Paintpushers

Ben Schuh’s solo exhibition, “Making Lemonade” opened today and will be up until Dec. 15th at the Iowa University Pioneer Room. A reception will be held Nov. 21. For more information visit Ben’s website.

“Seventy Two” is the merging of the styles of the eleven artists of Paintpushers and one special guest, working together to make one massive display. Each artist is responsible for 12 feet of wall space to make 144 feet of continuous art work.

The artists are:
Kristin A. Aulwes
Kristine Clemons
Kathryn Downing
Molly Free
Claudia Cole Meek
Charlotte Redman
Jacqueline Roate
Mike Roate
Ben Schuh
Hasan Tosunbegovic
Chris Vance
Julie VandeBerg

Fitch Gallery is located at 15th & Walnut in downtown Des Moines. Admission is free. Food and wine provided during the reception from 5 to 9 pm. For further information about Fitch Gallery call 515-770-3810, or visit http://www.paintpushers.com

I got an interesting email this morning:

Dear performing and visual artists:

Your presence is requested at a focus group regarding a downtown Des Moines multi-disciplinary visual and performing arts center on Monday, December 10th from 6-7 p.m. at the Pappajohn Center, 1200 Grand Avenue, downtown Des Moines.

In May 2007, five local arts organizations joined forces to pursue the creation of a non-profit umbrella organization that could develop and manage Des Moines’ first multidisciplinary cultural arts center.  The organizations involved in the creation of Visual & Performing Arts Des Moines (VPArts Des Moines) are The Drama Workshop, the Iowa Motion Picture Association, the East Village Art Coalition, the Des Moines Music Coalition, and Hurley & Dancers.

The facility VPArts seeks to create will be able to nurture the creative spirit of the non-profit arts in Des Moines by helping in the creation and management of several multipurpose rehearsal, exhibition and performance facilities, as well as much needed office space for local arts organizations – all housed in one central location…  The goal of VPArts is not only to help Des Moines artists, but also to create a destination location for art supporters in Des Moines, who would for the first time discover theatre, film, dance, music and visual art housed under one roof…

....Your attendance does not obligate you to any commitment, however you will gain valuable information as to how you can be a part of this unique opportunity… Your attendance will be critical in helping ArtSpace assess the potential for such a facility in Des Moines, as well as to represent the City of Des Moines’ rich artistic offerings…

Any thoughts?

Did you miss our opening reception? Or maybe you just want to relive it in all its glory? View the images in this slideshow. If you would like the complete details, mouse over the “Notes” link.  If you don’t have Flash, you can view the photos in this Flickr set.

Check out five local artists this weekend:

Jacqueline Roate
Ericca Davis
Jill Wells
Kristin Aulwes
Julie VandeBerg

Gallery Opening: October 4, 5-8pm
Artist Opening: October 5, 5-9pm

The Great Frame Up
West Glen Town Center
5515 Mills Civic Pkwy. #150
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266