Envision has installed a new art show at Fred & Barney’s Restaurant, which recently opened at 2424 N. Woodlawn in Wichita. The show features 35 paintings, paper and ceramic sculptures, drawings and mixed media pieces. All works were created by artists who are blind or visually impaired, ranging from a 3-year-old student enrolled at the Cathy G. Hudson Envision Child Development Center to 64-year-old Japanese artist Tomijo Tajiri, who participates in Envision’s Adult Art Program. Other artists include an 8-year-old enrolled in Envision’s after-school art program and artists in Envision’s PRIDE program for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in addition to vision impairment.
The project came about after the restaurant’s owners, Kevin Brown and Tracy Fahrbach, saw an installation of works by Envision artists at the Aloft Wichita Northeast Hotel and contacted Envision President/CEO Michael Monteferrante.
The works at Fred & Barney’s may eventually be made available for purchase, with new ones replacing them. The art program at Envision has been expanded in recent years, and the nonprofit organization is looking for other venues to display works. People interested in purchasing or displaying the art can contact Sarah Kephart, art education teacher at Envision, at (316) 440-1534 or Sarah.Kephart@envisionus.com.
