Temporary Tactile is a collaborative workshop series led by artists Keimi Nakashima-Ochoa, Johnny Tai, and Kay Slater. Together, we create free, all-ages art-making experiences that centre non-visual and Blind-led access, while welcoming participants from all communities, including d/Deaf, non-verbal, multilingual, and non-disabled people.
Our workshops invite you to explore tactile mark-making—creating art you can touch—using recycled and low-stakes materials. Every session is an opportunity to play, experiment, and connect through shared exploration, without pressure to make a “perfect” finished piece.
Image Description: Around a plastic table, 3 people work at carving different surfaces using a variety of tools: a kitchen knife, a melted toothbrush, and a pushpin. Gathered on the table are piles of materials, pink rubber mats, scissors and a large Christmas-themed cookie tin, inside of which are many different kinds of carving tools.
Whether you are Blind, sighted, Deaf, disabled, non-verbal, multilingual, or simply curious, Temporary Tactile is a space to try something new, meet others, and experience art in ways you might not have before. By centring tactile, multilingual, and cross-modal participation, we hope to expand how art can be shared, understood, and enjoyed.
Our Goals
- Provide a space to try tactile mark-making and consider how art can be touched.
- Encourage exploration through materials and prototyping.
When we try things for the first time—even as experienced or professional artists—we don’t need to use new or perfect materials. That’s for later, when we know what we want to make and are ready to create something for keeps. Before that, we can use imperfect, scratched, or salvaged materials we might otherwise throw out or recycle.
Image Description: Johnny and Keimi’s hands touch an illustration carved into a piece of recycled plastic with bits of cardboard still stuck to the edge. Beyond their hands on a plastic table are tactile drawing materials such as aluminum pans, cardboard, and rubber mats all stacked in piles around a large metal bin filled with found-object drawing tools.
In our workshops, participants are encouraged to see their recycling bin as another place to find creative possibilities. By “low-stakes,” we mean there’s no need to stress about perfection or producing something “good.” We’re just practicing. When we’re done, materials can go back into the recycling bin, or be taken apart for another prototype or try-things-out project.
What You Can Expect
- All materials supplied – no need to bring your own.
- Hands-on facilitation – in English, French, Spanish, Mandarin, and ASL, with written prompts available in multiple languages, including UEB Braille.
- A relaxed, drop-in atmosphere – stay for the whole workshop or join for part of it; explore at your own pace.
Want to join our next workshop?
See our Upcoming Events page for the latest date, time, and location, plus a map and access details.
Want to help us spread the word?
Visit our press release and social sharing info page.
Have a question?
Email the workshop artists/facilitators: tactilemarkmaking@gmail.com
Temporary Tactile 