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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261025T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261025T130000
DTSTAMP:20261023T170513
CREATED:20260901T231134Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T231134Z
UID:14803-1792933200-1792933200@desmoinesartcenter.org
SUMMARY:“Let Us Gather in a Flourishing Way” Curator and Artist Discussion
DESCRIPTION:Join the Des Moines Art Center for an invigorating discussion about the traveling exhibition organized by the Buffalo AKG Art Museum\, “Let Us Gather in a Flourishing Way: Contemporary Latinx Painting\,” which is on view at the Art Center from October 24\, 2026\, through January 24\, 2027. Inspired by a 2008 poem of the same name by former US Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera\, “Let Us Gather in a Flourishing Way” celebrates the vision and creativity of Latinx painters. It showcases 58 artists who actively enrich the landscape of contemporary painting\, introducing new approaches to form\, materials\, and subject matter. \nDr. Andrea Alvarez\, curator of the exhibition\, will provide insight into the premise of the show and introduce us to three of the featured artists: Danielle De Jesus\, Justin Favela\, and Patrick Martinez. \nREGISTER \nDanielle De Jesus is a Nuyorican painter and photographer born and raised in Bushwick\, Brooklyn\, whose woks tell the story of growing up in New York City amid gentrification and displacement. De Jesus’s background is in photography\, and she utilizes her images of people native to Bushwick as a reference to tell the story of the community’s displaced residents. \nJustin Favela is based in Las Vegas and is known for large-scale installations and sculpture that manifest his interactions with American pop culture and the queer Latinx experience. Favela explores traditional Mexican and Latin American craft — specifically cartoneria (a traditional Mexican folk art form that involves three-dimensional objects using papier-mâché and cardboard) — and his interest in art history\, community\, celebration\, and home inform a practice intent on dismantling institutional hierarchies. Visitors may remember Favela from his 2021 exhibition at the Art Center\, “Central American.” \nPatrick Martinez maintains a diverse practice that includes mixed-media landscape paintings\, neon signs pieces\, cake paintings\, and his Pee Chee series of appropriative works. His landscape paintings composed of Los Angeles surfaces — distressed stucco\, spray paint\, window security bars\, vinyl signage\, ceramic tile\, and neon sign elements — evoke place and socioeconomic positions\, unearth sites of personal and cultural loss. He lives and works in Los Angeles. \nFree; registration required. \nREGISTER \nImage: Top left: Andrea Alvarez\, curator of the exhibition. Artists in the exhibition; top right:  Patrick Martinez\, bottom left: Justin Favela\, and bottom right: Danielle De Jesus.
URL:https://desmoinesartcenter.org/event/let-us-gather-in-a-flourishing-way-curator-and-artist-discussion/
LOCATION:Levitt Auditorium\, 4700 Grand Ave\, Des Moines\, IA\, 50312\, United States
CATEGORIES:Events and Programs,Exhibitions
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261108T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261108T130000
DTSTAMP:20261023T170513
CREATED:20260911T194511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T194511Z
UID:14896-1794142800-1794142800@desmoinesartcenter.org
SUMMARY:Honoring the Spirit: A Day of the Dead Ofrenda Conversation
DESCRIPTION:Join the Des Moines Art Center for an exploration of what it means to honor the spirit — of loved ones\, of cultural traditions\, and of movements that have advanced justice and strengthened our communities. \nAt the center of the conversation is this year’s Day of the Dead ofrenda\, created by poet and artist Michaela Mullin\, in honor of her mother\, Felicia Leon Mullin\, and alongside local organizations which are continuing to advance the quality of life for all Iowans. Through the ofrenda and this year’s theme\, Sí Se Puede!\, panelists will consider how we remember those who have contributed to civil and human rights work\, how their values live on through the people and communities they influenced\, and why this work remains urgent today. \nOpening with a brief Know Your Rights presentation led by Karina Sanchez of the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission\, this program will feature a conversation with Mullin; Vince Valdez\, historian\, filmmaker\, and longstanding Day of the Dead committee member; and Erica Johnson\, the founding Executive Director of Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice. Art Center Senior Manager of Museum Learning and Engagement\, Mia Buch\, will moderate. Join us for an inspiring conversation about remembrance\, immigrant rights\, community action\, and carrying the work of previous generations forward. \nFree; no registration required. \nImage: The ofrenda at the Art Center’s 2025 Day of the Dead event. Photo: Erik Brockmeyer.
