Social Saturday: Pride and Seek

Event Details

Join the Des Moines Art Center’s June Social Saturday event: Pride and Seek! During Des Moines’ annual Capital City Pride PrideFest, stop by the Art Center for a couple hours of fun, art making, and educational engagement. Enjoy crafts in the Art School studios, a scavenger hunt, a free screening of the “Last American Gay Bar,” a free guided tour, drag king storytime, treats in the Café, and so much more!

Schedule of Events:

11 am | Screening of the Last American Gay Bar
Levitt Auditorium
In collaboration with Capital City Pride, enjoy a full screening of the six-episode docuseries. More information here.
11:15 – 11:30 am | Storytime, featuring a local Des Moines Drag King!
Art School Courtyard
12 – 12:15 pm | Tiny Art Hide and Seek
Front Lawn of the Art Center
Seek out one-of-a-kind mini artworks hidden outside the Des Moines Art Center! Art provided by the Des Moines Public Library’s Tiny Art Show. (Hide-and-Seek is weather dependent, while supplies last)
1 – 2 pm | Guided Tour (all ages)
Meet in the Macomber Lobby
LGBTQIA+ Artists in the Art Center Collection, guided by Art Center Associate Curator Ashton Cooper

Drop-in Activities (11 am – 2 pm):

Museum Galleries
Find the Social Saturday interactive Art Cart in the galleries.
Macomber Lobby
Enjoy the Art Center’s Paint-n-Play station.
Art School Studios
Explore creativity and your inner artist! Free drawing available in the studio space, as well as participate in creating a temporary community mural art project.
Scavenger Hunt
Search the museum galleries for artwork by LGBTQIA+ artists – complete the hunt and turn it in at the front desk for a prize!
Art Center Café
Stop by for a sit-down lunch, a delicious la mie pastry; a full hot/cold espresso menu is available. Enjoy music in the courtyard after 1 pm by a special guest invited by the Art Center Café. Art Center members receive a 10% discount in the café every day.
Museum Shop
Browse the Museum Shop to find gifts and souvenirs, plus check out the $10 and under table just outside of the Shop. Art Center members get 10% off every day in the Museum Shop.
See our special exhibitions before they close!
“Iowa Artists 2026: Henry Payer: Aagakinąk Haciwi: We Live Opposite Each Other” (A.H. Blank Gallery and Krause Atrium)
“Christine Rebet: Sound of Time” (Pamela Bass-Bookey and Harry Bookey Gallery)
“Artists Around a Table: Artmaking and Merrymaking, 1927-1952” (John Brady Print Gallery)
“Topographies: Mapping Being and Belonging” (Anna K. Meredith Gallery – first day open!)

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.