Four must sees (and a must eat) at Arts Festival
The Des Moines Arts Festival should be on your to-do list
Jason Brueck proudly held up a portrait of a soaring Michael Jordan Friday at the Des Moines Arts Festival.
Look closely and you’ll see there are tiny digitized images of Jordan in the Nashville-based artist’s work.
Brueck’s prints — whimsical takes on pop culture — are one of my favorite things to see at this weekend’s festival.
Artist Jason Brueck shows off his Michael Jordan-inspired work Friday at the Des Moines Arts Festival. (Photo by John Naughton.)
The festival, which USA Today recently tabbed as the fifth-best art festival in the country, is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Western Gateway Park.
Brueck’s clever, eye-catching work is one of my picks for visitors to see.
Here are more:
Joachim Knill’s “National Treasure” is a work of art that you can step into. (Photo by John Naughton.)
Artist Joachim Knill invites viewers to step inside a box featuring small pieces. It’s called “National Treasure” and is one of the most talked-about works at the festival.
I typically purchase a print from one of the artists’ booth every two to three years. One of my favorites is by Mississippi’s H.C. Porter. Her colorful works can include blues performers posing with guitars posed in rustic, rural settings.
From my personal collection: H.C. Porter’s colorful work speaks of rural blues. (Photo by John Naughton.)
A new-to-me artist is Katie Musolff, whose prints include natural elements like flowers, rocks and animals. It’s fascinating still life.
The Des Moines Arts Festival always shows me old favorites and new artists, too. There’s something for everyone.
Katie Musolff’s work incorporates natural elements, frequently with a new perspective. (Photo by John Naughton.)
One of my favorite works of “art” is the best food item I’ve found at the festival.
Scimeca’s deli is an institution in North Kansas City, Missouri. The Italian-style eatery and store makes a fantastic sausage.
A fantastic food stand item: The grilled Italian sausage sandwich from Scimeca’s deli/Sugar Daddy’s Lemonade. (Photo by John Naughton.)
But when the sausages are grilled and served hot, then topped with a delightful mix of diced bell peppers and sweet onions, it’s a masterpiece.
The Scimeca’s sausage/Sugar Daddy’s Lemonade is served at a stand located at the northwest area of the festival’s food stands.
Visitors to the festival can listen to music, watch a film or create their own art.
Enjoy the festival and let me know what favorites you have.