Day of the Dead / Día de Los Muertos
2024-10-27 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Step into a vibrant tradition that began over 3,000 years ago in the Aztec Empire. Día de Los Muertos offers healing, joy, and connection, honoring the belief that “what we remember, lives.”
Celebrate this transformative Mexican Indigenous tradition with us at the Des Moines Art Center’s 2024 Day of the Dead event — Day of the Dead: Youth of the Eternal Flame! This festive, free, family-friendly gathering features hands-on art activities, food, music, a Catrina costume contest, and an ofrenda (altar) designed by young artists from Al Éxito with the guidance of artists Siricasso and Dawn Martinez Oropeza.
This year, we are honoring Jóvenes de la Flama Eterna “Youth of the Eternal Flame”— remembering and celebrating the lives of young members of our community, lost too soon.
“Al Éxito is grateful to the Des Moines Art Center for uplifting a vision of our young artists and supporting healing for the families who are grieving the loss of a child. It is an honor to create a space for celebrating the beauty and joy of their lives.”
Learn more to participate in this year’s Catrina Costume Contest.
Volunteers:
Día de Los Muertos at the Art Center wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers. Sign up here to volunteer at the event.
Support for this event is provided by:

This event is free, and no registration is required. This event will be documented with photography.

Adéntrate en una viva tradición que comenzó hace más de 3000 años en el Imperio Azteca. El Día de los Muertos ofrece sanación, alegría y conexión, haciendo homenaje a la creencia de que “lo que recordamos, permanece vivo”.
Celebra con nosotros esta extraordinaria tradición indígena mexicana en el evento del Día de los Muertos 2024 en el Des Moines Art Center – Día de los Muertos: Jóvenes de la Flama Eterna! Esta festividad gratis y para toda la familia contará con actividades artísticas interactivas, comida, música, un concurso de disfraces de catrín y catrina, así como una ofrenda diseñada por los jóvenes artistas de la organización Al Éxito, bajo la guía de los artistas Siricasso y Dawn Martínez Oropeza.
Este año, estaremos rindiendo tributo a los Jóvenes de la Flama Eterna (también, Jóvenes de la Flama Eterna o Youth of the Eternal Flame), en remembranza y celebración de la vida de jóvenes en la comunidad que perdimos demasiado pronto. “Al Éxito expresa su agradecimiento al Des Moines Art Center por enaltecer la visión de nuestros jóvenes artistas y apoyar la sanación de las familias que lloran la pérdida de uno de sus hijos(as). Es un honor crear un espacio para celebrar la belleza y alegría que sus vidas nos brindaron”.
Participa en el concurso de disfraces de catrín y catrina de este año: más información aquí.
VOLUNTARIOS
El Día de Los Muertos en el Art Center no sería posible sin la ayuda de nuestros voluntarios. Apúntate aquí: INSCRIPCIÓN DE VOLUNTARIOS

Art Noir Flashlight Tour
2024-10-30 17:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
It’s officially spooky season – and as the sun goes down the ghosts and ghouls come out to play. Get to know the darker side of the Des Moines Art Center with an after hours tour in the dark. The party starts with light bites and drinks (21+) in the lobby at sundown before departing on a guided tour. Attendees will experience some of the Art Center’s most mysterious works in an entirely unconventional way.
A limited number of flashlights will be provided or bring your own! To truly get into the spirit, attendees are encouraged to wear all black or their best costume. This event is a fan-favorite and sells out quickly, so register today!
This event is for attendees 21+, and complimentary sweet and savory light bites will be provided. Beer and wine available for purchase.
Art Noir Member Ticket: $15
Non-Member Ticket: $25
This event is sold out. To join the waitlist or for questions contact Jess Lane, Gala and Development Events Coordinator at jlane@desmoinesartcenter.org.

