A revolutionary art exhibition that encourages visitors to touch and physically interact with displayed artwork has opened at the Nature in Art Museum and Art Gallery in Gloucester, England. The innovative 'Totally Tactile' exhibition represents a significant departure from traditional museum experiences, where touching artwork is typically prohibited.

The exhibition was specifically designed to make art more accessible and inclusive for blind and partially sighted individuals, while simultaneously offering sighted visitors an entirely different perspective on artistic appreciation. To ensure equal experiences, sighted visitors are provided with blindfolds and audio guides that accompany most of the 1,150 objects on display throughout the exhibition.

The diverse collection features exhibits from the museum's permanent collection alongside specially loaned pieces brought to Nature in Art specifically for this unique exhibition. Collections and Marketing Officer Hattie Revans emphasized the importance of inclusivity in art appreciation, stating, 'I just don't think we should be excluding people, everyone should be able to enjoy art.'

Revans further explained the transformative nature of the experience, noting, 'I think you are so used to in a museum you walk in and it's don't touch this don't touch that don't stand too near this, but this is an opportunity to get really stuck in to what the artists have made.' The exhibition aims to help visitors understand what people with visual impairments experience while also engaging senses that are often overlooked in traditional art viewing.

To further accommodate visually impaired visitors, the museum has made available a limited number of tablets featuring high-contrast images of the artwork. This technology allows visitors to explore the visual aspects of the pieces at their own pace, complementing the tactile experience with enhanced visual accessibility.

The Totally Tactile exhibition opened on September 16 and will continue to welcome visitors through October 19, providing an extended opportunity for the community to experience this groundbreaking approach to art appreciation and accessibility.