Des Moines Art Center

Holiday Shopping Event + Member Double Discount
2025-11-21 16:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Before the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus Winter Concert Preview, visit the Museum Shop for a special holiday surprise! Enjoy shopping for everyone on your list, while sipping hot cocoa (add in a ‘spiked’ option if you’re feeling extra jolly!) + sample a variety of seasonal treats.
Des Moines Art Center members receive double discounts on all qualifying merchandise during the event! Become a member today.

Guided Tour: Abstract or Realist? Seeing and Imagining
2025-11-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
This tour explores how artists approach representation, from the bold abstraction of Calder and Rothko to the inventive forms of Nevelson, Shonibare, and El Anatsui. Together, we’ll consider how different artistic choices shape what we see, what we imagine, and how we interpret meaning in works of art.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Alexander Calder (American, 1898 – 1976)
Holy Red, 1960
Painted sheet metal and steel wire
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Gift of David Kruidenier, Jr. Estate and Elizabeth S. Kruidenier 2002 Revocable Trust, 2012.3

Art, Grief, and Healing: Life After Suicide Loss (LGBTQ+ Community)
2025-11-26 13:00 - 15:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
In partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Iowa Chapter, we invite members of the LGBTQ+ community to come together for a program in support of Life After Suicide Loss. These sessions are in recognition of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day on November 22.
During this session, individuals ages 13+ from the LGBTQ+ community are encouraged to honor loved ones lost to suicide through art, reflection, and community connection. This gathering includes a docent-led exploration of artworks centered on resilience and mental health, followed by creative expression in the Art Center studios and a collective ritual of remembrance.
Participants are invited to bring a photo or small item of their loved one to place on the community remembrance table if they wish.
Pictured: Instructor Sage Love is a researcher, writer, death doula, and mental health advocate whose work centers on suicide loss and living with bipolar II disorder. They serve as the LGBTQ+ Chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Iowa Chapter.
Free; no registration required.

Guided Tour: Family and Gathering
2025-11-28 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Explore how artists capture the warmth, complexity, and beauty of coming together. This docent-led tour invites visitors of all ages to reflect on family, community, and shared moments through works by artists such as Mary Cassatt, Alex Katz, and Alfredo Ramos Martinez.
Free; no registration required.

Entirely Kids Day: Together
2025-11-29 11:00 - 15:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Celebrate the joy of creating and connecting at Entirely Kids Day: Together at the Des Moines Art Center! Inspired by “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations,” an exhibition surrounding collaborative photography, and the vibrant portraits of “Aliza Nisenbaum: Día de los Muertos,” this free, family-friendly event invites kids and their families to explore how art brings people together.
Enjoy a day of hands-on art making, playful movement, and gallery activities — including special collaborations with Pied Piper Studios and Seedlings Children’s Theater. Discover what’s possible when we create side by side in this celebration of art, connection, and community.
Free; no registration required. This event will be documented with photography.
Photo: Erik Brockmeyer
This program is part of the Principal® Foundation Youth Learning and Engagement Initiative.

We strive to provide closed captioning for all events and programs offered in Levitt Auditorium. Due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa, American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing jfeatherstone@desmoinesartcenter.org at least two weeks in advance. We will try to accommodate requests with less than a two week notice but cannot guarantee availability.

Unveil: Presented by the Museum Shop
2025-12-03 17:00 - 19:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
You are invited to our biggest Museum Shop event of the year, Unveil! Join us for an exclusive preview of newly acquired merchandise. Items from this collection will not appear again until later in the year so plan some holiday shopping for everyone on your list (and yourself!). Enjoy complimentary small bites and festive, seasonal beverages with holiday cheer.
Unveil is open to anyone in the community; Art Center members receive double-discounts on all purchases.* Become a member!
This event is free, and registration is not required. *Exclusions apply to consignment and clearance items.

