Des Moines, IA. Meeting Place. Gathering Place. Welcoming. One and All.
by Ella Richards, on 100lb cotton rag, 30” x 20" 
 
This piece represents Ella’s experience at the Des Moines Arts Festival. A place where many different people, people of all backgrounds, likes, dislikes, cultures, and languages, can gather. Ella says, "I put my life in this piece, put my feelings, my emotions, my hopes, my dreams, for a better future and better humanity. Some people I know, respect, admire, and love are there…some friends, lots of people I do not know."

There are 339 people of Des Moines (each intricately cut from a piece of black watercolor paper) gracing this beautiful representation of our Festival.