Tactile Art Club - Valentine's Day Pop Out Card

We had another successful Tactile Art Club meeting on February 21 with 24 participants! In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, the club made beautiful three-dimensional pop-out cards using only paper, glue, and scissors! These cards are perfect to give to a loved one, express gratitude, or show appreciation for something in your life.

During this meeting, we learned essential folding techniques, such as accordion folding, and experimented with concepts such as form, depth, dimension, and space. We also talked about our favorite Valentine’s Day traditions and used this activity to bond as a club. Additionally, we had some “open-studio” time at the end for participants to experiment with materials, add multimedia components, and personalize their artwork. Many members also enhanced their work by using techniques from previous meetings and building on their artistic skills.

This was my favorite part; despite the same set of instructions, every person’s card had a unique artistic style. The club continues to spread creativity and positivity through accessible art online, and we are excited to continue forming a global community and create connections through tactile art!

Attached are a few pictures of what people created:

Front view of Pop-out Card by Andrew Trunfio

This picture shows a front view of an open card with three fans emerging from the centerfold. The largest fan in the center is shaped like a heart.

Top View of 3d Valentine Card

This is a top view of a valentines card with 3 fans emerging perpendicular to the inside of the card. Peeping out of the top of the card is a 3d origami heart. Smaller accordion folds also line the sides.

Blue card with interlocking folds by Stephanie Leathers

This blue card contains accordion folds nested over one another in various sizes and shapes. The accordion folds visually represent skyscrapers or other architectural buildings.

Top View of Blue Card by Stephanie Leathers

A top view of the card, which appears as a triangle with nested folds forming smaller geometric shapes.

Side view of open card with fans

This is a close-up view of a valentines card with 3 layers of accordion folds spreading out on the right side. Smaller folds are interspersed at the top and the bottom to add detail.

Top view of layered accordion folds

This image shows 3 accordion folds from the top view in subsequently smaller sizes. Each fold forms a triangle or zizag shape.

Image of open card with folds and cut-outs

This is an open card with two folds spanning across the centerfold. Another smaller accordion fold emerges off of the left side of the page. In the center, a folded banner with cut-out hearts is spread across the card. Heart-shaped holes line the center of the card, and I love you is written in pink cursive at the bottom

Side view of blue card by Stephanie Leathers

For those interested in creating Valentine’s Day inspired pop-out cards themselves, here is a transcript of instructions:

1. Set your paper in front of you in portrait orientation. Then, create the base of the card by simply folding a piece of paper in half horizontally. Note: if you want a sturdier card, consider using 2 pieces of paper and gluing them together.
   

2. Create a “pop out” fan using the accordion folding technique. These fans will go inside your card and create a 3 dimensional effect. Here are the steps to do so: 

   • Fold another piece of paper in half vertically. Then, cut it down the middle crease.

   • Orient your strip of paper in a landscape view in front of you. Then, create a small (approximately half inch) fold from the right side.

   • Flip the paper over. Then, create  a small fold again.

   • Continue this process until you have folded the entire piece of paper.
     

3. Use the same technique in step 2 to create more accordion fans to layer within your card. Each time, cut the strip of paper so that its width is a bit smaller than the previous strip of paper.
   

4. Cut out decorations to glue onto your fans and be creative! For example, you can cut out small hearts out of paper. Glue these decorations in between the folds protruding from them slightly.
   

5. Glue each fan into the card. To do so,  compress the fan so that it is completely folded. Then, open up the base of the card. Place your fold so that it is perpendicular to the vertical edge of the card. Then, glue the flat edge of the fan on both sides of the card.
   

6. Repeat step 5 for all of your fans.
   

7. Enjoy your handmade gift or personalized card!
   
   Tags:
   #tactilceart, #Artfortheblind, #touchart, #visuallyimpaired, #blindartist,, #accessibleart, #artforall, #sensoryart, #BlindandVI, #accessibility, #inclusion, #artmuseums, #artforeveryone, #accessiblemuseum
   #lowvision, Art for the visually impaired, Art for the Blind