Gallery Talk: Artists on Art featuring Goizane Esain and Michaela Mullin
2024-11-03 13:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join Des Moines-based Latina creatives, Goizane Esain, artist and entrepreneur, and Michaela Mullin, writer and editor, for an engaging discussion about works in the exhibition, “As You See Me: Mexican Photography 1945-2000,” in the A. H. Blank Gallery.
This event is free, and no registration is required.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Goizane Esain was born in San Sebastian, Spain, and grew up in Venezuela and Colombia. She later moved to Denver, Colorado, where she began her art and design studies at Denver Community College. Esain then relocated to Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated from Drake University with a degree in communications and graphic design. Her artwork explores the relationships between artistic expression, design, and shape. Esain’s large-scale sliced photographic images combine colors and forms found in land- and cityscapes, rearranging compositions into new and unexpected views. She owns her own business, Goizane Design, and is one of three partners at RBI Marketing in Des Moines, where she helps clients across Iowa with their brand and creative strategy. In her free time, Esain volunteers for the Iowa Latino Heritage Festival, Al Exito, and Friends of Drake Arts. In 2021, she was named one of Des Moines Business Record’s “40 Under Forty.” Her commissioned artwork can be found in businesses across Central Iowa. Esain is represented by Moberg Gallery in Des Moines.
Michaela Mullin is a Des Moines-based, Pushcart Prize-nominated poet, arts writer, and editor. She earned a BA in English from Drake University, an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Nebraska, and a PhD in Philosophy, Art, and Critical Thought from the European Graduate School. Mullin is a recipient of the Helen W. Kenefick Poetry Prize from the Academy of American Poets and the Thomas Dunn Scholarship in English. Her full-length poetry collection, “must,” was published in 2016. She served as the associate editor at Nomadic Press (Oakland, CA) from 2013 to 2023. Over the years, Mullin has worked with local galleries and collaborated with visual artists to create installations and performance works that merge image and word. Her most recent exhibit, “To Gether: Art + Letters,” was on view at Grand View University in early 2024, featuring collaborations with artists Goizane Esain, Mary Jones, Kathranne Knight, and Mariela Yeregui.

Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus Winter Concert Preview + Holiday Shopping
2024-11-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
The I. M. Pei building is not only a marvel of architecture, but also acoustically inspiring! For the third year in a row, members of the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus will fill the unique space with harmonies from their upcoming holiday concert, surrounding themes of hope, love, and our common humanity. Kick off the holiday season and join us for an evening of music and community.
The chorus performance will take place from 6 – 6:30 pm in the I. M. Pei building. Stay a little longer to explore the galleries and visit the Museum Shop. Enjoy holiday shopping while sipping hot cocoa (add in a ‘spiked’ option if you’re feeling extra jolly!) + sample a variety of chocolates. The Museum Shop will be open until 7 pm.
This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

Entirely Kids Day: Stories Told
2024-11-30 11:00 - 15:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join us for a fun, free, family-friendly event that celebrates the many ways stories can be shared—through books, performances, art, and more! Inspired by the vibrant exhibition, “Samantha Box: Caribbean Dreams,” the Des Moines Art Center has teamed up with CultureALL, the Des Moines Playhouse, the Des Moines Public Library, and local independent bookstores to bring you a day full of storytelling magic. We invite you to come experience the power of shared narratives, creativity, imagination, and community.
SCHEDULE
11:15 – 11:45 am: Storytelling through puppetry workshop with the Des Moines Playhouse
Noon, 12:20, and 12:40 pm: Childhood Stories with CultureALL storyteller Gurwinder Singh Kapur
1 – 1:45 pm: Adventure Clubhouse performs “Goldie Rocks” with the Des Moines Playhouse
2, 2:20, and 2:40 pm: Childhood Stories with CultureALL storyteller Sylvia Nemmers
This event is free, and no registration is required. This event will be documented with photography.

Sarah Young Bear-Brown Beading Workshop
2024-12-01 10:00 - 16:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
We invite you to participate in a free beading workshop led by Sarah Young Bear-Brown, an artist who is both Deaf and a member of the Meskwaki Tribe. In addition to being an advocate for the Indigenous Deaf community, Sarah has had her bead work featured in the Art Center’s 2023 exhibition “75 Years of Iowa Art,” and served as a teaching artist in the Community Access Program. During this workshop she will lead participants through various beading techniques. All are welcome. No prior experience with bead work is required.
This program is free, and registration is required.
This workshop is SOLD OUT. To be added to a waitlist, email mlopez@desmoinesartcenter.org.