Art Workshop: Mosaic Ornament Making - SOLD OUT
2025-12-07 12:00 - 15:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Come in from the cold and make a unique mosaic ornament with fellow students in this one day make and take event. Use colorful glass, tile, and ceramic pieces to create beautiful patterns, designs, and take them home for the holidays.
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.

World AIDS Day: A Day With(out) Art
2025-12-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
In recognition of World AIDS Day, join us at the Des Moines Art Center for A Day With(out) Art — a day to come together, slow down, and reflect, using art as a space for healing, remembrance, and hope.
Founded in 1989 at the Museum of Modern Art, this event is a call to action, care, and reflection on AIDS’ impact. Art gives voice to the silence, inspiring compassion and support for those affected. Art Center visitors can enjoy engaging performances, hands-on activities, and opportunities to learn alongside local partners to celebrate A Day With(out) Art.
Robert Mapplethorpe (American, 1946 – 1989)
“Two Men Dancing” (detail), 1984
Gelatin silver print
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Gift of Hudson, New York, 2001.12
Photo: Rich Sanders
Free; no registration required.
Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

We strive to provide closed captioning for all events and programs offered in Levitt Auditorium. Due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa, American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing jfeatherstone@desmoinesartcenter.org at least two weeks in advance. We will try to accommodate requests with less than a two week notice but cannot guarantee availability.

Cocktail with a Curator
2025-12-11 17:30 - 19:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Des Moines Art Center members at the Salon level + are invited to Cocktail with a Curator, featuring a gallery talk and casual group discussion led by Associate Curator Ashton Cooper, Ph.D.
We’re pleased to welcome members at the Salon level ($250) for this special opportunity to experience one of our exclusive events usually reserved for Curator’s Circle + ($550) members. This occasion offers a glimpse of the unique access and connections that come with higher membership. On the tour, Ashton will offer an insider’s look at the collection and curatorial process in the newly installed W. T. and Edna Dahl and West Galleries.
Registration required by December 4; space is limited. Salon+ level members can RSVP by emailing Jess Lane, Gala and Development Events Coordinator at jlane@desmoinesartcenter.org.

Peppermint Trail at the Art Center
2025-12-13 10:00 - 17:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Visit the Des Moines Art Center during The Avenues’ annual Peppermint Trail to sample yummy holiday treats while doing some of your gift buying for the art lovers on your list. The Museum Shop has all sorts of unique and fun gifts for everyone in your life! Visit the galleries to view the current exhibitions, and at 1 pm enjoy a guided tour by an Art Center docent with the theme of ‘Family and Gathering.’
Stop by the Art Center Café for lunch or a sweet treat! In addition to their regular menu items, enjoy a Peppermint Mocha or Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Café hours on Saturday are from 10 am – 4 pm.
The museum galleries and shop will be open from 10 am – 5 pm. Admission to the museum and the guided tour are free.

Guided Tour: Family and Gathering
2025-12-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Explore how artists capture the warmth, complexity, and beauty of coming together. This docent-led tour invites visitors of all ages to reflect on family, community, and shared moments through works by artists such as Mary Cassatt, Alex Katz, and Alfredo Ramos Martinez.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Mary Cassatt (American, active France, 1844 – 1926)
“Nicolle and Her Mother” (detail), ca. 1900
Pastel on paper
Purchased with funds from the Coffin Fine Arts Trust; Nathan Emory Coffin Collection of the Des Moines Art Center, 1966.21

Art, Grief, and Healing: Life After Suicide Loss
2025-12-14 13:00 - 15:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
In partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Iowa Chapter, we invite members of the community to come together for a program in support of Life After Suicide Loss. These sessions are in recognition of International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.
This gathering blends a curated art tour with guided creative expression and activities. Through reflection, art-making, and shared moments of remembrance, participants are invited to process grief, honor loved ones lost to suicide, and find connection within community.
Participants are invited to bring a photo or small item of their loved one to place on the community remembrance table if they wish.
Pictured: Instructor Sage Love is a researcher, writer, death doula, and mental health advocate whose work centers on suicide loss and living with bipolar II disorder. They serve as the LGBTQ+ Chair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Iowa Chapter.
Free; no registration required.

