Cork woman features on billboard in iconic Times Square amid celebration of Down Syndrome

AN inspirational artist is set to go down in history as the first West Cork woman with Down Syndrome to feature on a billboard in the iconic Times Square.

The image of talented young blacksmith Jessie Waschkowitz from Castletownbere stood out proudly against the backdrop of Manhattan’s skyscrapers. A photograph on her Instagram page shows her toasting the occasion in front of a projected image of the billboard.

Jessie had caught the eye of the National Down Syndrome Organisation in the US through her strong social media presence. They subsequently approached her requesting permission to display her image on one of Times Square's iconic billboards. She featured as part of an initiative celebrating the achievements and possibilities for people with Down Syndrome.

Jessie's day-to-day life includes the running of a fashion line, Born Transcendent, which she runs with her father Reinhard, and a career as a blacksmith. The artist forges a range of pieces from sculptures to jewellery, which she sells online. The West Cork woman says she owes it all to the help and support of her family. She also extended her gratitude to the National Down Syndrome Organisation for recognising her work as an artist.

Reinhard spoke of how proud he is of his daughter’s achievements.

“She empowered herself by stepping out and believing in herself and her message," he said. "There is a true empowerment in feeling and recognising the importance and depth of your message. This is what Jessie felt and what moved me so much. Sometimes we think that people with Down Syndrome don’t get the ins and outs of life fully but Jessie deeply and fully understood and embraced the value and importance of her message, that we’re all different. We are all perfect.

"Every time she is explaining her art and her message she says 'we’re all different and we are all perfect'. She just wants to express this with her sculptures," he added.

"Her work has helped her become stronger and more confident. 

"I could see that Jessie was willing to deal with any reaction for the sake of spreading this message to everybody. For me, there have been very moving moment  because Jessie lives what she expresses and sees her value for this world. She also feels the contribution of her message to this world."

It has been an exciting year for Jessie, who sold her work at the 2023 Olympic Games in Berlin in recent months.

To find out more about Jessie’s business visit borntranscendent.com. Readers can follow her Instagram page @borntranscendent.