Art of Recovery Tour
2024-12-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
NAMI Iowa, Project Recovery Iowa, and the Des Moines Art Center present a transformative evening discussing the role art can play in recovery.
Join us to learn how the museum can be used to amplify your well-being. We’ll explore the benefits of art in our daily lives by connecting with the artwork and participating in conversations about resiliency, self-care, and mental health advocacy. This guided gallery event is created in partnership with NAMI Iowa and led by Des Moines Art Center Museum Educator, Mia Buch.
The program consists of a one-hour participatory museum visit, followed by 30 minutes of dialog and resource sharing. Free; registration required.
REGISTER
Questions? Email: luke@namiiowa.org and Mbuch@desmoinesartcenter.org.

Art Spectrums (Ages 13-18)
2024-12-08 15:00 - 16:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
The purpose of Art Spectrums is to enable young people with autism, and their families, to enjoy the Art Center and make memories with art. In this program, teens, ages 13 – 18 years old, on the autism spectrum and explore the museum and make art together. Participants will visit and discuss a work of art in the Art Center’s collections for inspiration. Next, teens and family members make their own artwork in the studio.
Art Spectrums is a free program, and registration is required.
REGISTER

Museum Shop Winter Clearance Sale + Double Discount Days
2024-12-17 - 2024-12-24 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Shop the sale! Stop by the Museum Shop and Macomber Lobby December 17 – 24 for our annual Winter Clearance event to wrap up your holiday shopping. (While you’re here, maybe even get yourself a little something!) We have gifts for everyone: jewelry, housewares, books, holiday décor, sweet treats, children’s toys, art supplies, and more.
Double Discount Days will coincide with the Winter Clearance event, and Des Moines Art Center members will receive 20% off regularly priced merchandise!
Interested in saving 20% in the Museum Shop during Double Discount days? Become a Member today! Art Center members receive a year-round 10% discount in the Museum Shop, plus a 20% discount to all studio classes and workshops. Members also enjoy invitations to behind-the-scenes experiences and events.
Museum Shop hours
Shop Online

Favorite Poem Program
2025-01-25 15:00 - 16:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Be part of Poetry Palooza’s Favorite Poem Program, where poetry and personal stories come together to celebrate Des Moines’ rich diversity and highlight the vitality of our community expressed through the arts.
Join us as 11 community leaders read their favorite poems and share why these works hold special meaning for them. Emceed by Mike Pace, the program revives a cherished tradition from the Des Moines Poetry Festival, emphasizing the power of poetry to bring people together. Featured readers include Trevy Augustin, Kelly Baum, Lenny Bell, Connie Boesen, Tej Dhawan, Richard Deming, Deidre DeJear, Seso Marentes, Zach Mecham, Michael Morain, and Dawn Oropeza.
Free; No registration required. This event is supported by Art Bridges Foundation Access For All.

Museum Shop: Exhibition Catalog Sale
2025-02-04 - 2025-02-09 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Take advantage of deep discounts on past Art Center exhibition catalogs, including (for this week only) our Des Moines Art Center Collects book! Explore books displayed in the Macomber Lobby throughout the week-long sale and pick up a few new pieces for your library or coffee table. Limits will apply to all purchases and no additional discounts can be used.
Senior Curator Laura Burkhalter will be available from 12 – 2 pm on Tuesday, February 4 and Sunday, February 9 to answer questions and sign catalogs she has participated in creating.

Exhibition Celebration: "Time Travelers"
2025-02-21 17:00 - 19:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join us for a celebration of our new exhibition, “Time Travelers.” The artists in “Time Travelers” create work that explores philosophical views about the past, the human relationship with time, and the various points in between. This exhibition is grounded in two ambitious, large-scale installations, both part of the Art Center’s permanent collections: Mika Rottenberg’s “Cheese” and Tuấn Andrew Nguyễn’s “The Boat People.”
Bring family and friends to celebrate with us and view the art! Dine on complimentary cuisine from The Eggroll Ladies, plus light bites and desserts provided by The Tangerine Food Company. Cash bar available. Remarks from the exhibition curator and John and Mary Pappajohn Director will take place at 6 pm.
Free; registration not required. This event will be documented with photography.
Mika Rottenberg (Argentine, born 1976)
“Cheese,” 2008
Mixed media
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Gift of Melva Bucksbaum and Raymond Learsy, 2015.41.1-.205
Photo: Rich Sanders
Support for this exhibition is provided by:

