ASIXTH SENSE FORART GEARTAP Z23 GROUP 5 “Painting is a blind man’s profession. He paints not what he sees, but what he feels, what he tells himself about what he has seen” —Pablo Picasso
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONDESCRIPTION Art is universal, and though painting is a visual medium usually reserved for those who have perfect vision, we cannot discourage those who want to find their ability for this art form. Art is universal, and though painting is a visual medium usually reserved for those who have perfect vision, we cannot discourage those who want to find their ability for this art form. This project encourages people of all ages who are visually impaired to develop a “sixth sense” for art. “A Sixth Sense For Art” promotes inclusivity designed specifically for individuals with visual disabilities, including those with significant vision loss and blindness. This project encourages people of all ages who are visually impaired to develop a “sixth sense” for art. “A Sixth Sense For Art” promotes inclusivity designed specifically for individuals with visual disabilities, including those with significant vision loss and blindness. With hands-on guidance from our volunteers, our participants can dive into this activity with full confidence, and develop a potential new passion. With hands-on guidance from our volunteers, our participants can dive into this activity with full confidence, and develop a potential new passion.
TARGET AUDIENCEAUDIENCE A Sixth Sense For Art is designed for persons with visual disabilities, including individuals who are visually impaired or blind. It welcomes people of different ages who are interested in exploring art and creativity despite limitations in vision. Through an inclusive and accessible painting experience, participants will be given the opportunity to express themselves, build confidence, and discover their own creative abilities.“Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn’t mean he lacks vision.” —Stevie Wonder
RATIONALE A Sixth Sense for Art aims to challenge the idea that art, particularly painting, is limited to those who can see. By creating an inclusive and hands-on experience, the project hopes to provide visually impaired and blind individuals with a space where they can freely explore their creativity, express themselves, and discover their potential in art. With this purpose in mind, the project focuses on the following objectives: Encourage Creative Expression: The project aims to give visually impaired and blind individuals the opportunity to explore painting in a way that does not rely solely on sight. Through hands-on activities and guidance from volunteers, participants can freely express their ideas, emotions, and imagination through art. Promote Confidence and Inclusivity: The project seeks to create a welcoming environment where participants can feel confident in trying something that is often considered a visual activity. By allowing them to experience painting firsthand, the project hopes to show that visual disabilities should not prevent anyone from participating in creative activities. Discover New Passions and Abilities: The project aims to help participants discover their potential interest in art and other creative activities. By providing them with an opportunity to experiment, create, and enjoy the process, participants may develop a new hobby or passion that they can continue exploring beyond the event.
RELATED WORKSWORKS Art Beyond Sight (ABS) is an initiative that promotes access to the arts for people who are blind or visually impaired through tactile materials, raised line drawings, sound, and verbal descriptions (Shaw, 2021). This initiative is relevant to our proposed art pitch A Sixth Sense for Art, as both promote greater accessibility and participation in artistic activities for individuals with disabilities. However, while ABS focuses broadly on making art accessible, A Sixth Sense for Art specifically proposes an inclusive, hands- on painting event where participants can express themselves, build confidence, and discover their creative abilities. Our project builds on ABS’s multisensory approach by creating a focused and interactive painting experience for visually impaired and blind participants. The Museo Tiflológico is a museum run by ONCE, Spain’s national organization for the blind, located in Madrid. The museum serves blind and visually impaired individuals to feel pieces of art and monuments instead of just hearing about them. Within the museum, there are three sections: scale models of famous monuments, an exhibition of artworks of the blind, and a room full of tactile teaching materials. Most of the exhibits are intended to be touched, which makes this museum unique. Many works of art are created by blind artists without sight. The museum incorporates such things as Braille signs, large letters, and tactile floor maps which enable the blind to move around freely. The museum has been there since 1992 and has been open since then. These concepts are similar to A Sixth Sense For Art since both are based on the premise that blind and visually impaired individuals should not just hear about artwork, but should also be actively involved, creating and perceiving it. However, there is a difference between the two here in terms of size and execution. Museo Tiflológico is a permanent museum funded by the government, exhibiting mostly completed tactile works of art and models. Meanwhile, our project focuses on one event which is centered on creating paintings and which offers participants a direct experience of creating instead of observing artworks.
