The 2008 Des Moines Arts Festival

The 2008 Des Moines Arts Festival is underway! Standing water in the Western Gateway slowed the set up on Thursday evening but not the opening on Friday afternoon. It got a little hot but a brief squall led to a wonderfully cool evening. I felt lucky to be there.

In the afternoon I had a chance to visit with painter Ted Simmering of Byron, IL in Booth P13. Ted retired in 2002 after a 34 year teaching career in public schools in Illinois. While most of his time now is spent in his studio, he also teaches in several settings. Ted has been traveling and exhibiting for several years. He just returned from Philadelphia and is going soon to Madison and The Uptown Art Fair in Minneapolis. Ted is exhibiting for the first time in Des Moines and said it is the best organized festival he’s seen.

In the category of small world Ted’s son Jacob (shown right with his dad) is one of my chemistry research students at Grinnell College. He spent the summer of 2007 developing microwave techniques to enhance a series of chemical reactions. Jacob presented his research at The University of Chicago in November 2007 and will continue his investigations this fall. On several weekends this summer Jacob has been traveling to art festivals with his dad.

If you visit the festival this weekend you will be entertained in a variety of ways: music; films; media; painting; sculpture; kids’ programs; young Iowa artists; food and drink. Tonight the music included the Java Jews as well as Public Property.

Don’t miss the Festival! It is an event for all of Greater Des Moines.

Guest Writer: James G. Lindberg (Jim) is the Purple Wren’s sweetie and is a visiting chemistry professor at Grinnell College and retired from Drake University.

Photos by James G. Lindberg

[tags] Iowa, Des Moines, Central Iowa News, Des Moines Arts Festival, [/tags]