Gallery Talk: “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations”
2025-12-14 13:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join Senior Curator Laura Burkhalter for a gallery talk about the exhibition “Manuel Alvarez Bravo: Collaborations,” on view in the Anna K. Meredith Gallery. With over 100 photographs and ephemera, this exhibition illustrates that working with others was a central part of Bravo’s creative process.
Free; no registration required.
Manuel Álvarez Bravo (Mexican, 1902 – 2002)
“Caja de visiones (Box of Visions)” (detail), 1931
Gelatin silver print
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Purchased with funds from Craig and Kimberly Shadur, 2024.11
Photo: Rich Sanders

"Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations" Exhibition Tour
2026-01-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Step into the fascinating world of “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations” with a guided tour of the exhibition. With over 100 photographs and ephemera, “Manuel Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations” illustrates that working with others was a central part of the artist’s creative process. Manuel Álvarez Bravo is sometimes called the father of Mexican photography, but he did not reach the heights of his field on his own. He achieved his place in history through conversations and connections with some of the greatest minds of the 20th century in Mexico and abroad.
Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.
Manuel Álvarez Bravo (Mexican, 1902-2002)
“Lola Álvarez Bravo y estructura metalica (Lola Álvarez Bravo and a Metal Structure),” 1930s
Gelatin silver print
Colección Archivo Manuel Álvarez Bravo

Homeschool Day
2026-01-08 10:30 - 12:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Make art a family adventure this winter! Each week for the month of January, homeschool students and parents are welcome to explore new ways of looking at art through guided gallery experiences, fun activities, and hands-on art projects. Each week will have a different theme!
Programs are offered separately for:

Ages 5 – 8
Ages 9 – 12
Parents/guardians

Infants are welcome to attend with parents. Currently, we are unable to accommodate children ages 2 – 4 (we hope to offer this in the future). Class size is limited to 12 students per age group.
Join us in this session: “Reset – Finding the Heart in Art.” Students and parents will participate in separate age-appropriate sessions using guided meditation, mindful movement, and close looking in the galleries to explore the senses and create art centered on relaxation and well-being.
register

Social Saturday: SNOW DAY
2026-01-10 11:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join the Des Moines Art Center’s inaugural Social Saturday event and celebrate all things comfy and cozy with a SNOW DAY theme! Come in out of the cold as we warm up with hot chocolate in the Art Center Café, create snowmen prints in the Art School studios, enjoy a film screening in the auditorium, take a free guided tour in the galleries, peruse the current exhibitions, and more.
Guests are invited to wear their coziest clothes, bundle up for sweater weather, and escape into joy and warmth at the Art Center.
Schedule of Events:
11:15 – 11:45 am | Storytime
Levitt Auditorium
12 pm – 1:45 pm | Film “Beyond the Visible: Hilma af Klint”
Levitt Auditorium
Feed your eyes and soul! Discover (or rediscover) an artist who was working for the whole picture of life — Hilma af Klint, a trailblazing artist born in Sweden in 1862. Inspired by spiritualism, modern science, and nature, she asked, “How do we achieve a truly content and fulfilled life?” in director Halina Dyrschka’s 2019 film.
1 pm | Guided Tour (all ages)
Meet in the Macomber Lobby
Drop-in Activities (11 am – 2 pm):
Art School Studios
Open house, open access! Go behind the scenes of our art school for art-making demonstrations of metals and ceramics techniques by teaching artists, and visitors can participate in a make-and-take printmaking activity. Find all activities in Studios 5, 6, and 7 in the lower level of the Education Wing.
Art Galleries
Play With Balance: Learn about balance and kinetic art inspired by Alexander Calder’s Holy Red, 1960 on the third floor of the Richard Meier building.
Macomber Lobby
Complimentary hand massages provided by therapists from Body Wisdom Massage Therapy School. First come, first served.
Take a break and enjoy board games and puzzles next to the Museum Shop.
Art Center Café
Relax with delicious meals, sweet treats, hot cocoa, and a variety of wines and drinks in the café.
See our special exhibitions before they close!
“Aliza Nisenbaum: Dí de los Muertos” (A.H. Blank Gallery) (last weekend on view!)
“Manual Álvarez Bravo: Collaborations” (Anna K. Meredith Gallery)
“Camille Henrot: Tuesday” (Pamela Bass-Bookey and Harry Bookey Gallery)
“Bill Owens: Work and Leisure” (John Brady Print Gallery)
Social Saturdays occur at the Des Moines Art Center on the second Saturday of the month. This event is free to attend, and no registration is required. Social Saturdays will be documented with photography.
For programs in Levitt Auditorium:
We strive to provide live captioning for all events offered in Levitt Auditorium. Due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa, American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing jfeatherstone@desmoinesartcenter.org.
Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

