Description
Join us at Mainframe Studios' First Friday on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 from 5-8 p.m.! Explore five floors of open artist studios, discover new exhibitions, enjoy live music, interactive art activities, local food and drinks and experience one of Des Moines' favorite monthly arts events.
Featured this month is Experimental & Innovative, a juried exhibition by Amenda Tate that showcases artists who embrace curiosity, risk-taking and creative exploration. Through bold ideas, unconventional materials and inventive processes, the featured work pushes creative boundaries and explores new ways of seeing and making.
In addition to the main exhibition, the event will feature two special showcases:
- The Collective brings together artists from North Central Iowa whose work reflects the people, places, memories,and ideas that shape our communities.
- Sustainable Destruction is a mixed-media exhibition confronting environmental destruction, overconsumption, waste and conflict while holding onto hope for a better future.
Guests can also visit hundreds of open art studios and participate in an interactive art activity of metamorphosis and migration with artist Makayla Carlson. The event will also feature a free special performance by Nickolai Zielinski of Indicative of Drumming, whose work explores the intersection of acoustic performance, electronic music and experimental technology.
First Friday events at Mainframe Studios are family-friendly, free and open to the public.
Expanded overflow parking at 8th & Center Streets and a complimentary shuttle make getting here easy!
We look forward to welcoming you to Mainframe Studios for an evening of art, creativity, and community.
Neighborhoods
Downtown
Host Organization
Mainframe Studios
Website
https://www.mainframestudios.org/events#calendar-d2b22f53-09cf-4e8b-a403-1f79feee9017-event-ce48f075-4801-48e1-afb8-67cf92da7003
Facebook Event URL
https://www.facebook.com/events/1549811526552270
Pricing Information
0
Contact
Libby Crimmings
5152075197
libby@mainframestudios.org