URL:https://desmoinesartcenter.org/event/honoring-the-spirit/
LOCATION:Levitt Auditorium\, 4700 Grand Ave\, Des Moines\, IA\, 50312\, United States
CATEGORIES:Events and Programs
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261114T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261114T140000
DTSTAMP:20261023T170513
CREATED:20260923T171445Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T195630Z
UID:14935-1794657600-1794664800@desmoinesartcenter.org
SUMMARY:A Taste of ReelAbilities
DESCRIPTION:The ReelAbilities Film Festival is the largest festival in the US dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives\, stories\, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. Founded in New York City in 2007\, the festival presents international and award-winning films by and about people with disabilities in multiple locations throughout each hosting city. The 2026 Des Moines festival\, “A Taste of ReelAbilities\,” is a screening of recent short films during the Art Center’s November Social Saturday: Friendsgiving. All films will provide open captions and have audio description capabilities. \nGenerous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.\n \nFree; no registration required. \nScreening Information:\nFilm: A Morning with Aroha\, 2021\nDirector: Nicholas Rini\nRun Time: 11 minutes\nDescription: Aroha\, an imaginative young girl with Down syndrome\, sets out to share her creativity with her neighbors. \nFilm: Key of Genius\, 2026\nDirector: Daniel Persitz\nRun Time: 12 minutes\nDescription: Based on the extraordinary true story of Derek Paravicini\, a blind\, autistic musical prodigy\, KEY OF GENIUS follows the bond between Derek and his dedicated piano teacher. Through patience\, intuition\, and unwavering belief\, Derek’s hidden potential is unlocked\, revealing the transformative power of music and mentorship. This film celebrates talent\, perseverance\, and the ways people with disabilities can flourish when given opportunity and understanding. Audiences are invited into a journey of inspiration\, emotional depth\, and triumph\, witnessing a remarkable story of human connection\, creativity\, and the extraordinary capabilities that lie within those societies often underestimated. \n*The following films are intended for adult audiences. \nFilm: Boys\, 2026\nDirector: Olive Bilic\nRun Time: 7 minutes\nDescription: Overwhelmed by the chaos of class\, neurodiverse teenager Jacob seeks refuge in an empty locker room\, only to face an unexpected confrontation. Created in collaboration with Bus Stop Films participants in Melbourne\, BOYS highlights the emotional and social challenges faced by neurodiverse youth. Through authentic performances and an intimate lens\, the film portrays the tension\, vulnerability\, and resilience of its characters\, exploring the fine line between isolation and connection. BOYS is both a poignant and engaging narrative\, offering insight into neurodiverse experiences while emphasizing the universal desire for understanding\, acceptance\, and human connection. \nFilm: Little Monsters\, 2026\nDirector: Pablo Leridon\nRun Time: 14 minutes\nDescription: A visually impaired teen navigates first love while sharing a transport van with a wheelchair-bound classmate. LITTLE MONSTERS blends humor and heart\, showcasing adolescence\, rivalry\, and inclusive friendship. \nFilm: Bad Survivor\, 2026\nDirector: Alex Dvorak and Katie North\nRun Time: 11 minutes\nDescription: After being “broken up with” by her oncologists\, a sarcastic young cancer patient begins her first day in remission\, navigating the challenges of returning home. With humor and biting honesty\, she confronts her family dynamics\, cultural expectations\, and the lingering trauma of treatment. BAD SURVIVOR balances comedy and pathos\, portraying survival not as a singular triumph but as a process filled with awkward moments\, personal reflection\, and familial tension. Audiences are drawn into an intimate portrait of post-cancer life\, where resilience\, wit\, and emotional vulnerability coexist\, redefining what it means to move forward after illness. \nFilm: Don’t Take this the Wrong Way\, 2026\nDirector: Rachel Handler and Crystal Arnette\nRun Time: 7 minutes\nDescription: Darcy\, beaten down by microaggressions and a recent breakup\, begins to unravel emotionally. DON’T TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY presents a raw exploration of personal vulnerability\, societal pressures\, and coping with isolation. The short captures moments of introspection\, tension\, and resilience\, offering audiences an intimate glimpse into the lived experience of an amputee navigating social and emotional challenges. Through concise storytelling and authentic performances\, the film conveys the complexity of identity\, self-esteem\, and the subtle ways everyday interactions can shape one’s emotional landscape. \nFilm: Misfit\, 2026\nDirector: Tristan Zerbib\nRun Time: 13 minutes\nDescription: In a world where disability is the norm\, wheelchair-ball dominates the sports scene. A player is thrown off balance when forced to train with a ‘valid’ athlete\, challenging her expectations and assumptions. MISFIT turns conventional sports narratives upside down\, celebrating empowerment\, inclusion\, and the unpredictability of competition. Through fast-paced action and engaging character work\, the film explores societal perceptions of ability and the courage required to embrace difference. MISFIT is a bold\, energetic story that champions physical resilience\, adaptability\, and teamwork while entertaining audiences with humor\, tension\, and the triumph of spirit. \nFilm: Rearranged\, 2025\nDirector: Liz Whitmere\nRun Time: 12 minutes\nDescription: Set within the intimate confines of a hospice\, REARRANGED explores how irritation\, vulnerability\, and humor can unexpectedly give way to human connection. Led by blind actor Bruce Horak\, the film challenges assumptions about care\, agency\, and intimacy\, revealing how small disruptions can reshape relationships. \nFilm: Them That’s Not\, 2025\nDirector: Mekhai Lee\nRun Time: 19 minutes\nDescription: Andrea “Drea” Stoney\, a Deaf poet\, attends her grandmother’s repass and navigates a family that doesn’t understand ASL. Complicating matters\, her father is temporarily released from prison for the day\, forcing Drea to reconcile with him amid grief. THEM THAT’S NOT explores identity\, communication\, and familial tension\, highlighting the challenges Deaf individuals face within hearing-centered spaces. Through introspection\, subtle humor\, and emotional honesty\, the film portrays the resilience required to carve personal space and connection\, offering audiences insight into Deaf culture\, intergenerational dynamics\, and the quiet power of language\, love\, and understanding. \nWe 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.
