Bernard had a long career in public education as a teacher and an administrator.  After retiring in 1997 from public school administration, he was able to make his lifelong hobby a new career.  He has exhibited works at Peters Valley Craft Village, Layton, NJ; Connexions Gallery, Easton, PA; The Institute for American Indian Studies, Washington, CT; Norfolk Artisans Guild, Norfolk, CT; Artwell Gallery, Torrington, CT; Northern Exposures Photographic Gallery, Kent, CT; and Studio 15, Torrington, CT.

His work is included in several private collections in Easton, PA; Naples, FL; and Boca Raton, FL.  Several of his works are in the permanent collections of Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, PA, and Montefiore Hospital, Bronx, NY.  Slides of his work were accepted for inclusion in NJSCA Visual Arts Registry, Trenton, NJ.

He has participated in many charitable auctions including the American Cetacean Society, Planned Parenthood, CPTV (CT), Crow Canyon Archeological Center, CO,  Artwell Gallery and the Warner Theater, Torrington, CT.