[Art_beyond_sight_learning_tools] Article: Vivid descriptions a hallmark of guide's tour for theblind

[Shelley L. Rhodes]

Herald Tribune, Southwest Florida
Thursday, June 30, 2005

Vivid descriptions a hallmark of guide's tour for the blind

By PATTY ALLEN-JONES
patty.allen-jones at heraldtribune.com

Carole Beldon gave a detailed description of the painting of the angel 
Gabriel and the Virgin Mary at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

The tour guide talked about the different colors of the sky, clothing and 
hair.

Beldon pointed out the expression on their faces and the position of their 
bodies.

She didn't leave out the gold frame.

Beldon's audience was a group from the Manasota Lighthouse for the Blind.

"I enjoyed it," said Ruben Velez, 39 of Bradenton, who lost his sight more 
than three years ago. "It was my first time in the museum in 15 years in 
Florida."

Volunteers described several huge hanging paintings, then passed around 
smaller versions. They used flashlights to help the people with limited 
vision. The paintings were converted into raised dots so the blind could 
feel them.

"We can think about how they were explaining the picture," Velez said.

John Nocera, 33, of Bradenton, said the tour was excellent. But "it was hard 
for me to enjoy the paintings for what they really are" because he lost 
nearly all his sight eight months ago.

"I used to like abstract art, but right now it's a little depressing," said 
Nocera, who plans to go back to the museum when he's more comfortable with 
his disability.

Eleanor Faller, 89, of Bradenton, said she found it extremely interesting. 
She sent the museum a thank-you letter, but suggested using brighter 
paintings and bigger flashlights for the next group of visually impaired 
tourists.

Faller has macular degeneration, a common cause of vision loss among older 
people.

The museum tour is part of Manasota Lighthouse for the Blind's eight-week 
class that teaches living skills to folks with visual disabilities. 
Participants learn such things as identifying money, the food in their 
pantry or the knobs on a stove or microwave. They are introduced to Braille, 
and taught how to shop for groceries and eat in restaurants.

"I'm having a good time," said Ruth Buddle, 80, of Bradenton, who also has 
macular degeneration. "You learn so much. I've learned to listen more and to 
let your ears be your eyes."


http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050630/COMMUNITY/506300759/1471/NEWS0101


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