Fourth Public Art Bus Unveiling Took Place at the Des Moines Arts Festival

June 28, 2016
The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation and the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority hosted the unveiling of the latest public art bus wrap on Friday, June 24 at the Des Moines Arts Festival.

The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation and the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority hosted the unveiling of the latest public art bus wrap on Friday, June 24 at the Des Moines Arts Festival. The project is part of the Public Art Foundation’s Project Spaces initiative, which places compelling, temporary works of art in highly accessible and visible public spaces. Artist Larassa Kabel’s design will be the fourth bus wrap in the series.

“A transit bus is a challenging format for any artist, yet it is a perfect fit for Larassa Kabel who transforms the intimate practice of drawing into a monumental scale. She titled her commission for the bus "Where's the Ball?" and it is a whimsical and stunning creation,” said M. Jessica Rowe, director of the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation. “The project is a great example of our public art process that depends upon a creative and collaborative approach to planning. Our partnership with DART helps to nurture the City's wider strategies for economic, social and cultural development -- our aim is to enrich the lives in our community by advancing the best of public art." 

"The public art bus will travel to many of our great communities," said Christine Hensley, Des Moines City Council Member, DART Commissioner and Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation board member. "We are proud to continue this partnership to bring public art where you'd least expect it."

The bus wrap project began with an open call to which 45 artists from 21 states submitted applications. A team of art professionals reviewed more than 325 images and finalists were commissioned to create concept proposals. A series of DART buses have been wrapped with unique and colorful compositions. The first design by artist Alex Brown was unveiled in November 2014. Since then, a design by Jay Vigon was unveiled in June 2015. The third design by Susan Chrysler White was recently unveiled in March 2016.