Love Blooms Mural in Downtown DSM

Des Moines is a budding Midwest city in Iowa with emerging artists of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds. That’s why each year, the World Food & Music Festival is held in Downtown Des Moines (DSM). This annual tradition is a wonderful celebration of the global diversity which enriches the state in countless ways. While the COVID-19 pandemic caused this year’s World Food & Music Festival to take a pause from the planned in-person event we know and love, the spirit of the Festival and its celebration of the many cultures who call our community home continues. As the World Food & Music Festival sought to continue to welcome and inspire visitors to DSMUSA, the opportunity to update a piece of the mural on the wall of RoCA became available. It was my pleasure to serve with members of our community on the artist selection committee to determine the piece of art that would encompass the energy and mission of the World Food & Music Festival. As a committee we were looking for a piece of art to capture just what the festival is meant to be, a symbol of diversity and inclusion with a message of love and peace.

Local artist Jenna Brownlee was selected by the committee to create this work of art from an impressive portfolio of applications. The committee felt Jenna’s vision for the mural would best represent the mission of the World Food & Music Festival while creating a photo worthy space for visitors and natives alike.

Love Blooms Mural Takes Shape

Now, let’s look at the background of the piece. Each flower in the mural is representative of the global diversity in the state of Iowa. The national flowers of each country are as follows:

• Plum Blossom, China
• Bunchberry, Canada
• Dahlia, Mexico
• Lotus, India
• Protea, South Africa
• Bosnian Lily, Bosnia
• Rose, United States
• Prairie Rose, State of Iowa

While the message of peace is universal, the flowers bring together a bouquet that highlights the beauty of the collective cultures who have chosen to call Iowa home and color our community in the most wonderful ways.

In highlighting the cultures above, the mural celebrates inclusion and highlights the region as a welcoming place for people of diverse backgrounds. Its appeal is that it’s focused on an inclusive message, one that maintains Downtown DSM as a place of belonging with opportunity for all.

Greater Des Moines (DSM) welcomes diverse talent to the region. As one of the fastest growing business communities, inclusion and attracting diverse talent in the workplace is a key strategy of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Learn more here.

Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is a growing, vibrant community that offers the energy, sophistication, housing and attractions of a burgeoning city with a brilliant future. It’s also easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options.