James Lesesne Wells

James Lesesne Wells (November 2, 1902 – January 20, 1993) was an African American graphic artist, print-maker, and painter associated with the Harlem Renaissance.

[4] He was an influential teacher and mentor to young artists during his career, including sculptor Elizabeth Catlett and print-maker Stephanie Pogue.

[7] Wells established the arts and crafts program at Utopia Children's Center in New York City where Jacob Lawrence[8] became a student of Charles Alston.

[1] In the early 1930s, influenced by the widespread economic hardship of the Great Depression, Wells decided to focus on producing art that was affordable and accessible to a wider range of audiences.

[4] After World War II, Wells spent a year working in Stanley William Hayter's Atelier 17 studio in New York City.

Wells was actively involved in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, protesting racially segregated lunch counters and advocating for hiring Black police officers in New York City.

[2] He directed the 135th Street Branch of the New York Public Library's summer art workshops, teaching and mentoring prominent African American artists like Jacob Lawrence and Charles Alston.

He retired from teaching in 1968 but continued to work into his eighties, making bolder art, including prints cut in color linoleum.