arts & culture
World-class art
in Des Moines
The Des Moines Art Center is home to Pollock, Picasso, Matisse and more of the world’s most revered contemporary artists
T
hrough mid-June, a painting widely considered one of the most important works of American art will fill a wall at the Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave. And “fill a wall” is not hyperbole. Jackson Pollock’s “Mural,” created in 1943 after famed New York City art dealer Peggy Guggenheim commissioned him to paint a mural for her Manhattan townhouse, is an epic swirl of paint measuring about 8 feet tall and 20 feet across. Experts estimate it could fetch more than $140 million at auction, placing it among the most valuable paintings in the world.
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Guggenheim gifted the painting to the University of Iowa in 1951, as the university’s art department became well-known for its support of modern art. Flooding in Iowa City in 2008 led to the Pollock being moved to Davenport’s Figge, where it remained until its short stay in Des Moines, which ends July 15. The painting’s presence at the Des Moines Art Center is another feather in the cap for the museum, which boasts a permanent collection of contemporary art that includes works by Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and others. The museum also rotates exhibitions
throughout the year, shining a light on the world’s rising artists. Included on the grounds are outdoor sculptures, as well as a large rose garden behind the facility that feeds into recreational trails. Art Noir, the Art Center’s young professional organization, works to get a new generation of central Iowans involved and passionate about the museum, its works and events. Membership in Art Noir has swelled in recent years, and the group hosts popular events like Big Hair Ball, artistthemed parties, sneak peeks at exhibits and special artist dinners and meetand-greets. Go to desmoinesartcenter.org to join.