Artist Bio: Emma Bolles is a 23-year-old West Des Moines artist now based in Chicago who visually explores emotions through portraiture and inanimate landscape subjects. Showcasing the complexity and nuance of human emotion in both people and environments. By capturing the essence of emotions in her work, the artist hopes to inspire others to explore their feelings and connect more deeply with the world around them.

Emma graduated with a Bachelor's In Fine Arts from Iowa State University; while earning her undergraduate, she studied in Rome, Italy. After graduating, she completed an artist residency with The Bottega Projects in Montebuono, Italy. Now participating in The Emerging Iowa Artist Program at the Des Moines Arts Festival 2023.