[Artists-making-art] Resources for Tactile Art

[Ali Steenis]

> Anne,

Thank you so much for your thoughts! It definitely makes sense that some tactile art may not be functional as it may be easily damaged. 

I love the idea of organizing a database type system to record the information of blind visual and tactile artists. Would you happen to have contact information for anyone who may be interested in donating to this project? 

And yes, it would be wonderful to have art that is both tactilely and visually enjoyable. I am really open to any ideas about how we can incorporate art into this new dorm that promotes awareness and inclusion for people of all abilities. I want our residents to know they are accepted as they are and that their unique characteristics have been thought of in creating this dorm's foundation. For example, I plan on ensuring all of our braille labels are correct and that our lounge appliances (washer, dryer, microwave, stove) are labeled. I also want to make sure all areas are accessible to the best of our ability for those with physical difficulties. I know a lot of this is included in the engineering process and building code but I really want to go above and beyond to make this place inclusive and accessible for all. 

Thank you so much for sharing in my philosophy of using art to increase awareness and inclusion for all people. It is good to know that this has been thought of before me! 

God bless

Ali Steenis 
Seattle Pacific University 
2014-2015 Arnett Hall/Emerson Hall Hall Council Senator 
National Ability Center - Coach Intern
steenisa at spu.edu
425-530-2333

> On Sep 1, 2014, at 6:19 PM, <Ann at acunningham.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Ali,
>     One artist wrote to me off line and said that she could never let people touch her finished fiber art work since it would become soiled so quickly and could never be cleaned. 
>         She brings up a  really good point. I like to recognize that there are those among us who make tactile art, art that can stand up to being touched and cleaned. Or art that is repairable. And then there are those among us who are blind or visually impaired making visual art, art that is only intended to be seen.
>     Correct me if I am wrong Ali, but I think you are interested in acquiring tactile art for your dorm so that it can be both visually and tactually appreciated. Right? 
>     Just guessing but I would say there are probably more bind visual artists than tactile artists of any ilk but there are tactile artists and I would like to connect with as many as possible. I would like to start a data bank of blind or visually impaired artists and tactile artists. If you know people who would like to be listed please send me their contact info or give them mine. Also if you would like to be on the list let me know that too. 
>     This way we could have a bit of a clearing house for people like Ali who are searching for this kind of art. what do you all think?
> 
> Ann Cunningham
> Tactile Art - a creative way to see the world!
> 303 238 4760
> ann at acunningham.com
> http://www.acunningham.com
> http://www.sensationalbooks.com
> 
> 
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [Artists-making-art] Resources for Tactile Art
> From: Ali Steenis via Artists-making-art <artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
> Date: Thu, August 28, 2014 5:12 pm
> To: "artists-making-art at nfbnet.org" <artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> I have really enjoyed reading all of the posts in this group. I am new to NFB net and have a question.
> 
> I am a student at Seattle Pacific University and will be serving as a student government senator for two of our residence halls. One of the halls is still in construction and will open for its first year next year. I am blind and travel with a guide dog and my major cause for next year as a senator is t create an environment in the new dorm that is accessible for all people especially those with disabilities. I want future students with any kind of disability to feel that they were thought of in the early years of the dorm; that their unique ways of interacting and enjoying the dorm have been thought of and included. 
> 
> My biggest idea is to have all of the wall art in the dorm be tactile with braille as well as print captions. I know from experience that art made from fabrics, tile or other materials can be visually appealing as well as tactilely. By includin this kind of art in the dorm's common areas it would provide something for blind students to enjoy as well as a great opportunity to promote inclusion and dedication to all residents of all unique abilities. 
> 
> With this said, I'm curious if anyone has any suggestions on how I might acquire and implement this kind of art. Or ideas on how I can expand on this idea to make it most effective. I am thinking that having smaller pieces may be easier but I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts. 
> 
> Thanks so much for reading!
> 
> Ali Steenis 
> Seattle Pacific University 
> 2014-2015 Arnett Hall/Emerson Hall Hall Council Senator 
> National Ability Center - Coach Intern
> steenisa at spu.edu
> 425-530-2333
> 
> Ali Steenis 
> Seattle Pacific University 
> 2014-2015 Arnett Hall/Emerson Hall Hall Council Senator 
> National Ability Center - Coach Intern
> steenisa at spu.edu
> 425-530-2333
> _______________________________________________
> Artists-making-art mailing list
> Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Artists-making-art:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org/ann%40acunningham.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org/attachments/20140901/1276db27/attachment.html>