Exploring Public Art Across the ICON Network

Across the ICON Water Trails Network, public art is bringing new opportunities for communities to connect with their waterways, explore the outdoors, and experience creativity in unexpected places.

The Bravo Greater Des Moines and ICON Public Art Grant has helped bring public art installations to water trail access points across the region. Funding is for new public art projects that generate more artistic and cultural expression in Greater Des Moines and enhance the community’s ability to safely interact, enjoy, or promote ICON access points, creeks, and rivers.

These projects do more than just enhance public spaces, they encourage visitors to learn about their environment, spark conversations about water conservation, and create meaningful connections between art, nature, and the community.

Learn more about the four currently installed public art projects across the ICON Regional Network below, and what’s still yet to come.

Hello, River

Emily Stover & Amanda Lovelee, Studio +/&, 2024

Hello, River, conceived by the duo behind Minneapolis-based creative studio +/&, Emily Stover and Amanda Lovelee, is located at the future Center Street Access, along the Des Moines River near the Lauridsen Skate Park off of 2nd Avenue in downtown.

+/& (pronounced, plus/and) is a design studio built on the belief that “stronger relationships make better cities.” Stover and Lovelee use public art and experiential design to create tools and spaces that help people connect with each other and with their environment. Their projects are location-specific and are consistently joyful, intentional, and engaging.

Hello, River is delightfully interactive. An 8’ tall opalescent archway, painted to resemble the inside of Iowa-native mussel shells, welcomes visitors to the water. Embedded in the sculpture are speakers, amplifying the babbling, gurgling sounds of a river. These recordings emulate the behavior of the water and provide valuable context for conversations about water safety or environmental conservation.

JOURNEY

James Peterson, 2025

At Walker Johnston Park Creek Access in Urbandale, visitors can discover JOURNEY, a public art installation created by the artist James Peterson.

The installation is comprised of multiple, large fungi sculptures, that line the path down to Walnut Creek. The installation takes its inspiration from the exquisite allure of nature, celebrating the joyous exploration of wonder as a stroll through the forest, immersing one in the natural world. This artistic creation seeks to weave itself to the past and present-day growth of the area. In the evening, the sculptures are illuminated, lighting up the pathway.

The artwork complements the creek access point, where visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation, explore the surrounding natural environment, and learn about local ecosystems.

Aquatic Dance

Studio F Minus, 2026

At Clive Greenbelt Landing Access, Aquatic Dance, created by Studio F Minus, brings the movements of water to life through art. Aquatic Dance visually represents the dynamic interactions between weather conditions and water flows in Walnut Creek. The sculpture responds to the wind’s direction and intensity, simulating how natural water bodies react to environmental changes via the individual kinetic elements that the sculpture is made from. This responsive motion reflects the creek’s own ebb and flow, particularly during extreme weather, illustrating the impact of such conditions on local water management and quality.

The sculpture serves as an educational tool, promoting awareness of sustainable water practices and the importance of ecological stewardship. By visually interpreting the effects of wind on water, it encourages viewers to consider how natural and human-induced changes affect our water resources.

Puddle Pavilion

i/three, 2025

At Eagle Park Access along Mud Creek in Bondurant, Puddle Pavilion offers a different way to experience the relationship between art and nature.

Designed by i/three, the installation features a canopy made from algae-based bio-resin. Rather than using traditional mold, the material was poured directly onto the ground, allowing natural forces such as gravity and temperature to help shape its final form.

The result is a unique structure that captures the movement and beauty of nature while creating a space for visitors to gather and enjoy their surroundings. Puddle Pavilion demonstrates how natural processes can become part of the creative process.

Future Installations

The City of West Des Moines and the City of Johnston were the recipients of the grant for the 2025 cycle, and are still in the early stages of developing their art installations. The 2026 Grant Cycle closed this month, and applications are currently being reviewed.

The 2026 cycle of the Bravo/ICON Public Art Grant will be its final as a standalone grant. Since its inception, the grant has awarded nearly $400,000 to public art projects across the ICON Network. Going forward, ICON jurisdictions will be eligible to apply to Bravo’s broader Public Art Grant program, for projects at ICON access points.

In addition to the pieces supported by the Bravo/ ICON Public Art Grant, there are future installations funded by private donors coming to the network as well. Stay tuned for future announcements as ICON continues to expand upon its art shed!

Next time you visit an ICON access point, take a moment to explore the art along the way!