DECATUR, Ala. (AP) - Created by children with visual impairments, paintings of the Eiffel Tower, a field of flowers and a fire-breathing dragon hang on the walls of the Alabama Center for the Arts.
The 40-piece Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama, on display at the downtown Decatur arts center through Aug. 26, celebrates works of art created by students who live with some level of blindness.
“The exhibit travels all over the state. Last year was our first year hosting the exhibit. They were pleased to add a stop in our area and we loved having it here. What these students are able to do is absolutely amazing and inspiring,” said Jennifer Bunnell, chief operating officer of the Alabama Center for the Arts.
For the visually impaired community, where touch is essential, many of the creations incorporate a variety of textures, from folded tissue paper, beads and pipe cleaners to form a flower to torn paper in the shape of a butterfly’s body to layers of paint that create ridges and whorls.
In “Blooming” by Cason Berryhill, the fourth grader from Morris used Epsom salts dyed with red, green and yellow food coloring to create a sunflower. In “Pretty Painted Flowers,” eighth-grader Bella Windsor used layers of paper to create blossoms. The description accompanying Windsor’s work said, “Bella believes that flowers can hear and feel her touch, which inspired her to create painted flowers.” In Alexis Harrison’s “I See With My Hands,” the kindergartner covered her palm print with mini balls.
Along with flowers, dragons and Paris, the pieces showcase the artists’ love of music, winter, fairies, sunrises and ice skating.
Coordinated by the UAB Vision Science Research Center, the Helen Keller juried art show is open to any student 21 and younger diagnosed as blind, visually impaired or partially sighted. Proceeds from the pieces, which are available for a donation of $100 or more, go to scholarships, summer workshops and more.
The artists range from kindergartners to high school seniors and represent the Helen Keller School, Helena Intermediate School, Vincent Elementary School, Oak Mountain Middle School, Pleasant Grove High School, Clay-Chalkville High School, Alabama School for the Blind, Fort Payne Middle School, Alabama Virtual Academy, Willis Valley Elementary School, North Jefferson Middle School, Burkett Center, Thompson Intermediate School, Creekview Elementary School and Moores Mill Elementary School.
The center on Second Avenue in downtown Decatur is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday. Admission is free. For more on the exhibit, visit uab.edu/vsrc/2020-helen-keller-art-show.
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