Homeschool Day
2026-01-15 10:30 - 12:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Make art a family adventure this winter! Each week for the month of January, homeschool students and parents are welcome to explore new ways of looking at art through guided gallery experiences, fun activities, and hands-on art projects. Each week will have a different theme!
Programs are offered separately for:

Ages 5 – 8
Ages 9 – 12
Parents/guardians

Infants are welcome to attend with parents. Currently, we are unable to accommodate children ages 2 – 4 (we hope to offer this in the future). Class size is limited to 12 students per age group.
Join us in this session: “Play – Creating Fun in the Museum.” Experience the museum in a whole new way! Students will enjoy gallery games and imaginative artmaking designed to spark curiosity and joy, while parents explore new approaches to engage with art at home and in the museum.
THIS EVENT IS AT CAPACITY.

Exhibition Opening Celebration: "Iowa Artists 2026: Henry Payer: Aagakinąk Haciwi: We Live Opposite Each Other"
2026-01-16 17:00 - 19:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join us for the opening celebration of “Iowa Artists 2026: Henry Payer: Aagakinąk Haciwi: We Live Opposite Each Other” in the A.H. Blank Gallery and Krause Atrium! For the 2026 edition of Iowa Artists, the annual exhibition series celebrating artists from our home state, which has been ongoing since 1950, the Art Center welcomes Sioux City-born artist Henry Payer (born 1986).
A member of the Ho Chunk people, whose ancestral territory spans areas in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa, Payer explores his history and identity as an Indigenous American. “Aagakinąk Haciwi: We Live Opposite Each Other” will feature Payer’s signature mixed media works with imagery from both Native traditions and Western popular culture.
Bring family and friends to view the artwork, and kick off the evening with complimentary lite bites and delicious desserts. Beer and wine available for purchase. Remarks from Kelly Baum, John and Mary Pappajohn Director and CEO, will take place at 6 pm.
This event is free; registration is not required. This event will be documented with photography.
Henry Payer (Ho Chunk, born 1986)
“Wandering Winnebago No. 5” (detail)
Mixed media
Courtesy of the artist

Homeschool Day
2026-01-22 10:30 - 12:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Make art a family adventure this winter! Each week for the month of January, homeschool students and parents are welcome to explore new ways of looking at art through guided gallery experiences, fun activities, and hands-on art projects. Each week will have a different theme!
Programs are offered separately for:

Ages 5 – 8
Ages 9 – 12
Parents/guardians

Infants are welcome to attend with parents. Currently, we are unable to accommodate children ages 2 – 4 (we hope to offer this in the future). Class size is limited to 12 students per age group.
Join us in this session: “Connect – Talking Through Art.” What stories can art tell? Students and parents will separately practice observation and storytelling through guided gallery activities, then express their ideas through creative projects such as mini comics or collaborative writing prompts.
THIS EVENT IS AT CAPACITY.

