Sioux Falls, SD (2/26/2026) — Art is meant to be experienced. At the Washington Pavilion’s Visual Arts Center, that experience now extends beyond sight.
In collaboration with the National Federation of the Blind of South Dakota, the Washington Pavilion is presenting “Seven Art Movements,” a tactile exhibition designed to be explored through touch and sound. The exhibition opened Feb. 20 in Gallery 301. An artist reception will be held Friday, March 6, at 6 p.m. Media are invited to attend.
While most art museums operate as no-touch spaces, “Seven Art Movements” invites visitors to engage directly with art history. Through raised-line reproductions, textured surfaces and audio narration, guests explore seven defining movements presented in chronological order: The Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassicism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Art Nouveau and Expressionism.
Tactile interpretations of works by artists including Leonardo da Vinci, Johannes Vermeer and Vincent van Gogh reveal shifts in craftsmanship, subject matter and artistic style across centuries. Audio descriptions guide visitors as they follow shapes, contours and composition with their hands.
Presented in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind, the exhibition challenges long-standing barriers within museum spaces. The organization works to ensure blind and low-vision individuals have equal access to education, employment and cultural experiences, grounded in the belief that blindness does not define a person or limit their future.
“This exhibition reflects our belief that art belongs to everyone,” says Maddy Grogan, Director of Museums and Education at the Washington Pavilion. “Accessibility is fundamental to our mission. By hosting ‘Seven Art Movements,’ we are intentionally creating space for blind and low-vision guests to lead the experience, while inviting all visitors to reconsider how art can be understood.”
By bringing this traveling exhibition to Sioux Falls, the Washington Pavilion continues its commitment to inclusive programming and community enrichment, inviting all guests to experience art through a broader lens.
Learn more at WashingtonPavilion.org/Tactile-Art.
About Washington Pavilion Management, Inc. (WPMI)
Washington Pavilion Management, Inc. is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the largest arts organization in the state. The management company oversees and programs two historic City of Sioux Falls facilities: the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science and the Orpheum Theater Center. The company also provides professional management services, including administration; arts, science and educational programming; ticketing; event management; marketing; and more to other arts and nonprofit organizations. For information, please visit WashingtonPavilion.org.
About Tactile Images
Tactile Images, a subsidiary of 3DPhotoWorks LLC, working in collaboration with the NFB, are dedicated to breaking down barriers for blind people in a predominantly sighted world. The company provides transformative experiences for the visually impaired through innovative tactile printing techniques, offering tactile exploration of visual and graphic materials accompanied by braille text, audio narratives, and scents. With a focus on accessibility, empowerment, and inclusivity, Tactile Images is committed to making knowledge and experiences accessible to all.
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