URL:https://desmoinesartcenter.org/event/reelabilities-2026/
LOCATION:Levitt Auditorium\, 4700 Grand Ave\, Des Moines\, IA\, 50312\, United States
CATEGORIES:Events and Programs
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261129T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261129T153000
DTSTAMP:20261023T170513
CREATED:20260929T210041Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261020T194514Z
UID:14986-1795959000-1795966200@desmoinesartcenter.org
SUMMARY:World AIDS Day: A Day With(out) Art
DESCRIPTION:In recognition of World AIDS Day\, join us at the Des Moines Art Center for A Day With(out) Art — an afternoon of art\, film\, and music offering space for healing\, remembrance\, and hope. \nThe program will begin with a 20-minute performance by the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus\, followed by a screening of “Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt” (1989). This Academy Award-winning documentary shares the lives and relationships behind panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt\, revealing the human impact of the epidemic and the power of remembrance to challenge stigma. (Film runtime: 79 minutes) \nThree Iowa-connected sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on view in the Art Center’s Macomber Lobby from November 17 through 29. The handmade memorials preserve stories of individuals and communities across Iowa\, inviting reflection on lives lost and the people who responded with care\, education\, and advocacy. \nFirst organized by Visual AIDS in 1989\, A Day With(out) Art brings cultural institutions together to remember those lost to AIDS and recognize the ongoing experiences of people living with HIV. \nRobert Mapplethorpe (American\, 1946 – 1989)\n“Two Men Dancing” (detail)\, 1984\nGelatin silver print\nDes Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Gift of Hudson\, New York\, 2001.12\nPhoto: Rich Sanders \nFree; no registration required.\nGenerous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program. \n \n  \n  \n  \nWe 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.
URL:https://desmoinesartcenter.org/event/world-aids-day-a-day-without-art/
LOCATION:Levitt Auditorium\, 4700 Grand Ave\, Des Moines\, IA\, 50312\, United States
CATEGORIES:Events and Programs
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261212T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261212T133000
DTSTAMP:20261023T170513
CREATED:20260929T210600Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260929T210600Z
UID:14932-1797082200-1797082200@desmoinesartcenter.org
SUMMARY:Little Slam on the Prairie Puppet Performance
DESCRIPTION:The Uplifting Puppet Co. is proud to present the return of Little Slam on the Prairie. This year’s event is hosted at the Des Moines Art Center as part of December Social Saturday: Make Believe. \nThis eclectic afternoon of short-form puppetry celebrates innovation\, storytelling\, and creative connection. Part of the national Puppet Slam Network\, the show invites established puppeteers\, artists new to puppetry\, and theatre-makers to explore and  perform. From shadow theatre and object performance to giant puppets\, comedy\, multimedia\, and avant-garde creations\, Little Slam on the Prairie invites artists and audiences alike into an afternoon of imagination and surprise. \nFree; registration required. \nREGISTER \nLittle Slam on the Prairie is funded in part by a grant from the Puppet Slam Network\, with additional support from the Des Moines Art Center and the Uplifting Puppet Co.. \nSocial Saturday at the Des Moines Art Center receives generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program. Support is also provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Arts Council\, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
URL:https://desmoinesartcenter.org/event/little-slam-on-the-prairie/
LOCATION:Levitt Auditorium\, 4700 Grand Ave\, Des Moines\, IA\, 50312\, United States
CATEGORIES:Events and Programs,Family Programs
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