Sculptor Michael Naranjo and his wife Laurie have spent their entire careers advocating for accessibility and the arts. Though Michael lost his sight in the Vietnam War, touching other artists' work is how he continues to enjoy sculpture. But he also insists that the galleries and museums, which display his pieces, allow visitors to touch them. The "PLEASE TOUCH" signs often prompt visitors to do a double take.

In February of 2020, the Naranjos headed to Indianapolis to continue their lifelong practice of sharing the joy of art with students and museums. Naranjo hosted a sculpting workshop as well as a groundbreaking touchable art exhibit as part of a partnership between the Indiana Blind Children's Foundation, the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Eiteljorg Museum, At the school, Naranjo spent a week sculpting alongside students. Simultaneously, the Eiteljorg Museum kicked off a completely touchable and accessible exhibit: "Please Touch: The Sculptures of Michael Naranjo." Most importantly, students from the school didn't just participate in the workshop. They also helped create the exhibit featuring Michael's work as part of IBCF’s “No Limits Art Series.” A longer look at groundbreaking exhibit and collaboration will be featured in “Dream Touch Believe.” The production team was able to follow the Naranjo’s to Indianapolis and capture the events on film with your help! To learn how to support this project, click here.

More about IBCF and ISBVI and the “No Limits Art Series:” The series is centered on strengthening accessibility to the arts, particularly for students at ISBVI. Through a series of meetings throughout the school year, a select group of students from ISBVI partnered with Eiteljorg museum to address the inequities for access, create and implement solutions together that dissolve physical and social barriers to inclusion, and widen doors for all people with disabilities. The meetings, trainings, and engagement with the arts partners each year provide real world training in which students put their knowledge and strategies learned from the experience into action. The “No Limits Art Series” was made possible by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.

The latest version of the “Dream Touch Believe” trailer includes audio description and closed captioning. When this film is complete we want to be sure that ALL audiences are able experience this story. We recently sought help from groups like AudioEyes, the Indiana Blind Children’s Foundation and the Eiteljorg Museum of the American Indian and Western Art so that we can learn more about the best practices to create an inclusive film for all to enjoy.

On October 24, 2019, sculptor Michael Naranjo achieved a lifelong dream. Naranjo and his wife Laurie boarded a scissor lift and sailed skyward so that he could examine the iconic masterpiece End of the Trail, by James Earle Fraser. Throughout the course of Naranjo’s career it has been an important practice for the artist to see-through-touch the work of other artists. Years ago, he climbed a scaffolding to touch Michelangelo’s David — an experience that still exhilarates and inspires the artist. When asked if there was anything else he’d like to see, without hesitation he said, “End of the Trail.” Officials at The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, where the piece lives, granted Naranjo’s lifelong wish and allowed him to graze his fingertips over the plaster giant for several hours. The historical meeting was captured on film as part of the biographical documentary “Dream Touch Believe.” Please enjoy this brief glimpse of a truly magical day. More of this emotional visit will be available upon the film’s completion.

This shoot was made possible with the amazing support of our donors. Our team continues to seek funding in the form of grants and donations. We hope you will consider making a donation to ensure that this project is completed and shared with a larger audience. To learn more click here.