Art Center Café, Dinner with Friends: Best Dishes of 2025 with Israel Vargas
2026-01-22 17:00 | The Art Center Café, 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
We are excited to introduce a brand-new culinary experience: Joe and Christina Logsdon’s Dinner With Friends series! Be our guest as Joe and Christina gather around the table with friends for a lighthearted evening of laughter, conversation, and live music in the cozy setting of the Art Center Café.
To “kick” things off, soccer star and guest chef Israel Vargas will feature some of our favorite dishes from 2025 with a Reflection Dinner and live music by the John Krantz Duo. Prepared in a minimal, modern, and elegant style that reflects his own method of cooking, Vargas’ menu complements the aesthetic of the Art Center Café, designed by Richard Meier. This four-course menu includes cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.
$100/person; all-inclusive.
Other Upcoming Dates:
January 29: Spanish Tapas Dinner with Kelly Baum; $100/person; all-inclusive
February 12: In the Company of Love Dinner with Lucy Shay Solarz; $125/person; all-inclusive
February 26: Levantine Dinner (Eastern Mediterranean Cuisine) with Rick Lozier; $100/person; all-inclusive
Reservations are required. Tickets include a four-course meal, beverages, and gratuity. First seating begins at 5 pm and seating ends at 6:15 pm. Call 515.271.0313 or email cafe@desmoinesartcenter.org to reserve your seat and arrival time. Please share any dietary restrictions when making your reservation. Limited capacity.
Photo by Rick Lozier.

Homeschool Day
2026-01-29 10:30 - 12:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Make art a family adventure this winter! Each week for the month of January, homeschool students and parents are welcome to explore new ways of looking at art through guided gallery experiences, fun activities, and hands-on art projects. Each week will have a different theme!
Programs are offered separately for:

Ages 5 – 8
Ages 9 – 12
Parents/guardians

Infants are welcome to attend with parents. Currently, we are unable to accommodate children ages 2 – 4 (we hope to offer this in the future). Class size is limited to 12 students per age group.
Join us in this session: “Inspire – Exploring Ideas and Mediums.” Students will explore how artists develop ideas and experiment with materials to create their own expressive works. Parents will reflect on the creative process and try new approaches for inspiring artistic exploration at home.
THIS EVENT IS AT CAPACITY.

Art Center Café, Dinner with Friends: Spanish Tapas Dinner with Kelly Baum (SOLD OUT)
2026-01-29 17:00 | The Art Center Café, 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join us for this exciting and unique culinary experience: Joe and Christina Logsdon’s Dinner With Friends series! Be our guest as Joe and Christina gather around the table with friends for a lighthearted evening of laughter, conversation, and live music in the cozy setting of the Art Center Café.
Gather in the Café with John and Mary Pappajohn Director and CEO Kelly Baum for her fluid and approachable Spanish Tapas dinner menu. Come and enjoy the many different types of tapas and creative drinks during this one of a kind evening, featuring music by Daniel Mastrofski.
$100/person; all-inclusive.
Other Upcoming Dates:
February 12: In the Company of Love Dinner with Lucy Shay Solarz; $125/person; all-inclusive
February 26: Levantine Dinner (Eastern Mediterranean Cuisine) with Rick Lozier; $100/person; all-inclusive
Reservations are required. Tickets include a four-course meal, beverages, and gratuity. First seating begins at 5 pm and seating ends at 6:15 pm.
This event is sold out.
Photo by Rick Lozier.

“Bill Owens: Work and Leisure” Gallery Talk with Senior Curator Laura Burkhalter
2026-02-01 13:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join Senior Curator Laura Burkhalter for a gallery talk about the exhibition “Bill Owens: Work and Leisure,” on view in the John Brady Print Gallery through April 19. Take a trip down memory lane appreciating Owens’ photographs from the 1970s and early ‘80s.
Free; no registration required.
Bill Owens (American, born 1938)
“Hornets football, Tri-Valley area, Northern California,” from the “Leisure” series, ca. 1975, printed later
Gelatin silver print
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Gift of Dr. Steven and Yasemin Miller, 2022.55

