ARTIST X ADVOCACY MENTORSHIP PROGRAM + JILL WELLS ART
#447
Mentorship + Multimedia
A.X.A. Cultivating an environment in which the creative class thrives through community works of art and community partnerships. Jill Wells is the founder and primary mentor.
Jill also co-founded and co-runs Freedom of Expression (FOE) Project. FOE is a biennial public arts and culture initiative that explores the intersections of human experience and the right to freedom of expression for individuals of all abilities. The FOE Project collaborates with central Iowa artists across disciplines, abilities, and career stages to create collective exhibitions, public art installations, and meaningful community connections.
MADE TO MUSE
#471
Fiber, Clay, + Community
Katherine (Kat) Hutchison (she/her) is a fiber artist based in Des Moines, Iowa, whose work reflects a deep connection to people, places, and emotions. With a diverse background in a variety of crafting techniques — including embroidery, hand sewing, weaving, quilting, and punch needle — Kat has spent years refining her craft. Her art captures personal stories and memories, with each piece thoughtfully composed to convey the layers of experience, creativity, and emotion that define her journey.
Kat’s passion for fiber art, combined with her lifelong goal of being an art teacher, has manifested in many forms. She has been teaching embroidery and fiber arts to children and adults since 2015, both through local groups and her favorite non-profit, the After School Arts Program.
In March 2025, Kat became a Oxford Certified Punch Needle Instructor and is excited to offer creative and engaging punch needle courses for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts.
