For Immediate Release
Contact: Amy Day
Tel: 515.271.0344 (o)
515.612.0775 (c)
aday@desmoinesartcenter.org
DES MOINES, IOWA (September 25, 2026) – Enjoy a bewitching day of free art activities, spooky stories, costumes, and more at the Des Moines Art Center’s Social Saturday: Monster Mash on October 10 from 11 am – 2 pm. Arrive to the event in a creepy – or cute! – costume. Guidelines for appropriate dress to ensure comfort and safety for visitors and the artwork are available on the Des Moines Art Center website.
Spooky story time for all ages, hosted by a costumed reader, begins at 11:15 am in Levitt Auditorium. The chilling tales continue with a performance by the Des Moines Community Playhouse’s Final Act Ensemble at 1:30 pm. Inspired by the golden age of radio, this group brings ghosts, witches, murder, and mystery to life on the stage! Please note this program may not be suitable for young children.
Drop in for the Social Saturday interactive art cart, a scavenger hunt that can earn you a small prize, and the Art Center’s Paint-n-Play station in the Harriet S. and J. Locke Macomber Lobby. A docent-led guided tour at 1 pm features a selection of paintings, sculptures, and more. Check out the exhibitions on view, which include: “Elle Pérez: La Despedida”; “Artists on Fire”; and “Valentin Noujaïm: La Défense.”
Get crafty in the studios! Create monster hand puppets, decorate mini jack-o’-lanterns, and utilize the open space to draw and be inspired by the spirit of the season.
Be sure to grab a special monster cookie in the Art Center Café exclusively for Social Saturday: Monster Mash. You may also enjoy a sit-down lunch or other baked goods, alongside a full coffee and tea menu. Art Center members receive a 10% discount in the Art Center Café.
Browse the Museum Shop to find gifts and souvenirs. Art Center members receive a 10% discount in the shop. Visit the $10 and under section for kids‘ toys!
Social Saturdays occur at the Des Moines Art Center on the second Saturday of every month from 11 am to 2 pm. This event is free to attend, and no registration is required. Social Saturdays will be documented with photography. Visit desmoinesartcenter.org for a full schedule and additional event details. Follow the Art Center’s social media channels or visit the website for upcoming themes and programming.
Generous support is provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
Support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
For more information, 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 Association of Museums) institution located in the capital city of Iowa that welcomes over 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. In 2025, as part of its strategic plan, the Art Center adopted the values of equity, respect, integrity, continuous reflection, and collaboration.
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