Critical Engagement Practicum
Dining in the Dark
A Sensory Experience
This event underscores the beauty of inclusivity by showcasing key initiatives designed by, for, and with those who are blind or low vision ensuring that people of all abilities can learn, grow, connect and be celebrated for their unique talents and contributions. Join us in celebrating the transformative power of community, creativity and inclusivity.
Explore the dark
September 28 2024
University of San Diego Ministry hall
5998 Alcala Park Way, San Diego CA 92110
Suggested Donation
General Admission
$100
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Immerse yourself in a multi-sensory evening that transcends sight. Start with "Art in the Dark," where you'll explore art through sound, touch and direct engagement with the artists. Move into the dining experience, savoring each dish through vivid descriptions , tantalizing aromas, and exquisite flavors. The night unfolds with storytelling, dancing, and gifting, offering a rich tapestry of experience that engage all your senses.
Pre-Event Artistic Engagement Add On $25
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Arrive early for an intimate pre-event experience. Spend time with the artists, observing their creative process and engaging in conversation as they work. Enjoy light refreshments in this relaxed, interactive setting. This prelude enriches your evening, setting the stage for the immersive experiences that follow.
Student
$25
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Begin your experience with "Art in the Dark," an exploration of art through sound and touch, featuring pieces created exclusively by individuals who are blind or have low vision. Then, immerse yourself in an evening of dessert, music, and gifting, all in the dark.
Program
See the program below to see what's in store for the evening.
Getting Here
Click on the "Directions" link in the map shown below for navigation guidance to the drop off area of the Ministry Center. Parking at USD, in any non-restricted space, is free on the weekends. There are spaces available at the side (N4 - Immaculata Lot West) and at the back (N3 - Immaculata North Lot) of The Immaculata Church, which is adjacent to the Ministry Center. There are also parking spaces at the back (N5 - MRHH Lot) and in the garage (G2 - MRHH Garage) of Mother Rosalie Hill Hall, which is short walk, west of the Ministry Center.
Meet The Artists
Our mission is to support and celebrate the talents of the blind and visually impaired community through art, music, and handmade gifts. We exclusively feature products made by individuals who are legally blind or have no sight.
Artisan
Raquel Alim
Raquel Alim is a legally blind artist and healthcare professional, born and raised in San Diego. She uses her art to raise awareness about blindness and advocates for the blind community, inspiring others to pursue their passions despite vision loss. Raquel also serves as the volunteer Vice President for the Foundation Fighting Blindness San Diego chapter, where she continues her efforts to support and connect the blind community. In addition to painting, she enjoys water skiing, surfing, and spending quality time with her son.
Author
Mark Carlson
Mark Carlson, a witty writer and accomplished author, covers maritime history, aviation, space exploration, humor, and critical essays. Legally blind, he uniquely writes about his guide dogs in a way no other book has, blending his personal experience with diverse subjects.
Arts, Crafts
Salvador (Sal) Dominguez
Born in Los Angeles, Sal pursued art early due to his talents. Even after losing most of his vision in 2016, he continues to refine his skills, drawing inspiration from the world and enjoying hands-on work. He believes that blindness or visual impairment shouldn't stop people from living fully and learning.
Pottery, Watercolor
Jennifer Finlan
Jennifer's artistic journey is unique because she became an artist only after she lost her vision in November 2012. Her favorite media include watercolor and pottery. “We can do everything that sighted people can do," is her personal message. She adds, " It’s not a disability, it’s an ability."
Artist
Savannah Gayle
Savannah Gayle is a legally blind artists from Los Angeles. She developed an interest in art at a very young age. However, she didn't share her art until after she began losing her eyesight in 2017. Today, Savannah creates digital and mixed media art that exhibits her love for fashion, allows her to express her inner voice, and inspires creativity in other.s
Disc Jockey, Instructor, and Entertainer
Shon Mackey
Shon, who has been completely blind for nearly 10 years, has channeled his passion for music into helping blind and visually impaired individuals in his community. He believes in pursuing one's goals and is inspired by Abraham Lincoln's quote, "in the end, it's not about the years in your life but the life in your years."
Assorted Knits
Marianne Mesa
Born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y., Marianne and her brother share a visual impairment that diminished their color and light perception over time. At nine, she learned to knit from a family friend, and now her craft process involves touching yarn and using verbal descriptions to mentally visualize and create her projects.
