Complete guide to the weekend

What you need to know about the 2024 Des Moines Arts Festival

Updated: 2:38 PM CDT Jun 27, 2024

The Des Moines Arts Festival returns for a 27th year of art, music, food and festivities. Artists from around the country will have their work on display, with regular demonstrations, an interactive mural, and plenty of chances to take home some of your favorite pieces. Video above: Des Moines Arts Festival preparation forces road closures through SundayHere’s what you need to know: When and whereWhere: Western Gateway Park, 1205 Locust St., Des MoinesWhen: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, June 30What is free to do? Attending the event and walking around to visit the individual boothsWatching live music performancesParking at the Nationwide garageUsing the bike valetViewing the film festivalWhat costs money?Purchasing artFood and drinksMerchandise Parking and road closuresParkingFree public parking will be available at the Nationwide Garage located at 1100 Walnut Street. Metered street parking is available on surrounding streets.A bike valet will be available at the intersection of Locust and 10th Street.Handicap parking will be available on the north side of Walnut Street between 12th and 13th Street.Road closuresThe 27th annual event shut down 12th, 13th and 15th streets between Grand Avenue and Locust Street, as well as Locust between 10th and 16th streets on Wednesday. Then, on Thursday, artists will begin setting up booths along Grand Avenue between 10th and 16th streets. All of the streets listed above will be closed to vehicle traffic through Sunday.Art demonstrationsThroughout the weekend, people can learn and create alongside different artists as they demonstrate their unique skills and craft. They also will have the opportunity to ask questions and try their hand at creating their own art.Audrey Stirling, jewelry: Noon June 28, EIA Tent 4Lisa Ellingworth, photography: 2 p.m. June 28, EIA Tent 1Micah Ferin, mixed media: 3 p.m. June 28, EIA Tent 2Xavier Nuez, photography: 11 a.m. June 29, Booth 33Laura Baring-Gould, metalworks: 11:45 a.m. June 29, Booth 32Thomas Martin, drawing: 12:30 p.m. June 29, Booth 28Gedion Nyanhongo, sculpting: 1 p.m. June 29, Booth 1Jaana Mattson, fibers: 1:15 p.m. June 29, Booth 12Andy Rogers, clay: 1:30 p.m. June 29, Booth 29Cali Hobgood, photography: 2 p.m. June 29, Booth 24Carly McCoy, photography: 3:15 p.m. June 29, EIA Tent 3Richard Gruchalla and Carrin Rosetti, clay: 3:25 p.m., June 29, Booth 10Heath Wheeldon, printmaking: 3:45 p.m. June 29, EIA Tent 5Lori Betz, sculpting: 4 p.m. June 29, Booth 42George Ceffalio, painting: 11:30 a.m. June 30, Booth 20Ronna Katz, printmaking: Noon June 30, Booth 5Jimmy Navarro, painting: 12:30 p.m. June 30, Booth 33Ella Richards, mixed media: 3 p.m. June 30, Booth 38Click here for a map of the festival.Concert lineupJune 28 lineup:Main Stage: Sharane Calister and The Feel Right Band, 5 p.m.; Halfloves, 6:45 p.m.; St. Paul and the Broken Bones, 8:30 p.m.Roots Stage: Chip Albright, 5 p.m.; Weary Ramblers, 6:30 p.m.; The Deslondes, 8 p.m.June 29 lineup:Main Stage: Des Moines Playhouse: School of Rock, 12:30 p.m.; 28 Days Later, 2 p.m.; Some Friends, 3:30 p.m.; Allegra Hernandez, 5 p.m.; Brother Trucker, 6:45 p.m.; The Marshall Tucker Band, 8:30 p.m.Roots Stage: Mia Prosperi, 12:30 p.m.; Emmett Phillips, 2 p.m.; Andersen Coates, 3:30 p.m.; Soultru, 5 p.m.; The Bird Hunters, 6:30 p.m.; Sunny War, 8 p.m.June 30 lineup:Main Stage: Des Moines Young Artist Theatre, 11:30 a.m.; Love and Co. Drag Show, 1:30 p.m.; Luke Fox and the Mangled Roots, 3 p.m.Roots Stage: Cedar County Cobras, 1:15 p.m.; Central Iowa Music Lab All-Stars, 3 p.m.Featured artist: Andy FletcherThis year’s featured artist is Andy Fletcher. Originally from Waukesha, Wisconsin, Fletcher and his wife — fellow artist Katie Musloff — own a cabin along the Mississippi River across from Lansing, Iowa. Additionally, they own a farm north of Milwaukee that they use as an art studio.Fletcher credits his grandmother for teaching him to draw. He has taught art and sold his work for over 30 years. He travels to different locations and creates paintings and sketches of the landscapes he comes across. His mission is to preserve the landscapes of the Midwest. Commemorative posterThe 2024 Des Moines Arts Festival Commemorative Poster is of a rural landscape in Jackson County, Iowa painted by Fletcher. The original oil painting features an Iowa farm nestled along the Mississippi River. Festival guests will be able to purchase a poster of the painting at the Festival Shop. They will be available both framed and unframed. Emerging artistsThe Emerging Iowa Artist Program is a juried showcase of promising visual artists that delivers a pathway into the completive art industry. It aims to foster professional and artistic development while nurturing creative skills.The 2024 emerging artists:Lisa Ellingworth: WaverlyMicah Ferin: JohnstonPam Hibbs: Des MoinesCarly McCoy: AnkenyBetsy Rudicil: Des MoinesAnnette Silkwood: St. Charles, MissouriAudrey Stirling: RunnellsRobin Whalan: Huston, TexasHeath Wheeldon: Pleasant HillInteractive MuralThe Mural Project is a large interactive art experience where festival guests contribute to the creation of a large mural over the span of the festival. Guests will be given a small square of the original artwork and a blank tile. They then have the opportunity to transfer their interpretation of the square to their tile that will then be added to the larger billboard sized frame.This year’s artwork is titled “Together We Flourish” by Emma Parker. It was created in collaboration with ArtForce Iowa, youth in Des Moines Public Schools, and the Latinos in Action programs at East High School and Roosevelt High School. The mural is designed in halves called “Day” and “Night” with values reflecting hope, unity, inclusivity and place. Each half of the mural will be installed at East High School and Roosevelt High School after the festival concludes.Film festivalThe Interrobang Film Festival is a three-day IMDB-verified festival featuring showings and talks with directors. This year the festival is screening 50 films from 14 different countries. The film fest will be held at the east end of the Des Moines Arts Festival inside the Des Moines Central Library located at 1000 Grand Avenue.Click here to see the full film schedule. TipsWear sturdy shoes. The festival spans a five-block radius. You will be doing a lot of walkingThe festival has gone cashless. They accept only touchless pay or credit/debit cards. Plan accordinglyStay hydrated and wear sunscreen. Temps will cool down this weekend with highs in the 80s and 70s. However, extended periods outside and walking around can lead to dehydration and sunburns. Rain is expected on Friday with mostly sunny conditions on Saturday and Sunday. PoliciesPhotographs of the artwork are prohibited unless given explicit permission from the artistNo outside beverages are allowed. Bottled water will be available to purchase inside the festival Alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase within the festival site. In accordance with Iowa law, all alcohol bought at the festival must remain on-siteNo smoking will be allowed on festival groundsBikes, skateboards and rollerblades are prohibited within the festivalAll bags and packages are subject to search by securityNo pets are allowed with the exception of registered service animalsNo firearms, weapons or fireworks are allowed within the festival For a complete list of festival policies, click here.