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New Downtown Mural Celebrates Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

November 9, 2020

GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Monday, Nov. 9, 2020) — A new mural, entitled Love Blooms, has been painted at the corner of Court Avenue and Second Avenue in Downtown Des Moines (DSM). The mural celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in DSM and Global DSM talent strategies, all encapsulated by the World Food and Music Festival. The artwork was selected by a committee of individuals who have contributed to the World Food & Music Festival. These individuals included:

  • Joe D’Souza, Festival Event Team Volunteer
  • Kristi Idio, Festival Vendor, Lumpia & Co
  • Sanjita Pradhan, Greater Des Moines Partnership
  • Vicente Rico, Nationwide
  • Bridgett Robinson, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
  • Yoko Tanaka, CultureAll Ambassador

“I feel that this piece was special to me because it encompassed the theme of inclusion and diversity in a way that didn’t leave one group asking, well why weren’t we included?” said Bridgett Robinson with the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. “It gave it a fun, photo worthy appeal and carries a message that is important.”

Love Blooms is a vibrant floral design overlayed with the word “love” in modern calligraphy. The artwork was created by a local artist and Des Moines native Jenna Brownlee. The mural is meant to celebrate inclusion and highlight Greater Des Moines (DSM) as a welcoming place for people of diverse backgrounds. Brownlee’s piece crafts a deeper, duel meaning of love and world peace within the subtle symbolic typography elements. The letter “O” has a globe placed inside and stands next to the letter “V,” which stands as its universal symbol for peace in American Sign Language.

Additionally, each flower in the mural represents global diversity in the state of Iowa:

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

The mural is funded from an anonymous donor connected with the project through the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines.

About the Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 365 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.