“The Radical Art of Making Art Accessible” Abena Sankofa Imhotep and Jill Wells Collaboration

Omari's Big Tree and the Mighty Djembe by Abena Sankofa Imhotep // Braille Translation by Iowa Department of the Blind

Abena Sankofa Imhotep’s The Radical Art of Making Art Accessible celebrates Iowa Artist Jill Wells and their collaboration as artists.

Abena Sankofa Imhotep is owner of Sankofa Literary & Empowerment Group. Their mission is to create spaces for lifelong learning, and literacy interventions and provide guidance around social equity.

Jill Wells leads Artist X Advocacy Mentorship Program. Wells’ works draw from Black studies, disability studies, intersectionality, and archival research. She creates immersive works that invite audiences to engage through multiple senses while expanding conversations around access, visibility, perception, and collective memory.

Sankofa Imhotep highlights Well’s September show in Chicago for the 10th annual River North Design District Fall Gallery Walk. She also reflects on their collaboration on her book Omari's Big Tree and the Mighty Djembe and its inclusion in the exhibition.

Sankofa Imhotep and Well’s dialog on accessibility to the arts considered two centering questions: “Who gets to create the art, to tell the story?” and “Who gets to experience art”?

To read the full piece The Radical Art of Making Art Accessible please click here.

Information on Sankofa Literary & Empowerment Group

To access their website profile please click here. They are located in studio #117.

To read other Substack pieces by please click here.

Information on Jill Wells

To access Jill Well’s profile please click here. is located in studio #447.

To read more about Jill and her work on her website please click here.