Visual Arts • Painter
Bernie Wilke has established himself as a visual artist who is committed to using his talents in a community setting. After completing his B.A. in visual arts from Antioch College, Bernie received his M.F.A. degree in studio art from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in May of 2001. Since then, Bernie has completed over fifty-five collaborative mural projects in places such as schools, community centers, nursing homes, and churches. Also an active teacher, he has taught painting, drawing, color, 2-D design, and art history at many types of institutions, including two colleges, a correctional institution, and a guidance center. Bernie’s residencies usually involve curriculum-based collaborative mural projects that student’s research, design, and paint together with the artist. Pursuit of his personal studio work—a body of paintings and drawings that portray the internal spaces within modern buildings as metaphors for the inner self— has resulted in many other commissioned art projects. His work has been featured in many juried regional and national exhibitions since 1994. Bernie moved to Philadelphia in 2005, and, in addition to teaching art classes with several arts organizations, has been actively working for the Mural Arts Program. Part of his vision is to continue to utilize the power of art to build community and cultivate social healing. The summer of 2010 has Bernie moving back to Pittsburgh, bringing back to Western Pennsylvania his vision of art and community.
5510 Stanton Ave., #3
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(267) 266-8720
nodrybones@hotmail.com
