Art in Bloom

Event Details

Celebrate nature’s beauty at the Des Moines Art Center on Earth Day at this member-exclusive event! We’ve partnered with local floral styling studio Wildflower to host a flower arranging workshop inspired by George Valris’ “Vèvè for the Crossroads (Legba/Kalfou)” from the upcoming exhibition “Light Within Ourselves: Haitian Art in Iowa.”

Owner and lead designer Maya Boettcher will guide participants through the art of floral design with a beautiful collection of blooms and foliage specially selected to reflect Valris’ vibrant sequined flag. Whether you’re a budding florist or an experienced arranger, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to nurture your creativity.

“Light Within Ourselves: Haitian Art in Iowa,” co-curated by Beth Gollnick, associate curator at the Des Moines Art Center, and Chawne Paige, executive director of the Waterloo Center for the Arts, 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.

Member Ticket: $80.

Ticket includes flowers, vase, wire, materials, etc.

Registration is required; space is limited. RSVP by April 11.

Art Center members click login at the top left to log into your member account and complete your registration.

If your membership has lapsed, renew in person or online at https://desmoinesartcenter.org/support/membership/

Questions? Contact Gala and Development Events Coordinator Jess Lane at jlane@desmoinesartcenter.org.

George Valris (Haitian, born 1953), “Vèvè for the Crossroads (Legba/Kalfou),” 2000-2010. Sequined flag. On loan from the Waterloo Center for the Arts Haitian Collection, 2015.0092, Gift of Ted Frankel and Bill Gilmore.