The Des Moines Art Center is honored to participate in A Day With(out) Art, joining a national initiative that commemorates World AIDS Day and recognizes the profound impact and enduring resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community’s response to the AIDS epidemic. The arts have long been a place for reflection, healing, and calls to action, and this event centers that truth by bringing the community together for conversation, connection, and collective care.
Our 2025 program opened with remarks from Sister Clara Cum Passionata, of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and a welcoming blessing featuring members of the Rainbow Faith Coalition; Susan Lexington (Walnut Hills Church), Gail Morris (Walnut Hills Church), Nate Nimms (Pastor, Walnut Hills Church), Luke Stringer (Associate Pastor, Plymouth Congregational Church), Heather Wachendorf (Pastor, New Beginnings Christian Church) and Peggy Willis (Walnut Hills Church).
Followed by a panel discussion on Continuing Care featuring Becky Johnson (Primary Health Care provider), Marissa Mickunas (mental health therapist), Gary Moore (community elder and retired Senior Bartender of the Blazing Saddle) and Michael Weeks (HIV activist and 2003 Iowa Bear) moderated by Sister Dia Niceas (Kara Raphaeli), professor of theatre at Simpson College and Prioress of the Priory of the Wild Rose.
Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
