The artist’s creation is featured on Down Syndrome BC’s T-shirt.
Teresa‘s art for World Down Syndrome Day is loaded with symbolic meaning. She drew a happy figure standing on top of a world that’s filled with a red heart. The figure is full of joy, wearing a hat with edges that fly upwards.
World Down Syndrome Day has taken place each year on March 21 since 2007. Down Syndrome International says that the 21st day of March was chosen “to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.” Wow! The United Nations has observed WDSD each year since 2012, which seems like a rather recent acknowledgement that people with Down syndrome should be celebrated and included everywhere.
Check out the animation below, which shows that Teresa’s artwork is even cuter in real life:
And Down Syndrome BC loved Teresa’s design!
“In honour of World Down Syndrome Day 2024, DSBC is thrilled to partner with Teresa Heartchild, a local artist with Down syndrome, to create a beautiful limited-edition T-shirt featuring Teresa’s beautiful artwork! Order yours today and celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with us!”
Order your T-shirt at the DownSyndromeBC Shop!
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Teresa Heartchild is an artist, author, and self advocate with Down syndrome who makes colourful drawings and self-talk poetry to express her thoughts and feelings. She has published two books and exhibited her artwork in Vancouver, Boston and Mexico. In 2019, the BC Human Rights Commissioner named her a Champion for Change. Teresa is a contributor to the book “Freeing Teresa: A True Story about my Sister and Me”published in 2023.