Chuck Baird, one of the nine signatories of the De’VIA manifesto and a much beloved De’VIA artist, constantly encouraged emerging De’VIA Deaf artists. It was his wish to explore and represent the Deaf Experience visually for all to see, feel, know and love.

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Chuck Baird was born deaf in Kansas City and along with his three older sisters, went to the Kansas School for the Deaf. Baird graduated from KSD in 1967 and attended Gallaudet University for two years. He then attended Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf and received his bachelor’s degree in Studio Painting in 1974.

In addition to his artwork, Baird was renowned as an actor and ASL storyteller. He performed as an actor with the National Theatre of the Deaf from 1980-1990.