Mainframe Studios

04/02/2025

🎨✨ DIVERSE BY DESIGN | ART + ACCESSIBILITY ✨🎨

Join us this Friday, April 4th, from 5-8pm for an inspiring exhibition curated by the incredible Jill WellsArt, where art isn’t just seen, but felt, experienced, and embraced by all.

Featuring the work of Adriana Senges Nicolini, this show challenges the notion that art is only visual. Through vivid colors celebrating her Latina heritage and bold textures designed for tactile exploration, Adriana invites everyone regardless of ability to connect with art in a deeply personal way.

"Being the daughter of a visually impaired mother, I realized that art should not be solely visual. It’s meant to be held and felt—because our hands perceive the world in ways our eyes cannot." – Adriana Senges Nicolini

🌍 Art is for everyone. Come experience it in a whole new way!

03/28/2025

🎶✨ DIVERSE BY DESIGN at Mainframe First Friday! ✨🎶

Presenting THREE one-night-only, time-based sensory experiences on April 4th!

🌟 Amenda Tate, Artist brings interactive art to the Big Room with custom tech, traditional mediums, and social interactions.

🎵 Jazzmine Brooks(Rural Black Doula) offers an immersive sound bath in Room 108.

💃 DJ Jaide Night spins live beats in the Atrium, connecting us all through music.

A night of immersive experiences you won’t forget. Join us!

📍 Mainframe | April 4th | 6pm-10pm

03/26/2025

✨ Join us Friday, April 4th, for DIVERSE BY DESIGN | ART + ACCESSIBILITY!

Curated by the amazing Jill WellsArt, this show invites you to experience art in new, inclusive ways! 💫

Featuring "Healing Topographies Series" by Alicia Wilkinson, an immersive collection that encourages touch 🤲🎨, letting you feel the textures and engage beyond sight!

Enjoy open studios, delicious food, drinks, and live entertainment while celebrating the power of accessible art!

📍 Mainframe Studios |
📅 Friday, April 4th | Don’t miss it!

03/25/2025

TOMORROW (March 25th) is your LAST chance to experience DMPS at our closing reception! 🎨✨

Join us at Mainframe Studios for an Open House from 4-7 PM for an opportunity to see these incredible pieces before they’re gone!

We’ve absolutely LOVED this show, and we’d love to share it with you one last time! 💛

📸 Shoutout to Jon Lemons for capturing the magic of our April First Friday. Student artists seeing their work on display is pure joy! 🖼️🎉

You don’t miss it, see you there! 👀✨

03/20/2025

There is still time to apply to Mainframe Studios' May 2025 First Friday exhibition, THE ENVIRONMENT!

This show explores how humans appreciate, interact with, and impact the natural world. 🌱 We welcome works that engage with the environment, whether through observed, imagined, or idealized views.

The exhibition will be juried and curated by Diane Blair Kunzler, an artist deeply connected to nature and whose work often reflects her interest in detailed observations of nature.

🔗 Submit your work online by April 6th, 11:59 PM (CST) to be part of this thought-provoking show! Click the link in our bio or visit mainframestudios.org/calls-for-entry.

03/14/2025

You’ve seen our calls for entry... Now it's time to mark your calendars! 🗓️ April 4th will be a First Friday like never before at Mainframe Studios!

Join us for April's First Friday // Diverse by Design | ART + ACCESSIBILITY, an exhibition celebrating diversity through multisensory engagement and accessible spatial design.

Curated by the amazing Jill Wells, this show will feature work that invites you to experience art in alternative, inclusive ways. It’s all about making art accessible to EVERYONE. 🌟

And like every other First Friday, there will be open studios, artists to connect with, food, drinks, and entertainment to enjoy throughout the night! 🎉
Stay tuned for more details

Let’s make art and design accessible to all! 🎨💫

03/14/2025

🎨✨ 850 students from 60 Des Moines schools showcased their art at Mainframe Studios’ First Friday event! This growing collaboration lets students see themselves as real artists in a gallery space. The exhibit is up until March 25th, and you don’t want to miss it! 🎉

Read more about it in Hailey Evans’ piece from the DSM Magazine!

Two young aficionados examine student artwork at Mainframe’s First Friday. (Photo: Jon Lemons) By Hailey EvansLast weekend, 850 students from 60 schools and programs throughout the Des Moines…

03/12/2025

Our Executive Director, Julia Franklin, joined Emily Abbas on 's Community Difference Makers podcast for a discussion on Mainframe Studios’ journey to becoming the nation’s largest nonprofit building for creative workspaces. Julia talks about our programs, workshops and demonstrations, experiencing First Fridays and how you can support local artists.

Listen to the episode here: www.bankerstrust.com/communitydifferencemakers/ or by visiting our news page.

03/10/2025

🚨 LAST CALL 🚨

Artists, today is your last chance to submit to Mainframe Studios' "DIVERSE BY DESIGN | ART + ACCESSIBILITY" exhibition! Submissions close tonight at 11:59 PM. Don't miss your opportunity to showcase art that explores diversity and accessibility through multisensory engagement and inclusive design. Curated by Jill WellsArt, this exhibition aims to create an environment where everyone can experience art in unique and meaningful ways.

🔗 Apply now on our website under the apply tab or at https://www.mainframestudios.org/calls-for-entry!

03/09/2025

🎨 Calling all Artists! 🧑‍🎨

There is still time to submit to Mainframe Studios’ April 2025 First Friday exhibition, "DIVERSE BY DESIGN | ART + ACCESSIBILITY." This exhibition will explore diversity in art and design through multisensory engagement and accessible spatial design. We're looking for work that invites alternative, inclusive experiences like audio descriptions, tactile tours, movement-based performances, spaces for sensory relief, and more.

