Form in Art combines art-making studio classes and the study of art history into a unique course for legally blind adults. About 20 percent of people who are legally blind can see nothing at all. The rest have some residual vision, which varies greatly from person to person. More people are visually impaired than are blind. Visual description and touch tours by specially trained guides help these students get an initial experience of select objects in the Museum's galleries. Then, historical and subjective information and lectures by conservators and curators fill in this overview and teach them about the role of the art museum. In the studio classes, artist instructors expose the students to a wide variety of materials and techniques to assist and encourage their self-expression.

Four different Form in Art classes meet once a week for two 13-week semesters each year. At the end of the year, students have the opportunity to enter their best works in a Museum-held exhibition, which not only serves as a celebration of their efforts but also as an inspiration to blind and sighted Museum visitors alike.

Students are not required to have had previous art training before entering the Form in Art program. There is a $10 (beginners) or $40 (advanced) registration fee for each semester. The Museum provides all supplies and also arranges and pays half of the students' transportation to and from the classes.

Registration

All programs require registration. To reserve your space, call (215) 684-7602, at least three weeks prior to your preferred date.

Sponsors

Form in Art is generously supported by The Women's Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

For more information, please contact Accessible Programs by phone at (215) 684-7602 or TTY (215) 684-7600, or by fax at (215) 684-7395.