Art show, sale benefit radio reading program for the blind

During her years as a social worker for the blind, Barbara Hansen's clients would tell her how they missed reading their local newspaper and ability to drive a car.

Hansen, herself visually impaired, was at Martha Williams Artworks Gallery Artworks' on Friday. Some profits from the sale of the late Frances Richardson's work at the gallery were going to the Radio Reading Service of Eastern North Carolina.

Richardson's son, Jim Richardson, was greeting guests who came to view the oil paintings and sketches that his mother created. The work would be sold to help the radio reading service.

Richardson has lived in New Bern since 1999. He had been traveling to Oriental for several years before that. His home was on the West Coast but he heard about Oriental from sailing friends and had to see it for himself.

Richardson said he never thought of the visually blind until he lost sight in one eye and doctors told him he could lose sight in his other eye.

He went to doctors and the disease never progressed to that eye. Richardson said he had no idea what he would do if he lost his sight.

"I traveled to the Blind Center in Washington, (N.C.) and saw what my alternatives could be as far as working," he said.

He said he developed a relationship with Hansen and her work for the blind. Hansen's reading service reaches 10 counties in Eastern North Carolina.

Richardson said his mother would be proud of him selling some of her collection to help others.

Hansen said the reading service gets no government help. It provides special radio receivers for the 2,100 registered blind residents in the 10-county area. She said there are more than 36,000 other listeners who are permanently disabled.

The radio receiver sets cost $65.

Thirty-five volunteers take turns reading the Sun Journal to listeners each day.

"The feedback indicates that the listeners enjoy the local news, community news, editorials, Dr. Gott and of course the obituaries," Hansen said.

She said anyone who would like to read to the special audience can call her at 633-5725.

Richardson's collection along with works of 27 other artists will be on display at the gallery at 323B Middle St. in New Bern. Entrance can be made through the Bank of the Arts.