Join us for the 2025 DSM World Refugee Day 5K! This event is 100% free to the community and open to the entire family. Set up along a loop around Gray’s Lake, participants will also receive prizes, food samples from local refugee and immigrant owned restaurants, and learn more about Iowa’s long legacy of leadership in refugee resettlement by reding the “Refugee Resettlement Fact Walk” installation along the way. Goodwill donations will be accepted.

Registration can be found here: https://runsignup.com/Race/IA/DesMoines/WorldRefugeeDay5kFunRunAndWalk

We look forward to seeing you there!

Global Greens reconnects former refugee farmers with the land as they build their new life in the U.S. We help farmers access space to grow food, learn more about U.S. agriculture, and start their own business by selling produce.

The Global Greens Farmers Market can be found in the parking lot of the Polk County Health Department at 1907 Carpenter Avenue in Des Moines. Parking is available on site or in nearby parking lots.

Join the RACI network for a screening of the documentary “Resettled” followed by a panel discussion at the Harkin Institute in Des Moines. Culinary samples from multiple refugee and immigrant owned restaurants and beverages will also be provided.

“Resettled” follows the community of Clarkston, Georgia, known as the “most diverse square mile in the United States”. After embracing the refugee resettlement program in the 1990’s, Clarkston is now a vibrant and flourishing community with over half of the population being foreign born. The documentary follows a few former refugees and the programs that helped them to acclimate to life in the US.

Following the documentary screening we will have panel discussion with community leaders in the central Iowa area who work within the refugee resettlement programs or who themselves have lived experience. Moderated by Samantha Huynh, Executive Director of U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants in Des Moines, panelists will include:

• Dr. Dau Jok, Director of Culture and Access, West Des Moines Community Schools

• Min Tun, Business Owner, Recipient of the Outstanding Immigrant Business Award

• Ahmad Tamin Sahel, Business Owner, Founder of Afghan Community in Iowa

• Immaculee Butare, Founder and Co-Director of African Immigrant and Refugee Transition Services

• Moderated by Samantha Huynh, Executive Director of US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Des Moines

Attendees will also be able to sample food from many different refugee and immigrant owned restaurants in the central Iowa area including:

• Bah Kunda Kitchen (Gambian/Western African Food)

• Min Ga La Bar (Burmese)

• Egg Rolls

• Afghan appetizer selection

• Mayalu Coffee - Iced Chai, Iced Tea, Iced Tumeric Chai

Step into the intricate and thought-provoking world of “Firelei Báez” with a guided tour of the exhibition. Organized by the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, this exhibition is the first North American survey dedicated to the richly layered work of artist Firelei Báez. Over the past 20 years, she has made work that explores the multilayered legacy of colonial histories and the African diaspora in the Caribbean and beyond.

Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.

Firelei Báez (Dominican, born 1981)
“A Drexcyen chronocommons (To win the war you fought it sideways),” 2019
Two paintings, hand-painted wooden frame, perforated tarp, printed mesh, handmade paper over found objects, plants, and books
Courtesy the Joyner/Giuffrida Collection, ​San Francisco
Image courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York. Photo by Phoebe d’Heurle. © Firelei Báez

Located in Western Gateway Park, Iowa Juneteenth Observance hosts the annual “Neighbors Day Celebration” where attendees can come learn about Juneteenth, the history and impact on our community. Saturday, June 21st, from 12:00pm - 6:00pm. For more information, see the website link here, and a note from Chairperson Dwana Bradley below:

​A Message from Our General Chairperson:
​
Dwana Bradley

Welcome to Iowa Juneteenth 2025!
This year, we proudly celebrate 35 years of Iowa Juneteenth with the theme: "Remembering Our History, Release the Past, Celebrate Our Future."

Our events will honor the rich history of African American culture, share powerful stories of resilience, and celebrate the progress we've made. Together, we’ll reflect on our collective journey, release the weight of past challenges, and unite to envision a brighter future.

Join us for a series of unforgettable celebrations, cultural showcases, and meaningful conversations designed to educate, inspire, and empower. Whether it’s through music, art, storytelling, or community engagement, this milestone year is about embracing our roots, celebrating our present, and building a legacy for generations to come.
​
Thank you for being part of this historic celebration. Together, let’s honor the past, inspire the present, and shape the future.
​
We can’t wait to see you!

Global Greens reconnects former refugee farmers with the land as they build their new life in the U.S. We help farmers access space to grow food, learn more about U.S. agriculture, and start their own business by selling produce.

