des moines art center

Tried a couple times in the past. Was forced to be there again recently. A bunch of rude, pretentious, liberal "elitist" (elitist only in their own minds) glaring at you with sour-puss faces and following you around like little KGB agents. No greeting, no offering you small talk or information about any art piece, no good bye or thank you at the end. Just a bunch of hateful, delusional, narcissist that like to make believe they are big city, east coast, art intellectuals so they are attempting to play the part. I can see if I was some rube dressed like a black, inner-city gang banger, or a drug-addled, white trash idiot, that that might feel apprehensive (sorry but books are judged by their covers. That's life). But, I'm a normal looking professional man who was wearing a suit that probably cost what they make in 6 months (Ha! now I sound pretentious). As for the art ... much was typical of today's "art". I guess all you need to be today to be called "an artist" is be an overly-eccentric, outwardly-gay, raving narcissist that the weirdo media and progressive, self-appointed "intellectuals" can buy into. Then you can just sweep some crap into a pile, glue some crap from around the house to a board, or stack together some vacuum cleaners you got at Walmart, and wa-la ... you are an artist! There were good pieces. I just wish I didn't have a little-Hitler, creeper staring me down as I viewed them.

My companions greatly enjoyed their visit to this museum. I prefer landscapes, portraits and artwork that I don't have to figure out what the artist is trying to portray... so this was not my kind of art museum.

I love everything about the Des Moines Art Center. First of all, the building is a work of art itself, designed by three world-renowned architects. Read more about that here: http://www.desmoinesartcenter.org/about/architecture.aspxIt is set in Greenwood Park, which is another noteworthy destination. The art works are very impressive for a city the size of Des Moines, and include paintings by Monet, Matisse, Maurice Prendergast, Geogia O'Keefe, a large bronze sculpture by Rodin, as well as many other works by other known and unknown artists, and a nice gift shop. And all this is FREE!!! Every day, to everybody. There is also a very nice restaurant, which has great food and lots of large sunny windows to enjoy on a cold winter day.

I enjoy how the Des Moines Art Center makes art available to ALL comers with its free entry policy. The have wonderful exhibition openings that allow you to share the local enthusiasm for the arts. I like some of the art works lounging in the storage areas, but am never disappointed with what I find to ponder currently on the gallery walls. From the up and coming to the masters, you will not want for art works to scrutinize. When you take stock of what this regional art center has to offer it is amazingly well stocked. The various wings of the center allow for a smooth transition from one artist or genre to another. In the summer the outdoor gardens allow a relaxed experience to sit and enjoy the roses or to meander through the world class sculptures.

The featured exhibit was about Andy Warhol and Halston. Very interesting exhibit. I liked the Andy Warhol artwork the best. The rest of the museum also had many powerful pieces.

The building and its annexes have very interesting architecture, I thought it was worth visiting for that reason alone. The permanent collection is somewhat diverse, not focused too much on a particular era although there is quite a bit of modern art.On our visit the special exhibition was a combination of Andy Warhol art and Halston fashion (the two of them were great friends, something I didn't know). It was a fun exhibit.

I went for a visit, knowing only about the Warhol/Halston exhibit. That exhibit was exceptional, but the rest left me rather wanting more. The museum's architecture was interestingly atypical (though cold and drafty in one part). The artwork is definitely geared toward modern and postmodern artists, which is definitely not my preference. It was nice to see some local artists featured, but again, if modern art does not speak to you, you likely won't enjoy it. I'm glad admission was free; paid admission would not have been worth it.

Best Art Center I've ever been too. The admission price is always free due to donors. Best kept secret in town.

Des Moines Art Center is a unique experience. It is an adventure in architecture with buildings designed by Eliel Saarinen, I M Pei and Richard Meier. It is also an adventure in art with Picasso, Warhol, Monet and others along with a large modern collection. Of course you can’t beat the free admission. Photography is allowed throughout the museum. The Saarinen art deco wing contain the old masters, the Pie wing of bush hammered concrete has large modern sculptures and paintings, and the Meier wing is three floors of paintings, sculpture and modern art. In previous reviews I have criticized the Mier High Museum of Art in Atlanta, but in Des Moines he got it right. While it still has a somewhat confusing layout, columns do not block the view and the rooms and central skylight are scaled much better than in Atlanta. There are also sculptures located on the grounds and a small rose garden. Whether you are interested in art or architecture, this museum is great. The guards also will talk with you, which is different than most museums.

We went to the Art center expecting more of a muesum experience I suppose, it's definatly for trendy newage art.. The exhibit at that time was of an African Artist who mostly made things out of shiny rappers and bottle caps. It was not our type of art.

The Des Moines Art Center is right next to the Des Moines Rose Garden in a residential community. It is a short drive from downtown and well worth a visit. Art enthusiasts get ready for a grand time!When you approach the building from down town, take the first entrance on the left b/c the next entrance will take you to the rose garden. (If you take the 2nd entrance, you will have to walk all the around the building to get inside--no fun especially if it is raining as there is no directional signage to the front entrance from the rose garden parking lot.) Entrance is FREE and a lovely gift to the city residents and guests that visit. (Stop by the gift shop and spend some money to help support the arts.) The collection is split between visiting shows and the permanent collection. The majority of the work when I visited was contemporary. I loved it! What you will also notice is how the architecture changed as the building grew. The larger gallery spaces are fantastic with lovely views of the outside yard and gardens. It is well worth a visit!One area I would suggest improving is ADA access. There is an entrance out of the way on the side of the building which does not feel inclusive. The other concerns are clear signage to the washrooms. (I could only find the one downstairs and it was out of the way.) The gift shop has so many things in it, but it makes maneuvering very difficult especially if you are in a wheelchair. I would strongly urge management staff to rethink traffic flow and better accessibility.

This museum is far from the downtown attractions and make the trip only if you are into modern art. It is a free museum. Modern art always leaves me confused so I didn't spend a lot of time here. Very few people for a Sunday afternoon ... I counted 18 in the entire place excluding staff.

It is fun to visit Des Moines as all top attractions are "free" (excluding seasonal fairground). I did not expect there will be a museum, in mostly rural and no tourist destination like Iowa, built by world class architects and filled with world class arts. Layout itself is amazing and I wish they described more specifically like "Des Moines (Modern Art) Center" as it might not be for some people and avoid subsequent disappointment, although it is free.Artwork of Chinese antigovernment, human right activist, Ai Weiwei is also present at the basement level. I would applaud more for his courage than the actual work of porcelin "sunflower seeds." Sorry, you are nowhere near class of Matisse which is also displayed there. I do not advocate "vandalism" but I think I now understand a bit more why a local artist in Miami destroyed Ai Weiwei's vase.

Whenever I want to be surrounded by beautiful art and sculpture, I head over to my favorite place in Des Moines - the Art Center. I have been coming to the Art Center since I was a little girl and have always come away enriched by the experience. The Calder mobile and that giant blue plug, as well as the Pegasus statue in the reflecting pool, are like old, familiar friends. Whether it's revisiting my favorite John Singer Sargent portrait, or seeing what new artist's work is on display, I know the experience will be beautiful and fulfilling. As it always has been.

If you're a fan of mostly modern and contemporary art, the Des Moines Art Center may be just for you. It's a large enough museum for most people to get their fix of fine art for a couple of hours. Some paintings by some very well-known artists (Bellows, Singer Sargent, O' Keefe, Johns, Dubuffet, and Matisse) are definitely there along with 'installation' type art as well. I also recommend stopping by 'Baru at the Art Center,' located in the Art Center, for some nice lunch. I had a pasta dish there and the flavor was excellent.