For Immediate Release
Contact: Amy Day
Tel: 515.271.0344 (o)
515.612.0775 (c)
aday@desmoinesartcenter.org

Restoration marks the beginning of a $500,000 campaign to preserve and enhance the park 

DES MOINES, IOWA (May 5, 2026) – Last October, Jaume Plensa’s Nomade (2007), one of the most iconic sculptures in the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, was carefully deinstalled for scheduled conservation to preserve its integrity and ensure it stands tall for years to come.  

Together with the artist’s studio, a team of professional conservators, and a local Des Moines company specializing in metal work, the Des Moines Art Center team undertook the monumental task of removing the sculpture from the park and disassembling it bolt by bolt. After a thorough inspection, applying 100 hours of sandblasting, meticulously repainting each surface, and carefully reassembling the work, Nomade is proudly returning to the home it has occupied since 2009 – refreshed, renewed, and ready to welcome visitors once again! 

The Nomade conservation project is the first of a multi-year Friends of the Pappajohn Sculpture Park Campaign, a $500,000 fundraising initiative to support the protection of sculptures throughout the park along with key security enhancements and accessibility improvements. In 2025, the Des Moines Art Center received a $113,000 Legacy Grant from Prairie Meadows and $50,000 from The Fred Maytag Family Foundation to launch this transformational effort to refurbish the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park over the next three years.  

“We are deeply grateful to Prairie Meadows and The Fred Maytag Family Foundation for their support of this important project,” said Dr. Kelly Baum, John and Mary Pappajohn Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Des Moines Art Center. “Since 2009, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park has welcomed more than 3.2 million visitors, transforming the Western Gateway into one of the nation’s premier outdoor art destinations. The park is where visitors from the city and far beyond join together – a shared space that feels like home. It’s where people come to enjoy community festivals, celebrate milestones, connect with friends, and find moments of reflection. Thanks to Prairie Meadows’ leadership and commitment, we can ensure this beloved space remains welcoming and inspiring for generations to come.”  

The Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a nationally recognized community treasure and tourist destination, spanning 4.4 acres in the heart of downtown Des Moines. Free and accessible to all – without barriers, fences, or admission fees – the park features iconic works by some of the world’s most celebrated artists, such as Keith Haring and Yayoi Kusama. It also serves as host to major community festivals and events like the Des Moines Arts Festival and World Food & Music Festival, which bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area each year and contribute significantly to regional economic development.  

The community is invited to a special ribbon cutting on Wednesday, May 20 11:30 am, with remarks at noon, followed by free guided tours of the park. Refreshments will be provided. Guests are invited to pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic among the sculptures. Thursday, May 21 will serve as a rain date. 

For additional information, including photos and video, contact Senior Director of Communications and Marketing Amy Day at 515.271.0344 or aday@desmoinesartcenter.org.  

About the Des Moines Art Center
The Des Moines Art Center is a vibrant, AAM-accredited (American Alliance of Museums) institution located in the capital city of Iowa that welcomes around 300,000 visitors annually from across the country and around the globe. Its historic campus consists of three buildings designed by major architects of the 20th century—Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier—incorporated into the natural landscape of Greenwood Park. The Art Center is home to one of the strongest collections of 20th and 21st century art in the region, and it hosts a series of ground-breaking exhibitions and lectures each year featuring artists known regionally, nationally, and internationally. The experimental art for which the Art Center cares is reflected in its creative offerings, including a celebrated education program that prioritizes access and collaboration, an art school with studio classes for all ages, and the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, situated on 4.4 acres in downtown Des Moines. 

###