Upper Dublin artist Heather Michaelson, whose work is taking center stage at a special event in Flourtown this February, hosts a Facebook Live show, belongs to a theater group, serves as a sign language interpreter and owns her own business. 

Heather, who has Down syndrome, brings joy and creativity to everything she does. Her hour-long online show, 'Hanging with Heather,' highlights local business owners, from entrepreneurs to chefs to videographers, reflecting her passion for community connection.

Heather’s artistic journey began during the pandemic, when she took Zoom classes with Kaleidoscope Family Solutions, a staffing referral agency in Bryn Mawr serving people with developmental disabilities. 

"I liked making crafts before," said Heather, "but when I started doing art during the pandemic, I took drawing classes and painting classes. I started in a basement painting flowers, then sunsets and hearts. Some are collages. I also do acrylics and oil pastels and watercolors."

On Saturday, Feb. 8, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Heather's Art for the Heart will be featured at Scarlet Begonias in Flourtown. She will fill orders for her watercolor and collage artwork, which is currently on display at the women's fashion boutique and gift shop. A portion of the day's sales will be donated to "Integrate for Good," a local nonprofit that advocates for inclusivity and also hosts her online show on its Facebook platform.

"Heather is a very special lady who has touched many lives and is always filled with joy and wonder," said Karen Phelps, who has owned and operated Scarlet Begonias for the last 15 years. (Phelps took the name of her business from a song by The Grateful Dead of the same name.) "We have made a commitment to make 2025 more joyful, and Heather is the epitome of that."

For the past three years, Heather has been selling her art at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel synagogue in Elkins Park. Her art and craftwork include coffee mugs, note cards and latch hook rugs. She is scheduled to teach an upcoming art class at the So Much to Give Cafe in Skippack.

According to Robert Michaelson, Heather's father, "This is the first time her work is selling at a women's boutique. People who come here have to have good taste. The paintings would make a perfect Valentine's Day gift. Heather has done about 100 paintings since the beginning. She also likes cooking and baking cookies. Sometimes she will make an entire meal on a weekend."

Travel is another of Heather's passions. Her favorite destination is Maine in August, and her favorite sight is the Eiffel Tower in Paris. She has been on cruises with her family to Alaska, Italy, France, England and the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. 

"On one ship, she became the dance star," Michaelson's mother Robin said. "The professional dancers asked her to dance, and six professional dancers surrounded her in the middle of the dance floor. They all loved it.”

Later, when they went out on a smaller boat in choppy waters, Robin recounted: “I held on for dear life, but Heather loved it. I said, 'You like it when I'm scared; right?' And Heather shook her head yes."

Heather is also a huge Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan. For her 40th birthday, her family members all went to a Phillies game and got a guided tour and met some of the players – and her name was put up on the Jumbotron. Merrill Reese, known as "The Voice of the Eagles," used to be the family's neighbor in Upper Dublin (He now lives in Blue Bell). Heather got the thrill of a lifetime when Reese recently let her try on his Super Bowl ring.

"I'm so proud to be in a picture with Heather," he told the Local.

Heather's sister, Dr. Nicole Baumer, is a pediatrician and neurologist at Children's Hospital in Denver and serves as director of the medical center's Sie Center for Down Syndrome, the nation's largest pediatric center for children with Down syndrome. Baumer, a graduate of Harvard Medical School, has said her career choice was inspired by her sister.

Heather's brother, Seth, is a Boston social worker who was also inspired by Michaelson to go into his profession. All three siblings went to Upper Dublin High School.

"Heather has a whole bunch of people in her fan club," Robin said. "She did not get the singing talent, but she did get the artistic talent."

Asked to describe herself, Heather replied, "I am sweet, kind, artistic, funny and modest."

For more information, visit scarletbegoniasflourtown.com or email hmichaelson525@yahoo.com.