"Time Travelers" Exhibition Tour
2025-02-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Step into the thought-provoking world of “Time Travelers” with a guided tour of this captivating exhibition. Explore artworks that delve into the complexities of memory, history, and imagination, reimagining elements of the past while contemplating our collective future. This tour features highlights from the exhibition and the Des Moines Art Center’s permanent collections, offering a unique opportunity to reflect on how the past continues to shape our present.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Mika Rottenberg (Argentine, born 1976)
“Cheese,” 2008
Mixed media
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Gift of Melva Bucksbaum and Raymond Learsy, 2015.41.1-.205
Photo: Rich Sanders

Director's Circle Member Event with Director Kelly Baum
2025-03-06 17:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
In appreciation of your generous Director’s Circle membership and commitment to the Des Moines Art Center, we invite you to an exclusive conversation and reception with John and Mary Pappajohn Director, Kelly Baum, Ph.D.
Kelly will highlight a recent art acquisition and share exciting information about the Art Center’s new five-year strategic plan. Anchored by four priorities, “Be a Welcoming Home for All,” “Bring the World to Iowa, and Iowa to the World,” “Grow our Revenue Streams Sustainably,” and “Champion Caretaking and Stewardship,” this strategic plan will focus the institution’s priorities in the next five years and set the stage for its long-term growth, success, and dynamism, allowing it to do more and be more for the communities of Central Iowa and beyond.
Mingle with fellow members and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks by The Tangerine Food Company.
Free; registration required. Space is limited. RSVP by February 27 by emailing Gala and Development Events Coordinator Jess Lane at jlane@desmoinesartcenter.org.

"Figments & Phantoms" Exhibition Tour
2025-03-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join us for a guided tour of the “Figments & Phantoms” exhibition in the John Brady Print Gallery. Figments and phantoms exist in our imaginations, but artists can bring them to life. In this exhibition, the body (or its absence) becomes haunting and strange.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Kiki Smith (American, born 1954)
“My Blue Lake,” 1995
Photogravure and lithograph on paper
Des Moines Art Center’s Louise Noun Collection of Art by Women, 1995.64
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders

"Op Art: Abstract Illusion" Exhibition Tour
2025-03-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Step into the mesmerizing world of Op Art with a guided tour of the current exhibition “Op Art: Abstract Illusion.” This tour takes a closer look at the groundbreaking works of the 1960s and 70s that challenged perceptions and captivated audiences worldwide. Explore how artists used contrasting colors, optical illusions, and dynamic patterns to create disorienting and playful sensory effects.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Bill Komodore (American, 1932 – 2012)
“Circe #10,” 1965-1966
Screenprint on paper
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Purchased with funds from Rose F. Rosenfield, 1967.42
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders

Gallery Talk: Experience of the Vietnamese Coming to America with Vinh Nguyen
2025-04-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join us for this unique gallery talk at the Des Moines Art Center—“Experience of the Vietnamese Coming to America” with Vinh Nguyen, President of Vietnamese American Community in Iowa. Senior Curator Laura Burkhalter will introduce the program and highlight three works in the permanent collections that are relevant to the Vietnamese diaspora: Pao Houa Her’s “Hmong Veteran, from ‘Attention’ series,” Danh Vo’s “Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma,” and (from the current exhibition “Time Travelers”) Tuấn Andrew Nguyễn’s “The Boat People.”
Nguyen was born in Saigon, Vietnam during the height of the Vietnam War in the early 1960s. Growing up in a family of 10 brothers and sisters, he developed a strong sense of collaboration for success and helping others at a young age. Soon after the Vietnam War came to an end on April 30, 1975, life in South Vietnam changed completely as the government tried to put socialism and communism into practice. In summer 1981, Nguyen’s parents decided to have him escape from Vietnam to seek freedom and opportunities for his future. He was smuggled out of Vietnam along with another 134 Vietnamese on a tiny, less than seaworthy boat, but their vessel was fortunate enough to be finally saved by an oil tanker, and they were sent to a refugee camp in Thailand. He later was accepted by the United States and resettled in Des Moines, Iowa.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Image: Vinh Nguyen

