A new fully accessible art gallery is on its way to downtown St. John’s.

Funded by the provincial Inclusion Grant and sponsored by the Canada Council for the Arts, “Sensorius: Where the Skin Meets the Eye” will be a fully accessible art show, that, contrary to most art galleries, encourages touching the exhibits.

The space, located at the Craft Council in the downtown, will be accessible to those who are visually impaired, Deaf, hard of hearing, and those requiring a wheelchair.

Bruno Vinhas, Gallery Director and Curator for the Craft Council Gallery, says that allowing people to touch the exhibits breaks down barriers, as a lot of people cannot fully enjoy a normal gallery space.

He says when you only have an audio description of the painting, you’re not getting the full story. By being able to touch the pieces, you can feel the material they’re made of, their shape and the texture.

This exhibit will be the first of its kind on the island, according to Vinhas. He says he hopes this gallery can open the door for more accessible exhibitions and more people enjoying the art.