News Article: "Children touch, explore ‘Aqueous’"

“Aqueous” is the name of a sculpture created by Martin Eichinger who used Isabel Demmon’s idea of incorporating braille into a sculpture to support disability. What sets this sculpture apart from other sculptures is the fact that "Aqueous" is made with a multi-textured surface with braille engraved along it. Along the side of "Aqueous" is a braille engraving of Fitchburg native Isabel Demmon’s short poem: “Child of The Sea.” This unique way of creating the sculpture makes it perfect for visually-impaired people to experience the sculpture even if they cannot see it. Not only is this sculpture perfect for the blind, but its large, curved form is big enough to allow someone in a wheelchair to roll in. Eichinger was inspired to create this piece by a scene in the movie ​The Miracle Worker​, where Helen Keller connects the sign language word for water with the substance itself. "Aqueous" is easily accessible to everyone, no matter what disability they may have.

"Aqueous" was the main attraction at the “Very Special Arts Festival” at the Michigan School for the Blind. At the festival, over 600 children with physical and mental disabilities were able to explore different art pieces including this one. Demmon read her poem that is engraved on "Aqueous," and the children were allowed to explore the sculpture. This festival was a great opportunity for children with disabilities to experience art in a different way that they may not have been able to before.

"Aqueous" and the "Very Special Arts Festival" as a whole are prime examples of how art therapy can benefit not only children, but anyone struggling with a disability. Art therapy, which can be defined as using visual arts in a therapeutic way, has proven to have major improving effects on motor and cognitive functioning as well as overall quality of life. This is not restricted to art that is tangible, such as sculptures or painting, but it can also include art such as music, dance, and drama. Art is used as a way of self expression and helps people interact with others through their craft. This can be very helpful for someone dealing with a disability who may feel they are alone or misunderstood otherwise.

Art therapy has also been proven to help decrease symptoms of mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, which tend to go hand in hand with disability or are disabilities themselves. A person with a physical or intellectual disability has been proven to be more at risk for a mental illness. In contrast, mental illness can even lead to someone having a disability in some cases. Disability and mental illness are very well connected. Art in any form is an effective way to deal with unconscious feelings that may have been hidden or suppressed otherwise. You are allowed to express your emotions in a different way, which can be extremely beneficial for someone dealing with emotions they cannot or do not want to express verbally. Dealing with mental illness and disability can cause emotional, mental, and physical stress for a person. Art is a way of relieving stress and can be very relaxing. Art therapy is an overall relaxing and emotionally expressive way to manage mental health.

Along with allowing self expression and helping with mental illness, art has also been extremely helpful for cognitive and physical development. For someone with an intellectual disability, the quality of the education is extremely important. Studies have shown that hands-on, abstract ways of teaching are most beneficial for students who struggle with intellectual disabilities. Art can be used as a hands-on way of teaching students with these disabilities and has proven itself to be extremely beneficial to special education students. The typical use of notes and assessments is difficult for those with disabilities to retain the knowledge. Rather than assessing students using tests, teachers with not only students with disabilities, but students who may just have trouble learning in that way, can use a more creative approach to assessments, such as projects. Projects are a way for students to express their knowledge on a topic in a creative way and have room to express themselves. Research in neuroscience has found that the use of arts in young children helps with cognitive development. Due to the fact that each area of the brain has its own designated job, some areas respond specifically to the arts. By exploring different forms of art, a person can increase the development of this area of the brain. For example, drama and theater arts stimulates neural networks that are characteristics in spoken language and emotions. The use of arts is a contributor to cognitive development as well as physical development.

Arts can be used to improve both gross and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills, which include bigger movements such as walking, running, and reaching can be improved with activities such as dance and musical theater. Fine motor skills, which are our smaller movements such as moving fingers, toes, and the mouth to talk can be improved with activities such as drawing or painting. Someone with a physical disability such as Cerebral Palsy and Multiple Sclerosis, who may struggle with these gross and fine motor skills, can benefit from art therapy in all of its forms because of the motor skills these activities promote and enhance. Dance is a prime example of art as a way of physical therapy. Dance helps promote development of coordination, motor control, and rhythm. A young child with a physical disability can benefit from a dance class because they are still learning and developing their motor functioning, so being in a class where that is the main focus can help them improve skills that may be difficult for them due to their disability.

Art has proven to be an extremely beneficial form of therapy for people who may be experiencing any form of disability. It can also be beneficial for someone who does not have a disability, but may just need a way to express their emotions and relax. Art therapy is not restricted to only making art directly, but being able to interact with art has many benefits.  This is mainly seen from the interaction the students at the Michigan School for the Blind had with the "Aqueous" sculpture.