The Global Greens Farmers Market can be found in the parking lot of the Polk County Health Department at 1907 Carpenter Avenue in Des Moines. Parking is available on site or in nearby parking lots.

Offered in recognition of World Refugee Day, join Associate Curator Elizabeth Gollnick, Ph.D. for a gallery talk about the exhibition “Light Within Ourselves: Haitian Art in Iowa” in the A.H. Blank gallery.

Organized in partnership with the Waterloo Center for the Arts (WCA), this exhibition showcases a selection of the rich holdings of Haitian Art in the WCA’s collection—the largest public collection of Haitian Art in both Iowa and the United States. The show explores a vibrant diversity of Haitian artwork, featuring paintings, metalwork, sculpture, and drapos (beaded and sequined banners).

Free; no registration required.

Ezene Domond (Haitian, born 1956)
Untitled (Market Scene with Madan Sara)
Oil on canvas
29 3/4 x 40 inches
Courtesy of the Waterloo Center of the Arts

The 2025 Iowa Juneteenth Jubilee will be taking place on Thursday, June 19th from 5:00pm - 9:00pm at the Iowa State Historical Building in Des Moines. Awards will be announced for the Community Appreciation Awards and High School Scholarship Awards. Attendees will also be able to learn from the Historical Juneteenth Display, a Community Forum Discussion, and enjoy a Silent Auction, Music from Bethany Elle, and light refreshments. Registration is $35/person or $280/table. More information, including how to register, can be found at the website here.

Global Greens reconnects former refugee farmers with the land as they build their new life in the U.S. We help farmers access space to grow food, learn more about U.S. agriculture, and start their own business by selling produce.

The Global Greens Farmers Market can be found in the parking lot of the Polk County Health Department at 1907 Carpenter Avenue in Des Moines. Parking is available on site or in nearby parking lots.

Event Details

Join John and Mary Pappajohn Director Kelly Baum in conversation with artist Firelei Báez, as Báez visits the Des Moines Art Center for the opening celebration of the exhibition “Firelei Báez,” organized by the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston.

This exhibition is the first North American survey dedicated to the richly layered work of Firelei Báez (b. 1981, Dominican Republic). Over the past 20 years, she has made work that explores the multilayered legacy of colonial histories and the African diaspora in the Caribbean and beyond.

Free; registration required.

Firelei Báez (Dominican, born 1981)
Untitled (Temple of Time), 2020
Oil, acrylic, and inkjet on canvas.
Wilks Family Collection. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York. Photo by Phoebe d’Heurle. © Firelei Báez

Register Now

Join us for the opening celebration of a new, traveling exhibition at the Des Moines Art Center, “Firelei Báez,” organized by the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston. This exhibition is the first North American survey dedicated to the richly layered work of Firelei Báez (b. 1981, Dominican Republic). Over the past 20 years, she has made work that explores the multilayered legacy of colonial histories and the African diaspora in the Caribbean and beyond.

“My works are propositions, meant to create alternate pasts and potential futures, questioning history and culture in order to provide a space for reassessing the present.” — Firelei Báez

Bring family and friends to celebrate with us and be the first to view the art! Enjoy live music from DJ Lizz of Latino Events Entertainment LLC. Dine on complimentary summer bites and seasonal dessert from Taste! to Go. Cash bar with beer, wine, and hibiscus margaritas available for purchase.

Free; registration not required. This event will be documented with photography.

Firelei Báez (Dominican, born 1981)
“A Drexcyen chronocommons (To win the war you fought it sideways),” 2019
Two paintings, hand-painted wooden frame, perforated tarp, printed mesh, handmade paper over found objects, plants, and books
Courtesy the Joyner/Giuffrida Collection, ​San Francisco
Image courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York. Photo by Phoebe d’Heurle. © Firelei Báez

Support for this exhibition is provided by:

“Firelei Báez” is organized by the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston and Eva Respini, Deputy Director and Director of Curatorial Programs, Vancouver Art Gallery (former Barbara Lee Chief Curator, ICA/Boston), with Tessa Bachi Haas, Assistant Curator. The presentation of “Firelei Báez” at the Des Moines Art Center has been coordinated by Associate Curator Elizabeth Gollnick.

Major support for “Firelei Báez” is provided by the Henry Luce Foundation and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

This project is supported in part by Karen and Brian Conway, David and Jocelyne DeNunzio, Mathieu O. Gaulin, The Kotzubei-Beckmann Family Philanthropic Fund, Lise and Jeffrey Wilks, and an anonymous donor.

