Independence through

EXPLORE, EXPRESS & ENJOY
creative expression through the arts

The Sensory Exploration Arts (SEA) Program was created to promote and foster artistic and creative expression among individuals with sensory impairments in a visual arts program. The initial concept of this project began after visiting SENSE Scotland in 2008 and observing the benefits and opportunities of their Arts and Wellbeing Program facilitated there. This stimulating and collaborative program was launched as a pilot program on March 1, 2010 as a partnership between DeafBlind Ontario Services and Bob Rumball Associations for the Deaf.

This stimulating and collaborative program has already exposed the benefits of creative expression in individuals whom may not have engaged or viewed themselves as an artist before.  Our budding artists have explored and experienced many themes – animals, nature, sugarbush, and weather through watercolour, scented painting, warm/cool play dough, and barley, sand, beads, string and foil collages, all of which have allowed for play and exploration of their senses, deepening the participants joy of new experiences and life itself.  This program also includes the broader community through inclusion of local artists who work with various art mediums.  An additional objective of the program is to select pieces of art to enter the International Helen Keller Awards, an open multi-media arts competition that explores perceptions of deafblindness across the world, hosted by SENSE.

In 2011, we re-approached the Ontario Trillium Foundation asking to continue this program, and help expand the current visual arts program to explore music, dance and drama mediums as well as include other organizations in the community who support people with sensory impairments over 2 years.  We successfully obtained this grant, struck a steering committee of partnering organizations (listed below), and branched the program out in York-Simcoe regions.  One of the responsibilities of the steering committee is to secure sustainable funding for this program after the grant ends.  We have also hosted gallery exhibitions showcasing the work of our artists.

SEA is currently being run in Milton, Barrie, Georgina, and Markham. The SEA program is currently available to select organizations that support people with sensory impairments and/or other physical disabilities (CNIB York Region, Community Living Georgina, Community Living York South, Community Living Newmarket/Aurora, Simcoe Community Services and Bob Rumball Associations for the Deaf).

Take a look at what our artists have created: SEA Program Photo Gallery

SEA Program Exhibit August 18, 2010: SEA Exhibit Photo Gallery

SEA NOTECARDS NOW AVAILABLE!  Beautiful blank notecards featuring works created by our SEA artists.  Set of 12 cards, 6 different designs, with envelopes for $15.  Proceeds support the SEA Program.  Purchase yours today!  1-855-340-DBOS (3267) or buy online here.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS ONLY:

• York South - Varley Art Gallery - Monday, May 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.
• York South - Varley Art Gallery - Monday, May 7, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.
• Woodstock - Woodstock & District Developmental Services - Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.
• Woodstock - Woodstock & District Developmental Services - Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.
• York North - Georgina Art Centre & Gallery - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.
• York North - Georgina Art Centre & Gallery - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.
• Barrie - Maclaren Art Centre - Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.
• Barrie - Maclaren Art Centre - Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.

June 2012 SEA Outline - Dance: Vibrations and Movement click here

• Woodstock - Woodstock & District Developmental Services - Friday, June 1, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
• York South - Varley Art Gallery - Monday June 4, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.& 1:00 p.m.
• York North - Georgina Art Centre & Gallery - Friday, June 15, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.
• Barrie - Maclaren Art Centre - Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.