Arts, Crafts
Joyce Porter
Joyce has been knitting, crafting, and working as a jeweler for 35 years and has been visually impaired for 30 years. She values the focus and concentration required for intricate design work. Joyce believes that staying engaged in society and utilizing resources for the blind/visually impaired provides support, strength, and hope.
Founder
Pearl Mecenas
Pearl Mecenas, inspired by India's inclusive approach to helping visually impaired individuals during a 2017 visit, returned to the U.S. to volunteer at local foundations for the blind and connect with artists. She founded Gifted Blind Artists, Crafters, & Knitters (GiftedBack), the first e-commerce platform showcasing products exclusively made by blind or visually impaired individuals. Pearl aims to expand the program nationally and beyond.
Braille Institute Artisan
William (Bill) Brown
Bill Brown has recently delved into visual arts and is becoming a multi-talented artist. At Braille Institute, he's taken classes in Art History, Basketry, Digital Photo, Collage, Mixed Media, Painting, and more. His macular degeneration allows him to work with various tactile art modes.
Braille Institute Artisan
Rene Vazquez
Prior to vision loss, Rene Vazquez was involved in construction. Today, he channels his innate talents for working with brick and stone into stunning tiled mosaic projects. As an artist, Vazquez is not afraid to think and work outside of the box. He is highly prolific, creating mosaics in both two and three dimensions
Artisan
Natalie Warren
Mrs. Natalie Warren is a gifted musician, artist, and writer. As a volunteer with the Braille Institute of America, she teaches online piano to the blind and visually impaired and assists with art classes. Despite living with Retinitis Pigmentosa since childhood and recent Glaucoma, she continues her artistic journey using adaptive tools. Her passion lies in blending joy through music, art, and poetry, aiming to inspire and connect through these creative expressions.
Artisan
Zawadi
Artist Zawadi, born Lanetta Wilkes in 1954, has been creating art for over 60 years despite her low vision, using various mediums to express her emotions and experiences. Influenced by surrealism and Impressionism, her work often features bright colors and textured panels, offering viewers a glimpse into her unique perspective shaped by vision loss.
Design-Thinkers
Community Students
Dr. Dalrymple (left) and some of the the community students that engaged in the Spring 2024 practicum experience of ENGR 103, User-Centered Design course. From left to right: Tamara Lubar, Mark Fletcher, Rochelle Harris, Samuel Dumas, Pamela Breeden, Lanetta Wilkes, Tina Sutton and Diane Hall. Community students have partnered with engineering students on a range of projects ranging from indoor navigation to inclusive games.
Gifted Back
Gifted Back celebrates the talents of blind and visually impaired individuals by showcasing their art, music, and handcrafted gifts, providing a platform for broader community appreciation. The organization is also launching a new venture offering customized travel experiences for visually impaired adults, featuring tailored itineraries and trained guides to ensure accessibility and enrichment. Through these initiatives, Gifted Back fosters inclusivity and enhances the quality of life for visually impaired individuals. A portion of the proceeds from this event will help to launch Gifted Back's venture dedicated to empowering visually impaired adults to travel with trained guides, ensuring fully accessible and enriching experiences for them.
Our Story
University of San Diego
Engineering Exchange for Social Justice
The Engineering Exchange for Social Justice (ExSJ) at the University of San Diego’s Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, engages community partners, students, faculty, and pro bono professionals in the collaborative development of justice-oriented solutions. Focused on areas like Water Justice, Waste Upcycling, Renewable Energy, Education Equity, and Inclusive Design, ExSJ facilitates equitable, reciprocal partnerships to address eco-social justice challenges.
Community-Centered Design
For the past 6 years, engineering students and members of the local blind and low-vision community have been collaborating through the practicum experience of ENGR 103, a User-Centered Design course at the University of San Diego. Facilitated by Dr. Odesma Dalrymple, Director of the Engineering Exchange for Social Justice (center), along with Community Liaisons: Tamara Lubar (left) and Rochelle Harris (right), this partnership engages engineering design principles along with various frameworks for equity-centered design, to support the redefining of everyday experiences for more independent, inclusive and equitable participation by people with visual impairments. A portion of the proceeds from this event will support this collaboration, particularly the engagement of community members, and efforts towards improving technologies and services for the visually impaired
Cosponsored by
University of San Diego
Engineering Exchange for Social Justice​
Mulvaney Center for Community, Awareness and Social Action
Gifted Blind, Artists, Crafters,
& Knitters