Dr. Allen Bearden has over 30 years of experience as an arts educator and professional developer who has nurtured the career of many artists. Yet, he continued to paint when he could find the time in his busy schedule to do so. He has participated in numerous art shows and art fairs where he has received many accolades and awards concerning his work. Currently, much of his time is spent in his small studio painting, nurturing his own personal art career.

Dr. Bearden’s initial instruction in art was at Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama where he did undergraduate work in Interior Design. After moving to Chicago, he attended Roosevelt University and received a B.A. in Art Education. In June 1975 he received a Master of Science in Visual Design Education from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago, Illinois. At IIT he studied photography and other methods of communicating for use in Chicago Public Schools. His doctorate in Special Education was achieved from Illinois State University January 1993--Dissertation: Effect of Contingent Visual Arts Experiences on Attendance of Students with Behavior Disorders.

Dr. Bearden is currently the president of the Jacqueline B. Vaughn Graduate School for Teacher Leadership.