Des Moines Arts Center

I live in a small, striving to be "metropolitan" city in the midst of Iowa farmlands. What many do not know is that there is a hidden jewel in the center of Des Moines! The Des Moines Art Center does not rival the Chicago Metropolitan Museum of Art nor does it rival Picasso's Museum in Barcelona, however, it brings its charm and its simple creations as well as its contemporary emphasis to the DM area. What I love about it is that it is constantly changing and expanding. The artwork makes one question, and provokes one into thinking WHY or WHAT? This could be that you may not understand what the artist intent was:) or it could be that it portrays something you can relate to or have experienced or have read about.

Exceptional artwork is found inside and out. A path lines the museum stretching out along the rolling hills to the pond and the reeds below. All along the path, roses are strewn as are sculptures and pine and oak trees. Benches line the beautiful rose garden as does an old gazebo, which is used in many outdoor weddings. An ampitheater is found at the end of the path creating a venue for live music. This is one of my favorite places to picnic, read a book, journal, hang out with friends, or take photographs. It's serene, full of beauty, and full of life.

I really enjoyed this museum because it did not feel as stuffy and conservative as some museum felt that I have been to. I would rate the Des Moines Arts Center between the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The temporary as well as the permanent collection were quite inspiring. I really enjoyed walking around the museum and soaking up the creativity. I was impressed by all the well-known artists whose work was part of DMAC's permanent collection such as Grant Wood, who is originally from Iowa. He created the famous painting "American Gothic". Artists like Pablo Picasso, Jean Dubuffet, Georgia O'Keefe, Francis Bacon, Andy Goldsworthy, Edward Hopper and many more were represented at the museum. The works might not be their most famous work but it is still impressive to see these big names.
The entrance to DMAC is free, there is a glass box next to the entrance were you could donate to the museum. I thought that was a good idea because visitors can help support the museum and its collection.
I almost forget to talk about the security guards, who were the nicest and most helpful I have ever met in a museum. They were proud to tell us anything about the art works and temporary exhibitions they knew. After we told one of them that we were from California, he even got a hand out about the Andy Goldsworthy sculpture, since the same sculptor is also in La Jolla, California. He said that if we did not live too far away from there we might want to check that out as well.