The Arts and Creativity
Summary: Below you will find details of organisations that facilitate those who are blind or vision impaired to engage actively in arts and crafts.
Arts and Crafts
Your reduced sight should not prohibit you from retaining or taking up this hobby. You can experiment and try out different media. For example, by using charcoal and pastels on contrasting colour paper some people can see colours more clearly. For still life, colourful props with definite shapes can make the objects easier to see. Quite a few people with vision impairments prefer to use acrylic paints because they are bright and allow over-painting. Try out tactile material for collage work, e.g. felts, pastel, paper mache. Think about adjusting the lighting level in the room so that close-up work is illuminated. By trying out different materials, being creative and keeping an open mind, arts and crafts can be a lot of fun!
Arts and Disability Ireland (ADI)
Arts and Disability Ireland is an independent non-profit organisation striving to promote the engagement of people with disabilities in the arts at the highest level. It is committed to facilitating people with disabilities, not only as audiences and participants, but also as producers, creators, managers and facilitators of the arts.
Address:
Arts and Disability Ireland,
4th Floor, Sean O'Casey Centre,
St Mary's Road North,
East Wall,
Dublin 3
Tel: 01 850 9002
Email: info@adiarts.ie
Website: www.adiarts.ie
IntroArt – National Arts and Disability Service
IntroArt's aim is to assist young people with disabilities in gaining access to youth services through the arts. The service endeavours to ensure that all young people are given the opportunity to access youth services. IntroArt runs Disability Awareness Workshops and training courses for youth and community groups, to assist in establishing an integrated youth programme for their group.
IntroArt produces a free newsletter. Make contact if you wish to be kept up to date with their work.
Address:
IntroArt,
Room 1, 4th Floor,
121–122 Capel Street,
Dublin 1
Tel: 01 872 7930
Email: introart@iol.ie
Website: http://www.youth.ie/nyci/introart
Contacts: Anthony Newsome and Aidan O'Grady