Member Double Discount Days
2025-05-01 - 2025-05-11 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Attention Art Center members! Stop by the Museum Shop for the perfect Mother’s Day, graduation, or other unique celebration gifts during Double Discount Days. Members receive 20% off regularly priced merchandise, and we have something for everyone: home décor, jewelry, books, accessories, art supplies, and more.
Visiting the museum galleries? Enjoy the spring weather and take a break in our beautiful Bookey Family Courtyard and Macomber Lobby with a snack or beverage from the Museum Shop’s selections, including beer and wine.
Interested in saving 20% in the Museum Shop during Double Discount days? Become a Member today! Art Center members also receive a year-round 20% discount to all studio classes and workshops, a 10% discount in the Museum Shop every day (plus several Double Discount events throughout the year), and invitations to behind-the-scenes membership experiences and events.
Museum Shop hours

“Light Within Ourselves: Haitian Art in Iowa” Exhibition Tour
2025-05-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Learn more about the exhibition in the A. H. Blank Gallery, “Light Within Ourselves: Haitian Art in Iowa.” Organized in partnership with the Waterloo Center for the Arts (WCA), this exhibition showcases a selection of the rich holdings of Haitian Art in the WCA’s collection—the largest public collection of Haitian Art in both Iowa and the United States. The show explores a vibrant diversity of Haitian artwork, featuring paintings, metalwork, sculpture, and drapos (beaded and sequined banners).
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Myrlande Constant (Haitian, born 1968)
“Dambalah Wedo Et Ayda Voir Preeace” (detail), 2000-2010
Sequined flag
On loan from the Waterloo Center for the Arts Haitian Collection, 2015.0109, Gift of Ted Frankel and Bill Gilmore

Member Gallery Talk
2025-05-13 17:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Members at the Curator’s Circle ($550) and above are invited to an exclusive curator-led gallery talk and reception on the upcoming exhibition “Light Within Ourselves: Haitian Art in Iowa.” We will be joined by Associate Curator Beth Gollnick Ph.D, Chawne Paige, Executive Director of the Waterloo Center for the Arts, and Petrouchka Moïse Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Cultural & Community-based Digital Curator, Grinnell College Libraries.
This exhibition explores the vibrant diversity of Haitian artwork, featuring paintings, metalwork, sculpture, and drapos (beaded and sequined banners). Rooted in historical themes, it considers the influence of the African diaspora and the enduring impact of colonialism on the Haitian people. The exhibition maps spheres of influence between artists of different generations and explores imagery in which spiritual traditions intersect with everyday life. Thousands of miles from the island of Haiti, Iowa has become a beacon for the preservation of the country’s cultural heritage.
After the gallery talk, enjoy refreshments by The Tangerine Food Company.
Free; registration required by May 6. Space is limited.
register now
Curator’s Circle+ members can RSVP by emailing Jess Lane, Gala and Development Events Coordinator at jlane@desmoinesartcenter.org
Questions? Contact Jess Lane, Gala and Development Events Coordinator at jlane@desmoinesartcenter.org. If your membership has lapsed, renew in person or online at https://desmoinesartcenter.org/support/membership/.
Frantz Zéphirin (Haitian, born 1968)
Le Dieu, La Vie, La Mort II (detail)
Oil on canvas. 30 x 24 inches
Courtesy of the Waterloo Center of the Arts

“Life Mask: A Celebration of Gifts from the Dale Jansen Estate” Exhibition Tour
2025-05-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join us for a guided tour of the “Life Mask: A Celebration of Gifts from the Dale Jansen Estate” exhibition, on view in the John Brady Print Gallery April 25 through August 31, 2025. This exhibition pays tribute to the late philanthropist, collector, and longtime Des Moines Art Center supporter Dale Jansen. Its title is borrowed from Bruce Nauman’s 1981 lithograph “Life Mask,” one of 65 artworks that were donated to the Art Center by Jansen through his estate.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Bruce Nauman (American, born 1941)
“Life Mask,” 1981
Lithograph in black on Arches cover wove paper
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Gift of the Estate of Dale Jansen, 2024.73

