 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
April 8 1998
vol.80, no.52
The Vancouver Echo
Vancouver, BC
Sight Takes a Backseat to Feeling
Clay Sculpture Classes for Visually-Impaired People a First for B.C.
by Ross McLaren
James
Picard's life resembles his livingroom: a gigantic juggling act lashed
together by his love of painting, welding and clay sculpture.
Recognized around the world, named as artist-in-residence at the New York School of Art, and a lover of strong coffee, Picard globe-hops from his home base in East Vancouver. But this month Picard is giving back to his community with a pioneering idea: sculpting classes for the visually impaired.
Beginning April 16, Picard and a group of artists will lead 15 students in a six-week clay sculpting course at John Oliver Secondary. The program is offered through the Vancouver School Board continuing education department. Picard calls it a first for British Columbia.
"The great thing about working with clay is that it's tactile, a feeling thing." Said Picard, seated in his East Vancouver kitchen.
"You don't really need your sight, that's the whole thing about sculptures. You can create some amazing things just by using your imagination."
Picard's inspiration for the course arrived after several visually impaired students joined one of his New York art classes. Picard said the students amazed him with their hand speed in shaping the clay.
"They were progressing faster than anyone else. The other students were too busy looking at their work. That's what got me excited and got me thinking about this course."
After returning to Vancouver, Picard contacted the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and the Vancouver School Board. Both organizations gave him the green light.
Arlene Minosky, program coordinator for the VSB continuing education, said Picard's innovative course has the board's support.
"When James approached us I said let's go for it. It just seemed like an opportune time," said Minosky.
Picard also has the support of prominent politicians, including Premier Glen Clark, Finance Minister Joy McPhail, MP Svend Robinson and Vancouver Mayor Phillip Owen.
Teaching is nothing new to Picard, who has three years experience in the Vancouver and North Shore continuing education departments. But whether or not he is educating the visually able or disabled, he finds he gets a good return on his investment.
"That's why I love to teach, to give back and get that energy from the students." Artist and sculptor James Picard is turning his talents to teaching blind and near blind students the art of sculpting.