dsmWeekly - June 18, 2025

By Michael Morain

Last summer the Des Moines Art Center’s big show, “Hurricane Season,” featured artwork by six artists with Caribbean roots. And now there’s something of a spin-off: A solo show by one of those six artists, Firelei Baez, swept into the galleries this past weekend and is forecast to stay through Sept. 21.

It originated last summer at Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art and moved to the Vancouver Art Gallery before it arrived here, where it fills the Anna K. Meredith Gallery and a portion of the Pei Building. It’s a big show with more than 30 paintings, drawings and sculptural installations — and a lot to unpack.

According to the Art Center’s promotional materials, the Dominican-born artist’s work explores “the legacy of colonial histories and the African diaspora in the Caribbean and beyond,” drawing on “anthropology, geography, folklore, fantasy, science fiction and social history to unsettle categories of race, gender and nationality.”

I have to admit, that sounded a little unwieldy when I first heard about it, like a dozen categories from “Jeopardy!” and the Dewey Decimal System all rolled into one. But it’s also beautiful, and it makes more sense if you see it in person, as I did during a preview with curator Elizabeth Gollnick, who plans to lead a gallery talk at 1 p.m. Sunday. Other free guided tours are set for 1 p.m. this Saturday, July 12, Aug. 9 and Sept. 13.

With Gollnick last week, we started with several big canvases that feature splashy colors over reproductions of antique maps of the Caribbean trade winds, for example, or a U.S. Marine hospital in New Orleans. Baez partially covered the original images with her own bold handiwork as if to say, “Not so fast. That’s only part of the story.” Some of her imaginative additions feature people, horses and crashing waves. In one painting, which the Art Center purchased, a turbulent burst of gold and blue paint erupts across an outdated map of tropical diseases.

Another series riffs on La Ciguapa, a spooky half-woman, half-palm-tree creature from Dominican folklore. Parents sometimes conjure her when they’re trying to get their kids to behave, but Baez sees her as a symbol of female empowerment. The story reminded me of "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak.

A few of the Ciguapa portraits lead into an immersive grotto, a similar but larger version of the one Baez made out of FEMA tarps for last year’s “Hurricane Season.” This time, lightweight blue cloth hangs from the ceiling and walls, casting a blue glow over rainbow portraits of a Haitian queen and her daughter. Light dapples the space through holes in the cloth.

Baez is “thinking about waves and the stars above or seen from below the water,” Gollnick said.

Clearly, the artist thinks about lots of other things, too. Gollnick said Baez is a voracious reader, with a particular interest in science fiction by Ursula K. Le Guin, Octavia Butler and other women writers. She’s fascinated by archways and portals through time and space, which pop up throughout the exhibition.

Baez, who is based in New York, spent 11 days in Des Moines before the opening. She visited Pella and Fairfield, to see the Maharishi Vedic Observatory, and spent some time making new artwork in one of the Art Center’s studios.

“She keeps evolving. Her work keeps changing,” Gollnick said. “That constant creativity is part of the way she thinks.”

Before her arrival, Baez chose several works from the Art Center’s permanent collection to display with her own sculptures in the Pei Building. One notable pairing highlights the Kenyan artist Wangechi Mutu's striking bronze "Water Woman," seen through the archway in a crumbling wall Baez made to replicate the mansion of a Haitian revolutionary (pictured). It looks like it's ready to topple, like the status quo.

Elsewhere in the museum, a separate but related exhibition features Haitian artwork on loan from the Waterloo Center for the Arts. Gollnick plans to lead a gallery talk about that show at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

This weekend looks like fair weather. Play some classic carnival games and ride the Ferris wheel in Terra Park during the Johnston Green Days celebration. (Photo: Johnston Green Days)

BEST BET

It's easy to be green in Johnston

There's no need to get a sitter for the Johnston Green Days this weekend. The all-ages fair kicks off with a parade at 6 p.m. Thursday, followed by a crawfish boil, live music, a beverage tent and kids' games in Terra Park.

The King and Queen of Green will be crowned at 8 p.m. Friday, before the tapping of a Green Keg and some live music later on.

