By Claire Kohl
Green slime drips off the bench. An orange splatter across the fall board reads “Abby’s Rad Art.” Anyone familiar with TV in the 90s just needs one look at “Abby’s Rad Piano” to recognize that Nickelodeon was the inspiration for this public art piece.
“Abby’s Rad Piano” with artist Abby Niederhauser of Abby’s Rad Art.
Abby Niederhauser of Abby’s Rad Art is the Des Moines artist behind the City Sounds piano coming to The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand this summer.
“My life has been painting, drawing cartoons, collecting 90s pop culture, and marrying the two into what is now my artwork: 90s pop culture, nostalgia, pop art,” said Abby.
She has applied to be a featured artist for the City Sounds public piano program multiple times but was not ultimately selected. This year, not only was she selected, but she also won the City Sounds People’s Choice Award.
2026 marks City Sounds’ 12th year of bringing artistic pianos to the Des Moines metro area. A total of six painted pianos will be placed in neighborhoods around the metro.
Abby was attracted to create a piano art piece for City Sounds because she enjoys creating art on a large scale and giving back to her community.
“I really enjoy painting large items, and I don’t get a lot of opportunity to because I am working in a smaller, at-home studio. So, when I get the opportunity to join a group public project or paint something large, it is always something I’ll try to be a part of,” said Abby.
In addition to being an artist, Abby is an advocate for the autistic community. She has given inspirational presentations and written a chapter in the book “Hear Me Speak,” sharing her experience as an autistic adult.
Her award-winning City Sounds piano, “Abby’s Rad Piano,” will arrive outside Ted’s Coney Island on May 22nd and stay through October. Ted’s has been a long-time sponsor of a piano at its 3020 Ingersoll Avenue location.
The Avenues has partnered with pianist Tony Bohnenkamp to give a sidewalk piano concert at Ted’s on June 23, from 4-6 p.m. during Art on the Avenues week. Abby Niederhauser of Abby’s Rad Art will be there to take in her creation and meet spectators. If you are interested in purchasing art from Abby, you’re in luck! She will have her entire inventory in her van parked directly behind the piano.
The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand is a proud sponsor of City Sounds. Want to check out more public art on The Avenues? Click here to take a look at our interactive map of public art along the corridor.
