• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sandwell Visually Impaired

Together we can make a difference.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our office team
    • Our funders
    • Our Achievements
    • Policies, procedures and reports
    • Report Hate Crime to us
  • Supporting each other
    • Information and Support
    • Our groups
    • Our activities
    • Hints and tips
    • Accessibility
  • Support us
    • Donate
    • Volunteer with us
  • News and events
    • News Articles
    • Events
    • Sandwell Talking News
  • Contact
You are here:Home/News Articles/Trip to the Barber Institute

Posted on December 9, 2019.

Trip to the Barber Institute

We organise regular visits to the Barber Institute for our members. It’s one of the many opportunities we take to enable visually impaired people to engage fully with arts, crafts and other cultural activities.

SVI member Liz describes a recent visit and tells us why the art shown was important to her.

“In November, a number of SVI’s members attended a Speaking Art exhibition at The Barber Institute, Birmingham. Speaking Art means that the Institute’s staff describe the pictures on display. This enables vision impaired people to understand what is being shown.

“The subject of this showing was ‘Light’.

Describing a picture of Mt Vesuvius erupting
Describing a picture of Mt Vesuvius erupting

“The first item was poignant to me as it showed Mount Vesuvius erupting. I spent an awesome holiday in that area in 1980. The view was exactly the same, minus the eruption of course! Absolutely amazing picture.

“Then a sunset through the mist. Totally different to the previous. But still unusual.

“Followed by a very strange little picture of a young girl who appeared to be spot lit. She was searching her body for fleas. We were told that these sort of pictures were very popular at one time.

Speaking art about Venice
Speaking art about Venice

“Finally a view of Venice. A crowded boat scene but it appeared that the light was coming from behind the artist and flashing onto the people and boats.

“Four different pictures, depicting light in four ways. A very entertaining and interesting morning.

“Thanks to the wonderful staff at The Barber Institute.”

Following the audio-described art tour, SVI members attended the lunchtime music recital, which this time was young people from King Edward’s School and King Edward VI High School for Girls. They played classical music on a variety of stringed instruments which was enjoyed by all.

We intend to run another trip to the Barber in May. Watch out for our other arts visits and activities.

Thanks to Liz for writing about her experiences. We welcome members’ contributions to the website. If you have a story to tell, please get in touch.

Find out more about our events and activities.

Previous Post: « Annual Forum A Runaway Success
Next Post: SVI Holiday Closing Times »

Primary Sidebar

Search

Recent Posts

  • Part-time Finance Assistant wanted
  • Sandwell Talking News AGM, Mon 12 May 2025
  • Ukrainian Sunflower a blooming surprise in the heart of Wednesbury
  • Pedal power
  • Sound bath success

Archives

Footer

Get in touch

Sandwell Visually Impaired,
West Bromwich Town Hall, Lodge Road, West Bromwich, B70 8AY.
View address on Google Maps

Tel: 0121 525 4810

SVI CIO registered charity no: 1175066

Visit Contact Page

Find us on social media


  • Facebook

  • Facebook Group

  • YouTube

Send us a donation

You can show your support for SVI by making us a donation. You can give as little or much as you like and every bit of it will come back to SVI.

Send a donation

Search

Copyright © 2025 · Sandwell Visually Impaired Group · All rights reserved · Website created by Taira Technology · Log in