[accessibleimage] photo,art, exhibition


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The Smithsonian Institution is committed to making the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival accessible and enjoyable for all visitors. The 2009 Festival features “Giving Voice: The Power of Words in African American Culture,” “Las Americas: Un mundo musical/The Americas: A Musical World” and “Wales Smithsonian Cymru.”
The 10-day Festival, held outdoors on the National Mall between Seventh and 14th streets, will be from Wednesday, June 24, through Sunday, June 28, and Wednesday, July 1, through Sunday, July 5. Admission is free. Festival hours are from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day, with concerts, special events and dance parties extending into most evenings.
Visitors with disabilities who need assistance are advised to report to the Information kiosks located at various points around the Festival site or to the Volunteer tent located in the Festival Services area near the Smithsonian Metrorail station’s Mall exit. A large-print version of the Festival’s daily schedule and food concession menus will be available. The Festival program book is available on CD and in other formats upon request. A limited number of wheelchairs will be available at the Volunteer tent for loan. 

http://7thspace.com/headlines/308818/smithsonian_is_committed_to_making_the_annual_folklife_festival_accessible_and_enjoyable_for_all_visitors.html

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Art From the Heart program gives Boulder seniors the chance to get creative
In her classes, Andrews works with residents from ages 84 to 99. She has worked with seniors with multiple sclerosis, dementia and other disabilities, as well as a woman who is legally blind.
"Even though I can't see very well, it's still fun for me," said participant Jennie Maio, 85, who has diabetes. "When I started to paint I was so happy. It makes me have my hour of fun. Even when I was sick I got out of bed just to paint." 

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2009/may/08/art-from-the-heart-program-seniors/

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The Art of Texas Exemplified in One Huge Painting
Viewers will have the opportunity to paint on another smaller painting to get a feel for being part of the ‘bigger picture’. The artists who participated in the original painted spoke of a multitude of good feelings that the project instilled from camaraderie and inspiration to importance and accomplishment. A San Antonio teacher gave extra credit to her students for participating. Three people were able to paint, even though they were blind. The artist responsible for coordinating this outstanding achievement will be on-hand to visit with viewers about the project. 
http://therecordlive.com/article/Beyond_the_County/Beyond_the_County/The_Art_of_Texas_Exemplified_in_One_Huge_Painting/53358

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PHOTO: ISVI art opening
Breanna Carpentier reads raised print Thursday on a piece on display at the annual art opening at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired. The event is designed to replicate the experience of a gallery art opening, complete with refreshments. 

http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/art-22405-opening-piece.html

link to article
Exploring Kentucky
A?Touching Experience
Unique museum provides visitors with a new sense of awareness
http://www.kybiz.com/articles/article.cfm?id=917


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Leslie Mayer Art Exhibit at Bob Kirby Branch
A few years ago Leslie was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration which has seriously hampered her ability to paint the detailed watercolors and acrylics that she was noted for all of her life. Macular Degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in individuals over the age of fifty-five. Blind in her left eye and partially in her right, and legally classified as “blind”, she has learned to adapt. The loss of detailed sight has given her a new appreciation for color and shape, as evidenced in her beautiful "Other World" paintings.
Leslie’s work will be on exhibit at the Bob Kirby Branch at 175 Iron Skillet Court. It opens May 4 and runs through May 29. For more information, visit www.warrenpl.org or call 782-0252. 

http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2009/05/06/the_amplifier/arts/doc49f1ee5bd83c1331571409.txt



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As photographer and curator, Douglas McCulloh keeps Inland images coming
known nationwide and in Europe and Mexico City.
McCulloh, 49, of Riverside, has had numerous exhibits in local venues. He is well-known beyond the confines of the Inland Empire, having mounted solo shows in museums across the country, in Europe and in Mexico City.
In addition to "Dream Street," he is also the curator of a new exhibit at the California Museum of Photography, "Sight Unseen," which is the first museum exhibit of work by blind photographers.
McCulloh says the Dream Street project came about largely by chance, which is the way he likes it. 

