DSM Loves You Pop-Up to Feature Flowers + Affirmations

Maggie Goldhammer is a graphic designer/digital media specialist in Greater Des Moines (DSM) who wanted to create a public art project. As owner and founder of Somos Studios, Goldhammer wasn’t sure how to make that dream a reality. Not being a painter, she wasn’t sure what a public art project could look like. Wanting something unique, she thought paper!

After driving to Missouri to pick up a newspaper machine, she began to think about how she could use it to help spread “good news” to people in a way that would have a positive impact, something she experienced herself with public art back when she was in college. The DSM Loves You “Good News” Pop-Up is her way of — with the help of two newspaper machines — spreading positivity in Downtown DSM, utilizing her specific skillset to do so, in hopes that it will inspire others to find ways to do the same.

The DSM Loves You Pop-Ups will be up Monday, Feb. 13 – Friday, Feb. 17 inside the 801 Grand building (at Ninth Street and Grand Avenue) and inside of the Greater Des Moines Partnership building (at Seventh Street and Locust Street).

Good News Notes, Flowers + Graffiti Art

Goldhammer digitally designed each of the notes that will be available at the DSM Loves You Pop-Up this week in the downtown skywalks. The notes will include quotes and graphics that Goldhammer constructed, resulting in more than 20 variations of prints. She hopes people feel the urge to hang them up and keep them around.

Along with the notes, the pop-up will include flowers from local designer Lisa Ehrhardt of LE Designs and will feature a cityscape graffiti backdrop by artist Jake Gracey. Goldhammer hopes the flowers and graffiti art add a “wow” factor that will help draw people to the pop-up in a natural way.

Connecting for Valentine’s Day + Beyond

The positive energy of the Good News displays is meant to remind people that “you matter” and “there’s always someone that loves you.” For those visiting the pop-up during the week of Valentine’s Day, Goldhammer hopes her messages ensure recipients feel like that particular message was meant for them to find.

Goldhammer plans to continue to create Good News displays and work with local sponsors in the future. Having just moved into a space at Mainframe Studios in Downtown DSM, she also takes part in First Friday monthly events that showcase a multitude of offerings from more than 130 local artists who have studios in the building.

To find more information about Goldhammer and Sonos Studios, follow and like on Facebook and Instagram. You can read about how she originally got her start in henna design, too! Her love of other local business owners began when she was a henna artist and many of them welcomed her with open arms. A few of her favorites include: Scenic Route Bakery, KIN, The Royal Mile, The Lift, Petals + Moss and Zhoosh.

The DSM Loves You Pop-Up Activation in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is a week-long activation in honor of Valentine’s Day.

Downtown Des Moines (DSM) activations pop up from time to time, and these events provide fun for the whole family! The 2022 Downtown DSM activations series is sponsored by Group®, MidAmerican Energy Company, Prairie Meadows and Bravo Greater Des Moines.

Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is a growing, vibrant community that offers the energy, sophistication, housing and attractions of a burgeoning city with a brilliant future. It’s also easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options.