Mainframe Studios

06/02/2026

Mainframe Studios is proud to present NOSTALGIA, juried by Jeff Rider and Jody Valentine. Check out a few pieces before the exhibition opening this Friday, June 5th from 5-8pm!

Featured as the cover image is No Diving by Jennifer Miller (Jenny Otis Miller)
Memories of Care - Karin Beschen
Photos on the Fridge - Emma Boldy (emmaboldy.art)
The Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, NM - Tatiana Giacinti ()
Scenes from a Small Town - Anne Hlavacek (.creative.adventure)
Happy Hour - Jeff Klisares ()
Yo-Yo - Richard Michels
Hybrid - Zane Vredenburg ()
THE SOUL'S MOMENT - Alex Wang

Nostalgia explores how the past lives on in the present and shapes the way we see ourselves and the world around us. Through a range of mediums, artists draw from memory to revisit places, people, and moments that feel both distant and familiar. Some works offer comfort and longing, while others question what is real or remembered. Together, they invite viewers to consider how memory shifts over time and why certain experiences stay with us.

Jeff Rider ART

05/28/2026

Reminder - Application for Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists is still open! Applications are due Friday, June 26th, 2026.

Application Link: https://www.mainframestudios.org/news/work-of-art-2026

Want to level up your career and be prepared for opportunities? Are you ready to do the work of art? Be part of a 12-week program this fall offered by Mainframe Studios and Springboard for the Arts.

Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists is designed for and led by creative professionals in Central Iowa. 20-25 artists will be selected. Please apply & join us!

Want to level up your career and be prepared for opportunities? Are you ready to do the work of art? Be part of a 12-week program this fall offered by Mainframe Studios and Springboard for the Arts. Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists is designed for and led by creative professionals

05/28/2026

Call for entries!

Mainframe Studios is proud to present EXPERIMENTAL & INNOVATIVE, celebrating artists who push beyond convention through curiosity, risk-taking, and new ways of making. Featuring work across disciplines and mediums, this showcase highlights practices shaped by unexpected materials, evolving technologies, unconventional processes, and bold conceptual thinking. EXPERIMENTAL & INNOVATIVE creates space for artists to rethink familiar ideas and imagine new possibilities for contemporary art and creative expression.

Juried by Amenda Tate!

Check out the link to learn more and apply!
https://form.jotform.com/261456207631151

05/05/2026

04/29/2026

Join us for First Friday on May 1, 2026, from 5-8 pm featuring Critters & Creatures, a joyful exhibition celebrating the critters and creatures from our world and our imaginations. Juried by Melanie Jacobs of Cat Loaf Studios, the show explores shared connections to animals and the stories artists tell through their spirit, personality, and presence.

In addition to the main exhibition, the event also includes NetWORK, a showcase by artists of the 2025 Work of Art Program.

Guests can enjoy open art studios, interactive activities, and delicious food and beverage options from Reyes Tamales, Mama Africa, Graze Craze, The Tangerine Food Company, and Kawaii Cotton Candy Art.

Music by Richie Daggers, with a special performance by Klazik.

Meet adoptable kittens with Whiskers TNR and learn about licensed wildlife rehabilitation with animal ambassadors.

First Friday events at Mainframe Studios are family-friendly, free, and open to the public. Expanded overflow parking at 8th & Center St and a complimentary shuttle make getting here easy!

We look forward to welcoming you to Mainframe Studios for an evening of art, creativity, and community.

04/28/2026

Applications for Work of Art are open!

Want to level up your career and be prepared for opportunities? Are you ready to do the work of art? Be part of a 12-week program this fall offered by Mainframe Studios and Springboard for the Arts.

Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists is designed for and led by creative professionals in Central Iowa. 20-25 artists will be selected.

Apply to join the 2026 cohort! Check out the link: https://form.jotform.com/260975822895171, or visit the apply page on our website. Applications are due Friday, June 26th 2026.

We are also pleased to announce our Co-facilitators for 2026 - stay tuned to learn more about their experiences!

