us. That man has the kindest eyes. I heard him telling a medic this was his home now and he is not going anywhere. His smile will melt anyone's heart.”

Ask Kevin what is next, and he rattles off a list of projects he’s undertaking. First on his list is starting a camera club so he can share his love of photography with other Atria residents. He also is planning an exhibition of some of his photos at Atria so his new neighbors can get to know him through his work. 

And then there’s the ongoing project documenting New York’s active waterways.

“New York City has about 520 miles of coastline!” he points out. “I was on the Highline and a little boy was surprised to see a seagull. He had no idea we were on an island. I thought to myself, ‘that gull has more right to be here than we do! We’re surrounded by water!”

He also looks forward to soaking up the glories of autumn in New York, enjoying a cup of tea and the colors changing in nearby Riverside Park.

It’s a full agenda for a guy who is supposedly retired. And his new start at Atria 86 is going to make it possible for him to enjoy it all.