Miami Lighthouse community rallying behind the arts to raise awareness and create more opportunities for those impacted by blindness and visual impairments
WHAT:
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is bringing together the blind artistic community and renowned national artists to make a statement on Miami’s historic street art scene: “It’s Possible To See ART Without Sight.” Celebrating inclusion, diversity and equity in the arts, our event features art by Miami Lighthouse artists and acclaimed international artists; lectures with prominent local artists, audience engagement in creation of a community art piece; live music; and live performance art. Miami Lighthouse is debuting its 2nd Annual Art Walk on its campus that will showcase:
- Artworks of ceramic, clay, macramé and other mixed media created by Miami Lighthouse adult and children art students.
- Community Art: Under the instruction of our guest artists, inspired participants will create a mixed media tactile art piece which will form part of a large community art piece.
- Our Little Artist’s Zone will feature art inspired by our young artists’ vision of famous painters such as Monet, Picasso, Britto, and Mondrian. This area is also an active art zone for children with a hands-on art project to create their own straw mini sculptures in primary colors.
- A four-story mural by Miami twin artists George and William Hustus, depicts children of different backgrounds and abilities playing together. The street art inspired mural, designed to raise awareness of blindness and the impact of unity, is painted on the southern wall of the new Miami Lighthouse Academy facility.
- “Blackout,” by Cuban artist Sergio Lastres, a new piece combining paint with raised elements and braille typography that appeals to multiple senses.
- “Sight,” by internationally renowned pop and graffiti artist Romero Britto, a painting in tribute to Gloria Blake.
- “Touching our Dreams”, “The Pillar of Hope” and “The Art of Love”, three ceramic mosaic pillars created under the instruction of Carlos and JC Carroll Alves.
- A “Blind Time Drawing” demonstration. Opportunity to experience the art form pioneered by prominent conceptual artist Robert Morris, which involves creating images while blindfolded, without stopping or lifting up a pencil. Sighted professional artists will be paired with visually impaired artists.
Artists are available for interviews during the Art Walk.
WHEN: Saturday, March 19, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET
WHERE: Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 601 SW 8th Ave, Miami, FL 33130
WHY: To showcase how, “It’s Possible To See ART Without Sight.” Those living with visual impairments face unique challenges that are often overlooked, from writing certain letters of their name with ease and having access to creative outlets to job opportunities and success at school. Creating innovative programming that connects those with and without visual impairments together will raise awareness and build opportunities for success and greater independence.
Miami Lighthouse thanks all of our partners who have made it “Possible To See ART Without Sight”: The Children’s Trust, Arts4All Florida, The Jorge M. Perez Family Foundation, Florida Division of Blind Services, CITIZENS INTERESTED IN ART, The Wildflower Foundation, Inc., and with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.
RSVP REQUIRED: Art Walk at Miami Lighthouse, is an inclusive free event for all ages that redefines the concept of visual arts, challenges misconceptions and broadens the manner in which audiences can appreciate art. Click here to register at our Eventbrite page. For any further questions, contact Jennifer Aleman at jaleman@miamilighthouse.org or 786-362-7514
For media interviews, artist bios, press passes and opportunities to experience “Blind Time Drawing”: Contact David Stiefel at dstiefel@greatcom.com or 305-448-1456
About Miami Lighthouse:
For nearly a century, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired has been Florida’s premier rehabilitation organization serving the blind. The mission of the Miami Lighthouse is to provide vision rehabilitation and eye health services that promote education and independence, to collaborate with and train professionals and to conduct research in related fields. Recognized by Charity Navigator for excellence in serving the community, we transform the lives of 90,000 families annually.
