News + Initiatives Blog - Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation

Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation & Principal Financial Group^® Announce Leon Keer’s Mural at 901 Grand with Augmented Reality Capability

October 2, 2025

Des Moines, Iowa: The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation (Foundation) and Principal Financial Group® (Principal) announce a collaboration to bring renowned Dutch artist Leon...

BALLET DES MOINES + THE GREATER DES MOINES PUBLIC ART FOUNDATION ARTIST RESIDENCY

June 30, 2025

The 9-month residency welcomes a mid-career Des Moines-area visual artist into the Ballet Des Moines studio to create new visual artwork inspired by movement and...

RFQ – Franklin Avenue Library Public Art Project

January 21, 2025

The Franklin Avenue Library, Des Moines Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Franklin Avenue Library, and the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation seek artists...

Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation Reaches $4 Million Fundraising Goal for DSM Airport Terminal Project

December 10, 2024

DES MOINES, IOWA — (December 10, 2024) The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation is thrilled to announce that it has successfully reached its $4...

RFQ - Bondurant Library Project

November 18, 2024

The City of Bondurant, the Bondurant Community Library, and the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation are seeking Iowa-based artists or artist teams to create...

Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation & Des Moines Airport Authority Announce Artists for New Des Moines International Terminal

July 30, 2024

Des Moines, Iowa (July 2024): The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation and the Des Moines Airport Authority are pleased to announce the artists chosen...

RFQ – Des Moines International Airport Terminal Project – Exterior Des Moines, Iowa

January 25, 2024

Entry Deadline: March 22, 2024 Opportunity: The Des Moines International Airport and the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation seek artists / artist teams living and working...

RFQ - 9th Street Viaduct Murals Des Moines, Iowa

June 22, 2023

Opportunity Operation Downtown and the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation seek an artist / artist team to create up to two murals on walls under...

Kerry James Marshall to Reimagine Confederate Windows for National Cathedral

October 1, 2021

In Washington, D.C., the National Cathedral has commissioned world-renowned artist Kerry James Marshall to design new stained-glass windows that will address the concept of racial...

Basketball Court Murals Spark Innovation and Community Pride

August 5, 2021

Des Moines, IA — Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation (PAF) is pleased to present “SWISH” — a public art project that commissions accomplished, qualified...

JORDAN WEBER COMMISSIONED TO CREATE COMMUNITY FARM BY WALKER ART CENTER

May 23, 2020

Rendered site plan of urban farm planned for 2308/2310 Lyndale Ave, Hawthorne, Minneapolis. Image: courtesy of the artist and Aune Fernandez Landscape Architects. A new public...

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...

April 22, 2020

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery... Variations of this proverbial expression can be found in writings of Jeremy Collier (1650-1726) and André Dacier (1651-1722),...

Discover Free Education Resources Online

April 7, 2020

Share stories of diversity, equality, inclusion and equity. Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation presents online resources that will catalyze community conversations that can result...

Public Art in Changing Times

April 1, 2020

There is plenty of space around me as I take my daily walk, I realize that not everyone can do this. The out-of-doors comes in...

Artist Sheena Rose Announced for 6th Avenue Corridor Bus Shelter Art Project

February 5, 2020

Des Moines, Iowa (February 4, 2020) – The 6th Avenue Corridor Urban Neighborhood Main Street Program and the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation have...

Developing places like A Monumental Journey by acclaimed artist Kerry James Marshall, that inspire us

Public Art Foundation receives $40,000 Grant from BRAVO

January 21, 2020

Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation proudly highlights a grant award of $40,000 from Bravo Greater Des Moines. The 2020 Cultural Enrichment Grant is for...

Kerry James Marshall's "A Monumental Journey" Photo by Jim Zeller

"A Monumental Journey" honors leaders like Elijah Cummings

October 17, 2019

October 17, 2019: We mourn the passing of The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings, renowned civil rights icon who prevailed in the face of adversity against...

Places We Share

June 22, 2019

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation is emphasizes that the spaces embracing public art, like A Monumental Journey, are places that can inspire us...

Ninth public art bus unveiled in flash mob

March 20, 2019

Des Moines, Iowa: On 13 March 2019 the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation partnered with the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) to...

Kerry James Marshall with A Monumental Journey-photo-A Cannie, GDMPAF-2

Kerry James Marshall Ranked #2 of 2018 Power 100

November 20, 2018

Who were the most influential people in 2018 contemporary artworld? ArtReview’s annual ranking of the world’s most influential artists, curators, gallerists, and other powerful people just...

