Des Moines Art Center

2026 Fingerman Lecture: Alison Saar
2026-10-04 13:30 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Levitt Auditorium, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
We invite you to join the Des Moines Art Center in welcoming artist Alison Saar as the featured speaker of our annual Fingerman Lecture series. Saar’s work examines the place of the female body in the realms of politics and spirituality. She explores Black female identity, and the powerful, multifaceted roles women play — from everyday life to timeless, legendary figures.
Saar has exhibited artworks at many galleries and museums throughout the United States. Her art is represented in the collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Baltimore Art Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her 1997 piece, “Sweeping Beauty” was added to the Des Moines Art Center’s permanent collection in 2003.
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The Fingerman Lecture series is made possible through generous gifts by Lois and the late Dr. Louis Fingerman. Alison Saar is the 36th installment in the series.
Free; registration required.
Photo: Alison Saar

Art Center Café, Dinner with Friends: Tar and Erika Macias
2026-10-15 | The Art Center Café, 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
We are excited to continue the Art Center Café’s signature culinary experience: Dinner with Friends. Be our guest as we gather around the table with friends for a lighthearted evening of laughter, conversation, and live music in the cozy setting of the café. Each dinner features a unique menu inspired by our special guest hosts and prepared by the Art Center Café’s Executive Chef Stephanie Williams.
For the third installment of our fall dinner series, we’re welcoming Tar and Erika Macias. Together, Tar and Erika run Hola America, a bi-lingual news platform and media group. Their dinner will celebrate the flavors and traditions of Latino cuisine, with a creative twist from Chef Williams. Join us for an evening that brings together food, community, and the stories that connect us. The event will also include live music by Jesse Pace and Steve Tyler.
$125/person; all-inclusive.
Reservations are required; payment will be taken on the night of the event. Tickets include a four-course meal and beverages. First seating begins at 5 pm and seating ends at 6:15 pm. Please share any dietary restrictions when making your reservation. Limited capacity. Tables seat six; smaller parties will be seated together for a festive evening of community and togetherness.
RESERVATIONS
For questions or to join the waitlist call 515.271.0313 or email cafe@desmoinesartcenter.org.

Museum Highlights Tour
2026-10-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-10-31 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Discover the vast variety of the Des Moines Art Center’s permanent collection during our Museum Highlights Tour. This tour offers a unique journey through our galleries, featuring a selection of timeless paintings, sculptures, and more. Join our knowledgeable guides to uncover the stories, techniques, and inspirations behind the art on view, and experience the highlights of the Art Center in a fresh and engaging way. This guided tour is perfect for art enthusiasts of all ages!
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.

Art for Every Body
2026-10-22 17:30 - 19:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Art for Every Body is a welcoming creative program designed for adults (ages 18+) of all abilities who are seeking connection, reflection, and community through art. This experience begins with a visit to the Des Moines Art Center’s galleries, where participants will explore artworks and participate in a guided conversation about a selected work. After the museum visit, participants will transition to an art making workshop that invites personal expression inspired by the gallery experience.
This program fosters curiosity, connection, and creativity, offering a space where every body can engage with art in ways that are meaningful and empowering. Whether you’re curious about art, seeking creative expression, or hoping to connect with others in a supportive environment, all are welcome. Participants are encouraged to bring support people or companions, and accommodations are available upon request at registration to ensure everyone can fully engage.
Free; registration required.
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Contact the Community Access Program Manager at kburr@desmoinesartcenter.org in advance with specific needs so we can prepare appropriate accessibility supports.

“Elle Pérez: La Despedida” Exhibition Tour
2026-10-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Visitors are invited to learn more about the exhibition “Elle Pérez: La Despedida” during this free guided tour. The show, on view in the A. H. Blank Gallery, highlights Bronx-based photographer Elle Pérez’s practice as they construct lush and tactile photographs born from careful attention to the objects, settings, and individuals in their everyday life. The artist’s 2025 series “La Despedida (the world is always ending, the world is always again beginning)” encompasses photographs taken in the gardens of two very different sites: Pérez’s grandfather’s backyard in Puerto Real, Puerto Rico, and Impressionist painter Claude Monet’s home in Giverny, France.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Elle Pérez (born 1989)
“untitled (light window)” (detail), 2025
Archival pigment print
Image courtesy of the artist and 47 Canal, New York
Photo: Joerg Lohse

Creative Aging: Studio Series (Ages 55+)
2026-10-29 14:00 - 15:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Creative Aging is a program designed for adults age 55+ to gather at the Art Center and learn about art while making community connections and fostering cognitive health. These sessions will offer a social atmosphere and a variety of exploratory projects to try out materials and techniques with the support of an experienced teaching artist.
In this session, students will create Gelli printings inspired by nature. Gelli printing is a form of mono printing that uses flexible printing plates to create textures and layers of color.
Materials, tools, and guidance will be provided. Cost of the class is $30 ($24 for Art Center members).
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