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June 01, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Art News

The Director

Jeff Fleming is in his final year as Des Moines Art Center director. He’s been director since 2005 and has worked at the museum since 1999. He was the first director ever hired from within the ranks, and he has been the most successful director of my lifetime, which began

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June 01, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Lunch With...

Siobhan Spain at Franka

Siobhan Spain is the director of Mainframe Studios, a lower-rent facility for artists and not-for-profit organizations. She has worked with a dozen internationally famous artists in New York, Los Angeles and Santa Fe. Mainframe is in the stretch drive of fundraising with a $500,000 matching grant from the Lauridsen family

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June 01, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Film Previews

Film Previews

“Jurassic World Dominion” PG-13 | 146 minutes Director: Colin Trevorrow Stars: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern Finally, Universal Pictures is set to release the epic conclusion to the Jurassic era as two generations unite for the first time. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are joined by Oscar-winner

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June 01, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Walks of Life

Living with allergies

Sniffle, sneeze, cough — repeat. As warmer temperatures finally roll around, not everyone is celebrating. Many Iowans suffer an onslaught of symptoms in reaction to pollen, grass, dust, dander and other allergens. For some who suffer from food and drug allergies, the consequences can be not only bothersome, but fatal. ♦

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June 01, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Iowa Artist

Molly Spain

When Mainframe Studios refashioned an old Qwest Communications building off Keosauqua Way in 2017, the nondescript concrete exterior didn’t resemble what was inside: a creative studio with talented artists.  In 2021, Mainframe approached one of its own artists, Molly Spain, to paint the building’s exterior. Spain created a mockup of

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June 01, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Sound Notes

Sound Advice

Who says all the excitement happens on the weekend? Thursdays in the summertime includes numerous outdoor music options. The Iowa National Guard at Camp Dodge in Johnston is hosting a free summer concert series on Thursdays in June. Bring your lawn chairs and coolers; food and drink also available. June

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June 01, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Cars in the City

Acura MDX A-Spec

I like the color red. So when I hopped into the Acura MDX with A-Spec package, I ogled over the red and black stitched interior. The exterior’s premium platinum white stood out as well, with its pearlescent deep finish. It’s not all about appearance, but when you’re driving a $60,000

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June 01, 2022 by Beckham Miller in People & Pets

Corgi love

Stumpy legs and a full-sized body. That’s the reason Emily Orth likes her Corgi breed of dogs. The process of getting her two Corgis, Waylon and Piper, prompted her to start “Adopt A Corgi.” The Facebook group currently has more than 86,000 members and serves as a resource for current

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May 24, 2022 by Beckham Miller in The Culture Buzz

Greetings, Cultural Catalysts:

From the dynamic MainFrame Studios Building at 900 Keosauqua Way in Des Moines, Iowa comes your Listener-supported Community Voice, the Award-Winning independent radio station KFMG-LP 98.9 FM, bringing you music, literature & cultural news from the American Heartland and beyond. ― John Busbee for The Culture Buzz 2014 Iowa Governor’s Award for Partnership & Collaboration in the Arts

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May 24, 2022 by Beckham Miller in Morain

2022 Bell Tower Festival

This year’s Bell Tower Festival in Jefferson will be special. It’s the 43rd annual Festival, but that’s not anything out of the ordinary. The extra “secret sauce” this year is that 2022 is the 150th anniversary of Jefferson’s incorporation. So the Festival committee is adding numerous extras to make this

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