Member Event: Coffee with a Curator
2026-02-06 09:30 - 11:00 | 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 Coffee with a Curator, an exclusive event featuring a gallery talk and casual group discussion led by Senior Curator Laura Burkhalter.
Laura will guide a limited in-person tour focused on new acquisitions to the permanent collection in the Richard Meier Galleries.
After the gallery talk, enjoy coffee and pastries with Laura and your fellow members in the Art Center Café.
Register by January 30. Space is limited. Send your RSVP to Jess Lane, Gala and Development Coordinator at jlane@desmoinesartcenter.org.
Mohammed Sami (Iraqi, active London, born 1984)
“War at Home,” 2024
Mixed media on linen
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; purchased with funds from the Kyle and Sharon Krause Family Art Acquisition Fund, 2025.40

Art Workshop: Valentines Day Cards (Ages 7 - 11)
2026-02-08 12:30 - 14:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Show the people in your life how much you care about them with a hand-crafted valentine! This one-day workshop will show students methods of making pop-up Valentine’s Day cards using materials often used for scrapbooking: fancy paper, decorative scissors and hole punches, stamps, and stencils.
Students will bring home their finished valentines. Scholarships for classes and materials are available on our website.
register for ages 7-8
register for ages 9-11

"Iowa Artists 2026: Henry Payer" Gallery Talk with Associate Curator Beth Gollnick
2026-02-08 13:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join Associate Curator Beth Gollnick for a gallery talk about the exhibition “Iowa Artists 2026: Henry Payer: Aagakinąk Haciwi: We Live Opposite Each Other” on view in the A. H. Blank Gallery and Kyle J. and Sharon Krause Atrium in the Richard Meier building. A member of the Ho Chunk people, whose ancestral territory spans areas in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa, Payer explores his history and identity as an Indigenous American.
Free; no registration required.
Henry Payer, Ho-Chunk (b. 1986)
“Superman Moving the Winnebago Back to Nebraska,” 2025
Flashe and acrylic on BFK Rives paper
Courtesy of the artist

Art Workshop: Calligraphy - Love Letters
2026-02-11 18:30 - 21:30 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Love is in the air and what better way to show those feelings than giving a one-of-a-kind letter to those you care about most. In this workshop, students will learn calligraphy basics and simple poetry composition for the first part of the class and then create and decorate a love letter for Valentine’s Day to share with your close ones.
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.

Art Center Café, Dinner with Friends: In the Company of Love with Lucy Shay Solarz (SOLD OUT)
2026-02-12 17:00 | The Art Center Café, 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join us for this exciting and unique culinary experience: Joe and Christina Logsdon’s Dinner With Friends series! Be our guest as Joe and Christina gather around the table with friends for a lighthearted evening of laughter, conversation, and live music in the cozy setting of the Art Center Café.
As a Valentine’s Day treat, join with loved ones at the Art Center Café for a specially curated menu by Now Now Design Director and foodie, Lucy Shay Solarz and music from DJ Eight Ten. This four-course prix fixe draws from the tradition of still life, where familiar forms are elevated through composition, material, and restraint. Each dish celebrates love as a social practice — designed to be shared, observed, and enjoyed together in good company.
$125/person; all-inclusive.
Upcoming Date:
February 26: Levantine Dinner (Eastern Mediterranean Cuisine) with Rick Lozier.
Reservations are required. Tickets include a four-course meal, beverages, and gratuity. First seating begins at 5 pm and seating ends at 6:15 pm.
This event is sold out. To be put on a waitlist, please call 515.271.0313 or email cafe@desmoinesartcenter.org.
Photo by Rick Lozier.

