Huntsville, Ala – The Huntsville Museum of Art is excited to announce Accessible Art Works (AAW), a program developed by the Museum’s Education Department in collaboration with people with disabilities.

“The Museum is committed to advancing a diverse and inclusive space and community by creating and implementing accessibility initiatives,” said Laura Smith, Director of Education and Museum Academy.  “We are pleased to offer Accessible Art Works free of charge to participants and a companion thanks to a generous grant from the Lowe Foundation and a partnership with the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB).”

To date, AAW comprises two programs – one for people with vision impairment, low vision or blindness; the other program is specific to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Each session will allow an assistant or companion to attend with the workshop participant. The Accessible Art Works program gives one the opportunity to experience a docent-led private tour of specific art pieces from a current exhibit, followed by an art making session led by a trained instructor.  AAW sessions will be offered on a monthly basis year round.

The sessions for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing will have an ASL Qualified Interpreter during the tour and the art making component, as well.  The next Deaf/Hard of Hearing session is scheduled for October 17th.

The sessions for the Blind/Low Vision will be verbally descriptive and contain tactile components.  The next Blind/Low Vision session is scheduled for October 24th.

“We believe art and public spaces should be accessible to all.  AAW represents an AAW-some opportunity to support this objective,” said Candace Bean, Museum Education Associate. “We strongly recommend that attendees pre-register for each session as they will fill up quickly.”

AAW sessions meet from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. once a month.  Visit hsvmuseum.org to see the full list of upcoming AAW sessions.  Sign up online or contact Mrs. Bean at cbean@hsvmuseum.org or 256-535-4350 ext. 223 to participate in the sessions or to learn more.

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