METHODOLOGY Applying the Lasallian Reflection Framework, the project begins with the See-Experience phase where the team researches accessibility challenges and collaborates with visually impaired advocates to design the sensory art workshop . Next, in the Analysis-Reflection phase, the team evaluates the cognitive and physical accessibility of tactile tools such as raised-line canvases and scented paints while training volunteers in empathetic facilitation. Finally, the project culminates in the Commitment-Action phase through the execution of the painting event and a public tactile gallery exhibition. The entire process closes with post-event evaluations to gather participant feedback, assess community impact, and ensure continuous improvement for future creative accessibility programs. Applying the Lasallian Reflection Framework, the project begins with the See-Experience phase where the team researches accessibility challenges and collaborates with visually impaired advocates to design the sensory art workshop . Next, in the Analysis-Reflection phase, the team evaluates the cognitive and physical accessibility of tactile tools such as raised-line canvases and scented paints while training volunteers in empathetic facilitation. Finally, the project culminates in the Commitment-Action phase through the execution of the painting event and a public tactile gallery exhibition. The entire process closes with post-event evaluations to gather participant feedback, assess community impact, and ensure continuous improvement for future creative accessibility programs. Information obtained in the course of this pilot will be used to improve the current workshop plan and product design to avoid possible accessibility problems during the actual event. Information obtained in the course of this pilot will be used to improve the current workshop plan and product design to avoid possible accessibility problems during the actual event.
Week Timeline Activity/Task Week 1 Team alignment meeting Week 2 Venue Canvassing (Accessibility) Surveying and assessments for potential participants Week 3 Material sourcing (canvases, scented paints, tools) Week 4 Volunteer recruitment week Finalization of program flow Week 5 Materials testing Week 6 Orientation for Volunteers Week 7 Final venue setup and layout Logistics Week 8 Installation of tactile signages (Day 1 of “A Sixth Sense for Art”) Sensory painting workshops Week 9 Post-event evaluation and Participant feedback SAMPLEPRODUCTION SCHEDULESCHEDULE
VENUE This project will be held onsite in an accessible venue, preferably in a community center, schools, or other facilities that can accommodate persons with visual disabilities, as well as volunteers, and facilitators. The specific venue will be determined based on its accessibility and safety for the activity. It should also provide a calm and welcoming environment where participants can feel comfortable and have an inclusive experience. This project will be held onsite in an accessible venue, preferably in a community center, schools, or other facilities that can accommodate persons with visual disabilities, as well as volunteers, and facilitators. The specific venue will be determined based on its accessibility and safety for the activity. It should also provide a calm and welcoming environment where participants can feel comfortable and have an inclusive experience.
A Sixth Sense for Art envisions providing persons with visual disabilities with a meaningful opportunity to experience painting, express themselves creatively, and gain confidence in their own abilities. Participants are expected to develop a greater appreciation for art while discovering that creative activities can be experienced through senses beyond sight. Moreover, this initiative can be developed into a series of regular, accessible art workshops where participants can explore different forms of creative expression, such as sculpture, pottery, crafts, and other sensory-based activities. The project may also establish partnerships with schools, organizations, and communities supporting persons with disabilities to make these creative opportunities more accessible to a wider group of participants. A Sixth Sense for Art envisions providing persons with visual disabilities with a meaningful opportunity to experience painting, express themselves creatively, and gain confidence in their own abilities. Participants are expected to develop a greater appreciation for art while discovering that creative activities can be experienced through senses beyond sight. Moreover, this initiative can be developed into a series of regular, accessible art workshops where participants can explore different forms of creative expression, such as sculpture, pottery, crafts, and other sensory-based activities. The project may also establish partnerships with schools, organizations, and communities supporting persons with disabilities to make these creative opportunities more accessible to a wider group of participants. FUTUREOFTHE PROJECTPROJECT
ASIXTH SENSE FORART GEARTAP Z23 GROUP 5 “Painting is a blind man’s profession. He paints not what he sees, but what he feels, what he tells himself about what he has seen” —Pablo Picasso