Designing an Exhibit of 3D-Printed Replicas
I’m pleased to announce the publication of Designing a portable museum display of Native American stone projectile points (arrowheads) to ensure accessibility and tactile quality written with Joe Nicoli and Donald Winiecki in the Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research. We describe making 3D-printed replicas of artifacts found in the collections of the Maryland Archaeological […]
Finding 3D models
This post is part of an ongoing series covering aspects of 3D printing from scanning objects, to creating digital 3D models, and then printing the digital files as physical 3D replicas. As I explored this topic, I collected links to many outstanding resources. online libraries containing digital 3D models Here is a list of online […]
Please Do Touch The Art
My second essay written for the Redefine/ABLE exhibit is titled Please Do Touch the Art The essay is a discussion of tactile art. When I wrote the first draft in February 2020, it was about the need for more tactile objects in museums. Then the coronavirus pandemic started, touching objects became taboo, and that essay […]
Mars 2020 Perseverance and finding 3-D models
This morning I streamed the Mars 2020 Perseverance launch on NASA TV. Just after lift off, they asked one of the scientists to explain the equipment that was attached to the rover, and she pointed out the drilling arm on a 3D-printed replica. Naturally, I wondered how the public, and especially blind people, might be […]
Redefine/ABLE
Redefine/ABLE During the 2019-2020 academic year, I consulted with the 2020 University of Maryland, College Park graphic design cohort that researched and created an exhibit about disability, ableism, and the benefits of universal design. Ableism is the discrimination against those with disabilities. Universal design counteracts ableism. Universal design is an approach to creating systems, spaces […]
Creating Re-Usable Tactile Handouts
I’m pleased to announce publication of a guest post on the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) blog about creating tactile handouts. Special thanks go out to my co-authors, Ann Cunningham and Matt Gesualdi, for their contributions. The COVID-19 pandemic is creating new norms that discourage touching all manner of objects to curtail the spread of […]
Planning Accessible Virtual Events
In the time that we have been at home to limit the spread of covid-19, I have attended three online conferences, presented in a webinar, and had numerous zoom calls. Even as we re-open, I expect online meetings to continue to be common. I am sharing resources with information on planning virtual events that are […]
What is MuseumSenses?
MuseumSenses is a product of my unique experience as an archaeologist and museum professional who also happens to be blind. While conducting my doctoral research on variation in stone projectile points, (spear tips), I became familiar with the behind-the-scenes of museums where research occurs. In these research areas, careful handling of artifacts is expected. I […]