Pérez Art Museum Miami Develops Visual Descriptions for Accessibility, Using Hew Locke Painting as Example

The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) creates detailed visual descriptions for its exhibitions and acquisitions to enhance accessibility for visitors with visual impairments. These written or spoken guides, available on the museum's website and digital exhibition guides, aim to provide meaningful experiences for all audiences. The process, refined over several years by the education department, balances structured methodology with artistic interpretation. A specific example is the painting 'Mosquito Hall' (2013) by Hew Locke, featured in the 'Spirit in the Land' exhibition. Victoria Ravelo, PAMM's digital and interpretive content associate, authored its visual description for the audio guide. The museum's approach prioritizes clarity and accessibility, using simple sentences and simplified vocabulary to accommodate diverse visitors regardless of age or English proficiency. Each description follows a structured outline: basic object information, dimensions and orientation, content and style summary, detailed description, and optional interpretation. For 'Mosquito Hall', the description notes it is an acrylic on chromogenic print measuring approximately seven feet by four feet in portrait orientation. It depicts a building on stilts surrounded by Florida-like lush foliage, with a large woman holding a child in the background. The description systematically details colors, spatial relationships, and artistic techniques, such as the monochromatic rendering of figures. The museum emphasizes establishing a consistent point of view, using analogies, and including color details to build vivid mental images. While designed for those with visual impairments, these descriptions benefit all visitors by offering frameworks for discussing and processing art. The team undergoes regular training and relies on collaborative feedback to refine their approach, viewing visual descriptions as bridges to new art experiences.