Pooling Ideas on Art and Imaging

Art works created with conventional materials reflect the hand of the artist. Artists with physical disabilities such as muscular spasms, weakness, or limitations of mobility impedes efforts to produce works of art. An experimental program uses computers to introduce art curricula into two British schools: (1) Thurlow Park (a school for children of all ages who are physically disabled); and (2) Chatham Park (a school for visually impaired students). Using Deluxe Paint and Fantavision software, students were able to produce outstanding works of art. The art teacher involved in these experiments presents successful lesson ideas and suggested teaching strategies for using computer graphic software in art programs designed for physically and visually impaired students. Color illustrations of student works are provided and discussed in terms of motivating influences, concept development, problems encountered, problem solving procedures, and solutions arrived at by the young artists. (MM)