OCTOBER 2, 2009 OCTOBER 2, 2009

n the bright after-noon of September 27 at 1:30 p.m., the crowd cheered as the ribbon was cut on the lawn of the Pappajohn

Sculpture Park. The garden is located on Grand

Avenue and Locust Street in Western Gateway Park and includes 24 sculp-tures from John and Mary Pappajohn’s collection.

According to the Des Moines Register, the sculptures were recently appraised at $40 million and were pre-

viously features in the Pappajohns’ very own front and back yards.

“We are delighted and like the outcome, the final product,” John Pappajohn said.

A tent was set up for the ribbon cutting, where a crowd gathered not only to watch the ceremony but also to watch dancers from Ballet Des Moines perform. They performed several dif-ferent dances, sporting traditional ballet costumes as well as Indian and Asian-like costumes.

A band preceded the dancers play-ing smooth jazz while people stayed around to try to talk with the Pappajohns and other people working on the proj-ect.

However, once the ribbon cutting

was over, most of the crowd began to wander across the park looking at the all the sculptures.

Throughout the afternoon, the flow of people was steady as more people came to check out the park. Many families had come out for the occasion, as well as photographers and people dressed and painted to look like statues.

Thom Tuttle, a volunteer for the Des Moines Art Center and working at the guest book sign in, said the park is a great thing for Des Moines.

“They could have developed this [land] but they chose not to,” he said.

Another Des Moines Art Center employee and volunteer, Cheryl Larkin said she loves the sculpture park.

“I adore the Plensa piece,” she said.

The Plensa piece in the park is titled “Nomade” and is a work of Jaume Plensa who has another piece of his work located in Millenium Park in Chicago. Many who have been in Chicago have seen his two towers with faces of Chicago natives displayed on it.

City Councilwoman Christine Hensley said she was relieved to have this huge project completed. But she also said it is absolutely outstanding and will do a lot for the community. Tours have been scheduled to bring more national interest. She said her favorite pieces were the “Thinker” and “Nomade”.

Out of all the sculptures in the park, only the “Cafe Table I and Chairs” by

Scott Burton is the only piece available to touch and sit. The rest of the sculp-tures are not allowed to be touched and have motion sensors surrounding them with speakers that will let one know if he is getting to close.

According to the Des Moines Register the do’s and don’ts for a sculp-ture park visit include, do: walk on the grass, take pictures, revisit, and hold weddings (but only with permission from the city).

The don’ts follow: biking and skateboarding, spray painting (could result in a fine of $7,500 and a 5 year trip to jail), and smoking.

Pets are allowed if they are on a leash and owners pick up after them.

“I love the design, Matt Culp, a

spectator, said about the park. “I love how they can rotate and change what’s on display, it’s pedestrian friendly and a great way to look at art without being in a museum.” He said it was nice to watch the space transform from com-mercial buildings to this park.

“I’m a fan of open space and that they will be able to hold a lot of events here,” he said.

Two captivating sculptures in the park are “Juno” and “Ancient Forest” by Deborah Butterfield. The two sculp-tures are in the figure of a horse and appear to be created out of driftwood.

“Ancient Forest” was commis-sioned by the Pappajohns especially for this park.

Susan Seidenfeld, Des Moines Art

Center docent, said the artist starts with driftwood and does not alter any of the pieces. She then puts the wood together in a way she likes to create a statement and takes a lot of pictures of the piece, especially the joints. When that is done she casts the wood in bronze and uses a certain chemical treatment to make it look like it’s true driftwood form.

Joel Kinser, another spectator, said, “I like it, you know. It makes down-town more interesting.”

He said he’s been here since the 80’s and has watched other projects fail, but feels differently about this sculpture park.

“Downtown is a lot more vibrant and Des Moines is getting better,” he said.

Park opening celebration

attracts vistors to downtown

Des Moines

story and photos by courtney townsenddesign by ashlee humphrey