Describe the critical need your solution addresses.

Currently the only way for a blind person to experience contemporary art is if a museum has purchased what are called "raised" paintings of master works. My paintings allow the individual to touch the work and to interpret it based on texture and the Braille incorporated into it.

Explain your initiative in more depth and its stage of development.

I do not believe I am the first painter to create textured paintings for individuals to touch but I do believe this method/strategy is the first to incorporate Braille into the actual artworks to further assist a blind visitor with their interpretation of the works.

How does your strategy and approach respond creatively and comprehensively to key issues?

If we are to truly strive for inclusion for all people to experience art then we as artists must not limit our abilities to create artworks based on old traditions. This is a go-forward strategy that attempts to not only allow the blind to "see" but also to educate the sighted by showing artwork that can truly be seen both by the blind and the sighted.