READ ANYWAYS
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Nonprofit | Pop-up Book Store & Literacy Center
Read Anyways is a pop-up bookstore and literacy center dedicated to expanding access to books, literacy tools, and community-based learning. We support individuals, families, and organizations working to strengthen child and adult literacy in underserved communities—because everyone deserves the chance to read, learn, and grow in every way and anywhere.
Our bookshelves have been curated to spark curiosity, celebrate diverse voices, and inspire a lifelong love of reading that connects people to themselves, their communities, and the world around them.
STUDIO SAGE DSM
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Printmaking
Cody Hickok is a printmaker and multi-media artist. He was born and raised in West Des Moines, Iowa and graduated from Drake with a B.A. in Studio Art Drawing and minors in Printmaking and Writing. After graduating, Cody completed a one-year residency as Drake’s Artist in Residence at Mainframe Studios.
STUART ARTS
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Painting
Ted Stuart is president of Architectural Arts, serves on the board of the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation and creates abstract and figurative paintings.
HEARTLAND STUDIO
#405
Painting
Gary Hoff has been an artist for parts of six decades, his work is in collections throughout the U.S. Currently he is working on a series of cityscapes in oil.
JEFF WRIGHT MOTORSPORTS FINE ARTS
#407
After 30+ years of illustration and fabrication work, it's now about the paint.
JAY GRIFFITH
#408
Painting
Jay Griffith is an abstract artist working primarily in acrylics. He often works large scale creating vibrant compositions.
SUE PENN DESIGNS
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Painting, Fabric Design
Sue Penn creates abstract paintings and fabric designs inspired by nature and bright colors. Her work is fun and uplifting. Many of her patterns can be seen in quilt work and are available at Free Spirit Fabrics.
LAINEY BECK
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Multimedia
Lainey Beck creates abstract oil and encaustic paintings inspired by nature and the interconnectivity of life and energy.
CLOGLI STUDIO
#428
Painting, Portraits
Christine creates portraits, landscapes, still life & abstracts in oil, acrylic pastel & charcoal. She teaches drawing or painting in private/semi-private lessons.
See her website for more details.
SANDRA GUSTAFSON
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Ink & Gouache
Sandra Gustafson has been exhibiting art in Des Moines for over 25 years. Originally working with large acrylic abstracts, she transitioned to smaller gouache and ink pieces 16 years ago while on bed rest during her pregnancy. Limited space and materials led her to develop a style reflecting her experience—layering tape, water, and ink to reveal organic, intuitive forms. Her ethereal work invites personal interpretation. In addition to creating in her studio, Sandra teaches workshops to help others tap into their creative potential. She also integrates art into her work as a realtor, gifting original pieces to clients and continuing to exhibit locally.
https://www.sandragustafsonart.com
LINDA LEWIS
#435
Clay Narrative Sculptures
Linda Lewis creates figures that reflect her penchant for people and the stories they tell using facial expressions, body positioning and surface treatments. Her recent work explores the hidden parts of us.
GENEVIEVE LAVALLE
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Textile and Fiber Arts
Genevieve Lavalle is a textile and fiber artist from Des Moines specializing in fine art rugs and tapestries. Lavalle’s rugs depict intricate details and strong narratives.
ANTOINETTE LAVALLE
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Film & Photo
Antoinette Lavalle is a multidisciplinary artist working in Central Iowa. Antoinette focuses her time as a filmmaker, photographer, and painter. She enjoys acting, directing, and writing and currently is wrapping up her first feature film, Peck.
JEFF RIDER ART
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Painting
Best known for his 'Phobia' series, Jeff is a mixed media artist employing painting and collage to explore a variety of subjects in his dry and warped sense of humor.
ARTIST X ADVOCACY MENTORSHIP PROGRAM + JILL WELLS ART
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Mentorship + Multimedia
A.X.A. Cultivating an environment in which the creative class thrives through community works of art and community partnerships. Jill Wells is the founder and primary mentor.
Jill also co-founded and co-runs Freedom of Expression (FOE) Project. FOE is a biennial public arts and culture initiative that explores the intersections of human experience and the right to freedom of expression for individuals of all abilities. The FOE Project collaborates with central Iowa artists across disciplines, abilities, and career stages to create collective exhibitions, public art installations, and meaningful community connections.
HANNA PIEPEL
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Ceramics and Illustration
Hanna Piepel is an interdisciplinary artist exploring the theme of daily rituals through illustration and ceramics. Her colorful illustrations are also featured in several published children’s books.
JAMI MILNE
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Photography
Jami Milne is a visual artist with an emphasis in photography, mixed media and installation.
VONDERLAND PRINT COMPANY
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Prints, Paintings, Ink Drawings
Vonderland Print Company is an emerging presence in the Midwest Arts Community. Their founder, Joshua, aims to continue creating unique options for patrons to add to their collections/walls- by releasing new prints/paintings monthly.
Influenced highly by elements of pop art icons like Andy Warhol, and the underlying messages of artists like Keith Haring; Vonderland Print Company creates colorful nostalgia in their images, while also providing thought-provoking concepts to be seen beneath the color.
The goal moving forward for Vonderland is to reach more art lovers by way of online commerce, with a website that is currently in the works- and to broaden their reach by completing mural projects around the Midwest.
Stop in to say hello!