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Art for the Blind/Visually Impaired Begins 3rd Year; Acclaimed "FEEL THE ART" Initiative Extends Past Success
PR Newswire,  March 14, 2003  


 

MIAMI -- MIAMI, March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Visual arts have long been an integral part of school humanities programs. In the world of art, "don't touch" is the mantra, but a collaborative program designed by a teacher of the visually impaired and a high school art instructor defies this concept. The program, created by Ms. Beth Gordon and Ms. Nancy Adams at Coral Reef Senior High School, makes visual art accessible to the visually impaired while generating important benefits for sighted students as well.

Entitled "FEEL THE ART", the plan is innovative, if simple in concept; sighted students are challenged to create art pieces that can be appreciated by those without sight. Execution requires the student artists to think tactilely, in three dimensions and in the process, to better appreciate those who are unable to see. Art works include tactile interpretations of famous pieces of art. For the visually impaired it means an art show designed especially for them; completely accessible with not only tactile pieces of art, but auditory, Braille, and large descriptions of the pieces.

Another interesting element of the program is the fact that the artists serve as guides and narrators for the visitors -- again a common benefit. This year, approximately 130 elective art students created art while over 100 visually impaired students from 45 schools throughout Miami-Dade County will attend the exhibit. The new exhibit will run from March 17, 2003 to March 28, 2003, in the Coral Reef Senior High GalleReef, with students who are visually impaired in attendance on March 18, 19, and March 21.

Over the past three years, the works assembled have been seen in exhibits from Homestead to Ft. Lauderdale, to St. Petersburg to Tallahassee -- where last year, they were displayed in the Department of Education during the Legislative Session.

"FEEL THE ART" will have an added dimension this year. Noted professional artist, Xavier Cortada, will create a mural called ArtFelt, with student visitors who are visually impaired and their student artist guides. Students who are visually impaired as well as the student artists will have an opportunity to work with an artist who has worked collaboratively with diverse groups across the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Africa to create pro-social community murals and participant-driven art projects.

Coral Reef Senior High, the Miami-Dade County Programs for the Visually Impaired, and the student artists are proud of the acclaim received to date. Interest in "FEEL THE ART" has been generated throughout Florida and across the nation.

"FEEL THE ART" is an exhibit of connection and collaboration. There is a connection of hands to texture, artists to participants, and individuals of different ages and backgrounds to the beauty found in one another.

CONTACT: Nancy Adams, Coral Reef Sr. High School, +1-305-232-2022, ext. 2143, or AdamsArt@bellsouth.net; or Beth Gordon, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, +1-305-995-2527, or Gordon0392@aol.com

Web site: http://www.floridafunding.com/

COPYRIGHT 2003 PR Newswire Association, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group