Saturday begins bright and early with yoga at 8 a.m. before a pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. The Business & Craft Vendor Fair opens at 11 a.m. Get competitive at a variety of games and competitions throughout the day, including a bags tournament, a smoked meat competition, and a student art contest. The whole shebang will close out with the a burst of fireworks.

The Week Ahead

Lavender Festival, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, PepperHarrow Farm near Winterset. In the purple-covered field, learn how to bake, craft and even make soap using lavender. Enjoy food and live music while getting some hands-on experience with the stress-reducing plant.

Concert on the Prairie, 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Brenton Arboretum near Dallas Center. Bring a lawn chair and grab a cocktail for this open-air concert. Enjoy food trucks and laid-back guitar music by Luke Stutzman.

BBQ and Brew at the Ballpark, noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Principal Park. Spend your Saturday tasting Iowa pork and sipping on a craft brew. Cash prizes will go out to competition winners while spectators enjoy live entertainment. All proceeds go to food banks across the state.

Juneteenth Neighbor's Day Celebration, noon-6 p.m., Saturday, Western Gateway Park. Continuing the celebration of African American heritage and culture, Iowa Juneteenth hosts food trucks, vendors, nonprofits and more to bring neighbors together for the afternoon.

Des Moines Gamer Symphony Orchestra, 4 p.m. Sunday, Waukee Northwest High School. Conductor Phil Peters leads a free concert featuring anthems from popular video games.

Making moves: Iowans for Adoption will host its annual Move for Adoption event both in-person and virtually this summer to raise awareness for foster care and adoption in Iowa. The in-person event takes place July 27 at Utopia Park in West Des Moines and includes a 5K race, kids’ fun run, face painting, games and more. A virtual option allows participants to walk, run or roll anywhere, anytime. Proceeds support education, outreach and programming related to adoption and awareness around the Safe Haven Act. Learn more or register online.

By Libby Nichols

Summer officially begins this week, and there’s no better time to treat your skin — and yourself — to be ready for the sunny days ahead. From airbrush tans to hydrating facials and mineral SPF, Des Moines has plenty of spots to help you glow, whether you’re heading to Okoboji, an outdoor wedding or just want to feel radiant.

Eden: sun protection and hydrating facials
Start your summer skin ritual at Eden in the East Village, a favorite among downtown residents and suburbanites alike.

“Sunscreen is the base of all skincare," said Anna Dewey, Eden’s spa director. " If you don’t protect your skin from damaging UV rays, no other products or services will make the impact they should.”

Eden's curated selection of clean, skin-loving SPF products is a far cry from the drugstore aisle. Here are the team’s top recommendations for your summer tote:

NUDA Sunless Solarglow Mineral Sunscreen with SPF 30, for everyday use.
Vacation Chardonnay Lip Oil with SPF 30, to keep your lips protected and hydrated.
Vacation Orange Gelée SPF 30 Sunscreen Gel, for full-body coverage.
Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel, for after-sun hydration.

While you’re there, book one of their hydrating facials in the new spa. It’s the perfect reset for skin, whether you’re coming back from a vacation or just had a long week in the office. See more of Dewey’s tips for better summer skin from our May/June issue.

Bronze 515: custom airbrush tans
Bronze 515 has been voted the best spray tan in Des Moines for seven years straight — and for good reason. Their custom airbrush tans give a natural, even glow without the damaging effects of tanning beds, which can lead to premature aging and long-term skin harm.

Their most popular option, the Rapid Tan, develops in just a few hours, making it an easy fit for any schedule. There’s no overnight wait and no sticky feeling. The team is known for making the process quick and tailored to your skin tone, so you walk out bronzed, not orange. For the best results, be sure to wax or shave at least 24 hours before your appointment to let your skin settle.

Hush: day spa and waxing
Tucked inside a cozy converted home in Johnston, Hush Day Spa offers a warm, welcoming space for summer waxing, especially for first-timers. Part of the appeal comes from their expert team. Each practitioner combines precise technique with a calm, judgment-free vibe.

Owner Ashley Stevens shares her advice for new clients: “Wait until hair has grown to about the size of a grain of rice, take Advil beforehand, and exfoliate a day or two ahead for the best results.” Beyond waxing, Hush also offers facials, massages and brow services. Their Hush Wellness Lounge and membership programs also make it easy to prioritize self-care all year long.