Tactile Rainsticks: NFB BELL® Academy at Colorado Center for the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) BELL Academy provides children with Braille and nonvisual skills instruction through fun, hands-on learning activities. In June, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Anahit LaBarre, director of Youth Programs at the Colorado Center for the Blind (CCB) , and Michelle Chacon, a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and a BELL Program Coordinator in Colorado.

In this workshop, students used critical thinking, engineering, sensorimotor skills, and creativity to create their own rainsticks! Students experimented with different textures, sounds, patterns, and weights. They also got to decorate the outside of their rainstick using mixed media, carving, braille, sculpture, and more! Materials used include PVC, shells, air dry clay, tinfoil, rice, bells, pasta, and stones of different types.

My favorite part of the workshop was the end, where we shared our work, experimented with making music, and collaborated to simulate a “rainstorm”.

5 Rainsticks: closeup image

5 black PVC Pipes are transformed into rainsticks. Each stick is covered in unique clay designs, with the beige clay adorned with shiny rocks and shells.

Braille Rainstick with Wrapped Design

Two coils of clay wrap across the stick and form intricate patterns on the front. The side is decorated with Braille and a seashell.

Rainstick with Twisting Pattern

The rainstick is wrapped in an elaborate spiral of clay with seashells embedded. The rainstick resembles a winding nature trail, with pebbles embedded into it.

Rainstick with Twisting Pattern: Side View

From the side, the wrapped pattern forms horizontal stripes on the rainstick.

Rock Mosiac Rainstick

This rainstick uses many rocks and shells to create a speckled, mosaic effect in green and beige. Some iridescent rocks reflect the colors of the surroundings in unique ways.

Rock Mosaic Rainstick: Close Up

Student Scuplting Clay Pot

A student is hand-building a miniature clay pot to place next to the rainstick/

Abstract Clay Figure

This student created an abstract figure with clay and stones jutting out. This figure decorates the top of the rainstick, akin to the design of a totem pole.

Abstract Clay Figure: Top View

Here are the instructions to make your own rainstick:

1) Use a long cardboard tube or thick PVC pipe and tape 1 end shut (or put on a cap).

2) Take a sheet of tinfoil that is roughly as long as your pipe. Then, roll it tightly into a tube.

3) Twist this tube to form a spiral (like a corkscrew) that is around the width of your tube

4) Stick the spiral in the tube

5) Add materials and fill your tube around halfway with materials of your choice. Recommendations include rice, pasta, or beans. Add stones, bells, or other items for unique sound effects!

6) Now, decorate the outside of your rainstick however you like and enjoy your musical artwork!

Tags:
#tactilceart, #TactileAccess, #Artfortheblind, #touchart, #visuallyimpaired, #blindartist,, #accessibleart, #artforall, #sensoryart, #BlindandVI, #accessibility, #inclusion, #artmuseums, #artforeveryone, #accessiblemuseum, #lowvision, Art for the visually impaired, Art for the Blind