Workshop in the Blind Community – Jan/Feb 2007

Last summer, while hosting a sculpture booth at Meeker Days in Puyallup, a visually impaired woman came through. I invited her to go “hands on” and we both enjoyed the interaction.

It occurred to me that stone sculpture could be a very accessible art form for the blind community. I made a few phone calls inquiring about accessibility to the arts. I found out two things. One, blind people have a great desire to view art, and a little more surprising, they want to create it as well.

Most museums and galleries do not allow touching. Stone is a natural for the tactile sense. I was directed to contact the Blind Residential Training Center in Seattle, where the visually impaired residents hone their independent living skills in the shop, kitchen, and home, as well as in communicating using Braille, and in mobility with a cane. We set up a work shop date for November 8, 2006. Arliss Newcomb, Ken Barnes, Jim Heltsley, Leon White, and Becky Kosowski assisted me in stepping into this unknown territory. My husband, Rick Alway, was an invaluable support for setting up, the clean up and, most importantly, as our photographer.

On the day of the workshop, we were welcomed very graciously and provided with a dinner they prepared. I had been doubtful and a bit cautious about having them work with hammers, chisels, and drills, but as you can tell from the photos, they just plunged in, eager to go for it. There were unexpected logistical challenges such as slipping tarps on table tops and dust and debris collecting in the carpet, but my fellow artists managed what ever was needed.

I was very proud of the Northwest Stone Sculptors Association. The fun and spirit of the evening was inspiring. As artists, we can learn greatly from this community about communicating and experiencing art through the sense of touch. Can art that conveys emotion be created through tactile experience? That seems a question worth answering. To further our knowledge and understanding, we have scheduled a second session for February 7, 2007.

If you would like to assist in the February session, please contact Sharon Feeney at: (sharonf40@msn.com. You may be surprised at what you take home from this exploration of art from a new and exciting perspective.

Our President Elaine MacKay invited the Blind Community to attend a Sculpture Walk at Camp Brotherhood in July 2007.