VISUALIZING THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE OF BLINDNESS.


Welcome to the Blind Canvas Project — we’re dedicated to creating new ways to see, understand, and share the human experience of blindness.

PROJECT MADE POSSIBLE BY /

Ora and Blind Can Film Festival Logos.

It all starts with a conversation.

It’s impossible to fully communicate the experience of living with blindness, but perhaps we can help more people gain a better understanding.

Each participant is invited to sit down for an hour-long interview to discuss their condition, their lives, and their perspective on living with blindness.

Using AI image generation software, we then transform key moments within each interview into expressive works of art.

Through the Blind Canvas Project, we hope to spark new conversations, spread awareness, and encourage all to realize that those who are blind are not defined by their blindness.

STORIES

Ben Fox

Founder of the BlindCAN Film Festival, Ben Fox was the diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at the age of eighteen and has continued making films as an advocate for the blind community.

RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA

Bill McCann profile picture.

Bill McCann

As founder and president of Dancing Dots Braille Music Technology, as well as a gifted trumpet player and composer, Bill McCann has made music his life’s work.

GLAUCOMA

April and Melissa profile picture.

April & Melissa

April LuFriu and Melissa Escobio are sisters and best friends who do just about everything together, including having retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA

Morten Bonde profile picture

Morten Bonde

Morten Bonde is an artist, author, TEDx speaker, and mindfulness instructor who fundamentally transformed his life and career after being declared legally blind due to Retinitis Pigmentosa.

RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA

Marcus Roberts profile picture

Marcus Roberts

Marcus Roberts is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and teacher. Hailed “the genius of the modern piano”, Marcus is renowned for his remarkable ability to blend jazz and classical works.

GLAUCOMA

Shardasia Hadley profile picture

Shardasia Hadley

As a recent high school graduate and Tallahassee local, Shardasia Hadley has excelled in her early career thanks to her incredible spirit and support of her family.

ASTIGMATISM / COLOBOMA /
MICROPHTHALMIA / CATARACTS

Will Hollimon profile picture

Will Hollimon

For as long as he can remember, Will Hollimon has been driven by his passion for drumming. Over the past decade, he has played in several bands, putting his natural rhythm and impeccable timing to work.

RETINOPATHY PREMATURITY

Wayne Pearcy

Wayne Pearcy is quickly making a name for himself, one trumpet solo at a time. As a graduate student in Jazz trumpet, Wayne’s ear for perfect pitch and his incredible dedication are only outmatched by his joy for life.

ANOPHTHALMIA

PROJECT MADE POSSIBLE BY

Ora Logo and Blind Can Film Festival Lockup

For Ora, this project represents our heart, as our patients are at the center of how we partner with pharmaceutical and medical device companies to bring new therapies to market. Helping them is why we do what we do every day, from our clinical trial execution to working with companies to gain new product approvals. As leaders in clinical research, Ora has a crucial responsibility to understand patient experience, and to bring that understanding to our customers and colleagues.