• Bus Wrap #1: "Untitled"
  • Nomade
    Nomade
  • A Monumental Journey by Kerry James Marshall, looking north, 25 July 2018, Commissioned by Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation
    A Monumental Journey
  • Expansion
    Expansion
  • Five Dangos
  • Swirl
  • Miffy Fountain
  • Mental Banquet: Painting with Lights
  • Bus Wrap #8: Outward
  • Pumpkin (L)

Welcome to the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation enriches lives by advancing the best of public art by placing art in public spaces in the community through public and private collaborations, adding to the cultural record through its collections and educational programs. We invite you to discover public art through-out the Greater Des Moines area.
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Featured Art this Month

Five Dangos
  Jun Kaneko
 Installed 2012  |  Long-Term Collection
  Principal Riverwalk
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Bus Wrap #10: Multiple Black
  Mitchell Squire
 2019  |  Short-Term Collection
  Bus Wrap #10: Multiple Black
Learn More
Miffy Fountain
  Tom Sachs
 2007, fabricated in 2008 from an edition of 5 (5/5)  |  Long-Term Collection
  All of Downtown Des Moines
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A Monumental Journey
  Kerry James Marshall
 July 2018  |  Long-Term Collection
  Other Public Art Downtown
Learn More

Featured Artists this Month

Jun Kaneko
 born Japan, 1942
 American
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Mary Miss
 born 1944
 American
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Gail Folwell
 
 American
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Evelyn Beatrice Longman
 1874-1954
 American
Learn More

News + Initiatives Blog

Our blog posts are a growing knowledge base of insights, stories and information. Get inspired by and delve into a breathtaking array of public art.

From Our Facebook Feed

Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation increasingly utilizes social media as an important method to communicate with current and prospective audiences. Facebook and other social media platforms provide diverse opportunities to share the best of public art in Greater Des Moines to people around the world.

Social media participants can witness the public art process. Followers can watch a video of installations or an interview with artists, public art professionals, and educators on particular subjects. According to the Director M. Jessica Rowe at the Public Art Foundation, people do want to see more than just having public art appear: “Rather than hoping for an audience, we want to build an audience.”

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The transformation of Miffy from a beloved children’s story character into an international mega-brand inspired the artist Tom Sachs. Rather than a machine-made, pristine surface, Miffy Fountain is deliberately scarred and rugged. Marks and drips made from hand-gluing pieces of foam core were preserved and then cast into bronze and painted white. The effect, with all its flaws, is startlingly human. From a mass-produced product, Sachs has given us an avatar of human experience. The nature of Miffy’s façade is echoed in the tears that stream from her eyes, falling into the pool around her feet. When asked why Miffy is crying, Sachs explained simply, “Because she is sad.” This work of art embodies our frailty and strength. We are reminded that empathy towards others makes us human. We hope you will join us on Tuesday, August 27 at 4:30 p.m. for the public dedication and celebration of Miffy Fountain. RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/2310987519161401/

The transformation of Miffy from a beloved children’s story character into an international mega-brand inspired the artist Tom Sachs. Rather than a machine-made, pristine surface, Miffy Fountain is deliberately scarred and rugged. Marks and drips made from hand-gluing pieces of foam core were preserved and then cast into bronze and painted white. The effect, with all its flaws, is startlingly human. From a mass-produced product, Sachs has given us an avatar of human experience. The nature of Miffy’s façade is echoed in the tears that stream from her eyes, falling into the pool around her feet. When asked why Miffy is crying, Sachs explained simply, “Because she is sad.” This work of art embodies our frailty and strength. We are reminded that empathy towards others makes us human.

We hope you will join us on Tuesday, August 27 at 4:30 p.m. for the public dedication and celebration of Miffy Fountain.

RSVP: www.facebook.com/events/2310987519161401/ ... See MoreSee Less

Posted 6 days ago

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The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation invites you to the public dedication and celebration of Miffy Fountain,a major public art project. •When: Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 4:30 pm •Where: Western Gateway Park, between 10th & 12the Streets & along Locust Street, just south of the Central Public Library. 🐰⛲️ . . . . Miffy Fountain was created in 2008 by acclaimed contemporary artist Tom Sachs. Sculpted from polystyrene foam, the 10-ft high figure is cast into bronze and painted white. The transformation of Miffy from a beloved children’s story character into an international mega-brand inspired the artist. From a mass-produced product, Sachs has given us an avatar of human experience. Tears stream from the eyes of Miffy Fountain and fall into the pool around her feet. The work of art is a gift in memory of Melva Bucksbaum from her daughter Mary Bucksbaum Scanlan, and sons Gene Bucksbaum and Glenn Bucksbaum. It is an important addition to the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation Collection. @dsmpublicart @tomsachs @desmoineslibrary #dsmpublicart #publicart #tomsachs #miffy #miffyfountain #desmoinesiowa #desmoines #catchdsm #dsmusa #artroutedsm #sculpture #miffysculpture

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation invites you to the public dedication and celebration of Miffy Fountain,a major public art project.
•When: Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 4:30 pm
•Where: Western Gateway Park,
between 10th & 12the Streets & along Locust Street, just south of the Central Public Library. 🐰⛲️
.
.
.
.
Miffy Fountain was created in 2008 by acclaimed contemporary artist Tom Sachs. Sculpted from polystyrene foam, the 10-ft high figure is cast into bronze and painted white. The transformation of Miffy from a beloved children’s story character into an international mega-brand inspired the artist. From a mass-produced product, Sachs has given us an avatar of human experience. Tears stream from the eyes of Miffy Fountain and fall into the pool around her feet. The work of art is a gift in memory of Melva Bucksbaum from her daughter Mary Bucksbaum Scanlan, and sons Gene Bucksbaum and Glenn Bucksbaum. It is an important addition to the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation Collection. @dsmpublicart @tomsachs @desmoineslibrary #dsmpublicart #publicart #tomsachs #miffy #miffyfountain #desmoinesiowa #desmoines #catchdsm #dsmusa #artroutedsm #sculpture #miffysculpture ... See MoreSee Less

Posted 1 week ago

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My daughter loves nijntje!

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Posted 1 week ago

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“Multiple Black” Artist: Mitchell Squire Location: 10th DART Public Art Bus 📷 Credit: Meanz Chan 🖤✨ The design for this project is created from an assemblage and collage of original photographs. The images include a base layer of dark tightly curled strands of hair combined with gold jewelry and pearls on the left side, and “parts” in the hair and freshly manicured and adorned nails on the right side of the bus. This is a celebration of the artistry and style fully expressed in multiple ways in the black community. #dsmpublicart #publicart #artondart #desmoinesiowa #art #photography

“Multiple Black”
Artist: Mitchell Squire
Location: 10th DART Public Art Bus
📷 Credit: Meanz Chan 🖤✨
The design for this project is created from an assemblage and collage of original photographs. The images include a base layer of dark tightly curled strands of hair combined with gold jewelry and pearls on the left side, and “parts” in the hair and freshly manicured and adorned nails on the right side of the bus. This is a celebration of the artistry and style fully expressed in multiple ways in the black community. #dsmpublicart #publicart #artondart #desmoinesiowa #art #photography ... See MoreSee Less

Posted 3 weeks ago

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This is beautiful

Creepy...