Call for Artists

November 2, 2018

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation in partnership with The City of Pleasant Hill, Iowa is searching for professional artists to submit their qualifications...

World Premiére of "Mental Banquet: Painting with Lights"

October 6, 2018

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation proudly presents the world premiére of temporary, site-specific, public art project called MENTAL BANQUET: PAINTING WITH LIGHTS. Internationally recognized artist Oyoram (aka...

National Recognition for Iowa's New Public Art Project: "A Monumental Journey" by Kerry James Marshall

August 2, 2018

On July 12, 2018, Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation proudly dedicated A MONUMENTAL JOURNEY by internationally acclaimed artist Kerry James Marshall. "A growing community...

Public Art Foundation Commissions Eighth Public Art Bus

June 22, 2018

At noon today, Friday, 22 June 2018, the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation and the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) will unveiled the...

Artist Jordan Weber Receives Fellowship to Enact Malcolm X Teachings in North Omaha

April 12, 2018

Jordan J. Weber of Des Moines, Iowa joins a growing body of artists that the arts organization called A Blade of Grass (ABOG) supports through...

Installation Begins On Long-awaited Public Art Sculpture

April 4, 2018

“A MONUMENTAL JOURNEY” INSTALLATION BEGINS Des Moines, IA (April 4, 2018) —The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation is pleased to announce that Neumann Brothers, Inc....

Guardian Angel

December 5, 2017

Des Moines, Iowa: At the beginning of December, the painting called "Guardian Angel" (1885) by Theodore Leistner was unveiled. Now the community is invited to...

ARTnews Provides International Coverage of Kerry James Marshall's Public Art Project in Des Moines

December 1, 2017

Today (01 Dec 2017), ARTnews posted a new article that heralds the important public art project called "A Monumental Journey." A MUST READ! The article — "The Arc...

Every Day, Everywhere Art

November 9, 2017

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation says "Bravo!" Last night a thoughtful, exciting plan called "Regional Cultural Assessment" for arts and culture in central...

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Call to Artists RFQ for Jester Park Nature Center

September 12, 2017

Des Moines, Iowa: The Polk County Conservation Public Arts Committee invites artists to submit an application to create an outdoor entrance artwork for the entrance...

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PUBLIC ART FOUNDATION RECEIVES $100,000 GIFT FROM POLK COUNTY, IA

August 31, 2017

Des Moines, IA (31 August 2017) — The Polk County Board of Supervisors has authorized a $100,000 Community Development Grant, Polk County, Iowa to the...

Public Art Travels Thousands of Miles Throughout Greater Des Moines

August 25, 2017

Residents and visitors may have noticed unique designs on large transit buses in their neighborhoods through the metropolitan area. It is one of the Greater Des...

ART ROUTE DSM CROSSWALK INSTALLATIONS TAKING PLACE

August 14, 2017

Greater Des Moines, Iowa: Installations are taking place on the regional Art Route DSM in Greater Des Moines (DSM), with locations in Downtown Des Moines and...

Kerry James Marshall is changing the face of American art.

June 5, 2017

His trademark style has catapulted him into the stratosphere of the art world: 72 of his paintings were displayed earlier this year a New York's...

Artist Deadline | Request for Qualifications

April 14, 2017

RAGBRAI is an abbreviation for the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. RAGBRAI began in 1973 when writer John Karras challenged columnist Donald Kaul...

Art Route Des Moines sidewalk markings in place

December 6, 2016

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation and partners recently completed the painted green dots and pink chevrons that designate the new Art Route Des...

Please Join Us — Public Art Groundbreaking on Thursday, 03 November!

October 31, 2016

Rendering of Kerry James Marshall's "A Monumental Journey" by Substance Architecture. Public Groundbreaking Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation (GDMPAF) presents the groundbreaking for A Monumental Journey,...

Kerry James Marshall Is Shifting the Color of Art History

October 24, 2016

Kerry James Marshall, one of the most celebrated artists currently working in the United States, created a new public art project called A Monumental Journey to...

Your View of Truth Matters in Des Moines, IA

September 24, 2016

Des Moines, Ia on 28-29 September 2016: The Truth Booth—a giant, inflatable, portable enclosure in the shape of a thought bubble—is crossing the United States to...

