From Our Hands is located on the corner of 4th and Locust in the East Village. It is owned by Ann…read moreHarmon and features a wide variety of artisan crafts at reasonable prices (especially by California Standards). I found a piece that I liked and ended up not buying it because I couldn't figure out how to get it in my suitcase and with the wedding coming up, was mindful of trying to minimize these kinds of purchases. But I'll be back next summer to try again! I was also in Raygun recently and their magazine discussed their recent expansion and how they were maybe coveting the From Our Hands space. Don't do it Ann!

Nice little arty gift store in the East Village! Hard to…read moredescribe all the things they have here! Quite the selection of hand crafted, local, mom type stuff! I dig it! Perfect for gifts and treats for that someone in your life who likes to put something crafty and arty in and outside of their home! Staff is very nice and will help you get what you need! Since this is mostly local art type stuff, the collection changes frequently and they have different items for different seasons! Stop in and see if you can find something for mom here!

The Olson-Larson Gallerie is a beautiful art gallery in the Historic Valley Junction area. I love…read morethat they have a rotating works of art that both push the boundaries and also just look beautiful! This past time they had both screen printed collages and wonderful Acrylic paintings by artist featured in other places like the Smithsonian. So it's high quality stuff. The one bummer thing about this gallery is sometimes it's in shambles for instance this last time I had to make a joke about this plastic that was just sitting on the floor in the main gallery.. I was like is that a New Contemporary sculpture or did somebody just forget to take out the garbage! Either way the staff is super nice and the pieces speak for themselves!

From the owner: We are a contemporary art gallery and custom frame shop representing the finest artists in the…read moreMidwest. Visit us for a unique art experience.

A really nice cultural experience in the heart of Des Moines. The series of buildings includes the…read moreonly I M Pei design (same architect of the glass pyramid in the heart of the Paris Louvre). Iowa the Des Moines Art Center is a nice way to spend a few hours. Complementary admission and free parking is an added bonus and a fantastic value. And impressive selection of old world and modern art, including some more well-known artists such as Picasso, Goya, Cezanne, Miro, Lichtenstein, and an impressive selection of newer artists that definitely leave a lasting impression. I recommend that you stop, and even if only to see a few of the artists and a little bit of the architecture. Great gift shop too!

Spent an afternoon with artists Picasso, Hopper, Warhol, Matisse, Miro, Chagall, Klee, Monet, and…read moreothers...at the fabulous Des Moines Art Center! I did not expect to see some of the world's greatest artists in Des Moines. Instead, it was an elite venue at an incredible price point. Located in Ingersoll Park, 20 minutes from Ankeny and 10 minutes from the State Capitol, the Art Center is a must-see, beautiful venue with spectacular works, considerable spaces, and gorgeous grounds. Amazingly, it is free. Loved the Samantha Box "Caribbean Dreams" exhibit, a fantastic collection of photography and art. I also loved works by Stella ("Interlagos"), Kiefer ("untitled"), Francis ("Summer #2"), and Schnabel. We also liked the postcard exhibit. The building has an awesome vibe and incredible visuals throughout its spectacular architecture. There is a great gift shop and discounted items near the entrance. Sensational guidance and kindness from the museum's docents, notably Loretta, Issac, and Gabby.