The Arts Festival and the ArtFest

The layout for the Arts Festival this year was more spread out, as tents were set up in the new Western Gateway park and along Locust Street. Last year, the festival was a bit further east with booths along the sidewalk and street in front of the Central Library. There was more room for people to walk around this year. However, the layout also meant booths for non-profit organizations were stretched out, too. The art that I glimpsed walking past booths looked decent, but I did not look closely at anything. My goal for the festival was to find the Animal Rescue League booth in order to buy raffle tickets. The raffle is for a bicycle from Bike World, with the drawing to be held late in July. The tickets are available for purchase online, but it takes work to find the raffle option in the online store.

Supporters of Project Destiny also had a booth at the Arts Festival. It was standing by itself, with a “Yes to Destiny” sign. The impression it gave was that of a fortune teller’s booth, complete with “Yes to Destiny” tarot cards (stickers). When I was there, the tent was abandoned with the back flap starting to come loose, as though Destiny is nothing more than entropy.

Polk County Conservation had stuffed birds and a person showing off wings of raptors to a group of children. I asked if there were any information about the peregrine falcons screeching around the Capitol and nesting downtown, but there was none. The Dept. of Natural Resources had a webcam on the nest,
though.

At the ArtFest Midwest Art Show, which is in its fifth year, there was a hint of the state fair. The show tents outside the Varied Industries building helped with the atmosphere, as did the food and beverage booths that were set up. It was even possible to get a bucket of cookies. Today (July 1st) also was the last date for entries in the state fair’s photography exhibit to be dropped off at the Administration building.

ArtFest Midwest promotes itself as featuring regional and local artists with products at lower prices than the downtown Arts Festival. A wide range of mediums and a significant diversity of styles and themes were observed. If you’re still looking for the right piece of art, there are plenty of galleries in Des Moines and many artists showing in small retail stores and coffee shops. If its large-scale entertainment that you prefer, the Iowa State Fair will be here in just over a month.

Guest Author: M.R. Field is editor of Leading Voices: Iowa.