Tactile Art Show
TACTILE ART SHOW FEATURES TOUCHABLE WORKS FOR ALL TO ENJOY
ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (August 29, 2024) – The St. Augustine Art Association (STAAA) continues its centennial with an art show that allows visitors to experience the magic of art in a tangible and exciting way. Every October, for over 20 years, STAAA has collaborated with The Florida School for the Deaf & the Blind and The Florida DeafBlind Association to present the annual Tactile Art Show. The exhibit will be displayed at the St. Augustine Art Association, 22 Marine Street in St. Augustine, and online at staaa.org from October 4th through October 27th, 2024, during National Sensory Processing Awareness Month.
“In galleries and museums, we’re always told ‘Don’t touch!’ which is normal, except, what if you don’t experience visual activities the same way someone else does?” says Jennifer Flynt, Executive Director of STAAA. “With the Tactile Show, all of the artwork is designed to be experienced through sight, but most importantly, touch, allowing viewers living with disabilities, especially those who are blind or visually impaired, to experience art using different senses.”
The Creating Tactile Art workshop will accompany the Tactile Art Show. Led by local artist Jenny Keyser, the three-day course will introduce innovative techniques that will help participants break free from the constraints of visual art. Keyser will show beginners and seasoned artists how to add dimension to a mixed media work to make it engaging for people of all abilities. Creating Tactile Art is September 11th, 18th, and 25th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Workshop details and registration are available here.
The Tactile Art Show will be displayed at the St. Augustine Art Association from October 4th through October 27th. The show will include pieces by students at The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. Artists of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds are invited to participate. The Call for Art will become available mid-September, with online entries due by Monday, September 30th. Pieces will be judged for acceptance and awards. Artwork must be safe to touch and may not contain sharp edges. For information and exhibit updates, visit here. Photos to accompany the press release can be found here.
The Tactile Art Show is sponsored by the Eye Center of St. Augustine and VyStar Credit Union, and in part by grants from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, the St. Johns County Cultural Council, the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, and Benjamin & Jean Troemel Arts Foundation.
ABOUT ST. AUGUSTINE ART ASSOCIATION – The St. Augustine Art Association (STAAA), located at 22 Marine Street in downtown St. Augustine, Florida, is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting excellence in the arts since 1924. STAAA supports the vibrant arts community in St. Augustine and preserves its rich artistic heritage and culture. Through exhibitions, lectures, workshops, educational programs, and outreach, STAAA fosters a creative and accessible environment for artists of all backgrounds and skill levels. Their permanent collection includes works by the founding members, known as the ‘Lost Colony’ artists. The gallery is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 12pm to 4pm, and admission is free. For more information, visit www.staaa.org, and follow along on Facebook @StAugArtAssoc and Instagram @staugartassoc
