Des Moines, IA: American Enterprise Group is showcasing its newly renovated mid-century modern building and extensive contemporary art collection with a public open house. The event is scheduled for Sunday, August 9 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The building and art park is located in downtown Des Moines at 601 Sixth Avenue. Art docents and informational handouts will be available. It is the first time in nearly 20 years that the building and the art collection that graces its floors are open to the general public.
The eight-story American Enterprise headquarters is designed by renowned American architect Gordon Bunshaft, a leading proponent of modern design in the mid-twentieth century.
The building, completed 50 years ago, has been nominated for international architectural significance and is in the final stage of being added to the National Register of Historic Places. The federal designation will signify national recognition of the building’s historic and architectural significance.
The building and the adjacent sculpture art park is home to the company’s large contemporary art collection. The art collection started in the 1960s as a way to enliven the building’s simplistic modern design and to inspire an innovative work environment.
The open house event allows the public access to specific floors of the renovated building and to the majority of the newly reinstalled art collection of nearly 400 pieces by Andy Warhol, Claus Oldenberg, Michael Pavlosky, Frank Gardner, Arnaldo Pomodoro, Ivan Chermayeff, Peter Chinni, Jack Youngerman, John Salt, Jean Arp, among others.
