A NOTTS charity is enabling blind and visually-impaired people to create their own artwork.
About 30 people have so far drawn pictures after My Sight Nottinghamshire invested in some innovative equipment.
Using specialist pens and paper, the drawings can be put through a machine which heats the artwork and causes drawn lines to rise up off the page.
It then enables people who are blind or have sight impairments to "see" what they have drawn through their fingertips.
An exhibition of the artwork went on show at My Sight Nottinghamshire's base in Ortzen Street, Radford, on Friday.
It included drawings of seashells, pineapples, and other fruits and vegetables.
Among those who had work on display was Erica Cole, 27, of Hyson Green.
Erica, who has been blind since birth, said she had enjoyed using the new technique to draw pineapples and peppers. She said: "It's given me a bit of an idea of what vision is like.
"I've used this kind of technique before, in science, maths and geography lessons, but never for art.
"I'm chuffed because I can say, 'you know what, I might be blind and have never had sight but this is something I can do'.
"Art is not closed to me – this equipment is there and gives people hope."
The charity has had the equipment for the last month, and has been running workshops for people aged between their early 20s and late 80s.
Visually impaired Jan Calladine, 64, of Mansfield, demonstrated the technique by drawing a seashell in a matter of minutes.
She began by drawing around the shell to get an outline, which was then passed through the heating machine.
Jan then felt the shell to draw extra details within the outline, which she could also touch on the paper.
While busy drawing, Jan said: "I've learned to feel the ridges and by feeling the shape I can draw the shell.
"People judge us, and think that if you have a form of disability that you should be pushed to one side.
"But with My Sight and the people here it gives us that opportunity, and we enjoy what we are doing and get pleasure from it."
Of her first reaction to the technique, she added: "I couldn't believe it. Something I'd drawn suddenly came alive on the page."
Jeanne Roberts, arts development officer for My Sight Nottinghamshire, said: "I'm not aware that this technique has been used for creative art before and it's certainly a first locally, but the results have been jaw-dropping.
"I believe everybody can draw, as least a bit. This has been a eureka moment for some with no or partial sight. It's awe-inspiring when you see the quality of the work."
For more information about the charity and its workshops, visit www.mysightnotts.org.uk or call 0115 970 6806.