Bilingual Cooking Class: Haitian Flavors/Gou Ayisyen
2025-05-30 18:00 - 21:00 | IA
Join us for a unique culinary experience! Inspired by the exhibition “Light Within Ourselves: Haitian Art in Iowa,” this bilingual class (Spanish/English) is perfect for food lovers eager to expand their cooking skills and connect with Haitian culture through its rich and flavorful cuisine.
Hosted by chef Jerry and Helene Thomas, this class will take place at the Culinary Annex, located at 304 5th St. unit 102, West Des Moines, IA 50265.
Registration is required, and the class fee is $70.
*Thank you to those who took advantage of the generous donor’s BOGO ticket deal. This offer is now sold out. Single tickets are still available.
REGISTER

Art Workshop: Stone Setting - SOLD OUT
2025-06-02 18:00 - 2025-06-05 21:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
In this four-day workshop, students will create two stone settings on two separate rings, one readymade, and the other handmade. One of the stone settings will be a bezel-set cabochon and the other a handmade prong setting. With only 12 hours of making time, students will be encouraged to work at a faster pace; therefore, soldering and fabrication skills are required for this workshop. Tuition includes access to open studio hours. Scholarships for classes and materials are offered on our application page.
REGISTER
Des Moines Art Center members receive a 20% discount on all classes, camps, and workshops! Become a member today.

Youth Art Workshops
2025-06-11 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Looking for a fun and creative way to spark your child’s imagination this summer? Our one-day youth workshops offer kids a chance to explore painting, drawing, and mixed media in the Art Center studios—no experience needed! Led by experienced teaching artists, these hands-on, two-hour workshops are the perfect way to engage imaginations and practice artistic skills.
Visit the museum after the workshop for more art inspiration! Admission is always free.
MASK-MAKING (AGES 6-8)
MASK-MAKING (AGES 9-13)
Play pretend in this workshop by creating masks to fit your inner wild child! Students will use a variety of materials like cardboard, pompoms, beads, and paint to make the masks of their dreams.
FIDGET LAB (AGES 6-8)
FIDGET LAB (AGES 9-13)
It’s slime time! In this class, students will make their own colorful fidgets, including hand-built Lego spinners. Students will make slime and incorporate various colors and textured additives to make it their own. Everyone will go home with several useable fidgets.
Des Moines Art Center members receive a 20% discount on all classes, camps, and workshops! Become a member today.

Director's Circle Preview of “Firelei Báez”
2025-06-11 17:30 - 19:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
In appreciation of their generosity and commitment to the Des Moines Art Center, we invite Director’s Circle members to an exclusive exhibition preview and private reception of the “Firelei Báez” exhibition with John and Mary Pappajohn Director and CEO Kelly Baum.
After the preview, mingle with fellow members and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks by The Tangerine Food Company.
Space is limited and open to Director’s Circle members. RSVP by June 4 to Jess Lane, Gala and Development Events Coordinator, at jlane@desmoinesartcenter.org.
Firelei Báez (Dominican, born 1981)
“A Drexcyen chronocommons (To win the war you fought it sideways)” (detail), 2019.
Two paintings, hand-painted wooden frame, perforated tarp, printed mesh, handmade paper over found objects, plants, books, Oman incense, and palo santo.
The Joyner/Giuffrida Collection. Image courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York.
Photo by Phoebe d’Heurle. © Firelei Báez

Art Workshop: Ash Painting
2025-06-11 18:00 - 21:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join fellow students for this one-day workshop of making your own paints and drawing materials out of ash. Students will start by utilizing burnt log charcoal and ash to create a textured, naturally pigmented painting, which will be sealed and ready to take home by the end of the 3-hour class.
REGISTER
Des Moines Art Center members receive a 20% discount on all classes, camps, and workshops! Become a member today.
Scholarships for classes and materials are offered on our application page.

