Iowa’s Public Art Exhibition
for America’s 250th
Central and Southwest Iowa
Declarations is a site-specific public art exhibition taking place July-September 2026 throughout Central and Southwest Iowa. Using art, storytelling, and public participation, Declarations turns public space into a living conversation about who we are and what we are building together for the next 250 years. Find exhibition details along with maps, events, suggested itineraries and artist interviews at declarations.art.
The public is also invited to contribute to a time capsule that will be concealed for 250 years at Union Park’s Heritage Carousel in Des Moines.
Learn more
Summer Schedule
July 24 5–9pm Pizza on the Prairie
Wallace Farm
2773 290th Street, Orient, IA
Come to the prairie at the Wallace Farm on Friday nights during the summer for from-scratch brick oven pizza packed with straight-from-the-farm veggies & local meats! House-made sides, desserts and a signature drink are all crafted from the garden produce harvested just steps away from the kitchen. Beer, wine and soft drinks available, too. Live music from 5:30 to 9 pm. There’s plenty of room for yard games; bring your own or borrow ours. Walk the prairie path and enjoy the outdoor art along the way: 5 permanent sculptures + the temporary Prairie Art exhibit. Seating is limited, so bring your own lawn chairs and blankets.
Reservations are required for this award-winning event and will gradually open throughout the season.
Our facilities are not food allergen or gluten-free. Our staff will do our best to prevent cross-contamination. Please be aware our food may contain or come into contact with common allergens, such as dairy, eggs, wheat, soybeans, tree nuts, or peanuts.
August 1st 1-3pm Markers and Deep Roots Unveiling
Whiterock Conservancy Historic Garst Farmhouse
1390 IA-141, Coon Rapids, IA 50058
Join us for the Markers and Deep Roots Unveiling August 1
Saturday, August 1 | 1–3pm | Whiterock Conservancy
The ceramic sculptures of Markers and Deep Roots have become an integrated part of the Whiterock landscape over the past few weeks. Now, we’re inviting you to celebrate them alongside artists Sue and Jim Heemstra during a special unveiling and self-guided art walk.
Start by touring the Historic Garst Farmhouse, then head up the trail for the sculpture walk. The artists will be stationed along the trail, where you can chat with them about the work. As the walk culminates, you’ll be met at the top of the hill with fresh watermelon and a Poems & Polaroid pop-up with Lemonade Studio, where you can get a memento from the day to take home.
Facebook event
Learn more about Markers & Deep Roots
August 28 5–9pm Pizza on the Prairie
Wallace Farm
2773 290th Street, Orient, IA
Come to the prairie at the Wallace Farm on Friday nights during the summer for from-scratch brick oven pizza packed with straight-from-the-farm veggies & local meats! House-made sides, desserts and a signature drink are all crafted from the garden produce harvested just steps away from the kitchen. Beer, wine and soft drinks available, too. Live music from 5:30 to 9 pm. There’s plenty of room for yard games; bring your own or borrow ours. Walk the prairie path and enjoy the outdoor art along the way: 5 permanent sculptures + the temporary Prairie Art exhibit. Seating is limited, so bring your own lawn chairs and blankets.
Reservations are required for this award-winning event and will gradually open throughout the season.
Our facilities are not food allergen or gluten-free. Our staff will do our best to prevent cross-contamination. Please be aware our food may contain or come into contact with common allergens, such as dairy, eggs, wheat, soybeans, tree nuts, or peanuts.
Explore Anytime
Daily through September Listening Field
Greenbelt Park
Creekside Pavilion (1803 114th St., Clive)
🎧 Bring headphones!
👟 Wear good walking shoes
📱 Download echoes app
Listening Field is an immersive art installation made of music composed for spaces throughout Clive’s Greenbelt Park and Trail system. From June – September 2026, recordings of piano, voice, saxophone and electronics will be geo-mapped between NW 100th St. and NW 114th St., accessible via the free soundwalk app, Echoes. As the listener moves throughout the park and trail system each piece is triggered automatically and flows seamlessly into the next.
This project was made possible by a grant from Bravo Greater Des Moines.
Daily through September Seeds of Memory
Wallace Farm
2773 290th Street, Orient, IA
website
Open daily, self-guided tours of the Wallace Farm are available any time of the day or evening. During the summer, staff are usually on site during the day Monday-Friday.
🎧 Bring headphones!
👟 Wear good walking shoes
📱 Download echoes app
Seeds of Memory is an immersive art installation. Read more here.
Open Wed-Sun It’s In The Water
Wilson’s Orchard & Farm 3201 15th Ave, Cumming, IA 50061
Farm, Farm Market, & Farmyard
Mon – Tue (Closed)
Wed – Sun (9am – 9pm)
Free & open to public.
Water is at the center of some of Iowa’s most urgent conversations—and this summer, a new public artwork invites us to see it differently.
It’s in the Water is a site-specific installation by Parts Per Million Collective (Emily Newman & Edward Kelley). Installed directly on the pond, It’s in the Water is a floating, barn quilt–inspired sculpture that blends art, science, and environmental intervention. Built from reclaimed materials and equipped with experimental algae bioreactors developed by the artists, the work engages with Iowa’s waterways in real time—removing nitrates, capturing carbon, and making visible the systems that shape our shared environment.
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
Declarations is a collaborative initiative of Group Creative Services and Whiterock Conservancy in partnership with City of Clive, Heritage Carousel, Poetry Palooza, Union Park, Wallace Centers of Iowa, Wilson’s Orchard and World Food Prize. Additional support is provided by Bravo Greater Des Moines, Fred & Charlotte Hubbell, Inspire Iowa and Invest DSM.