Blind group collaborates on tactile exhibition

Organisers say the exhibition provides "another element" to the traditional museum experience

A museum has been working with blind and partially-sighted people to create a sensory exhibition.

Sensing the Past at Dorset Museum began with a series of workshops organised with Dorset Blind Association.

Participants also collaborated to create a tactile group sculpture which forms the centrepiece of the display.

The free-to-enter exhibition remains open until 26 September.

Groups were given tactile tours of the museum during the project

During workshops in 2021 and 2023, blind and visually impaired participants cast fossils using plaster and clay and were given tactile tours of the museum.

The groups also visited Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre where they were able to explore large tactile replicas of ichthyosaurs and ammonites.

The Dorset Museum display is accessible with no glass between visitors and the exhibits.

Museum outreach co-ordinator Alex Briggs said: "The whole point was, it was led by [the participants].

"It had to be highly tactile and on open display so everyone could touch it.

"They wanted to make something accessible for all our visitors but for visually impaired people as well. This is a way forward for the future.

"It adds another perception and highlights some of the barriers faced by some of our community members and our group members.

"People tend to think of museums as something behind glass, you are very silent and you can't touch things.

"This provides another element."

Workshop participants cast fossils in clay and plaster