BEAD Artist of the Week: Annie Young

“I lost my sight, but not my ability to create the images that come to me in dreams. When my fingers itch I paint…when I can’t find words I paint…when I can’t find sleep I paint.”
–Annie Young, painter

Annie Young is a blind artist from Minnesota who uses her sense of touch, textured paints, and her memories of color to create vibrant and highly topographical paintings. Her art will be on display at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Art Center July 5-27, with related hands-on activities designed by WonderLab from 5-8 pm Friday, July 5 during the First Friday opening reception. During the reception, many of the pieces can be touched. Ms. Young herself will be at the Ivy Tech Waldron on Saturday, July 27 to demonstrate her painting technique. A workshop will be offered that afternoonfor blind and vision impaired persons who wish to experiment with pottery wheels and try their hands at carving low-relief panels out of clay. Any extra workshop spots will be offered to sighted persons willing to experience the class while wearing a blindfold. All of these events will be free due to the generous support of the City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility, the Indiana Arts Commission, Ivy Tech Bloomington, and WonderLab. Click here to watch Annie paint.  To read Annie’s blog click here.