The Other Show

This last weekend I was in Des Moines for "The Other Show"

Des Moines is a wonderful town that has a very active art community and because of this lots of art. From the two Sculpture Gardens downtown to the river walk/sky walk / pagoda / bridges / museum/ Metro Arts / and the really eclectic shops by the Capitol, it is a really great place for artists.

But on this weekend it is even more fantastic! The Downtown Art Festival (an three day event) draws in the finest artists in the country, and also an estimated 200,000 people.

If this was all there was it would be a great weekend - but - The Other Show is at the Varied Industries Building at the State Fair Grounds on the east side of the city. Some 300 artist are lucky enough to be inside in the air conditioning. Buses run to and from both shows and bring in the patrons. Although the attendance wasn't near the total for the downtown show it was far and away the best attended show I've been to in a long while.

The most amazing part is the cooperation of the art groups in allowing each show to grow its own fan base that feeds both shows making Des Moines the art mecca on that weekend in June.

Bravo!