Photo by Amy Sweeney

Philadelphia-born artist and writer Theresa Bernstein was the oldest living woman artist in America . She celebrated her 110th birthday in 2000, and died on February 12, 2002, at the age of 111. Her career is distinguished by her sometimes unconventional style and her ability to combine art and life, or as she put it, "art cannot be separated from life." Her wit and charm and her distinctive style were evident throughout her remarkable career. She attended the Philadelphia School of Design for Women (now known as Moore College of Art) and studied under Elliott Daingerfield, Daniel Garber, Harriet Sartain, Henry B. Snell, and Samuel Murray, and later with William Merritt Chase at the Art Students League in New York.

Ms. Bernstein distinguished herself early on as one of the founders and members of the Ten Philadelphia Painters, a group of women artists, later known simply as "The Ten." This collection of women artists and sculptors was formed in response to the male dominance in the art world; they exhibited their work at the Philadelphia Art Club. In 1931 she broke with "The Ten," and moved to New York for a time before settling in Massachusetts. In 1922 she helped form the North Shore Arts Association in Gloucester, Massachusetts and was the longest surviving founding member; the NSAA recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. Bernstein enjoyed a long and illustrious career, her work often compared to the style of the Ashcan School .

In her 80-year career as an artist Ms. Bernstein  wrote six books. The latest, a children’s book entitled Rabbitville, is beautifully illustrated with her sketches and is the charming story of rabbits who learn the lessons of enthusiasm, generosity, and love. This story was actually in the making for over 70 years. It began when Ms. Bernstein would tell stories to amuse the young children who posed for her.