Des Moines Art Galleries

(Des Moines, Iowa - IA, USA)



The visual arts and cultural scene is well supported in Iowa's capital, thanks to the presence of the Des Moines Art Center and a number of small retail galleries.

Located on Grand Avenue, close to the Clare and Miles Mills Rose Gardens at Greenwood Park, the Des Moines Art Center resides on the western side of the city and lies just off Interstate I-235. This important gallery was founded towards the end of the 1940s and regularly changes and rotates its exhibits, to ensure that there is always something fresh to see and enjoy.

The Pappajohn Sculpture Park will also be fully appreciated by art aficionados and stands within the Western Gateway Park, on the southwestern side of the city, where it was dedicated in the summer of 2009. This must-see park boasts an extremely valuable collection of famous sculptures, which number more than 20 and are estimated to be worth in excess of US$40 million.


Des Moines Art Center

Address: 4700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa (IA), 50312, USA
Tel: +1 515 277 4405
Among the most valuable and important paintings on display at the Des Moines Art Center is the Automat (1927) by Edward Hopper, along with the Study after Velázquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X (1953) by Francis Bacon. On a sunny day, visitors may also like to take a stroll around the landscaped grounds, which are home to a series of sculptures and a particularly fragrant rose garden. Take time, too, to admire the different architectural styles present in the gallery's buildings, which include Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Modernist. Those who work up an appetite whilst admiring the art works on display may like to check out the five-star restaurant based onsite. For souvenir hunters, the gift shop will oblige with its postcards, prints, greetings cards, jewelry and books.
Open hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday - 11:00 to 16:00, Thursday - 11:00 to 21:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Address: Western Gateway Park, 13th Street to 15th Street, between Locust Street and Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa (IA), USA
Tel: +1 515 277 4405
The sculptures at Pappajohn were kindly donated to the city by local philanthropists John and Mary Pappajohn, and are spread around a site of roughly 1.8 hectares / 4.5 acres. Pieces on exhibit include the Spider by Louise Bourgeois, the Juno and Ancient Forest driftwood horse by Deborah Butterfield, and the iconic three-story high Nomade figure by Jaume Plensa, which many believe may become a symbol of the capital. Of note, the historic Temple for Performing Arts is close by, as is the rather contemporary Central Library.
Open hours: daily - 06:00 to midnight
Admission: free

Hoyt Sherman Place

Address: 1501 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa (IA), 50309, USA
Tel: +1 515 244 0507
Dating back to the latter years of the 1870s, this grand building was constructed for affluent Major Hoyt Sherman and has served a number of different uses over the years, being the major's family home until his death in the year 1904. After this, the house stood empty for several years, before it was used by the Des Moines Women's Club for their meetings. This society later added a gallery space to exhibit their personal collection of art, while in the early 1920s. a large auditorium was built for their events. Today, this attraction is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and functions as an art gallery, performing arts center and events venue. Visitors are able to explore the home, where highlights include grand fireplaces made from marble, ornate wooden floors and many elegant period features.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: guided tours, charge