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AA AA AA
AA=Art Anniversary. I have featured a lot of wall murals, sculptures and art the past few months, and was planning to move on to something else--then this happened. This year is the 20th Anniversary of the Des Moines Arts Festival, so how could I not share my visit with you? I believe I have visited the Arts Festival every year since it made its debut in 1997 on the beautiful bridges overlooking the Des Moines River. In 2006 it moved to its new location in Western Gateway Park. It was packed the day I went and the 3 day attendance was expected to be over 200,000 people.
August-2017
The Des Moines Arts Festival.
June 23-25, 2017
Here is just a sample of the beautiful art work at the 2017 Des Moines Arts Festival. I did ask each artist's permission to take these pics for my blog. I was a little hesitant to even ask, but I found most of them considered it a compliment. The general reaction goes something like this: "Anything you can do to promote the art and the art festival--go for it." So here goes!!!!!
Looking toward the sky. Not only does this canopy provide protection from the sun, It is also a very beautiful work of art.
My view for the month: Here it is some 20 minutes after my arrival and I'm all alone taking one more look at the finished product before I head for home. This art-architecture was to be my story--but there is more--it is also a people story. I hesitated to interrupt this group of young people as I saw them sitting around the table--but they quickly greeted me and made me feel welcome. This student-faculty team from The Iowa State University Architecture Department treated me with courtesy and respect. They explained how they had designed and built this structure as an ISU team project. It was a hot day, they had worked hard and I know they were tired but I could see how proud they were taking one last break in the shade of their now finished patio canopy. I think they will all go far as they make their contributions to society. I named this segment Art Architecture, but I think I should conclude by adding one more A to the project and the people who designed and built it--Art Architecture--Awesome. I wish I was their professor--I would give them each an "A".
Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon, "Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. And I will dwell among the children of Israel and not forsake my people Israel." (ESV) 1 Kings 6:11-13)
Art Anniversary
A perfect setting. The Arts Festival surrounds the beautiful Papajohn Sculpture Garden.
Where there are festivities--there is food. I think the visiting food trucks are a work of art.
If you missed this year's Des Moines Arts Festival--check out next year's show. Each of these artists (and many more) would love to show you his/her "masterpiece."
Artist in Action
AA=Artist in Action. Chris Vance, a very creative mural artist, designed the theme poster (left) for the 2017 Des Moines Arts Festival. It is a beautiful poster, but here is the real thing--his huge wall mural on the east side of the Ford and Garland Building at 13th and Locust, in Des Moines.
I like to be where the action is--and here is where the action is today (June 01, 2017.) There is some urgency here--this mural needs to be done before the start of the Des Moines Arts Festival. And to think--I had a part--I put in a word of encouragement and a thumbs up--as I watched the artist in action.
Left: I went back June 02--look--it's almost done. (Right) Here is how it looked June 24 during the Arts Festival. Signed and done--looks official to me--looks BEAUTIFUL to me.
Art Architecture
AA=Art Architecture. Iowa State University has an excellent architecture department and I would like to share with you this one example of their knowledge, skills and creativity. A student-faculty team from the ISU Architecture Department designed and built this beautiful patio canopy on the roof of the Social Club in Downtown Des Moines.
There is always a lot going on at the Des Moines Social Club (left)--concerts theatre, art exhibits--just to name a few. But there was one area that needed a special touch. Follow me up the steps (right)--that is where I was today (June 10, 2017).
I saw a brief news blurp about this project on tv a couple of days ago, but didn't know when it was taking place. My timing was perfect. When I arrived at the roof of the Des Moines Social Club today (July 10, 2017) the ISU architecture team had just put the finishing touches on the rooftop canopy. Here they are taking one last break before heading home.
