Stories from WMA: Adding a Tactile, Hands-On, Element to Art

The Wiregrass Museum of Art draws in visitors of every ability and age and is always striving to make the exhibitions more accessible to everyone. Towards that goal, WMA is giving people one more way to experience the artwork on display with tactile samples.

Being able to gently touch tactile material helps both the visually impaired and visually able museum visitors to incorporate touch, creating an inclusive experience of the art that still protects the original art objects from damage.

“You can look at a piece like this and you can think about what it might actually feel like, but then you can touch the sample and you’ll know,” said one of the museum’s art educators, Janin Wise.

The directions are simple:

Please do not touch the original art. Look for the plaques next to pieces that will have the Irwin the Museum dragon pointing towards a “Touch Gently!” sign. The samples on these plaques can be touched to give you a sense of the materials used in the artwork they are beside. They also give you more information about the materials used in the artwork.

“We wanted to make something that would be more diverse and something that anybody could experience. If you make something that everyone can use, then anyone can use it,” explained Wise.

There are currently 7 tactile samples on display throughout the museum and new ones will be added each quarter, being revealed at the Art After Hours events that coincides with the opening of each quarterly art exhibition.

At WMA, lifelong learning matters, and our team works to bring memorable experiences to guests of every ability and age. Our staff, volunteers, and tour guides take thoughtful and trained approaches to making sure everyone can experience and learn from art, and are always working towards making the  experience even more inclusive for everyone.

Image above: Eileen Braun, River, 2024, Factory waste dressmakers’ pattern tissue, gold foil, and aluminum wire screen, 50 x 50 x 10 inches with an Irwin the Museum Dragon, “Touch Gently!” tactile sample of the materials.