Architect Paul Mankins Lecture Streamed Live

September 21, 2016

At 5:30PM, Monday, September 26, Paul Mankins, founding partner of substancearchitecture in Des Moines, Iowa will present a lecture. Free and open to the public,...

Fair Visitors Explore New Temporary Art Project by M12

August 12, 2016

M12 Studio unveils a new public art project called SWITCH at the Iowa State Fair —on view through August 21, 2016. Located in the Horse...

SWITCH: New Project by M12 on View at Iowa State Fair

August 10, 2016

SWITCH by M12 Unveiling & Artist Talk | Friday, 12 August at 6PM | Iowa State Fair, Horse Barn, Stall #406 On view | 11-21 August 2016 | Two...

LEADERS UNVEIL ART ROUTE DES MOINES

June 22, 2016

First-of-its-kind, innovative project connects public art in Downtown Des Moines; expands into West Des Moines. GREATER DES MOINES, IOWA – Area leaders today unveiled details and officially...

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Celebrating Public Art

June 21, 2016

Public art is art in any media that has been planned and executed with the intention of being staged in the physical public domain, usually...

Artist Larassa Kabel Commissioned for Fourth Public Art Bus Wrap

May 26, 2016

Des Moines, IA — The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation announces that the artist Larassa Kabel has been commissioned to create a one-of-a-kind design...

A Love Affair with Music, Dance & Visual Culture

May 3, 2016

May 4 is artist Keith Haring's birthday—he would have been 58 years old. Recently, while strolling in downtown Des Moines, I took a snapshot of...

STORM DRAIN MANHOLE COVER: Design Competition

April 22, 2016

DSM, IA: The City of Des Moines Public Works Department has launched a contest to design a storm water manhole cover that will used throughout...

Public Art Foundation Announces 2016 Officers, New Board Members and Emeritus Trustees

February 18, 2016

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation is proud to welcome its leadership for 2016. The officers were re-elected for 2016: Katherine M. Murphy, retired Vice...

City Sounds Call for Artists

January 8, 2016

Des Moines, Ia: City Sounds: The Des Moines Public Piano Project invites central Iowa based artists to submit an application to become one of the 2016...

Ellsworth Kelly's "Sculpture for a Large Wall" (1956-57) at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Ellsworth Kelly — a master of geometric abstraction

January 6, 2016

For the artist Ellsworth Kelly, perfection had little to do with geometry. What he wanted was joy. He found it through a keen perception of...

Jessica Terrill Is First Honoree of "Iowa Young Architect' Award

October 19, 2015

Jessica Terrill, of Substance Architecture in Des Moines, was honored 15 October 2015 with the inaugural Young Architect award from the American Institute of Architects,...

A Special Call for Volunteers & Workers in Des Moines

October 14, 2015

A unique public art experience in Des Moines, Iowa: The majority of the redesign of Des Moines' Cowles Commons (formerly Nollen Plaza) by New York...

Jordan J. Weber's new mural is spotlighted

August 27, 2015

Jordan Weber's monumental mural is dramatically illuminated (below) at night. This dazzling artwork is located just east of 4th Street and bordering Locust Street in...

RFP and RFQ: ARTWORK COMMEMORATING THE VISITS OF CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING AND HIS FATHER TO IOWA

August 24, 2015

In honor of Chinese President Xi Jinping's historic visits to Iowa as well as that of his father Xi Zhongxun in 1980,...

Jordon Weber Creates New Mural in Des Moines

August 7, 2015

Jordan J. Weber (American, born 1984) is currently painting a new mural in downtown Des Moines at Locust and 4th Street, just north of Cowles...

American Enterprise Group’s Architecture + Art: AEG Open House

August 6, 2015

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...

Artwork ‘Wading Bridge,’ pulled early, showed dynamics of the river

August 5, 2015

The temporary public art installation ‘Wading Bridge’ by New York-based artist Mary Mattingly will not be reinstalled in the Raccoon River in Water Works Park. The...

‘Wading Bridge’ Invites People to Reconnect with the River

July 22, 2015

The public is invited to dip their feet in the Raccoon River as part of a public art installation by New York-based artist Mary Mattingly....

Public Art & Skateboard Parks

July 13, 2015

Recently in Vancouver, British Columbia a skateboard competition transformed a park into a public art installation. Reigning Canadian champion Alex Sorgente was joined by dozens...

SHOWSTOPPER at Des Moines Art Festival

June 29, 2015

Jay Vigon's art is the second of four original artists' designs to be wrapped around a large DART transit bus. More than 100,000 people saw...

