This show is small and located in an unassuming space in Art Connections at the Museum. However, the emotion behind the newest exhibition from Women of Vision is powerful!
Museum Educator, Matthew Patterson has been working with these incredible women for three years and we asked him to tell us a little bit more about this group of 16 low vision women.
From Matthew,
The Cummer holds an annual exhibition on behalf of the Women of Vision program during Art Beyond Sight awareness month. Because the women are low vision we focus on tactile strategies for our art making. This is most visible in the three dimensional pieces but we also rely on touch for drawing and painting. For example, for still life drawings the ladies will use one hand to draw while the other hand explore the objects on the table.
The big thing I have learned through the program is that many people with visual impairments are excited about creating visual art. Just because they can’t see it the way I do, doesn’t diminish their enthusiasm. Also, they are much more self-reliant than I think people realize. Most of the ladies are very confident in their abilities.
Make sure to stop by the Museum and experience these works in person. Also, save the date for a panel about Women and Creativity where you can hear from one of the founding members of Women of Vision, Sister Elizabeth Fiorite.