Faces in the Crowd

11/6/2024

When Adam Oestreich “stumbled on” an art exhibit of William Hawkins at Figge Art Museum in Davenport, he says the experience was life-changing to his career.

He became enchanted with the works of Hawkins, a self-taught artist. 

“The colors were vibrant, powerful and incredible. It blew me away. I discovered artists can be powerful and have beautiful work — even if they didn’t have a chance to pursue art,” he says.

Since his discovery six years ago, he has created his own Instagram page, FolkArtwork (@folkartwork) to showcase and curate other self-taught artists and their work. With more than 100,000 followers, he connects artists and promotes artwork that appeals to him. 

Because of his connection to, and love of, art, he is hosting his first ever FolkArtwork Collective show, “Faces In the Crowd.” It is displayed weekends the month of November, with an opening reception Nov. 9 at the Fitch Building in Des Moines.

The artwork features artists he has met over the years. He says self-taught artists are unique. 

“Self-taught artists didn’t go to college or have outside training for art. Many of the self-taught artists didn’t have a chance to pursue art due to (lack of) money, race, ethnicity or gender.”

Just as the art is unique, so are the intriguing stories behind the artists. 

“One artist, Sarah, was told her whole life she was terrible at artwork,” he explains. “Now, her work is selling all over the country.”

The personal stories draw him in. 

“Learning the stories is what compels me to work with them. A lot of the artists I didn’t know personally. I bought their work, and now I’m a fan.”

Oestreich, a professed lifelong art lover, was initially unsure how to incorporate art into his own career and life. He worked as a graphic designer for several years. Today, he is a high school art teacher in Des Moines. He now understands that art lovers don’t necessarily need talent to be in the art profession. 

“I help my students understand there are other things you can do in art. You can hang art, curate it, view it. I didn’t know all of the different things you can do related to art,” he says. “After the art exhibit, it changed my outlook.”

At the show, he’ll sell and display artwork from artists in London, Canada, New York, Los Angeles and Iowa. Most are self-taught, but he is a fan of all included in the show.

“My house is full of artwork, and my wife says we have too much. I’m lucky I can put some overflow into my classroom,” he reflects.

While he continues his passion for art, he hasn’t found the right medium to practice art personally. 

“I have a wife, two kids and a fulltime job. I wish I had the time,” he says. “It’s fun to live vicariously through these artists.” 

While preparing his first show, he has discovered how labor intensive the process is. He designed the poster and has directed other show logistics. 

“I’m excited. In Des Moines, we have an incredible art scene,” Oestreich says. “I hope to bring slightly different and unique types of art to the city. It’s exciting to get all of their work in one place.”

To view select art or show information, visit https://folkartwork.art/2024/08/05/faces-in-the-crowd-exhibit-des-moines-iowa/. ♦