Public art bus wrap unveiling at Des Moines Arts Festival

June 25, 2015

Des Moines, IA — The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation’s ProjectSPACES initiative, in partnership with the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), will...

Percent for Art Program: Toward a Beautiful Future

June 11, 2015

Today, “Percent for Art” represents for many U.S. cities the most important public art fund since the Great Depression. Just look at Kansas City,...

Crusoe Umbrella Repainted

May 6, 2015

Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen's 1979 monumental sculpture is one of the artists first public art projects. The work of art was commissioned in...

Social Injustice Spurs Jordan Weber's Art

May 5, 2015

Manifest Justice brings together artists inspired by questions of social justice. Featured are more than 220 works by an estimated 150 artists from all over...

Des Moines, IA is 1 of 12 Finalist Cities for $1-Million Public Art Challenge

March 5, 2015

5 March 2015: Bloomberg Philanthropies announced that Des Moines, Iowa is one of 12 cities in the running to receive up to $1-million in funding...

Foundation Announces 2015 Officers, New Board Members and Emeritus Trustees

February 5, 2015

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation welcomed its leadership for 2015 at a board meeting held January 28 in Des Moines. Katherine M. Murphy,...

Ode to Joy

January 22, 2015

Here is a flashmob performing one of the best-known works of the repertoire of classical music: Ode an die Freude (Ode to Joy) Ludwig van...

Iowa's High Trestle Trail Bridge Graces Cover of American for the Arts

December 22, 2014

Americans for the Arts, which serves a network of organizations and individuals, has just released its 2015–2017 strategic plan with a key focus on building...

Public Art in Greater Des Moines Targets Community Innovation Challenge

December 2, 2014

Des Moines, IA: From more than 50 submissions the Innovation Investors with the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines have identified 4 IGNITE FINALISTS for...

Public art takes to the streets on public transit in Greater Des Moines

November 18, 2014

Public art is taking to the streets of Greater Des Moines in a new initiative that wraps artists’ one-of-a-kind designs on public transit buses. The Greater...

Shaping Des Moines' Public Spaces

November 9, 2014

Cowles Commons is really taking shape. The lights have been installed, the concrete base for the Red Carpet is being poured and the first...

WOW! Jim Campbell's light project in Hong Kong

October 31, 2014

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FA5zPY3p0Y The artist said: “The first time I went to Hong Kong about 12 years ago I had thought about what it might be like to...

Public Art Helps Transform Plaza in Des Moines

September 26, 2014

In Des Moines, IA, a new public art project by Jim Campbell will be installed at the site of a public plaza called Cowles Commons....

PAINTALLICA Featured at Iowa State Fair

August 14, 2014

Visit the Iowa State Fair and experience a new public art installation by Paintallica. The installation is located in the courtyard of the Jim and...

Balmond’s acclaimed sculpture makes UK debut

July 21, 2014

Artist, architect and scholar Cecil Balmond’s critically acclaimed sculpture H_Edge makes its UK debut in London’s Spitalfields. H_Edge has been installed in the reflecting pool...

A Remarkable Collaboration: Weiwei & Benally

July 17, 2014

Ai Weiwei, internationally acclaimed Chinese dissident artist, and Navajo artist Bert Benally through a remarkable collaboration, recently created Pull of the Moon, a temporary, site-specific...

Discovering the Moth at ISU

July 14, 2014

Moth is a sculpture of contrasts. The material (marble) that Mac Adams chose is heavy and full of mass, but his subject (moth) is delicate...

Call for Artists' Qualifications

June 30, 2014

Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation is looking for professional artists to submit their ideas and qualifications for this innovative public art opportunity. The Foundation...

New App Coming May 16

May 15, 2014

The DSM Public Art app is available now for free in the iTunes Store. DOWNLOAD NOW! The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation (GDMPAF) wants you...

Support the Public Art Foundation

May 15, 2014

Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation has been accepted into the Birdies for Charity program. This program gives qualifying charities the opportunity to...

Revisioning Skywalks

May 8, 2014

Damaged skywalk in aftermath of March 2014 fire in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Bridge of Aspiration, 2003, designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, London, UK

Art Opens Up the World

April 23, 2014

"Art is inherently fluid, able to cross cultures and affect people regardless of geography, language, belief, or political disposition. As former Secretary of State Hillary...