Youth Art Workshops
2025-06-12 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Looking for a fun and creative way to spark your child’s imagination this summer? Our one-day youth workshops offer kids a chance to explore painting, drawing, and mixed media in the Art Center studios—no experience needed! Led by experienced teaching artists, these hands-on, two-hour workshops are the perfect way to engage imaginations and practice artistic skills.
Visit the museum after the workshop for more art inspiration! Admission is always free.
CLAY MINIATURES (AGES 6-8)
CLAY MINIATURES (AGES 9-13)
Explore the versatility of polymer clay! Polymer clay starts as a soft and pliable material making it easy for kids to work with, but it hardens when it’s baked and can be used to make fun, miniature sculptures and beads for jewelry making. Students will make several creations out of polymer clay and take them home to bake at 230 degrees for 30 minutes.
PUPPET PLAYHOUSE (AGES 6-8)
PUPPET PLAYHOUSE (AGES 9-13)
Unleash your theatrical side in this cool little workshop! Students will use the first part of the class to make their own puppet characters and collaborate with other students to put on a puppet show for the class.
Des Moines Art Center members receive a 20% discount on all classes, camps, and workshops! Become a member today.

Exhibition Opening Celebration: "Firelei Báez"
2025-06-12 17:00 - 19:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join us for the opening celebration of a new, traveling exhibition at the Des Moines Art Center, “Firelei Báez,” organized by the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston. This exhibition is the first North American survey dedicated to the richly layered work of Firelei Báez (b. 1981, Dominican Republic). Over the past 20 years, she has made work that explores the multilayered legacy of colonial histories and the African diaspora in the Caribbean and beyond.
“My works are propositions, meant to create alternate pasts and potential futures, questioning history and culture in order to provide a space for reassessing the present.” — Firelei Báez
Bring family and friends to celebrate with us and be the first to view the art! Enjoy live music from DJ Lizz of Latino Events Entertainment LLC. Dine on complimentary summer bites and seasonal dessert from Taste! to Go. Cash bar with beer, wine, and hibiscus margaritas available for purchase. Join us for 6 pm remarks in the Macomber Lobby.
Free; registration not required. This event will be documented with photography.
Firelei Báez (Dominican, born 1981)
“A Drexcyen chronocommons (To win the war you fought it sideways),” 2019
Two paintings, hand-painted wooden frame, perforated tarp, printed mesh, handmade paper over found objects, plants, and books
Courtesy the Joyner/Giuffrida Collection, ​San Francisco
Image courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York. Photo by Phoebe d’Heurle. © Firelei Báez
Support for this exhibition is provided by:

“Firelei Báez” is organized by the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston and Eva Respini, Deputy Director and Director of Curatorial Programs, Vancouver Art Gallery (former Barbara Lee Chief Curator, ICA/Boston), with Tessa Bachi Haas, Assistant Curator. The presentation of “Firelei Báez” at the Des Moines Art Center has been coordinated by Associate Curator Elizabeth Gollnick.
Major support for “Firelei Báez” is provided by the Henry Luce Foundation and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

This project is supported in part by Karen and Brian Conway, David and Jocelyne DeNunzio, Mathieu O. Gaulin, The Kotzubei-Beckmann Family Philanthropic Fund, Lise and Jeffrey Wilks, and an anonymous donor.
Additional support for the presentation of this exhibition at the Des Moines Art Center is provided by the Harriet S. and J. Locke Macomber Art Center Fund, Iowa Tourism Office and Iowa Arts Council, both a part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and Laurie Wolf and Jeff Freude.

Youth Art Workshops
2025-06-13 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Looking for a fun and creative way to spark your child’s imagination this summer? Our one-day youth workshops offer kids a chance to explore painting, drawing, and mixed media in the Art Center studios—no experience needed! Led by experienced teaching artists, these hands-on, two-hour workshops are the perfect way to engage imaginations and practice artistic skills.
Visit the museum after the workshop for more art inspiration! Admission is always free.
STOPMOTION ANIMATION (AGES 6-8)
STOPMOTION ANIMATION (AGES 9-13)
Let your imagination run wild in this filmmaking workshop! Learn the basics of story creation and methods to create fantastic stop-motion animations. Students will make clay characters, props, and backdrops to populate their animations. Animation workshops encourage a fun, collaborative environment for the students involved.
PRINTING LAB (AGES 6-8)
PRINTING LAB (AGES 9-13)
Get ready for fun! In this workshop, students will take home several awesome examples of silk screen printing. Students learn how to “pull” their own screen prints using a selection of pre-made images and learn how to make multi-layered and colorful prints.
Des Moines Art Center members receive a 20% discount on all classes, camps, and workshops! Become a member today.
