It still astonishes me the number of Des Moinesians who have never heard of Mainframe Studios, let alone visited it. Then again, who can blame them when the exterior does little to differentiate itself from the beige-on-beige palette of downtown DSM? Well, until now that is.
For all you Des Moines arts and culture ingénues, it’s time to PAY ATTENTION. You have the largest non-profit space for working artists in the country. I repeat, in the country. Right here, in your own backyard. How’s that for a so-called flyover state?
And Mainframe Studios is getting a facelift. Beginning last month, power washers pounded the concrete facade of the soon-to-be canvas for a colorful mural by resident artist, Molly Spain. Those who have passed through Mainframe’s doors for a First Friday studio open house event or private tour of the 100+ artist spaces, know that the bland Brutalist exterior belies the vibrant creative community within. And that’s all about to change.
“Real growth both for an artist and an arts community happens when that art can be shared.”
Now a resident of nearly two years, I feel fortunate to count myself among the number or talented artists who paint, draw, dance, weave, and turn pottery inside those walls. Within those two years I’ve witnessed and participated in the myriad changes within the studio space. Not only has Mainframe Studios expanded it’s square footage with continued renovations to the third (and soon second) floor, but the in the diversity of talent represented by the multi-disciplined artists that call it a second home. Indeed, by the end of this summer, the facade of this burgeoning artistic space will be a realistic expression of the creative energy that lies within.
And that’s one of the reasons I moved to Mainframe Studios in the first place. It’s the reason, regardless of whether it’s snowing, sleeting, or sun-shining outside I walk down the street to paint in my studio instead of my apartment. Mainframe makes art accessible to the community and in turn, gives every artist what they need: an audience.
We can all make art in a bubble (many of us have, given the events of this past year). But real growth both for an artist and an arts community happens when that art can be shared. And could there be a better way to share it than with the most colorful expression wrapping around its walls?