In honor of its 10th anniversary, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park hosts a free event on Saturday, September 7, from 4-7 p.m., with live music, guided tours, food trucks, kids’ events, and art activities.
Everyone is invited to stroll throughout the beautifully landscaped park for an up-close look at 30 sculptures by the world’s most accomplished artists, including Louise Bourgeois, Willem de Kooning, Keith Haring, Gary Hume, Richard Serra, and Ai Weiwei.
Ten years ago, philanthropists John and Mary Pappajohn decided to donate their celebrated sculpture collection to the newly opened Western Gateway Park in Des Moines. They envisioned a place open to the public, where everyone could enjoy some of the world’s best contemporary sculpture.
The result was the four-acre Pappajohn Sculpture Park, an extension of the Des Moines Art Center, located within the 27 acres of Western Gateway Park. The initial gift of $40 million in sculptures was the largest donation ever received by the Art Center.
“The Pappajohn Sculpture Park was immediately seen as a changemaker for the city; even the New York Times took notice,” recalled Art Center Director Jeff Fleming. “The park is now one of the most recognized sculpture parks in the country.”
In honor of its 10th anniversary, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park hosts a free event on Saturday, September 7, from 4-7 p.m., with live music, guided tours of the park, food trucks, kids’ activities, and art activities.
With its accessible downtown location at 15th and Grand Avenue, open admission, and thoughtful landscape design, the Papajohn Sculpture Park has become a major attraction for residents and visitors alike.