Curated by Jill WellsArt, an interdisciplinary artist and advocate for accessibility, this exhibition aims to create a multi-modal, accessible environment where everyone can connect with art on a deeper level.

🔗 Submissions are open until March 10th, 2025 (11:59 PM CST). Whether through an online form, recorded application, or phone interview, we want to hear from you! All applicants will be notified of the results.

For more info, visit the apply section of our website or visit www.mainframestudios.org/news/open-call-diverse-by-design. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to [email protected]!

03/06/2025

🎨✨ Join us tomorrow, Friday, March 7, to celebrate creativity and young talent at Mainframe Studios at March's First Friday! 🌟

From 5–8 p.m., we’re hosting an inspiring Student Art Exhibition in partnership with Des Moines Public Schools. With over 850 student artworks from 60+ DMPS schools displayed across three gallery floors, you won’t want to miss this incredible showcase of emerging talent! 🎉👩‍🎨👨‍🎨

🖼️ Explore Open Art Studios
🧑‍🎨 Engage with Artists
🎶 Live music by Josue Barahona
🍴 Local food & drinks
🎨 Art activities Siricasso
💃 Movement sessions with Creative Netwerk
🚐 Free shuttle service for easy access

It’s an evening of creativity, community, and inspiration you won’t forget! Let’s come together to support and celebrate the future of Des Moines’ vibrant arts scene.

See you there! 🎉

03/05/2025

✨ Throwback to an amazing night at our last First Friday with the Layered Exhibition! 🎨 Huge thanks to the talented photographer Anthony Scanga () for capturing the magic of the evening with his stunning shots. 📸

We can’t wait to do it all again this Friday!

Join us at Mainframe Studios for another exciting First Friday, March 7th, from 5-8 pm. This month, explore incredible works by youth artists from Des Moines Public Schools across all five floors.

Enjoy live music, open studios, tasty food & drinks, and more! See you there! 🎉

03/01/2025

🎨 CALLING ALL ARTISTS!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the DIVERSE BY DESIGN | ART + ACCESSIBILITY exhibition at Mainframe Studios this April 2025!

What is art? What can it be made with? How can it be made? Who can make art and who is art for? How can we experience art?

We’re looking for artwork that answers one of these questions. We’re excited to also see works that explore universal design. Think audio descriptions, tactile tours, movement-based performances, and spaces for sensory relief.

Curated by Jill WellsArt, this exhibition will create a welcoming, inclusive environment where everyone can experience art in a new way.

🕛 Extended Deadline: March 10th, 2025 (11:59 PM CST). Whether it’s through an online form, recorded application, or phone interview, we want to hear from YOU!

📲 For more details and to apply, head to the apply section of our website: https://www.mainframestudios.org/calls-for-entry

03/01/2025

🎨 CALLING ALL ARTISTS! 🧑‍🎨

Don't miss your chance to be part of the DIVERSE BY DESIGN | ART + ACCESSIBILITY exhibition at Mainframe Studios this April 2025!

What is art? What can it be made with? How can it be made? Who can make art and who is art for? How can we experience art?

We're looking for artwork that answers one of these questions. We’re excited to also see works that explore universal design. Think audio descriptions, tactile tours, movement-based performances, and spaces for sensory relief.

Curated by Jill WellsArt, this exhibition will create a welcoming, inclusive environment where everyone can experience art in a new way.

🕛 Extended Deadline: March 10th, 2025 (11:59 PM CST). Whether it's through an online form, recorded application, or phone interview, we want to hear from YOU!

📲 For more details and to apply, head to the apply section of our website: https://www.mainframestudios.org/calls-for-entry

02/28/2025

🎨 March’s First Friday is just 1 week away!

Join us on Friday, March 7th from 5-8 PM for a special First Friday at Mainframe Studios! This month, we're partnering with Des Moines Public Schools to showcase youth art on all five floors of our building!

On the third floor, our gallery will feature two incredible exhibitions by ISU alumni:
🪲 Small Wonders: An Exhibition Celebrating Insects by Audrey Stirling (Stirling Designs)
💭 Reflecting On… an exhibition by Isabel Wilson

Explore open studios, connect with talented artists, shop unique works, and get inspired!

🍴 Food Vendors: Enjoy The Tangerine Food Company, Reyes Tamales, LeeTy Delights, and Des Desserts

🥤 Drinks: Enjoy mocktails and non-alcoholic beer from Not Your Average Bar on the 2nd floor, and beverages from The Tangerine Food CompanyThe Tangerine Food Company on the 4th floor.

🎨 Entertainment: Enjoy an art activity with Siricasso, a movement activity with Creative Netwerk , and music from Josue Barahona.

Don’t miss out on this exciting evening of art, food, and fun! 🎨

02/28/2025

🎨 Did you know that Mainframe Studios houses two amazing Artist-in-Residence programs? 🎨

We’re proud to support the Drake Alumni (Studio #411) and Iowa State University (ISU) Alumni (Studio #311) Artist-In-Residence programs!

Want to learn more about the Drake Alumni Artist-In-Residence program? Read all about it in the Times Delphic Article: “Downtown studio provides home base for Drake artists.”

“For [Mainframe Studios] to kind of survive and thrive, as it does as a nonprofit in Des Moines, Iowa, of all places, I think that there is true resiliency in that,” said Micah Ferin, the Drake Alumni Artist-in-Residence for 2023-24 and current Mainframe studio resident. “Mainframe is a diamon...

02/27/2025

Mainframe Studios is home to a diverse creative community comprised of intersecting identities, and we will continue to be a place of inclusion and belonging.

We remain committed to our mission to provide affordable creative workspaces and to advance equity and opportunities in the arts.

We stand in solidarity with those in our community who respect differences and value self-expression, culture, collaboration, and connection.