Who cares about Art, anyways?

Last winter, fellow jurors and Brent met for several days to make decisions on this year's Des Moines Arts Festival Artists. It's coming around the corner, indeed... ​

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.
​

Much like Artists, nonprofits rely on private funds.  And also the same, both contribute to society in ways that touch us on a uniquely human level.  We commit to do our part...our studio is donating 10% of art sales to Community Support Advocates' Momentum Art program. You gotta get to know this organization!  And you can!

• Momentum will present programming at Three Dish Night - during Art Week 2019.  Brent will present his artistic vision that same night. Master Chef Baruthio will indulge us all with his cuisine. And the Krantz/Charlson duo will Jazz the night away.
• Brent Holland's Open Studio at The Fitch is also benefiting better outcomes for mental health via Momentum Art Studios with shared proceeds from art sales generated by an online auction.  Set up your account today.
• Wooly's Annual HeART Show benefiting CultureALL.
• The Iowa Water Festival benefiting Iowa water quality where art is the voice for water.

​But we need YOU, our community, to show us you want more cultural events. And by this request, I mean buy artwork, (yes, I just asked) attend or share our events, and ask yourself how can you be a patron of the Arts and make an impact larger than the artwork on your living room wall?  This is the time...final days.

We'd love to hear from  you on social, email, phone, and in person.