Des Moines Arts Festival® allows guests to "Go Where It Takes You"
Following the 2015 Des Moines Arts Festival® motto to "go where it takes you…" shouldn't be difficult. Now less than two weeks away, the Festival offers guests a full weekend packed with visual art, music, culinary art, film, performing and interactive arts; there is truly something for everyone.
"Our goal every year is to showcase our beautiful city while at the same time fostering an appreciation for art of all kinds. We work hard to inspire and engage our audience, regardless of what type of art they're interested in," said Stephen King, Executive Director of the Des Moines Arts Festival®. "The Festival can deliver whatever you're looking for: whether it's great music, thought-provoking film or world-class art, it's here in Des Moines!"
The 2015 Des Moines Arts Festival® proudly features 195 of the nation's top professional artists and emerging Iowa artists. Guests have the unique opportunity to interact with the artists and celebrate a shared passion for art across all genres.
In addition to the wonderful paintings, drawings, sculptures, mixed media pieces and more, guests can take in art to delight all five senses including:
Interrobang Film Festival — More than 50 films will be screened at the motion picture arm of the Festival. This year's agenda includes Q&A sessions with filmmakers; a 48-hour film project screening and mixer; and a viewing of WildLike, directed by Frank Green and featuring "Mad Men" star Bruce Greenwood. A full schedule can be found on the Interrobang website.
Interactive Art — There are activities for all ages and interests at this year's Festival, and guests can get creative with hands-on art, music, dance and theater. Don't miss the performance group Satyrus Jeering as they perform the lively tale "The Nitch." Help Metro Arts Alliance celebrate their 40th anniversary by participating in this year's Metro Arts Public Art Project featuring artist Bounnak Thammavong. The concept for the project is Birds of a Feather, and guests can participate by collaborating on the piece, which features a goldfinch in flight, by painting the goldfinch in a Jackson Pollock-like manner. Festival guests will also participate by constructing "kites" or bird silhouettes, which will form the trailing cluster of birds behind the goldfinch. Visit the Interactive Arts page on the Festival's website for a full schedule of events.
Culinary Arts — The Iowa Craft Beer Tent, wines from Gateway Market, plus other wines, beers and favorite beverages return to the Festival to enhance the celebration. Food vendors representing flavors from around the globe will heighten the experience and offer guests a taste of what they're craving. Check the Des Moines Arts Festival Culinary Arts page for a full listing of all the choices to eat and drink.
Artists of future — Featuring student artwork from more than 100 local schools, guests can see budding artists at the Des Moines Art Center's Nurturing a Student's Vision K-12 Art Exhibition presented by Hubbell Homes (NSV). NSV is a program that spotlights the creativity of children K-12 attending schools in central Iowa through a special exhibition on-site at the Festival and the six weeks after at the Des Moines Central Library.
Leading up to this year's Festival is the first-ever Art Week Des Moines. Created by Des Moines locals Liz Adelman and David Safris, this showcase of local artists precedes the Festival with a focus on bringing together local artists, businesses and community members to celebrate not only Des Moines, but also the wonderful, creative art it has to offer across all mediums. The Art Week Des Moines website has a complete schedule of events taking place around the metro June 22-28.
All media inquiries should be directed to Liz Adelman at (515) 802-0603 or ladelman@desmoinesartsfestival.org.
About the Des Moines Arts Festival®
The Gold Grand Pinnacle Award-winning Des Moines Arts Festival® is a three-day, annual arts and culture Festival the last weekend in June. The free-to-attend Festival invites you to 'go where it takes you...' by engaging with 195 invited professional visual artists, emerging Iowa artists, the cutting-edge Interrobang Film Festival, live music, performing arts, interactive arts activities, award-winning community outreach programs, live artist demonstrations, artisan food, and beverages for every taste. For more information please visit us online at desmoinesartsfestival.org or socialize with us on Facebook at facebook.com/DesMoinesArtsFestival, twitter at @DMArtsFestival and Instagram at desmoinesartsfestival. #GoWhereItTakesYou #DMAF2015