Exhibition Opening Celebration: “Honey, You’re a Wonderful Model: Maria Lassnig’s Animated Films”
2026-02-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join us for the opening celebration of “Honey, You’re a Wonderful Model: Maria Lassnig’s Animated Films” in the Anna K. Meredith Gallery!
An immersive installation of moving images, “Honey, You’re a Wonderful Model” presents Austrian artist Maria Lassnig’s (1919-2014) hand-drawn animated films from the 1970s. Lassnig’s animations are populated by a cast of zany characters, frequently including Lassnig herself, who engage in physical comedy and slapstick antics while addressing the complexities of relationships, sexuality, grief, artistic creation, and embodiment.
Bring family and friends to view the artwork, and kick off the evening with complimentary lite bites from Taste! to Go. Cash bar featuring beer and wine, a Dirty Shirley specialty cocktail, and a Shirley Temple mocktail. Remarks from Kelly Baum, John and Mary Pappajohn Director and CEO, will take place at 6 pm.
This event is free; registration is not required. This event will be documented with photography.
Maria Lassnig (Austrian, 1919-2014)
“Selfportrait,” 1971
© Maria Lassnig Foundation/Courtesy sixpackfilm

Social Saturday: Love it or Leave it!
2026-02-14 11:00 - 14:00 | Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50312, United States
Join the Des Moines Art Center’s February Social Saturday event: Love it or Leave it! Whether you’re a fan of vibrant abstract paintings, or prefer minimalist artwork, there is something for everyone throughout the galleries. We invite you to engage in conversations about the art that inspires you — those pieces that speak to your heart — and those that challenge you — that you might just want to leave behind.
Come dressed in festive reds and pinks or somber blacks and grays in celebration of the duality of the day. Join in on the interactive “Hearts for Art” activity by leaving a heart at the foot of your favorite piece in the museum and explore to see what your fellow guests have chosen as theirs. Enjoy crafts in the Art School studios, a free guided tour, treats in the Café, and so much more!
Schedule of Events:
11:15 – 11:30 am | Storytime
Levitt Auditorium
11 – 11:30 am | Love it or Leave it Gallery Talk
Lowest gallery of the Richard Meier building
Gallery talk with Senior Curator Laura Burkhalter and Senior Director of Museum Learning, Engagement, and Community Access Jill Featherstone; each staff member will give their take on a work on view in the Art Center — one who loves the work, one who would ‘leave it.’
1 pm – 2 pm | Guided Tour (all ages)
Meet in the Macomber Lobby
1:30 pm l Conversation in Levitt Auditorium
Exploring Maria Lassnig’s New York Years: Conversation with Artist Hans Werner Poschauko, Lassnig’s Long-Time Assistant, and Exhibition Curator Ashton Cooper. Register on the Art Center’s website calendar.
Drop-in Activities (11 am – 2 pm):
Museum Galleries
Hearts for Art: Pick up paper hearts in the Macomber Lobby; leave red/pink hearts on the gallery floor in front of an artwork you love. (Please do not attempt to put a heart on/touching the artwork.)
Art School Studios
Smile! Stop by the studio for a photobooth activity. Get your photo taken with your Social Saturday group or individually by a professional teaching artist – photos will be emailed to recipients. Or try your hand at henna mandala drawing!
Art Center Café
Check out Valentine’s Day specials in the Art Center Café. Special deals for Art Center members!
See our special exhibitions before they close!
“Honey, You’re a Wonderful Model: Maria Lassnig’s Animated Films” (Anna K. Meredith Gallery)
“Iowa Artists 2026: Henry Payer: Aagakinąk Haciwi: We Live Opposite Each Other” (A.H. Blank Gallery and Krause Atrium)
“Camille Henrot: Tuesday” (Pamela Bass-Bookey and Harry Bookey Gallery)
“Bill Owens: Work and Leisure” (John Brady Print Gallery)
Social Saturdays occur at the Des Moines Art Center on the second Saturday of the month. This event is free to attend, and no registration is required. Social Saturdays will be documented with photography.
For programs in Levitt Auditorium:
We strive to provide live captioning for all events offered in Levitt Auditorium. Due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa, American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing jfeatherstone@desmoinesartcenter.org.
Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
