Mainframe Studios

“The Artists of Mainframe” Behind every studio door at Mainframe is a story. An artist mentoring youth and fighting for accessibility. An author holding a mirror to our society. A photographer elevating the everyday. An arts nonprofit helping immigrant and refugee students heal through creativity. This is the heart of Mainframe. We are a space where 220 artists work side by side, each bringing their own voice, story, and way of making. Together, they create something larger than any one of us. What happens inside Mainframe isn’t limited to our building. Artists’ ideas and works radiate into our schools, homes, public spaces, our neighborhoods, and the imagination of the next generation. Meet a Mainframe artist. Support their work. Experience the creativity, courage, and hope unfolding behind every studio door. Video by Estuary Motion Studios @thee_spaniard - Studio 335 Featured artists include: Jesse Bogwnrief @jjgaffer - Studio LL02 Indigo Moore @indigomooreart - Studio 221 Brittany Brooke Crow @brittanybrookecrow - Studio 339 John Ravet @john_ravet_fiber_arts - Studio 383 Chris Vance @chrisvanceart - Studio LL13 Nekia Whitfield @nikstardesigns Adam Winn @reddoorpress - Studio 120 Tammy Winn @reddoorpress - Studio 120 Bob Fitch @waveformdsm - Studio 417 James Tutson @jtutson - Iowa Artist Fellow First Friday Performance Mike Gustafson @mdesigndsm - Studio 431 Sandra Gustafson - Studio 431 Ben Millet - Studio 239 (works at the @desmoinesartcenter ) #MainframeStudios #ArtistsOfMainframe #ArtTransformsCommunities #CreativePlacemaking #SupportLocalArtists

Des Moines, Iowa, is home to something every creative city dreams about: Mainframe Studios, the largest nonprofit arts workspace in America. Inside @mainframearts ’ 180 studios, more than 220 artists work across 30+ disciplines—supported by a financial model that keeps space permanently affordable. It’s a full creative ecosystem under one roof! Think ceramics next to couture next to game design next to photography. Interested in checking it out? On the first Friday of every month, they open their doors for themed open studio events with special exhibitions, food and live music. More of this, please!

@mainframearts is #DesBest! Make sure not to miss First Fridays — every first Friday of the month from 5pm - 8pm! #desmoines #catchdesmoines #art #desmoinesiowa #thingstodoindesmoines

Meet the Artist! Melanie Jacobs is the artist and creator behind the brand, Cat Loaf Studio. Her studio assistant and certified grumpy cat Sansa, is one of her greatest inspirations. Being a digital artist, Melanie hand-sketches and illustrates everything on her iPad with the Procreate app. With a love for puns and kitty antics, Melanie creates art that sparks joy and captures the humor from our furry companions. Melanie juried Critters & Creatures, May’s First Friday exhibition. Critters and Creatures in still on display until May 27th! You can check it out during our public building hours Tuesday - Saturday 10am-4pm. Melanie also has selected works currently on display at The Little Book in Highland Park. Artwork can be viewed and purchased during normal business hours throughout the month of May. Melanie’s info -Mainframe Studios #227 -Instagram: @cat.loaf.studio -Facebook: @catloafstudio.art -Website: www.catloafstudio.co #MainframeStudios #MeetTheArtist #CatLoafStudio #CrittersCreatures

Join us for First Friday on June 5, 2026, from 5–8 pm featuring Nostalgia, an exhibition exploring how the past lives on in the present and shapes the way we see ourselves and the world around us. Juried by Jeff Rider (@jeffriderart ) and Jody Valentine (@jodylynnvalentine ), Nostalgia brings together artists working across a range of mediums who draw from memory to revisit places, people, and moments that feel both distant and familiar.  In addition to the main exhibition, the event will feature a duo exhibition by the Nostalgia jurors, Jeff Rider and Jody Valentine, as well as a special guest exhibition by artists of Perry, IA. Guests can enjoy open art studios, interactive activities, and delicious food and beverage options. Live music will be provided by the Steamer Trunk Novelty Orchestra (@megaphonesinger ) throughout the evening. 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. #MainframeStudios #FirstFriday #Nostalgia #JuneFirstFriday #ArtHappensHere Thank to Jami Milne (@jamimilne ) for the poster design!

