Austin, August 24, 2025
News Summary
The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired will host the third annual Touch the Art experience, an immersive exhibition of tactile art created by blind students. Taking place at Almost Real Things HQ, the event invites visitors to engage through touch and features music, sensory installations, and family-friendly activities. This initiative promotes inclusivity in the art world while highlighting the talents of TSBVI students. Coinciding with this event, a related art competition will raise awareness about food insecurity in Central Texas.
Austin’s Touch the Art Experience to Showcase Tactile Art Created by Blind Students on April 12, 2024
The Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) is set to present the third annual Touch the Art experience on April 12, 2024, in collaboration with Almost Real Things. This immersive art exhibition will run from 6–10 p.m. at the Almost Real Things headquarters located at 820 Shelby Lane #103 in Austin, allowing visitors to interact with and tactilely explore various art installations.
Touch the Art is designed as a fully tactile experience, encouraging engagement through touch, which creates a unique opportunity for all visitors, regardless of their sight capability. The event has grown significantly since its inception three years ago, evolving from a small hallway event to an expansive 3,000-square-foot area filled with interactive, tactile art installations.
The founders of Touch the Art, Zachary Zulch and Natalie Earhart, along with TSBVI art teacher Gretchen Bettes, aim to create a more inclusive art environment for artists of all abilities. This initiative showcases the talents of TSBVI students, who contribute to the exhibition by creating various art pieces, such as clay sculptures and puppets. The project serves to highlight the creative potential of blind artists, emphasizing that their abilities deserve equal recognition in the art world.
This year’s Touch the Art will include music, sensory installations, and family-friendly activities, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for community engagement. With interactive art being the core focus, attendees can expect a memorable experience that celebrates creativity and artistry.
Additional Community Engagement: “Feeding Creativity” Art Competition
Coinciding with the Touch the Art exhibition, the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) is hosting its annual “Feeding Creativity” art competition for K-12 students in its 21-county service area. The theme for the 2025 competition is “Food Unites Us: Celebrating Cultural Connections,” with artworks submission deadlines set for Tuesday, April 1.
The CTFB competition aims to use art as a means to raise awareness about food insecurity, an issue that affects one in five children in Central Texas. It provides children with a platform to express their creativity while shedding light on a critical social concern. Celebrity judges will evaluate the submissions, with the winning piece being transformed into a wrap for a CTFB delivery truck.
A special gallery night in May will celebrate the children’s artwork, offering family-friendly events and a chance for the community to appreciate the students’ creativity. The winner of the competition will be announced during this event.
Conclusion
The Touch the Art experience promises to be an enlightening event, combining art and advocacy for visibility and inclusion in the creative community. It reaffirms the important role that accessible art plays in fostering understanding and appreciation of diverse artistic expressions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Touch the Art event?
Touch the Art is an immersive art exhibition focused on tactile art created by blind students from TSBVI, encouraging interaction through touch.
When and where is the event taking place?
The event will take place on April 12, 2024, from 6–10 p.m. at Almost Real Things HQ, 820 Shelby Lane #103, Austin.
Who are the organizers of the event?
The event is organized by the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in collaboration with Almost Real Things, with contributions from TSBVI art teachers and students.
Will there be other activities at the event?
Yes, the event will feature music, sensory installations, and various family-friendly activities to engage the community.
What is the “Feeding Creativity” art competition?
The “Feeding Creativity” art competition is hosted by the Central Texas Food Bank for K-12 students to raise awareness about food insecurity, allowing them to express their creativity through art.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Touch the Art Experience |
| Date & Time | April 12, 2024, from 6–10 p.m. |
| Location | Almost Real Things HQ, Austin |
| Focus | Tactile art created by students at TSBVI |
| Activities | Music, sensory installations, family-friendly events |
| Related Event | Feeding Creativity Art Competition |
| Submission Theme | Food Unites Us: Celebrating Cultural Connections |
| Submission Deadline | April 1, 2025 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Exploring Liminal Spaces in Austin’s Spring Art Scene
Additional Resources
- CBS Austin
- Wikipedia: Tactile Art
- The Daily Texan
- Google Search: Austin Creative Scene
- KXAN
- Google Scholar: SXSW Creativity
- FOX 7 Austin
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Insecurity
- CBS Austin Features
- Google News: Austin Creative Events
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