Additional support for the presentation of this exhibition at the Des Moines Art Center is provided by the Harriet S. and J. Locke Macomber Art Center Fund, Iowa Tourism Office and Iowa Arts Council, both a part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and Laurie Wolf and Jeff Freude.
            

Learn more about the exhibition in the A. H. Blank Gallery, “Light Within Ourselves: Haitian Art in Iowa.” Organized in partnership with the Waterloo Center for the Arts (WCA), this exhibition showcases a selection of the rich holdings of Haitian Art in the WCA’s collection—the largest public collection of Haitian Art in both Iowa and the United States. The show explores a vibrant diversity of Haitian artwork, featuring paintings, metalwork, sculpture, and drapos (beaded and sequined banners).

Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.

Myrlande Constant (Haitian, born 1968)
“Dambalah Wedo Et Ayda Voir Preeace” (detail), 2000-2010
Sequined flag
On loan from the Waterloo Center for the Arts Haitian Collection, 2015.0109, Gift of Ted Frankel and Bill Gilmore

Global Greens reconnects former refugee farmers with the land as they build their new life in the U.S. We help farmers access space to grow food, learn more about U.S. agriculture, and start their own business by selling produce.

The Global Greens Farmers Market can be found in the parking lot of the Polk County Health Department at 1907 Carpenter Avenue in Des Moines. Parking is available on site or in nearby parking lots.

Visit any Des Moines Public Library location throughout the month of June to see exhibits on recommended books for anyone wanting to learn more about refugee or immigrant experiences. The DMPL will also have bookmarks that patrons can take with recommended reading lists both for adults as well as children. Be sure to check out the “Resettlement Fact Sheet”, “Top 5 Ways to Get Involved” and the “Refugee/Immigrant-Owned Restaurants and Grocery Store Guide” to learn more and get involved!

Join us for a unique culinary experience! Inspired by the exhibition “Light Within Ourselves: Haitian Art in Iowa,” this bilingual class (Spanish/English) is perfect for food lovers eager to expand their cooking skills and connect with Haitian culture through its rich and flavorful cuisine.

Hosted by chef Jerry and Helene Thomas, this class will take place at the Culinary Annex, located at 304 5th St. unit 102, West Des Moines, IA 50265.

Registration is required, and the class fee is $70.

REGISTER

Learn more about the exhibition in the A. H. Blank Gallery, “Light Within Ourselves: Haitian Art in Iowa.” Organized in partnership with the Waterloo Center for the Arts (WCA), this exhibition showcases a selection of the rich holdings of Haitian Art in the WCA’s collection—the largest public collection of Haitian Art in both Iowa and the United States. The show explores a vibrant diversity of Haitian artwork, featuring paintings, metalwork, sculpture, and drapos (beaded and sequined banners).

Public guided tours are offered every Saturday from 1 – 2 pm. Free; no registration required.

Myrlande Constant (Haitian, born 1968)
“Dambalah Wedo Et Ayda Voir Preeace” (detail), 2000-2010
Sequined flag
On loan from the Waterloo Center for the Arts Haitian Collection, 2015.0109, Gift of Ted Frankel and Bill Gilmore

Event Details

Organized in concert with the exhibition“Light Within Ourselves: Haitian Art in Iowa,” on view at the Des Moines Art Center from April 18 – September 7, 2025, this gathering brings together curators, scholars, and teachers who explore the rich history of Haitian art and culture. It is a celebration of collaboration and exchange between the Waterloo Center for the Arts, Grinnell College, Drake University, and the Art Center. The symposium asks us to consider how Iowa is and can be a beacon for the preservation of Haiti’s cultural heritage.

Presentations will include insights into the exhibition and more about the holdings of Haitian art at the Waterloo Center for the Arts—the largest publicly held collection of Haitian Art in the United States, the role Haiti has placed in the discourse of Caribbean, Black, and Global art history, and more on sharing the richness of Haitian art and culture.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

• 1 pm: “The History of Haitian Art at the Waterloo Center for the Arts” presented by Chawne Paige, Executive Director, Waterloo Center for the Arts

• 2 pm: Break with light refreshments

• 2:30 pm: “Haitian Art from Prairie to World: Caribbean and Global Art Histories” presented by Fredo Rivera Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Art History, Grinnell College

• 3 pm: “The Kreyol in the Corn – the Formation of the Haitian Arts Digital Crossroads Digital Lakou” presented by Petrouchka Moïse Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Cultural & Community-based Digital Curator, Grinnell College Libraries

• 3:30 pm: “Haitians in the Heartland: Insights on Migration and Maternal Health” presented by Inbal Mazar Ph.D., Associate Professor of Spanish, Drake University

Free; registration required, register here.