Events

Made to Touch: Art + Accessibility

• Oct - 21 - 2022

Join Us For
Made to Touch: Art + Accessibility

Friday, October 21, 6:00 p.m.

Presentation by Jill Wells, Harkin Institute Fellow, and unveiling of "Commander in Chief" from the FDR Memorial Legacy Committee. The artwork was donated by Daria and Rana Halprin to FDR Memorial Legacy Committee and is on loan to the Harkin Institute.

In this presentation, Jill Wells will be discussing the insight she gained by bringing part of her FEEL exhibit to Harkin Summit Belfast, thank you to Bravo Greater Des Moines for sponsoring her trip. This exhibit focused on making art more accessible through the use of tactile elements. The research at Harkin Summit Belfast is just the beginning of what Wells hopes to investigate through the BLACKBOARD Sensory Art Project, which aims to create more inclusive and representational modes of working through the arts. These would be developed and researched by doing interdisciplinary art workshops with individuals of all abilities.

There will also be an unveiling of the relief sculpture “Commander in Chief” by Leonard Baskin (1922-2000) from the FDR Memorial Legacy Committee, with remarks from Senator Tom Harkin (retired). Mary E. Dolan Co-Founder and Executive Director of the FDR Memorial Legacy Committee will also give a short presentation on the accessibility efforts of the FDR Memorial, and the significance of “Commander in Chief.”

Guests are also invited to join us after the activities for a reception from 7:00- 8:00 p.m. with light refreshments.