Thank you for joining us for Critters & Creatures! Juried by Melanie Jacobs (@cat.loaf.studio ) of Cat Loaf Studios, the show explores shared connections to animals and the stories artists tell through their spirit, personality, and presence.  You can still check out Critters & Creatures until May 27th during our public hours, Tuesday - Saturday from 10am to 4pm. It was a lovely evening of connecting with one another, and engaging in conversations sparked by the artwork. Thank you to @alvarengaart for capturing the night! You can also check out NetWORK, a showcase by artists of the 2025 work of art program. You can also check out the 2026 application in our bio! #MainframeStudios #FirstFridays #CrittersCreatures #ArtistsThriveHere ArtThrivesHere

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 (@cat.loaf.studio ) 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 (@Iloverichiedaggers ), with a special performance by Klazik (@klazified ). Meet adoptable kittens with Whiskers TNR (@whiskers_tnr ) and learn about licensed wildlife rehabilitation with animal ambassadors (@jamesonfoxandcricketcrow ).  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. #MainframeStudios #FirstFriday #CrittersandCreatures #MayFirstFriday #ArtHappensHere

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 in bio 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 #MainframeStudios #WorkOfArt #ProfessionalDevelopment #MainframePrograms #ArtHappensHere

Check out the sneak preview of Critters & Creatures! Cover Piece is Koi - Bethany Hiatt (@paintmsb_havin ) Frenzy - Braden Bagley (@bradenbagley.art ) Portrait of a Horse - Carter Dumbei (@cccaarrrtttttt ) Morning Light - Mike Gustafson (@mdesigndsm ) Friends Forever - Carline Harris (@carlientje47 ) Co-Workers - Sue Heemstra (@heemstrasue ) Koi - Bethany Hiatt Beetle - Malina Knapp (@mk.exhibited ) Fox - Kelly Kunzler (@kunzlerstudios ) King Eternal - Jen Penas (@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 (@cat.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 #MainframeStudios #FirstFriday #Critters&Creatures #ArtHappensHere #MayFirstFriday

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 (@studio_sage_dsm ) 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 Queer 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. #MainframeStudios #ArtistsThriveHere #ArtHappensHere #CommUNITY

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: @nathanTwright -Website: nathanTwright.com #MainframeStudios #MeetTheArtist #ArtistsThriveHere #ArtHappensHere

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 @klazified 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 @fischnboots Lainey Beck @laineybeckart Makayla Carlson @artbymakaylacarlson Pamela Douglas @pameladouglas633 Ethan Edvenson @ethanedvenson Tyler Erikson @veryverycarefully Brian Frederiksen @frederiksenpress Pam Hibbs @pamhibbspaint Sandra Kirpalani @sandrilenejaye Ryan Koning @rkoning.art Jacob Kuperman @kuperman.draws Emily MacFarland @emilymacfarlandceramics Erin Matzen @studio_insight_news Carly McCoy @carlyxmccoy Tierney Millhollin @everydayisartday Sarah Schroeder @sarahrosestudioart Claire Sedovic @Claire_Sedovic Audrey Stirling @stirlingd3signs Cassandra Tant @cassandra.tant Tyrone Thomas @klazified Mark True @marktruephoto Neil Ward @nowdesignsstudio Shayla Williams @shaysdesignstudio Richard Wright @rwrightstudios Thank you to our dynamic team of 2025 co-facilitators! Amee Ellis @ameeellis Siricasso @siricasso Ben Millet Amy Putney Koenig@amyputneykoenig Jill Wells @jillwellsart #MainframeStudios #NetWork #WorkOfArt #ArtHappensHere #ArtistsThriveHere