Bernadette Sloman

Bernadette Sloman has been a trainee at Level Best Art Cafe for the last 8 years and it is with a heavy heart we report that Bernadette passed away on Friday the 27th October, peacefully with all her family. This has been a big shock to us at Level Best and we have decided to exhibit work by Bernadette above our breakfast bar and on our blog, to celebrate her life and times with us on Tuesdays at Level Best Art Cafe.

Bernadette's solo show in the Level Best Art Cafe Gallery 2012

 

Bernadette was profoundly deaf and in her later years she required a stroller to get around, but she always lived independently and was fiercely head strong and determined to lead a life of independence and dignity. She was an expert lip reader and helped staff at Level best with our burgeoning makaton skills and always made her opinions felt and joined in with jokes, shenanigans and group art projects as much as she was able.

Below are some examples of Bernadette's artworks.

Some happy memories of her with us.

Sketching on a trip to Firstsite Colchester

 

 

 

Bernadette working on the first "Sunshine Line" project posters.

 

 

Bernadette stands in front of her work, displayed prominently at the Firstsite Open exhibition November 2015.

 

Bernadette helps make 'the world' as part of our group World project.

 

 

One of Bernadette's first ever pieces with us - "Lifeboat"

 

Reference used by Bernadette
 

The last work she completed in ARTCO was for our second round of artwork for The “Sunshine Line”, a trail of train platform art spaces (including Colchester) which we were successful at creating A0 posters for two years ago. Bernadette’s work will feature in the new posters.