- Amee Ellis // Photographer & Work of Art program coordinator

- Rachel Gulick // Creative entrepreneur, multimedia artist, producer, & community activator

- Tiffany Johnson // Storyteller, cultural strategist, community- builder, & arts educator

- Diane Kunzler // Painter & arts educator

- Kaleb Stevens // Cultural producer & community development

04/27/2026

Check out the sneak preview of Critters & Creatures!

Cover Piece is Koi - Bethany Hiatt ()
Frenzy - Braden Bagley (.art)
Portrait of a Horse - Carter Dumbei ()
Morning Light - Mike Gustafson ()
Friends Forever - Carline Harris ()
Co-Workers - Sue Heemstra ()
Koi - Bethany Hiatt
Beetle - Malina Knapp (.exhibited)
Fox - Kelly Kunzler ()
King Eternal - Jen P***s (monkeysandplants)
Iowa Fox - declining in population - Anne Temple

Critters & Creatures is a joyful exhibition celebrating the critters and creatures from our world and our imaginations. Juried by Melanie Jacobs (.loaf.studio), the show explores shared connections to animals and the stories artists tell through their spirit, personality, and presence. 

First Friday events at Mainframe Studios are family-friendly, free, and open to the public. Expanded overflow parking and a complimentary shuttle make getting here easy. See you there!

Friday, May 1st 5-8pm
Mainframe Studios
900 Keo Way
Des Moines, IA 50309

&Creatures

04/23/2026

Congratulations to all the artists who participated in CommUNITY!

CommUNITY highlighted work of LGBTQIA+ artists and allies, curated by celebrating visibility, solidarity, and connection. In a time marked by division, CommUNITY elevated art as a way to see one another more fully and affirm our shared humanity. 

Juror Cody Hickok () had the opportunity to recognize standout works that exemplified creativity and craft, while our community also shared their voices by voting in the People’s Choice Award. Congratulations to all of our recipients!

Best in Show
Q***r Prayers to a Silent God - Sophia Strathearn

1st Place
Return - Stacy Tangney

2nd Place
Drag Brunch - Nick Roth

3rd Place
6 - Cameron Solen

People’s Choice Award
Atlas - Heather Hicks

Thank you to all the artists and everyone who came out to experience CommUNITY! Please join us for Critters & Creatures on May 1st from 5-8pm.

You can also apply for our current open call - Nostalgia until May 3rd.

04/20/2026

Meet Nathan T. Wright!

Nathan is an illustrator specializing in graphic recording, journey maps, whiteboard animation videos, cartoons and comics. He loves collaborating with companies, organizations and individuals on their visual storytelling needs.

Nathan’s Info
-Mainframe Studios #321
-Instagram:
-Website: nathanTwright.com

04/16/2026

NetWork - Artists of the 2025 Work of Art Program will be opening on May 1st during First Friday. Check out the 4th floor gallery to see works by the participants of the 2025 Work of Art program. There will also be a performance by at 6pm. See you there!

Iowa artists worked with facilitators in the fall of 2025 for 12 weeks on strengthening their art entrepreneurial skills. Topics covered included career planning, artist statements, pricing, promotions, budgeting and record-keeping, grant writing, and public speaking. Mainframe’s is proud to recognize the 1st cohort of Work of Art participants!

Network - Artists of the 2025 Work of Art Program
Bethany Arganbright
Lainey Beck
Makayla Carlson
Pamela Douglas
Ethan Edvenson
Tyler Erikson
Brian Frederiksen
Pam Hibbs
Sandra Kirpalani
Ryan Koning .art
Jacob Kuperman .draws
Emily MacFarland
Erin Matzen
Carly McCoy
Tierney Millhollin
Sarah Schroeder
Claire Sedovic
Audrey Stirling
Cassandra Tant .tant
Tyrone Thomas
Mark True
Neil Ward
Shayla Williams
Richard Wright

Thank you to our dynamic team of 2025 co-facilitators!
Amee Ellis
Siricasso
Ben Millet
Amy Putney Koenig@amyputneykoenig
Jill Wells