LOUISVILLE, Ky. – “I just like drawing. I don’t care if I win or lose I just want people to see my artwork. – Artist Clara Scelsi. 

American Printing House (APH) believes that artists who are blind should have a place to showcase their work. InSights Art is an annual juried competition for artists of all ages who are blind or visually impaired. Held in Louisville each year, APH has received artwork from all 50 states and many countries across the globe. This year will be the 27th year for the contest.

This year, 7-year-old Clara Scelsi took first place for her drawing “Strike up the Band.” Her piece will be on display from on October 4-6 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Scelsi says it makes her happy knowing people like her drawing. “I just wanted to draw something cool. I wanted to bring people together with music. I wanted people to imagine themselves in the drawing and like they are actually listening to the three little girls,” said Scelsi.

“Young artists come into the exhibit space and search the whole gallery for their artwork, and then start jumping up and down when they find it. They are so excited to experience their artwork, on display in a public exhibit,” explained Robert Guillen, Special Programs Coordinator at APH. The competition gives people who are blind an opportunity to not only have their artwork seen by a public audience, but also to have it critiqued by a panel of artists.

“The strong affirmation this contest provides feeds the creative life of each artist, which is especially important for artists who are blind or visually impaired. So often they have been told that they cannot do something, and that includes art,” said Guillen. 

The American Printing House for the Blind is a worldwide leader in designing innovative lifelong learning solutions for children and adults who are blind or visually impaired. They believe in the power and necessity of learning to open the doors to educational success, satisfying employment, social inclusion, active citizenship, and personal well-being. They also strive to  level the learning playing field by providing specialized technology, materials, products, and services that are essential for education and life. The American Printing House for the blind is headquartered at 1839 Frankfort Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information, visit www.aph.org.