Have you ever passed by a sculpture or iconic art display in the greater Des Moines area and wondered what the story was behind it? We’ve compiled a list of 15 public art displays from Clive to Downtown Des Moines to shed a little light on the story behind the masterpiece!

What’s your favorite public art display in the Des Moines-area?

Prairie Emergence

Indicative of the name, “Prairie Emergence” is a representation of prairie grasses sprouting from the earth.

• Location: Located at the entrance to a shopping area, Country Club Marketplace, in [Clive] suburban Des Moines.
• Status: Permanent
• Year Completed: 2006
• Artist: Mac Hornecker

Leap of Faith

“Leap of Faith” is a series of nine large steel pieces that are designed to be walked through. Located in from of Mercy Wellness Center.

• Location: Along the north side of University Avenue between 124th and 128th Streets.
• Status: Permanent
• Year Completed: 2009
• Artist: Jesse Small

Paragon Prairie

“Paragon Prairie”, also referred to as “Prairie Tower”, is the largest Italian glass mosaic tile mural in the United States. It pays tribute to the native Iowa prairie and it’s history.

• Location: The Paragon Prairie Tower is located at the entrance to Paragon Office Park at 123rd and Meredith Drive in Urbandale, Iowa.
• Status: Permanent
• Year Completed: 2008
• Artist: David B. Dahlquist

Circle Of Life

“Circle Of Life” is an abstract representation of life’s winding march.

• Location: West Des Moines by City Hall Pond, 4200 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines IA 50265
• Status: Permanent
• Year Completed: 2008; installed 2013
• Artist: Hilde DeBruyne

Echo-Obelisk

“Echo-Obelisk” represents the history of Urbandale and serves as a memorial to those who attended Urbandale High School and entered the armed services prior to their graduation, amongst other things.

• Location: SW corner of 70th and Douglas Avenue in Urbandale
• Status: Permanent
• Year Completed: 2002
• Artist: David B. Dahlquist

Victory Victory

“Victory Victory” is an abstract, stainless steel monument honoring black officers from the First World War and the first Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) of the Second World War.

• Location: Located in the south grounds of the Fort, Southside Des Moines
• Status: Permanent
• Year Completed: 2004
• Artist: Richard Hunt

Life Flight Crew Memorial

The “Life Flight Memorial” serves as a monument to the crews of Life Flight helicopters and composed of four bronze life size, female figures.

• Location: General Downtown
• Status: Permanent
• Year Completed: 1983
• Artist: Rebecca Eckstrand

Five “Dangos”

“Five ‘Dangos'” are ceramic sculptures which look like vases without openings. These are truly unique in that they are both painting and sculpture.

• Location: On the westside of the Des Moines River on the Hub Spot Plaza on Water Street and Court Avenue
• Status: Permanent
• Year Completed: Installed 2012
• Artist: Jun Kaneko

High Trestle Trail Bridge

The High Trestle Bridge spans ½ mile across the Des Moines River between Madrid and Woodward. This sculpture forms a gateway symbolizing the geology of cutting and slicing nature to form this river valley.

• Location: Northwest of Des Moines: the High Trestle Bridge spans the banks of the Des Moines River Valley and is located between the rural communities of Woodward and Madrid.
• Status: Permanent
• Artist: David B. Dahlquist

Nomade

The “Nomade” is an open sculpture inviting people to enter it. The letters represent almost a biological reference to cells, like life experiences tattooed on your skin.

• Location: South central edge of Pappajohn Sculpture Park along Locust Avenue, between 15th and 13th Streets
• Status: Permanent
• Year Completed: 2007
• Artist: Jaume Plensa

Plantoir

“Planter” is a whimsical piece, designed after a gardener’s trowel. Made specifically to be viewed in an outdoor, garden setting.

• Location: Corner of Locust and 17th Streets
• Status: Permanent
• Year Completed: 2001
• Artist: Claes Oldenburg (Contributing Artists: Coosje van Bruggen)

Wall Drawing 1238, Whirls and Twirls

The vivid colors and curvilinear forms of “Whirls and Twirls” seems to follow no patterns, however the were creating following a very rigid pattern. No colored section can touch another section of similar color.

• Location: John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center, 1200 Grand Avenue, Des Moines
• Status: Permanent
• Year Completed: 2007
• Artist: Sol LeWitt

Allee

The “Allée” is widely recognized as a major figure in American art. Allée’ is a French word meaning an alley or long vista, which is indicative of the sheer size of the piece. The variety and abstract patterns capture the spirit of college life.

• Location: North-side of the building, located 2nd Avenue and NW 42nd Street, Des Moines, Iowa
• Status: Permanent
• Year Completed: 1955
• Artist: Stuart Davis

The Puzzle of Life

“The Puzzle of Life” is a large-scale public art project inspired by the participating young people (ages 12 – 17). This mural is painted on the west exterior wall of PACE Juvenile Center, which is a collaborative effort between the Des Moines Public Schools, the Juvenile Courts, the Iowa Department of Human Services, and Orchard Place.

• Location: The exterior west wall of the PACE Juvenile Center in Downtown DSM, on High Street between 8th and 9th Streets.
• Status: Permanent
• Year Completed: 2003
• Artist: Barri J. Lester

Expansion

“Expansion” is a mural illuminated by 39,060 LED lights and fabricated by the artist in collaboration with Derix Glassstudios.

• Location: The project is integrated into the north exterior wall of the Court Avenue Pump Station (CAPS) between the Des Moines River and Water Street, south of Court Avenue, Des Moines.
• Status: Permanent
• Year Completed: 2013
• Artist: Jun Kaneko

{Source and Image Credit :: Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation}