Making art accessible for the blind

Summerset in the Sun residents are helping those who have limited eyesight to get creative in an arts and crafts group.

Every month volunteers run Accessible Art, a craft group for members of the Blind Foundation and Association of Blind Citizens.

Summerset resident Patricia MacKay is also a member of the Blind Foundation and volunteers her time to teach in the group.

‘‘We’ve done painting, pottery, card making, and felting – a huge range of different activities,’’ she said.

‘‘We celebrate the exchange of ideas and the determination of people – although those who attend don’t have much sight, they are determined to make the most of life.’’

Around 12 people with limited or no sight attend the two-hour class to put their hands to work with different mediums.

MacKay has taught art for several years and said the group was lots of fun.

‘‘It’s a really a great class for them to get into and get their hands dirty.’’

She said some people could only see a small amount, MacKay herself only had three per cent of her sight.

‘‘In this painting session, we are only using the three primary colours and artists have to make their own additional colours. Some can’t see the colour of their paint, so they rely on memory to find the appropriate colour on their palette.’’

MacKay said the overall organiser of Accessible Art, Gillian Clayton, was totally blind, yet has had her artwork exhibited at a local gallery in town.

Held on Friday mornings, Accessible Art has been running for a year and a half and is open to any members of the Blind Foundation and Association of Blind Citizens.