Friends enjoy the dining experience hosted by Studio Holland Art & Bistro Nomad. Photo by Andy Fjellman

On June 25, an artist, chef and a pair of musicians teamed up for a feast of the senses.  They set out to make an artful and aesthetically-rich community event.  The music was live, the presentations on point, the art had integrity, and the food was impeccable.   Bringing together partners in music and culinary art, Studio Holland Art aimed to set a new bar for multi-disciplinary cultural events, especially if you take into account the event was in part a benefit.

Event highlights

Food pairings with Art

Written by Erica Abell-Holland, Partner Owner, Studio Holland Art

Greetings!  I write about the business behind this art business.  Also found on www.thedetoxartist.com.

But first, let's all rally behind the local, unique art professionals who are planning #ArtWeekDesMoines2019.  When the rest of the nation pokes fun at our state claiming we don't have this or that art scene...Isn't that one of the things that make Iowans take pause?  I have been a resident of Iowa since 2005, so I've seen a lot of growth, but I admit today I still do not see much advancement on the art front...I don't mean there aren't any events for kids, musical comebacks, crazy pizza places, or paint-by-number venues in town.  We've got that covered in Ranch and poked on a food stick!  Now I'm talking about Art.  Since we're a visual art studio business, we just ask you consider how actions or inactions reflect on our Local Cultural Impact. Our studio is involved in FOUR community events this week starting on Sunday...all of which are sharing proceeds with organizations that also do good work in our community. ​

Written by Michael Morain, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs & Iowa Arts Council

Empowering Iowans to build and sustain culturally vibrant communities by cultivating creativity, participation & learning in the arts.

In Progress John Lynde Home drawing

The view across the street ​As a studio artist, Brent gets asked to source his inspiration for the things he creates.  The popular response is that "my visual experience is enough to influence my artwork daily." ​What he has a passion for is the pursuit of intelligently-informed Art that pushes boundaries.  The Art's aesthetic appeal is not necessarily the #1 objective of the artwork, though the ones most dear accomplish that.  To clarify, consider this.  If you are standing in your living room looking out the window, what do you see?  The answer might be the house across the street and some trees plus a utility pole.  Brent would add the sight-pathway to those objects which includes the square chair, the window frame, the diamond-shaped grating, and the diagonal rain.  Plus, he'd scoot to the right just to position himself in the perspective of the walkway leading up to the neighbor's house.

“My studio is long and narrow with a north-facing window in Downtown Des Moines, IA. I know every edge, crack and surface like the back of my hand. Studio V is a cityscape made out of a studio. If you see the hotel rooms, what else do you see?”

Pop-Up Gallery in Lower Level

Photos by Metro Marketing Company

Photos by Metro Marketing Company

Photo credits Kelly Baughman

Want to view the artwork?

60" H x 40" W ©2014 Brent Holland

The view across the street As a studio artist, Brent gets asked to source his inspiration for the things he creates.  The popular response is that "my visual experience is enough to influence my artwork daily." ​What he has a passion for is the pursuit of intelligently-informed Art that pushes boundaries.  The Art's aesthetic appeal is not necessarily the #1 objective of the artwork, though the ones most dear accomplish that.  To clarify, consider this.  If you are standing in your living room looking out the window, what do you see?  The answer might be the house across the street and some trees plus a utility pole.  Brent would add the sight-pathway to those objects which includes the square chair, the window frame, the diamond-shaped grating, and the diagonal rain.  Plus, he'd scoot to the right just to position himself in the perspective of the walkway leading up to the neighbor's house.

“My studio is long and narrow with a north-facing window in Downtown Des Moines, IA. I know every edge, crack and surface like the back of my hand. Studio V is a cityscape made out of a studio. If you see the hotel rooms, what else do you see?”

Click image to purchase or donate your $20 tickets. Proceeds from ticket sales PLUS 10% of artwork acquisitions between today & April 20th, 2019 will directly benefit Joppa Outreach. Joppa gets more people off the street and into homes in OUR community.

ARTIST + BUILDER + CHEF join South of Grand Social to benefit homeless

Once homeless, Will Winder is welcomed home. Photography by Bryon Houlgrave, The Register

We hope you'll join us April 13th for a lively evening benefiting Joppa Outreach.  In simplest terms, Joppa helps homeless people survive, find housing & rebuild their lives.  Our event's host, Nicholas Donlin, was recently involved in a transformative project for one Des Moines man, so we're rallying to give more support! How can you help?

Do you love architecture, art, cuisine, music? 

How about giving back to your community?

If you're an architecture lover?  Come simply to meet the builder, Nicholas Donlin of Zenith Design + Build, and learn the vision of the dramatic transformation of this 1958 home.  If you're really into architecture, check out the event to the left presented by Iowa Architectural Foundation earlier in the day of our event.  You'll be seeing Mid-Century Mod stars by day's end!   Giving to Joppa Outreach. Proceeds from ticket sales PLUS 10% of artwork sales until April 20th will directly benefit Joppa Outreach. Joppa gets more people off the street and into homes in OUR community. Click image to purchase $20 tickets.

What to expect at this community event

OUR PARTNERS: Zenith Design + Build, Studio Holland Art, Bistro Nomad, Ryne Doughty Music, The Detox Artist, Jasper Winery, Exile Brewing Co.

Premier Partners

We appreciate architecture and design as much as we care about materials and craftsmanship. We enjoy helping our clients shape their dream home, one that enables them to experience a life enriched: aesthetically, functionally, and energetically.