New mural at Fort Worth Lighthouse for the Blind to include tactile, audio elements
On Thursday morning Fort Worth artist Kristen Soble was working on her latest mural, taking refuge in the shade offered behind the Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth building on West Broadway Avenue.
“It’s been really hot,” she said. “When the shade disappears I kind of have to go.”
The over 2,000-square-foot mural faces South Adams Street and can be seen from I-30. Unlike other murals, this one will feature tactile and audio elements for everyone to enjoy.
Soble said she was approached by the Lighthouse for the Blind staff about a year ago with the idea for the mural. Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth works to empower blind individuals with services that allow them to lead full, high-quality, independent lives. During the planning process, the team figured it would be a waste to paint a pretty wall if it didn’t mean everyone could enjoy it, especially people with low vision or who are blind.
Curtis Rhodes, Lighthouse for the Blind communications content creator, said staff took inspiration from other museums in Fort Worth, particularly the Sid Richardson Museum downtown. During the pandemic, he said, the museum had taken steps to make copies of its artworks, outlining the images and adding different textures to colors. Rhodes said the Sid Richardson Museum visit gave staff inspiration for ways to distinguish parts of a picture for low-vision or blind people.
Staff also worked with blind community members to address ways to make the mural accessible to them, he said.
The design process started in October and painting started in April. Soble said the mural is estimated to be complete in June but because there are other elements involved in the process, it could take longer.
The five-section mural has the words “Where independence begins” painted toward the top in bold, black letters outlined by white paint. Rhodes said each section will feature services Lighthouse for the Blind provides, such as independent living skills, orientation and mobility, and assistive technology. Partially finished images over a gray background show low-vision and blind people living every day life, such as walking with a guide dog, cooking or reading.
“We want this piece to be an inspiration for visually impaired, really for everyone,” Soble said. “There are so many options, there are so many avenues and so much help out there to help you be comfortable with who you are and we just really wanted to get that message and bring that to them.”
Once the visual part is done, tactile aspects will be added such as braille, but not just signage. Soble said she can’t give too many details away while it’s in the works, but the team is working with another Southside business, Basecom Inc., to develop the plans for the tactile elements.
Audio elements, similar to pedestrian crossing signs, will also be included in the mural to give brief descriptions of different sections of the wall, Soble said. QR codes will also be on the wall and will link to an in-depth audio journey taking visitors behind the process for the wall and why certain visuals were chosen.
Soble got her start in the Near Southside neighborhood in Fort Worth. She’s done murals before, working with local businesses to bring a fun and joyful aspect to their buildings, but this is her first mural to incorporate other elements.
Throughout the process, Soble said it’s changed her perspective on the power of collaboration.
“This is a whole new level of interaction where you can actually feel it,” she said.