http://www.pe.com/thingstodo/other/stories/PE_News_Local_S_mcculloh06.395b9b5.html


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   Art for visually impaired affects entire community

[Comment Below <http://uweekly.com/newsmag/05-06-2009/11149#addcomm>]

By Katherine Liebers
Doing something different is nothing new for art galleries. But last week, the university's Urban Arts Space embarked on a project that changes a long-forbidden practice. Now, patrons will be allowed to touch the art. 

(Or at least a representation of it.)
The Urban Arts Space gallery, which is housed in the Lazarus building downtown, now features tactile tours specifically designed for the visually impaired. According to the gallery's accessibility coordinator Eva Ball, the tours are designed to objectively describe the visual components of a piece.
"We just want to build the image in [the vistors'] minds so they can make their own impression of the art," Ball said.
Additionally, participating artists provide touchable remnants, physical-likenesses of the actual displays, to allow patrons a tactual experience of the visual art.
According to Ball, this "benefits all demographics" - sighted and non-sighted visitors alike.
Renowned disability studies scholar, Georgina Kleege, agreed. During the Access Arts Community event last week, which celebrated the onset of the gallery's tactile tours, Kleege explained how accessibility efforts meant to benefit the disabled often improve the community at large. 
http://uweekly.com/newsmag/05-06-2009/11149


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Emeritus medal well-timed recognition for Churcher
Although King now employs assistants for heavier work, she still makes a point of working at her art every day. "Sometimes not as much. I do get tired. But once you start on something, you don't stop. Artists are very lucky people. They work until they drop. I still work as hard as ever." 

http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/emeritus-medal-welltimed-recognition-for-churcher/2009/05/05/1241289165003.html

link to sight


Blind Eye Photography <http://blind-eye-photog.blogspot.com/>
A page to share my photography As a visually impaired photographer it takes longer sometimes to get "that" shot, but it is my passion and when I do get it, sometimes I forget that I am legally blind. 


http://blind-eye-photog.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-refuse-to-lose.html



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Playing with Fashion: New 'Phenominoes' Pendants Feature Blind Artists' Phenomenal Artwork on Real Dominoes
Unique fashion accessory adds a fun, playful pop of whimsy to any ensemble while serving the greater good; Stylish low-cost pendants support disabled artists seeking financial independence
SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 5 /PRNewswire/ --- Ground-breaking Art of Possibility(R) Studios (www.AOPStudios.com), the only art brand exclusively representing physically disabled artists in a for-profit model, today announced it has finalized a licensing agreement with Phenominoes(R), the wildly popular line of pendants featuring extraordinary works of art on real dominoes. Under the deal, Phenominoes has licensed 27 Art of Possibility Studios images created by two inspirational and talented blind painters for reproduction onto the company's innovative domino pendants, each accompanied by color-coordinated ribbon necklace and a special clasp making the pendants interchangeable from one necklace to another. All available designs may be viewed online at http://www.aopstudios.com/store_necklaces.php.
Phenominoes' new Art of Possibility Studios collection features artwork by two acclaimed blind painters: Art of Possibility Studios founder Ketra Oberlander, whose award-winning work has been featured on ABC-TV's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," and George Mendoza, who has been featured in the two PBS documentaries The George Mendoza Story (1989), narrated by Robert Duvall, and Vision of the Soul -- The George Mendoza Story (2006).
"With these unique pendants, consumers can satisfy their desire for novel, fashion-forward accessories while simultaneously shopping their deeply held values of compassion and inclusion, in this case supporting the disabled artist community in their quest for financial self sufficiency," notes Oberlander. "For a very modest cost people can have wearable art that's pretty, fun and serves a greater good." 

http://sev.prnewswire.com/art/20090505/SF0926005052009-1.html

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