Sight Unseen: A Week of Art, Accessibility, and New Ways of Experiencing the World
Sight Unseen: A Week of Art, Accessibility, and New Ways of Experiencing the World
June 8-13, 2026 | Create Gallery and Frames | Garden City, Idaho
What Is Sight Unseen?
What if art could be experienced through more than sight alone?
From June 8-13, Create Gallery and Frames will host Sight Unseen, a week-long multi-sensory arts experience that brings together blind, visually impaired, and sighted participants through art, movement, touch, conversation, and shared exploration.
Designed in collaboration with artists, educators, and members of the blind and visually impaired community, Sight Unseen encourages participants to discover how creativity can be experienced beyond vision. Through workshops, performances, discussions, and interactive installations, the event creates opportunities for connection, learning, and artistic discovery.
At its core, Sight Unseen is built on a simple idea: art belongs to everyone.
Why Was Sight Unseen Created?
Most art is designed around visual experiences. We look at paintings, sculptures, photographs, and installations, often from a distance.
Sight Unseen asks a different question:
What happens when we experience art through touch, movement, sound, and human connection?
The mission of Sight Unseen is to foster an inclusive space where sighted and visually impaired individuals can come together to explore art beyond the sense of vision. Through collaborative experiences, the event encourages a greater understanding of the blind perspective while building community through dialogue, creativity, and shared experiences.
The goal is not simply to teach people about blindness.
The goal is to create opportunities for everyone to learn from one another.
Who Is This Event For?
One of the most common misconceptions about Sight Unseen is that it is only for people who are blind or visually impaired.
It isn't.
Sight Unseen was intentionally created for:
Blind and visually impaired individuals
Artists and creatives
Students and educators
Caregivers and family members
Accessibility advocates
Community members
Anyone curious about experiencing art in a different way
No previous art experience is required.
Whether you attend a workshop, visit the exhibition, participate in a discussion, or attend the final showcase, you are welcome.
What Can You Experience During the Week?
Throughout the week, visitors can participate in workshops and experiences that explore creativity through movement, touch, awareness, and conversation. Activities include:
Movement Experiences
Movement Not Seen
Blind Ballet
Seeing Through the Body
Gentle Yoga with Marcie
Bumper Dance
Hands-On Creative Experiences
Sculpture Through Touch
Blind Beading
Touched by Art Exhibition
Community and Educational Experiences
Puppy Play: Raising Dogs for the Blind
Bite Unseen
Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Being Blind (But Were Too Afraid to Ask!)
Many experiences encourage sighted participants to temporarily set aside visual cues and engage more deeply with touch, sound, movement, and spatial awareness.
For Blind and Visually Impaired Visitors
Sight Unseen was developed with accessibility at its heart.
Throughout the week, participants will find opportunities to engage with tactile artwork, movement experiences, educational discussions, and collaborative activities designed to encourage participation and meaningful connection.
The event seeks to create a welcoming environment where blind, visually impaired, and sighted individuals can learn from one another while exploring creativity together.
What Is Touched by Art?
One of the most unique parts of Sight Unseen is Touched by Art, a special exhibition presented by Create Gallery and Frames.
In most galleries, visitors are asked not to touch the artwork.
This exhibition turns that expectation upside down.
Touched by Art features selected works designed to be experienced through touch, allowing visitors to explore texture, shape, form, and materials in ways that traditional gallery exhibitions rarely allow.
For many visitors, it may be their first opportunity to experience artwork through their hands rather than their eyes.
What Is The Mind's Eye?
The Mind's Eye is an interactive installation created by Leo Bratenas, Martha Channer, and Craig Mitchell.
Presented during the June 13 Showcase Performance and Silent Auction, this immersive installation is designed as a tactile art corridor that invites visitors to explore through touch, movement, and curiosity.
The installation encourages participants to consider new ways of navigating and understanding artistic spaces while engaging with art beyond visual observation.
Looking Toward the Future of Accessible Arts
Sight Unseen is not only a week of workshops and performances.
It is also part of a larger conversation.
Organizers, artists, and members of the blind and visually impaired community are exploring an important question:
What should art, dance, and performance include in order to be truly accessible?
These conversations help create new opportunities for collaboration and encourage broader accessibility within the arts community. The goal is to help shape future artistic experiences that embrace a wider range of perspectives and ways of experiencing the world.
This video explores the importance of tactile art, especially for individuals experiencing vision loss, highlighting the sensory aspect of creation. It also touches on how movement training without sight can enrich both the sighted and the blind & visually impaired:
Showcase Performance & Silent Auction
The week concludes on Saturday, June 13 with a public Showcase Performance and Silent Auction.
The evening includes:
The Mind's Eye interactive installation
Touched by Art exhibition
Silent auction
Performances from Idaho Dance Theatre
Choreography developed throughout the week by workshop participants
Food and beverages from Savory Girl Idaho and Boise Beauty Boards
This celebration serves as the culmination of a week dedicated to creativity, accessibility, and community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be blind or visually impaired to attend?
No. Sight Unseen was created for both blind, visually impaired, and sighted participants.
Do I need any art experience?
Not at all. Most experiences are beginner-friendly and designed for curious participants of all backgrounds.
Can I attend if I don't take a class?
Absolutely. Visitors are welcome to explore the exhibition and attend the Showcase Performance and Silent Auction.
Is the June 13 Showcase open to the public?
Yes. Tickets are available for anyone interested in attending.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing is recommended, especially for movement-based workshops.
Is the event accessible?
Accessibility is central to the mission of Sight Unseen. If you have specific accommodation questions or needs, we encourage you to contact Create Gallery and Frames before attending.
What if I've never attended anything like this before?
Perfect. Many participants will be experiencing these ideas for the first time. Curiosity is the only requirement.
Join Us
Whether you are blind, visually impaired, or sighted, Sight Unseen invites you to explore creativity through touch, movement, conversation, and community.
We hope you'll join us as we discover new ways to experience art together.
Sight Unseen
June 8-13, 2026
Create Gallery and Frames
3520 W Chinden Blvd
Garden City, ID 83714
Registration, Schedule, and Tickets: https://www.idahodancetheatre.org/sight-unseen
