The scene was reminiscent of the Indian Market in Oaxaca, Mexico. Women, hooked up to primitive backstrap looms, deftly shooting the shuttles through the taut threads. This time the rhythm was slower, the chatter and laughter just as loud and the weavers all blind.

Their instructor, Johanna Jordan, was apprehensive when first approached by the Pinecastle Center of the Arts about working with the visually handicapped. They had obtained a matching grant from the Fine Arts Council to provide creative experiences for blind members of the community. They chose Crealde Art Center as a central point to hold the classes they planned.

Jordan began preparing for her new students by challenging herself to work at her loom blindfolded. As a result, she modified the loom, enlarging spaces and holes and using tongue depressors for shuttles instead of popsicle sticks Johanna Jordan and her assistant, Angela Fair, were ready when the special van unloaded the sixteen blind young adults and seniors at the Crealde Art Center. Four women and one man were led into the weaving room. Thirty-year-old Gary Lehman chose weaving "cause I wanted to do something different." Cici Repoza, whose macrame won a prize at the county fair, hopes to weave at home someday.

The others joined a Music Appreciation class with Music Therapist, John Anderson or went to the sculpture studio where Whitney Wolf was waiting for them. Wolf calls his special class Touch 101. "Isn't that something!" Mary Eierman exclaimed as her inquisitive fingers followed the meandering curves of the human ear. The class was examining the textures and forms of several ceramic heads.

Wolf's initial approach was to direct his students to discover themselves by shaping a piece of clay in their own image. The word "sculpture" worried the class at first, causing Wolf to refer to their work as "clay pieces." Now that they are experienced craftsmen, they call their work "sculpture." In nice weather the class works in the garden. It's a jovial group of friends, noisy, busy, supportive. When 

LaVyrne Hanson isn't busy working on a ceramic peanut dish shaped like a peanut, she is scooting off to tape interviews for "Mumbles" the monthly newspaper for the blind. She has to work quickly because someone is always eating her peanut models. Most of the group know each other from other blind organizations.

Julian Thompson, a wiry ex-logger from North Carolina, was finishing a clay log cabin that he remembered from his childhood. The teacher's face beamed with pride as he removed Eloise Gotchall's figure of "The Thinker" from the turntable. She touched his arm and said, "this has been great.” The Blind Art Students' Exhibit is now on display at the Pinecastle Center of the Arts. It will continue through June 27. Don't miss it. You will be amazed by the variety and quality of their creative efforts.

Photo caption:

LaVyrne Hanson, Julian Thompson and Joe Lombardi enjoy the wooded tranquility of the garden at Crealde. Working with them are instructor Whitney Wolf, and Terri Coffin.

Upper right, Johanna Jordan and student Lorraine Gideon examine yarn; upper center, Eloise Gotchall concentrates on sculpture; and Gary Lehman, Ceci Reposa and Ida Pinkham work in weaving studio.