Iowa artist Jill Wells helps ensure equal access to public art for everyone with new project

Local artist and advocate Jill Wells has unveiled the first of her 3D mural models, which depict a scaled-down piece of art meant to bridge access and engagement to art.

These 3D mural models ensure every person, including people with visual impairments, can experience a piece of art. Now, with what might otherwise be an expansive mural on a wall, people can instead experience it in the form of a plaque that they can touch and feel, bringing the wall art to life.

With several more on the horizon, Wells believes pieces like the 3D mural models will become commonplace both in outdoor and indoor spaces.

“I’ve seen the history behind it to feel that there’s evidence this will continue,” Wells said. “I’m a very persistent person. I don’t give up on things. I think that there’s other people that I’ve met in my life that are very similar to me. All of us advocating for this, it does something. It proves the need for it.”

Jill Wells introduces Iowa to innovative work in the arts

Wells has spent the past year as the first artist fellow at the Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement at Drake University. The 3D mural model project is a result of her time as a fellow, she said.

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Wells' responsibilities as a Harkin Institute fellow were directly connected to the strategic plan she created, detailing her perspective on how the arts could impact policy, enacted through “mentorship work” and exploring “data that drives change” through her Blackboard Sensory Project, a project that began before her fellowship, she said.

The Blackboard Sensory Project encompasses the work born out of Wells’ research regarding accessibility in art — more specifically, “where the work is, what the work is, what the materials are and how you access them, how the work is created,” and who the work is created with and for, she said. The Blackboard Sensory Project researches innovative technologies that allow every person to access art.

It's also directly connected to her 3D mural models.

Earlier in 2023, Wells was invited to speak at The Zero Project Conference, held at the United Nations office in Vienna, Austria. The Zero Project is a research-driven initiative that seeks to eliminate all barriers that exist for people with disabilities, according to its mission.

She and the artists there discussed art in public spaces and how it reaches people who may feel "ostracized" from traditional spaces that display art. The artists at this conference were involved in producing plaques that Wells realized were missing in Iowa and sought to bring home.

Denise Bean, youth services librarian at the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, previously worked with Wells to collaborate on programming.

Bean, staff and library visitors had the opportunity to experience the 3D mural model one afternoon, courtesy of Wells. Bean, unfamiliar with something like a 3D mural model, called the experience “positive” as people gave Wells their perspectives and engaged with the work.

She also joined Wells for an activity at King Elementary School in Des Moines inside the sensory wellness space that Wells helped create in addition to a tactile mural — the same mural that's getting a 3D mural model.

“Seeing everyone in that space just engage with it like they did just makes us so appreciative of the time that went into making a mural that really extends past what happened that day in that room,” Bean said. “And then making it interactive by being able to touch it and explore it, I just think it's fantastic. And I look forward to seeing more opportunities like this in our community."

More:Iowa artist Jill Wells uses 'the power of touch' to make art accessible

What is a 3D mural model?

A photo is taken of a mural and scanned through computer software. It’s 3D-printed and scaled down in size, allowing for people to feel the mural and what it depicts. The amount of detail a leaf has, for example, or the height of something on the plaque can all be adjusted, Wells explained.

The result is a 3D mural model.

Wells’ first 3D mural model is a depiction of the tactile wall mural and sensory room, “Green Space,” completed earlier this year inside King Elementary, 1849 Forest Ave., Des Moines.

The plaque, which measures 30 by 35 centimeters, contains the 3D-printed image and a raised QR code that can be scanned via a phone to experience an audio description and a video of the work. There is a Braille transcription as well.

The 3D mural model is created in partnership with The Zero Project and Street Art Belgrade, according to Wells.

What does this 3D mural model depict?

The 3D mural model depicts the tactile mural located at King Elementary, a 40-by-10 foot piece that celebrates nature with large green leaves and birds and butterflies flying around.

“If you’re thinking about an individual who is living with visual impairments, specifically blindness, to take that all in through touch is very challenging,” she said of the wall mural.

How was the tactile mural and sensory wellness space at King Elementary School created?

Wells, in partnership with the Des Moines-based B.Well Foundation, began this project through a survey that asked students, guardians and staff questions on topics such as what helps them to feel calm, Wells said.

Several students then participated in an art workshop and, using different crafts, built miniature, tactile renditions of the mural and sensory wellness space at the school.

That workshop informed the completion of the mural and wellness space design, Wells said. This project was completed in July, she said.

The sensory wellness space at the school includes a “wellness window,” or a break area complete with a large window, sensory pillows and cubbies of fidget toys, meditation cards, educational games and more, Wells said.

How can I experience the 3D mural model?

Wells unveiled the new work on Monday.

Additional opportunities to experience the 3D mural model at King Elementary via tours with Wells, and in collaboration with the school, will be available for people who donate to Wells' 3D mural model project. People can visit Wells’ website for additional information about donations.

Will other pieces of art in Des Moines get a 3D mural model?

Wells is also planning a 3D mural model at Des Moines live entertainment venue xBk Live, which will depict her mural “Black Renaissance.” The second site will be at the Evelyn K. Davis Park, where she worked with artists Marissa Hernandez and Siriaco “Siricasso” Garcia on a mural this summer.

She's fundraising for a total of four 3D mural models in addition to the one at King Elementary.

“When I think about the other two sites, I would love for individuals in the community that would be interested in having their work be a site for one of them,” Wells said.

Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.