Exhibits feature creative expressions of the deaf

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Mary Rappazzo: A Party of One

The Dyer Arts Center at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Institute for the Deaf is hosting two exhibitions that pay tribute to the creative expressions of deaf people as well as reflections of the deaf experience from around the world.

“People of the Eye: Collections of Deaf Art” and “Tribute to George W. Veditz: 100 Years of his Preservation of Sign Language Film (1913-2013)” are currently open to the public and the shows run through Feb. 7. The exhibitions hold more than 70 pieces of work from local art patrons and the permanent collection of the Dyer Arts Center. Historical, iconic references are made in specific artworks in a variety of media that include oils, mixed media and textile.

People of the Eye is inspired by George W. Veditz, former president of the National Association of the Deaf who was the first to document American Sign Language on film with his speech, The Preservation of the Sign Language, in 1913.

“As long as we have deaf people on earth, we will have signs. And as long as we have our films, we can preserve signs in their old purity. It is my hope that we will all love and guard our beautiful sign language as the noblest gift God has given to deaf people.”

The Dyer Arts Center is located at 52 Lomb Memorial Drive and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and by request. For more information, email dyerartscenter@rit.edu or call 585-475-6406.