Public Art that Surprises and Fascinates

March 13, 2014

Alice Aycock unveils a suite of seven enormous sculptures in aluminum and fiberglass. Called “Park Avenue Paper Chase,” and stretching from 52nd Street to 66th...

DSM Public Art Foundation Announces "Call for Artists"

March 7, 2014

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation’s Project Spaces initiative, in partnership with the Iowa State Fair, requests qualifications for temporary public art that will...

JFK Airport Unveils Public Art of Dimitar Lukanov

March 6, 2014

“Outside Time,” a new, public art sculpture by artist Dimitar Lukanov, was formally unveiled on February 26, 2014, in the Departure Hall at New York’s...

Alice Aycock's "Park Avenue Paper Chase" Debuts

March 1, 2014

MAJOR TEMPORARY PUBLIC ART IN NEW YORK CITY: Alice Aycock's Park Avenue Paper Chase is a series of seven sculptures that were created for the...

Ingenuity Defines Villareal's Public Art

February 25, 2014

Ithaca, New York: An homage to the late Cornell astronomy professor Carl Sagan, Cosmos is a site-specific installation by New York–based artist Leo Villareal (born...

‘Home Within Home Within Home Within Home Within Home'

February 21, 2014

Korean artist Do-Ho Suh SEWS unbelievable life-sized homes out of transparent fabric. This work is comprised of a life-sized (12 meters in height, 15 meters...

A Special Award for Kerry James Marshall

February 19, 2014

Once a year, Gesellschaft für Moderne Kunst awards the Wolfgang Hahn Prize to contemporary artists. Kerry James Marshall has received the 2014 Wolfgang Hahn Prize. The...

MEET THE MAN — 12/12

November 25, 2013

Des Moines, Iowa: Meet the man who created the dazzling public art project along Des Moines' Principal Riverwalk. Learn more about Jun Kaneko's artwork in...

Kaneko Gives Public Talk in Des Moines

November 25, 2013

Des Moines, Iowa: Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation and Des Moines Art Center presents a public lecture by acclaimed artist Jun Kaneko at 6:30pm,...

KCCI Interview Director of GDMPAF

November 25, 2013

Post by Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation.

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Kerry James Marshall Appointed to Presidential Panel

November 22, 2013

Kerry James Marshall, a noted Chicago painter, has been named to President Barack Obama’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Read more here! Artist Kerry...

New Public Art Work in Des Moines

November 13, 2013

Des Moines, IA: A new public art work by Olafur Eliasson is being installed on the grounds of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park this week. Check...

Kaneko Dedication Builds Excitement for Public Art

November 8, 2013

“Expansion,” a mural created by artist Jun Kaneko, was dedicated Oct. 28 at the Court Avenue Pump Station, located across the street from HubSpot Plaza...

Expansion by Jun Kaneko Dedication Celebrated by Community

October 29, 2013

The dedication of the public art project attracted families and frineds and brought together downtown neighbors and businesses. The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation...

Kaneko Mural Prepared for Installation

October 17, 2013

This week the glass mural called Expansion by Jun Kaneko arrived in in the Midwest. It is being prepared for installation on the Court Avenue...

Kerry James Marshall Art Focuses on Social Emancipation

October 17, 2013

A long-time resident of Chicago, Kerry James Marshall is widely regarded as one of the greatest painters of his generation. A public art project by...

New Public Art Dedication

October 15, 2013

Public Art of Ugo Rondinone Creates Playful Space

September 20, 2013

Ugo Rondinone’s installation of nine massive, humanoid stone sculptures in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza, Human Nature. The sculptures “are surprisingly witty,” ARTINFO’s Rozalia Jovanovic wrote...

Ólafur Eliasson Public Art Coming to Des Moines, IA

September 9, 2013

Hurray! Spændende nyheder! A new work of public art by Ólafur Eliasson (Danish-Icelandic, born 1967) will be formally presented to the Des Moines City Council this...

Alice Aycock Sculpture on Grounds of Chatsworth House, England

September 6, 2013

Alice Aycock's "Cyclone Twist" sculpture belongs to the Park Avenue Paper Chase project, which will open in New York City in Spring 2014. Photo: Christopher...

The Dubai Mall Waterfall

September 2, 2013

Dubai, UAE: Installed in 2009, the Waterfall runs through the entire height of the mall, traversing all four levels, and is adorned with art sculptures...

