Art Week Des Moines returns June 16 – June 22 in neighborhoods across Des Moines!
The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand is pleased to be included on the lineup once again. The corridor will host activities and events on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. For the full schedule click here.
Art Week events will be held in traditional and non-traditional art spaces along Ingersoll & Grand Avenues including restaurants, parks, sidewalks and galleries. Return to this post for the most up-to-date information and details.
Wednesday, June 21: Art Week on The Avenues
- Creative Coffee at Chain & Spoke: A brainstorming session for a temporary “yarn bomb” art installation along the fence of 31st and Ingersoll, inspired by cycling. Come with ideas between 8-9:00 a.m. Gently used yarn donations will be collected at Chain & Spoke during the event and through the rest of the month.
- Art Rocks! at Chamberlain Park: A free, family-friendly crafting event from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Come paint a rock to hide along The Avenues or bring it home to share with friends and neighbors! Supplies provided by Des Moines Art Center.
- Mural on 25th and Ingersoll Avenue: See a mural by Jacob Kuperman come to life along the wall at 25th and Ingersoll from 1-5:30 p.m.
- A Feast For Your Eyes: A celebration of culinary creativity on The Avenues! Local chefs and mixologists have teamed up with local artists to create a one-of-a-kind, art-inspired menu item to share! Find specials at:
- The Bartender’s Handshake (featuring artist Nicole James)
- Panka Peruvian Restaurant (featuring artist Autumn Rozario Hall)
- Harbinger (featuring artist Maggie Douglas)
- Lachele’s (featuring artist Jacob Kuperman)
- Craft Art Market at Big Grove Brewery: Browse and shop the works of 9 local artists between 5-8:00 p.m. in Big Grove’s Crescent Room. Vendors will have paintings, cards, clothing, and more available for purchase! Vendors include:
- Tatiana Giacinti – Film Photography
- Teri Templeton Cadman
- Aaron Carlo
- Sarah Rose Studio
- The Red Door Press
- Art and Design by Kyle Kirwan
- FiveMonkeys Inc.
- Designed By The Streets!
- Olivia Wallerich
- DART Art Bus Shelter Dedication: Help us welcome the first of eight DART art bus shelters coming to Ingersoll Avenue! A dedication ceremony is planned for 4 p.m. near the shelter at 2103 Ingersoll Avenue (in front of UnityPoint Clinic). Remarks will be given by artist Mary Jones, along with representatives from DART, City of Des Moines and The Avenues.
- Public Art Celebration at Gusto Pizza Bar: Join us in celebrating the recent art installations on The Avenues, including the DART art bus shelter, to the corridor from 4:30-5:30 p.m.! Pizza will be served and Happy Hour specials will be available for purchase.
- Completed Staircase Mural: Admire the work of Jordan Sandquist and Chris Sullivan at the newly completed staircase mural, connecting Ingersoll and Grand avenues!
- Improv Dance Walk: Join dance artists Elizabeth Ferreira and Julie Betts for an improv dance walk along Ingersoll Avenue, beginning at Palmer’s Deli at 5:30 p.m. and ending with a bonfire at The Woodland Realm!
- Midsummer at The Woodland Realm: Starting at 6:00 p.m. explore their garden and enjoy crafts for all ages. Hey Schweetie will be onsite serving vegan food until 8:30 p.m. The night will end with a bonfire and s’mores!
- Buskers along The Avenues: Several musicians will be performing along Ingersoll Avenue from 5-7:00 p.m. Buskers will be located at Ted’s Coney Island, Lachele’s, Star Bar, Thai Flavors, and Unity Point. Sign up to busk here.
- William Bortz & Guests at Jeid Studio: An evening of poetry with William Bortz and others! Doors open at 6:30, and the poetry program begins at 7 p.m.
- Flash poetry (prompt William with a word and walk away with a poem in minutes!) and live music: 6:30 pm
- Poetry readings: 7:15 p.m.
- Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages
Other Art Week events happening on The Avenues:
- b. Robert Moore at Moberg Gallery: b. Robert Moore creates mixed-media figurative works which are inner-connected with Moore’s identity and experience as a Black man in America. He’s inspired to create uplifting narratives and images of people from his community and abroad through similar life identity and experiences. Storytelling is the backbone of Moore’s work, and he uses found and upcycled materials that have their own stories, to connect to the work prior to composition. He deconstructs his materials and rebuilds the work to compose a cohesive story rooted in Black American experiences and the history of African diaspora and African roots.
- June 16, 5-8 p.m.: Opening Reception, featuring bites and drinks. Open to the public.
- June 24, 5-8 p.m.: The Lot Party, featuring a DJ, food trucks, spoken word performances from B.WELL and more!
