Yarn Bowl

This is one of my purchases from Artfest Midwest.  Last year I purchased some smaller bowls from this potter   I love the deep and rich colors she uses for her glazes.   I already have two other yarn bowls, but this one is bigger, and I am sure that you can never have too many yarn bowls.

Yard Art

This past weekend was the Des Moines Arts Festival.  The show downtown gets the most attention, and sometimes I go.  Artfest Midwest is held at the same time at the fairgrounds, and I always go to it.  One great advantage of Artfest Midwest is that it is here on the east side.  Another is that it is inside the Varied Industries Building and therefore air conditioned.  That was a big factor this year.  Temperatures were in the mid nineties.  The other thing that draws me there is the fact that there are more local and Midwestern artists at this event.  There are also items within my price range.

I like to buy pottery and yard art, and occasionally jewelry.  This is my newest piece of yard art.  This is steel art and I have a whole collection from this artist.  Every year, or just about every year, I add a new piece. These flowers will not wilt or die, guaranteed!

Art Fest Midwest for 2012

There is a lot going on in Des Moines this weekend.  The Des Moines Art Festival is going on downtown by the Sculpture Garden.  Some years I go to that, but I always try to get to the other art show.  That's Art Fest Midwest. The advantage of Art Fest Midwest is that it is inside the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, which is air conditioned.  We are supposed to reach 90 today, so that is a big consideration.  It is also on my side of town, so it's easy to get to.  An even bigger issue for me is that most of the artists at Art Fest Midwest are, as the name suggests, artists from the Midwest, including many local artists.  Also, I can usually find some small item at this show, that I can actually afford.  Most of the time I buy one of the steel flowers for yard art, but this year I bought a yarn bowl.  What a clever idea, and I really "need" more knitting paraphernalia.  I like functional art, things I can use in daily life, but are beautiful. It made for a fun afternoon. 

Photo #178/365: Rake Face

I saw this guy at Art Fest Midwest. I call him Rake Face. I'm always interested in folk art made from recycled materials. It's light hearted, humorous art, and it shows a lot of imagination.

Photo #176/365: Steel Flowers

This was a big weekend for Des Moines events. Friday through Sunday was the Des Moines Arts Festival, which is held on the streets surrounding the downtown Sculpture Garden. The weather is often unkind to this festival, and this was true yesterday.

Rather than fight the weather, I went to the other art show, Art Fest Midwest, which is held inside, at the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. I prefer this show anyway, because they feature Iowa and midwest artists. This show also has small pieces of art which are within my means. I frequently buy from the artist who creates this stainless steal yard art. I have several of these stainless steel flowers and butterflies in my yard. This year I talked myself out of buying another one, but it was very tempting.

Photo #178: Art Fest Midwest, "The Other Art Show"

There is a lot going on in Des Moines this weekend. The USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships are being held at Drake University, and our hometown girl, Lolo Jones, won the 100 meter hurdles.

While the Des Moines Arts Festival, which is held downtown, has artists from across the country, there is also another art show going on this weekend. Art Fest Midwest is primarily made up of artists from the Midwest. This art show bills itself as "The Other Art Show" and it is held at the Varied Industries Building at the State Fair Grounds. I always go to this art show, because I want to support Iowa and other Midwest artists, who I felt were pushed out of the Des Moines Arts Festival, in order to transform it into a nationally acclaimed art show. I like to see what local people are doing. Other drawing points for me are that there are works at this art show that are actually within my price range. I like to buy small pieces of garden art. Best of all, this art show is held in the Varied Industries Building, which is air conditioned.