New Public Art Installation at 2013 Iowa State Fair

August 8, 2013

Des Moines, Iowa: Through its ongoing “Project Spaces” initiative, the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation proudly presents a temporary installation by visual artist Travis...

"Some Stories Are Worth Repeating"

July 25, 2013

On the heels of Alice Aycock's two-part retrospective Some Stories are Worth Repeating, shown at the Grey Art Gallery, NYU and Parrish Art Museum, NY,...

Aycock Calls Her Work “Nonfunctional Architecture”

July 25, 2013

In June, Karen Rosenberg of The New York Times wrote that Alice Aycock was "a Minimalist turned unabashed fantasist" and the artist "is one...

Alice Aycock's New Sculpture "Maelstrom" Unveiled in New York

July 17, 2013

New York: Maelstrom is part of Park Avenue Paper Chase, a public art project which consist of a series of sculptures to be installed on...

Kerry James Marshall Exhibition in DC

June 28, 2013

Washington, DC's National Gallery of Art hosts the city's first solo exhibition of the work of American artist Kerry James Marshall. [Opening today through December...

Jun Kaneko Monumental Ceramic Sculpture in Chicago's Millennium Park

June 12, 2013

This temporary public art project featuring Jun Kaneko's monumental ceramic sculptures is on view through November 3, 2013 at Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois. A...

Behar & Marquardt Vision Transforms Building

May 23, 2013

In mid-December 2012, the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation was approached about bringing back the artist team of Roberto Behar and Rosario Marquardt to...

Ugo Rondinone in Des Moines

May 15, 2013

Ugo Rondinone (born 1964 Brunnen, Switzerland) is a New-York based mixed-media artist whose works explore themes of fantasy and desire. Visitors enjoy miming expression on...

Public Art in the City

April 19, 2013

Among the walking and biking tours, a downtown guide created by the Des Moines Bicycle Collective has featured a walking tour called “Public Art in...

Must-Read Interview with Alice Aycock

April 16, 2013

Artist Alice Aycock is featured in the May 2013 issue of Sculpture magazine—check it out! The feature celebrates her recent show, Alice Aycock: Drawings at...

Legends, Myths and Truths: Jun Kaneko

March 28, 2013

Opening April 12, 2013 in Millennium Park is a major public art project which will be on view through November 4, 2013. It features 17...

Monumental Art & Ideas

March 28, 2013

Artist Jun Kaneko is internationally renowned for creating the largest free standing ceramic art pieces in the world. His monumental design extends to the stage,...

Elaborate Structures Defy Gravity

March 23, 2013

Alice Aycock’s early works of art were often sited underground. “It was very phenomenological — architectural spaces that made you feel claustrophobic. The later work...

BUS WRAP RAISES IMPORTANCE OF ART EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

January 10, 2013

In October 2012 Los Angeles campaigned for public school arts education and took its message to the streets, with the first in a series of...

Plensa Receives International Recognition for Public Art

December 5, 2012

El Nacional de Artes Plásticas reconoce la escultura ubicua de Jaume Plensa Working in a wide variety of materials, Jaume Plensa has invigorated the practice of...

Public Art Dedication on November 13

October 27, 2012

Theatrical Interactive Installations in Public Spaces: part 2

October 5, 2012

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer (born in 1967 in Mexico City) is best known for creating theatrical interactive installations in public spaces across Europe, Asia and America. Using robotics, real-time...

Mural "Birthplace of Des Moines", Principal Park

"Thunderer" On View at New Shelter in Des Moines

September 21, 2012

The sculpture Thunderer by American artist Robert Craig was installed on Sept. 7 at 1420 Mulberry St., the site of the new Central Iowa Shelter &...

Neighborhood Utility Box: It's a Wrap

September 17, 2012

Mark Kane, former Garden Editor of Better Homes and Gardens, who lives in the Ingersoll Neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa , explained, “Here's the story....

3-Weekend Celebration Showcases Performance Art in Des Moines, Iowa

September 17, 2012

Des Moines, Iowa: Artstop, now in its sixth year, is expanding into a 2-week, 3-weekend celebration of creativity and adventurous art throughout the Cultural and...

Goche’s Culture/Carriage

September 17, 2012

Peter Goche of Ames, Iowa created a functional sculpture in the Western Gateway District of Des Moines, Iowa. It will be on public view for...

Creative Thinking & Living

September 10, 2012

American artist Janet Echelman reshapes urban airspace with monumental, fluidly moving sculpture that responds to environmental forces including wind, water, and sunlight. The article on this...

