Bernadette Resha©

Born in Nashville TN with Down Syndrome, Bernadette has become well known in the art community worldwide.

Her exposure to the art world and culture started as a child attending as many art galleries, museums, concert halls and plays as her time would allow.
From an early age she was encouraged to draw and color in her own style as a form of expression and therapy. This has resulted in a body of work which documents an artist developing a unique style entirely her own.  
   
With an artist grandmother and a mother fully committed to allowing her to use this medium of self expression for as far as she would care to take it, Bernadette now exhibits in numerous art galleries, art and craft shows throughout south east and attends many conventions throughout the United States showing and selling her work.

“My goals are to increase my skills.  I want to improve on painting three dimensional, lighting and form, shape and shadows, and to learn how to blend colors.”
Art is such an integral part of Bernadette’s life that if all her paints were taken away, she would still sit for hours drawing.

 
 

Credits and Awards

 FILM

"Gummo" Featured

Director--Harmony Korine

Producer--Cary Woods

 TV

 NBC Talk Show Guest

WSMTV "Prime Time Country" Guest

TNN TN Crossroads Guest PBS

Easter Seal Telethon Guest WSMTV

MUSIC VIDEOS

"I'll Leave Something Good Behind"- Barbara Mandrell

Ensemble Director—Jack Cole

  COMMERCIALS

 Kroger TV

Principal The Buntin Group

PRINT WORK

"Down Right Beautiful Calendar"- March Cover Girl National Distribution

Down Syndrome 1998 Calendar

Special Education Magazine Baptist Sunday School Board Tennessee

Easter Seal Calendar-2000 September Cover Girl State Distribution

"Down Home Country"-Down Syndrome

2001 Calendar November Cover Girl National Distribution

 TRAINING

 Acting Arita Trahan Private Coach

Violin - Toni Ferguson Private

Gymnastics - YMCA Group

Nashville Metro Parks Group

Dance - Nashville School of Dance Group

Swimming - Excel Swim Team Group, NAC Swim Team Group

Public Speaking - Special Olympics

Easter Seals

Magic - Nashville Metro Parks Group

Painting - Cheekwood 2002 thru 2004, Charles Brindley

Christy Thomas, Beth Roach

Nashville Metro Parks 2003 thru 2004, Hazel King

Private teacher Joan Lawler 2006-present

SPECIAL SKILLS & INTERESTS

 Violin Performances, Magic Performances, Public Speaking,   swimming, bowling, track & field, ice skating, roller skating, hiking, drawing, good with children & elderly.

AWARDS

Special Olympics Athlete of the Year for Area 1-1994

Special Olympics Athlete of the Year for State of TN

5th Annual Barbara Archer Award-1994

Coach's Award-High School Swim Team-1997

Easter Seal Adult Representative-2000