Quincy's Sensory Space
Quincy’s Sensory Space presented by DLR Group, is an inclusive, immersive arts experience designed to accommodate individuals with sensory sensitivities. Inspired by Quincy Hostager, a young man with Dravet Syndrome, the space offers a thoughtfully curated environment featuring calming visuals, soothing sounds, interactive textures, and designated recovery areas. Visitors can explore a sensory-friendly path with kinetic sculptures, ambient music, and tactile art, ensuring engagement on their own terms. With a focus on accessibility, comfort, and community collaboration.​
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Check out the WHO Channel 13 interview
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The Sensory Space was inspired by Quincy, a Des Moines Arts Festival fan who lives with Dravet Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy impacting his motor skills and cognitive processing. He values community and enjoys social interaction but faces challenges with sensory overload and visual processing, including depth perception. Natural elements, especially heat, can increase his risk of seizures. Quincy finds happiness in the vibrant sounds of a music festival and the rich colors and textures of an art festival.
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Quincy’s Sensory Space is dedicated to offering individuals with sensory sensitivities, like Quincy, a welcoming place to experience the arts festival in a way that meets their needs.
Purpose and Inspiration ​​​​
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The Experience
Guests visiting Quincy's Sensory Space will encounter a variety of experiences tailored to different needs. These include walls with varying textures, translucent light filters, ambient sounds, and touchable artworks. Interactive musical instruments and hanging fabrics create a stimulating yet adaptable environment. It is meant to serve as a respite for guests before going out to enjoy the Festival.
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Additionally, Quincy’s Sensory Space will feature designated areas for specific care needs, including:
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Cooling Comfort: Shaded areas with fans or misters for heat and sun relief.
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Universal Changing Spaces: Adult-friendly, accessible changing areas.
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Recovery Spots: Rest areas with mats and pillows for seizure or fatigue recovery.
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Sensory Variety: Activities offering diverse sensory experiences, from soothing to stimulating.
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Quiet Zones: Spaces for decompression, rest, and calm. ​
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Key Sensory Elements in the Journey
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Visuals: Gently spinning visuals, diffused natural and soft lighting.
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Aromas: Calming scents like lavender, sage, and fresh flowers.
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Sounds: Nature sounds (forest, river), ambient music, spoken poetry.
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Textures: Smooth, fuzzy, stringy, and beaded surfaces for tactile exploration.
Meet the artist -
Jill Wells
Jill Wells (she/her) is an Iowa-based interdisciplinary artist, advocate, and mentor whose narrative-driven, multisensory practice includes site-specific installations and works exploring disability justice, accessibility, race, and history through tactile objects, paintings, Braille, light boxes, audio descriptions, community care and public art. She splits her time between Iowa and Chicago, engaging in academic research, community advocacy, and arts leadership on national and international platforms.
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Wells holds a BFA from Drake University and has exhibited widely, including a 2025 solo exhibition at ARC Gallery in Chicago and a 2025 group exhibition at the Des Moines Art Center. She is a 2025 Iowa Artist Fellow, a 2024–25 Americans for the Arts committee member, a 2025 Florence Grannis Library Service Award recipient, and a 2024 Tanne Foundation Award recipient. From 2022–24, she was a fellow at The Harkin Institute. In 2023, Wells represented the United States and Iowa on a panel at the United Nations in Austria during the Zero Project Conference in Vienna, advocating for inclusive public arts on a global stage.
Her research-based projects include collaborations with the University of Iowa, the Museum of Art Cedar Rapids, DuMA, and St. Ambrose University. She was a guest speaker for Disability, Art, Revolution, and Advocacy in the USA at Al-Quds Bard College for Arts and Science in East Jerusalem–Palestine, and is a 2025 SECAC Atlanta panelist.Wells serves on national arts boards, leads ARTIST X ADVOCACY (AXA)—a paid mentorship program for youth and emerging artists—and created Iowa’s first tactile mural and 3D model plaque in 2023. Her practice is represented nationally and internationally.
Handicap Parking
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Handicap parking is located on the north side of Walnut Street, between 12th & 13th Streets. Look for the handicap logo signs on the covered meters. See the map here. Additional free parking is also available in the Nationwide parking garage at 1100 Walnut Street (between 10th & 12th Street).
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Handicap Parking
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Handicap porto potties can be found in the bank of restrooms at Locust & 15th and 12th & Grand. There are also indoor restrooms available at the Interrobang Film Festival, located inside the Central Library (11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.).
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Accessible Stage seating ​
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​The Hy-Vee Main Stage is located at 1200 Grand Avenue. There is an accessible seating platform in the lawn area with a ramp and chairs for guests. The Roots Stage, presented by Cedar Ridge Distillery, is located at approximately 1403 Locust Street. At the front of the stage you’ll find an accessible seating space for guests.
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First aid Station​
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We have two First Aid Stations on-site – located at 15th & Grand and 12th & Grand
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If I’ve lost my person, how can I find them?
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Go to an information tower (15th, Grand and Locust // 12th, Grand and Locust) or find an Event Management Team member with a radio. They will assist you in locating the lost person.
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Quincy’s Sensory Space is too crowded at the moment….where else can I go on the Festival site to meet my sensory needs?
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Visit Interrobang Film Festival in the Central Library from the hours of 11:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The space is air conditioned and also has bathrooms with running water. Also, consider visiting one of the restaurants surrounding the Festival site.
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If you need a space to run off your energy, please enjoy the open space of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park or the open grass area of the Mid American Energy offices, located at 15th & Locust.
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If you need some interactive activities, visit the Creative Zone on Grand Avenue between 15th & 16th street. 22 activities from spin art to rock painting are available for you to keep your hands (and mind) busy!
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Where can I find shade
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If you’re looking for shade, consider visiting the Roots Stage presented by Cedar Ridge Distillery (approximately 1403 Locust Street), Liquid Art – an area with patio seating and a bar - located at 1200 Grand Avenue, or a spot under one of the many trees surrounding Western Gateway Park.
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