About Us

Creating With Blind Abandon is a free, accessible art program for people who are blind or have low vision. We began in 2017, and in the Fall of 2023 we partnered with The Lighthouse of Houston to open the program to the entire visually impaired community, of all ages.

A heart outlined in pink and magenta jigsaw puzzle pieces, with a bright pink wooden bar across the centre spelling a word in raised rhinestone braille dots beside a small white glitter heart.
Braille and puzzle pieces — art made to be read by hand.

Our Artists

Our program is open to any artist, whether students or adult, with a visual impairment, including blindness or low vision that cannot be corrected with glasses, who would like to express himself/herself creatively! We would love to see this program reach students and adults throughout the Houston and surrounding areas!

A hand holds a pale wooden board covered in raised, touchable shapes: flowers built from flattened bottle caps in red, blue and purple, clusters of glass marbles, buttons, and small brass feathers and stars.
Bottle caps, marbles and brass charms — every piece chosen for how it feels.

Our Goal

Our goal is finally being achieved — and it will be called The Hands to See Gallery.

We continue on our never-ending quest for accessible art venues for our art enthusiasts. Unfortunately, in the vast cultural city of Houston, tactile art exhibits cannot be found! We will continue participating in as many events as we can find, so that everyone will see that even the visually impaired love to experience art!

So far, we have been featured on ABC Channel 13 for our participation in the Houston Art Car Parade, participated in the Houston White Cane Day celebration, participated in the HAVIN Expo, and have been featured in TSBVI TX Sensibilities newsletters in both the Summer 2018 and Summer 2019 editions. Who knows! Maybe one day we will open our own tactile museum. We dare to dream!

Two densely packed mixed-media boards on a lace cloth, one painted blue and pink and one orange, both crowded with glass marbles, gemstones, brass moons, stars and feathers, buttons and a small angel figurine.
Two finished boards — layered, crowded, and made for exploring by touch.

How We Began

My name is Katherine Trimm, and I am a Teacher of Students With Visual Impairments (CTVI). Over the years, I have had so many students who love art, but do not usually have the opportunity to express themselves creatively! Linda Brown, a Braillist, and I decided that it was time for a change! Together we researched artistic opportunities for our students to no avail! We resolved that our students could become the tactile artists that we could not find! With the help of some wonderful people, we saw our vision come alive!

A textured turquoise panel resting on a workbench, its surface combed into fine ridges and decorated with brass feather charms, small metal flowers and a single green glass gem set in white modelling paste.
Work in progress at The Lighthouse of Houston.

Come and Join Us

We meet once a month on a Saturday from 1–3 PM at The Lighthouse of Houston, 3602 W Dallas St, Houston, TX 77019. Please check our Meetings and Events page for exact dates.

The program is free to all participants, and no experience is needed. Phone: 713-824-8424 · Email: Creatingwithblindabandon@gmail.com