There are many ways to build an image...

August 10, 2012

“The richness of the city is all the various cultures coming together, and the richness of my art will be to simultaneously let people in...

Artstop and Public Art Foundation Form Partnership

July 22, 2012

Artstop and the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation are pleased to announce a partnership on Project Spaces, a community-based public art program initiated by...

KITUNDU’S PUBLIC ART CELEBRATED

July 17, 2012

Two recently commissioned artworks displayed in the new Terminal 2 at San Francisco International Airport were recognized as some of the best public art projects...

In The Studio with Kerry James Marshall

July 16, 2012

As he prepared paintings for his fall exhibition at the Vienna Secession, Chicago painter Kerry James Marshall spoke with Rachel Wolff about the evolution of...

"Jun Kaneko's 'Magic Flute' Is Stunningly Visual,” says Huffington Post

July 16, 2012

San Francisco Opera's final production for the 2012 Summer Season, The Magic Flute, rides on an ascending scale and tops out in the highest registers...

Earthwork Doubles As Recreational Amenity

July 9, 2012

Located in the barren desert near Joshua Tree National Park, 15 miles from the nearest human settlement, Yucca Crater, a temporary earthwork, doubled as a...

WHERE WE LIVE

June 12, 2012

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation and the City of Des Moines will celebrate WHERE WE LIVE next Wednesday, June 20 at 4PM. The event recognizes...

Row of sculptures to punctuate Riverwalk's new Hub Spot

May 23, 2012

“You think differently after you’ve experienced ,” ISU Museums director Lynette Pohlman said. “Really good works of art are that powerful. They are profound,...

Public Art Foundation receives $200,000 gift from Hubbell Foundation

May 8, 2012

Des Moines, IA: The Jim and Helen Hubbell Charitable Foundation has contributed $200,000 to the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation to support a public...

City of Des Moines Residents Will Select People’s Choice Award

April 28, 2012

Des Moines, IA: “We recognize that technology changes the way our citizens communicate with one another and engage with government,” said Des Moines City Manager...

GDMPAF Announces Finalists for 6th Avenue Bridge Project

April 16, 2012

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation has announced three finalists for the 6th Avenue Bridge public art project. City officials were part of the...

Greater DSM Public Art Foundation Advances 6th Ave Bridge Project

March 27, 2012

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation (GDMPAF) has invited artists, artisans and/or designers throughout the United States to develop creative proposals for the functional...

WHERE WE LIVE

March 6, 2012

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation is partnering with the CITY OF DES MOINES, to invite qualified artists to submit works of art for...

Jaume Plensa’s Iconic Art Transforms Perceptions of the World

February 26, 2012

Mirror, a site-specific installation by renowned international artist Jaume Plensa, was recently installed on the campus of Rice University, Houston, Texas. “Mirror” features two 10-foot-tall human...

CALL FOR ARTISTS

February 16, 2012

DES MOINES, IOWA: Qualifications from artists, artisans and/or designers are sought to develop public artwork for the 6TH AVENUE BRIDGE in Des Moines, Iowa. This...

Passion for Problem Solving: A Rube Goldberg

January 16, 2012

Reuben Garrett Lucius Goldberg (1883 – 1970) was an American sculptor, author, engineer and inventor. He is best known for cartoons depicting complex gadgets that...

FOUNDATION LAUNCHES DSM PUBLIC ART APP

January 9, 2012

The DSM Public Art app is available now for free in the iTunes Store. DOWNLOAD NOW! The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation (GDMPAF) wants you...

Bright Idea for Des Moines, Iowa

November 10, 2011

Walnut Street in downtown Des Moines has a new vision, and part of revitalizing the area is incorporating public art -- specifically "light-sculpture" could be...

Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation Remembers Dennis Oppenhein's "Bus Home"

November 1, 2011

American artist Dennis Oppenheim (1938-2011) died unexpectedly last January and left behind a diverse oeuvre found in museums, private collections and public spaces across the...

Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation Reports a New Project in Clive, Iowa

November 1, 2011

The City of Clive, Iowa announces a “Call to Artists” for it's Art Along the Trail program to begin in 2012. Clive’s Public Arts Advisory...

Must See Public Art Murals in Des Moines

October 24, 2011

Must see murals in Greater Des Moines include Edwin Blashfield's "Westward" (1905), Harry Donald Jones' "A Social History of Des Moines" (1941) and Sol LeWitt's...