Mainframe Studios September First Friday Featuring “Bienvenidos A Iowa”

Mainframe Studios September First Friday Featuring Bienvenidos A Iowa

A vibrant celebration of culture, community, and creativity - showcasing powerful works by immigrant, Latino/a/x, Chicano/a, and Indigenous artists from Iowa and the Midwest.

Des Moines, IA (September 2, 2025) - Mainframe Studios invites the community to First Friday on September 5, 2025 from 5-8pm for “Bienvenidos A Iowa: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” This major exhibition and community celebration highlights the perspectives, histories, and creative practices of immigrant, Latino/a/x, Chicano/a, and Indigenous artists in Iowa and across the Midwest.

“Mainframe is honored to host Bienvenidos A Iowa, spotlighting stories that expand and strengthen Iowa’s cultural fabric. We’re proud to provide a space where these voices can be seen, heard, and celebrated.” - Julia Franklin, Mainframe Executive Director.

“Bienvenidos” means “welcome,” and this exhibition embraces the spirit of the Statue of Liberty -honoring heritage, celebrating diversity, and recognizing the vital contributions these communities make to our state. Curated by Colectivo Luchart, the exhibition features work by 37 artists and offers a range of media and approaches that reflect culture, belonging and resilience.

“If you are an immigrant, the Statue of Liberty has a strong meaning, psychologically and politically. We are honoring all these generations and the sacrifice they made to follow a dream.” - Miriam Alarcón Avila, co-curator of Colectivo Luchart

“May these creations be a window into the stories we carry, and a door to the community we are building.” - Seso Marentes, co-curator of Colectivo Luchart

Additional Highlights

● Family-friendly activities and performances: a Lucha Libre mosaic activity by Art is Rad, piñatas & face painting with Payasita Estrellita, lowriders from Lizarde Hydraulics, plus performances by Danza Folklorica del Oeste, Lani, Capoeira De Ouro Iowa, and poetry/spoken word with Eddie Vasquez, Teresa Zilk, and Marianna Cota.

● Explore open studios across all five floors — meet local artists and view new work.

● A variety of food and beverage vendors are available during the event.

● In addition to the main exhibition, the third floor gallery will feature works by Genesis Reyes-Granados and Agustin Oropeza, presented by Iowa State University student organizations in the College of Design, celebrating the theme “Bienvenidos a Iowa.”

● A selection from the United States International Poster Biennial 2025, showcasing artists from Argentina, China, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Mexico, Poland, Switzerland, Uruguay, and the USA.

Visitor Information

What: Mainframe’s First Friday (public event)

When: Friday, September 5th, 5-8pm

Where: Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, IA 50309

First Friday events are free and open to the public.

Parking: For added convenience, Mainframe Studios provides a free shuttle service from 4 - 9 p.m. Pick-up is available at the overflow parking on Crocker between 7th and 8th Streets, with drop-off at the Mainframe Studios front entrance.

For Media

Members of the media are encouraged to attend at any time during the event. Special previews are allowed as early as 2pm on Friday, September 5th ahead of the public opening. To schedule a preview or any interviews, please contact Libby Crimmings (info below).

Contact

Libby Crimmings, Community Engagement Coordinator

515.207.5197 | libby@mainframestudios.org

About Mainframe Studios

Opened in 2017, Mainframe Studios is a financially self-sustaining nonprofit and cultural hub in downtown Des Moines created to provide affordable workspaces to artists and community programming that is ambitious, inclusive, collaborative, and inspiring. Today its 160,000-square foot colorful and iconic building includes 180 modern studios serving more than 200 artists, creators, and cultural workers. There is also space and programming dedicated to events, artist-led workshops, school tours, the popular “First Friday” themed open studios events, public exhibition areas, and more, attracting over 8,000 users monthly. This unique local arts ecosystem is the largest nonprofit art studio building in the nation and was envisioned and created by board president and founder, Justin Mandelbaum. To learn more about mainframe studios visit: mainframestudios.org.