New Hastings Museum to host exhibitions to help visually impaired community

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) – Three new exhibits, supported by the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and produced by Tactile Images, will be on display at the Hastings Museum starting Sept. 24. The exhibits will provide an opportunity for the blind and low vision community to enjoy the museum.

Through tactile printing, an innovative patented process Tactile Images Individuals from Chatham, New York, experience three-dimensional tactile prints using touch and sound that encourage independent acquisition of visual information. Customized audio narration components further enhance the experience. The partnership with Getty Images and the National Federation of the Blind underscores Tactile Images’ global mission to bring tactile imagery to institutions worldwide.

The Hastings Museum is one of five institutions in Nebraska that hosts tactile exhibits.

3D Photoworks Co-Founder and General Manager John Olson said the exhibition is important in terms of providing a new experience for visually impaired visitors.

“Whether you’re blind, disabled or sighted, the ability to interact with a three-dimensional piece gives you a new and different level of learning,” Olson said. “It gives the user the opportunity to have control. They’re given the opportunity to experience the piece through touch and sound, and they’re in control of their learning experience.”

Olson also said he has received a lot of positive feedback from the public about how the shows have helped them.

“He came to me once and said, ‘You know what you’ve provided us with is really wonderful, but I don’t think you really understand what you’ve given us,’” Olson said. “He said that when you can experience a piece of art or a photograph for yourself, it represents freedom, independence and equality.”

The exhibits not only help the blind and low vision community, they also contribute to Hastings Museum’s mission of inclusivity.

“One of our core missions is to be accessible, diverse and inclusive, and this ticks all those boxes,” says Curis Gosser, Curator of Exhibitions at Hastings Museum. “We’re able to offer locals an experience they can’t get anywhere else. We also have the opportunity to bring people from outside Hastings to have that experience.”

Olson said he hopes the partnership with Hastings Museum will help them reach their goal of serving those in need in the blind and disabled community in the future.

“We’ve developed the technology and the process to make these exhibits accessible, but without organizations like the Hastings Museum, we wouldn’t be getting them into the hands of people who need them,” Olson said. “There’s a fundamental level of creating change here for people who really need it.”

The artworks exhibited include:

Leonardo Da Vinci: Artist and Engineer: September 24 – December 19

Learn about the engineering drawings and innovations of the legendary Leonardo da Vinci. This exhibition explores his critical eye, creative nature, and interdisciplinary expertise through designs ranging from construction devices to war machines and flying apparatus.

Experience the Cosmos: James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): December 21 – March 20

Prepare for an incredible journey into the future of space exploration. Experience and explore JWST’s groundbreaking mission to use advanced technology to reveal distant galaxies, the birth of stars as nebulae, and exoplanetary atmospheres. JWST is shaping our understanding of the cosmic. This exhibition was produced in collaboration with the Space Telescope Science Institute.

Battle of Tet and Hue: March 24 – May 23

Nearly 50 years ago, the North Vietnamese army launched what is now known as the Tet Offensive, a series of more than 100 surprise attacks across South Vietnam. This exhibit features historic combat photographs of U.S. Marines who fought in the Battle of Hue, a key battle during this period of the Vietnam War. Through powerful imagery and multi-sensory tools, visitors can experience the personal stories of how the conflict impacted and shaped the lives of these American soldiers.

The partnership with NCBVI highlights a shared commitment to accessibility, empowerment and education. By bringing traveling tactile exhibits to institutions across Nebraska, the initiative aims to create a more inclusive environment for individuals with diverse abilities. By collaborating with various organizations, Tactile Images and NCBVI strive to make information and experiences accessible to a broader audience, encouraging continued learning and community enrichment.

Additionally, this initiative aligns with the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) provided by NCBVI, providing valuable resources and support to individuals with visual impairments, preparing them for future employment opportunities. By engaging in tactile exhibits and accessing educational materials in accessible formats, participants develop critical skills, build confidence, and explore possible career paths.

More information about the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired can be found at: ncbvi.nebraska.gov.

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