Des Moines students display art at Historical Building
For Immediate Release February 7, 2006
(DES MOINES, Iowa) – More than 250 pieces of student art including drawings, paintings, pottery, mixed media and more will go on display Wednesday at the State Historical Museum.
“DMPS Exhibited” offers all grade levels at every Des Moines public school an opportunity to create and showcase art. Students, parents, artists, educators and the general public are invited to a reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the State Historical Museum, 600 E. Locust Street in the heart of Des Moines’ Historic East Village. Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric Witherspoon, Brubaker Elementary School teacher Ken Esveld, Hoover High School teacher Mirium Alshouse and the State Historical Museum’s Maureen Korte will speak. Refreshments will be served.
“This is a terrific opportunity for the Des Moines public schools to showcase the talent we have in the metro area,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Anita Walker. “It has been widely known for years that students who have access to the cultural arts do better in other subjects. As the state agency responsible for creating an environment in Iowa that nurtures the cultural arts, we are very pleased to welcome the very best of the Des Moines public schools to the Historical Building.”
The exhibit runs through February 19. The State Historical Building is open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Food and beverages are available at the building’s new restaurant, Café Baratta’s, which is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for developing the state’s interest in the areas of the arts, history, and other cultural matters with the advice and assistance from its two divisions: the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council. The DCA preserves, researches, interprets and promotes an awareness and understanding of local, state, and regional history; and stimulates and encourages the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts, and public interest and participation in them. It implements tourism-related art and history projects as directed by the general assembly and designs a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan with the assistance of the Iowa Arts Council to develop the arts in Iowa. More information about DCA is available at www.culturalaffairs.org.
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