SMU Meadows Museum workshop develops artists with and without visual impairments

To artist John Bramblitt, a simple line is a mighty tool "used to carve up the world into understandable pieces." Bramblitt will discuss how painters and sculptors use that tool to compose their artwork at an SMU Meadows Museum workshop July 19.

DALLAS (SMU) – To artist John Bramblitt, a simple line is a mighty tool "used to carve up the world into understandable pieces." Bramblitt will discuss how painters and sculptors use that tool to compose their artwork at an SMU Meadows Museum workshop July 19.

 The workshop, designed for those with and without visual impairments, includes a rare opportunity for hands-on explorations of sculptures in the museum's collections as well as discussions of Spanish Old Master drawings in the exhibition, "The Spanish Gesture: Drawings from Murillo to Goya in the Hamburger Kunsthalle." Participants will have an opportunity to use line to create their own piece of art at the workshop.

Drawings dating to the early 1600s in the "Spanish Gesture" exhibit offer rare insight to artists' works, Bramblitt says. "The magic of putting thoughts down as they occur, unaltered and unadulterated in line may be one of the purest forms of art there is. It forms a direct connection between the viewer and artist that no amount of time can erase."

At Meadows, Bramblitt is a consultant to museum educators, helping them develop programs that make the museum accessible to everyone, no matter what their disability or ability. Blind since 2001 due to complications from epilepsy, the 43-year-old artist shares the healing power of art in his workshops, which have received three national President's Volunteer Service Awards.

John BramblittWHAT: Art workshop for those with and without visual impairments inspired by SMU Meadows Museum exhibit "The Spanish Gesture: Drawing from Murillo to Goya in the Hamburger Kunsthalle," (through August 31, 2014).

WHO: Artist John Bramblitt lost his sight as a college student due to complications from epilipsy. Now he is an internationally recognized artist and expert on adaptive art techniques for those with disabilities.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday, July 19.

WHERE: Meadows Museum, 5900 Bishop Blvd, SMU, Dallas

PARKING: Meadows Museum parking garage

REGISTRATION: Advance registration required for $25 workshop. All artistic abilities are welcome, must be age 17 or over. http://www.meadowsmuseumdallas.org/public_programs.htm