MIAMI – Ester Almaguer is an artist who creates what her mind’s eye sees. Almaguer is legally blind with no vision in her right eye and 10 degrees of central vision in her left eye.
Art has long been an important part of her life. Before her visual impairment, Almaguer was a preschool art teacher in Cuba.
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Her artistic abilities are evident in the multiple award-winning pieces she has produced, and thanks to The Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired and its Social Group Activities Program, those art pieces are on display for the masses to enjoy.
Last month, Almaguer’s mixed media textured piece Owl Vision won the 2024 Arts4All Florida Calendar Competition. The artwork, which is comprised of gems and stones of various colors, will be featured in the November page of this year’s calendar and distributed throughout the state. The art competition was open to all Florida residents with a disability.
“My initial reaction was, ‘Wow! It can’t be, it can’t be,’” said Almaguer enthusiastically. “I was overcome with so many emotions.”
While Owl Vision was Almaguer’s first statewide win, another piece, Seeing Eye Dog, received international acclaim and is now hanging at the Greater Miami Humane Society in Doral.
Almaguer says The Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired has helped her rediscover her art talent later in life and make very important social connections. In addition, the nonprofit is helping Almaguer learn to speak English.
Through education, training, research and vision enhancement, The Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides hope, confidence and independence to people of all ages. To find out more, visit https://www.miamilighthouse.org.