The Art Studio at RDG Planning & Design designed a welcoming shelter in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo: RDG Planning & Design) |
In Venice, RDG welcomes the world |
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By Steve King
For a few more days, the Art Studio at RDG Planning & Design is part of one of the most influential cultural events in the world: the 19th International Venice Biennale Architecture Exhibition. The team’s work appears in the U.S. Pavilion exhibition, “Porch: An Architecture of Generosity,” which features the porch as a symbolic and physical space of welcome. RDG was invited to contribute a public art installation called “Do Something GOOD for Your Neighbor,” originally commissioned for Fort Worth’s public art collection. Only a handful of U.S. projects were selected for the pavilion, placing RDG’s work alongside some of the most inventive examples of American architecture and design.
The Venice display is a 12:1 scale model (pictured) of the original project in Texas, where carved wooden benches sit below a weathering steel archway engraved with quotes from local interviews about the surrounding neighborhood. It’s inspired by Fort Worth’s ecology, architecture and local history, and it connects the city’s past and present. |
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The materials suggest endurance, the structure evokes shelter and openness, and the form encourages interaction. As a whole, it reflects RDG’s belief that design can be an act of generosity — one that invites participation, fosters connection and reflects community identity.
“The porch is both a literal and symbolic space, where the personal meets the public and where generosity and hospitality shape our neighborhoods,” said RDG Artist and Senior Partner Matt Niebuhr, who leads the Art Studio. “‘Do Something GOOD for Your Neighbor’ gives form to stories that were nearly lost, preserving memory and offering new space for shared community identity.”
The project also reflects RDG’s broader design philosophy. Across educational facilities, civic parks and community centers, the firm often starts from the idea of the porch — a place where people gather, share stories and experience belonging. Recent examples include the Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences Campus, Plaza de La Raza in South Omaha and the Forest County Potawatomi Community Center in Wisconsin.
Participation in the Venice Biennale marks a milestone for the firm, reinforcing its view that public art and design play an essential role in inclusive placemaking. It also offers a moment to reflect on how generosity — expressed through materials, form and intention — can shape spaces at every scale.
At the U.S. Pavilion, a custom-designed porch by Arkansas architect Marlon Blackwell greets visitors from around the world, setting the tone for the exhibition’s themes of welcome, equity and connection. RDG’s installation stands among diverse responses from designers across the country, each imagining a more inclusive and community-centered architectural future.
Although the exhibition closes this Sunday, Nov. 23, “Do Something GOOD for Your Neighbor” continues to echo the pavilion’s guiding idea: that a simple gesture of hospitality can invite the past, engage the present and imagine a more connected future. Steve King is an architect and senior partner at RDG Planning and Design with a 2,400-day Duolingo streak. He and his family visited the Venice show a few weeks ago.
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| WEEKEND SECTION PRESENTED BY CATCH DES MOINES |
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A night of Japanese sake, food and culture |
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The Japan America Society of Iowa traces its origins to the 1960s, when a group of locals with Japanese connections — or simple curiosity — formed a club to practice flower arranging according to the centuries-old Japanese tradition known as ikebana. Over the years, the club evolved into JASI and now builds cross-cultural connections in many forms, including its annual sake party. This year’s event, “Sake: The Way of Japanese Arts,” features demonstrations of ikebana flower arranging, calligraphy, kimono fashion and a tea ceremony. Plus, guests can enjoy sake, food and the warm camaraderie of an izakaya, a neighborhood pub that can be found throughout Japan. The event is set for 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Friday at West End Salvage. You can buy tickets online.
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Jingle in the Junction, 5- 8 p.m. Thursday through Dec. 18, Historic Valley Junction. Stay up late on Thursdays with extended hours at shops and galleries, live music and more than 125,000 lights casting a festive glow over Fifth Street in West Des Moines.
“To Name One’s Heart,” 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Polk County Heritage Gallery. The gallery presents its second invitational exhibition with the photography of Stephanie Brunia, showing her journey into motherhood. The exhibit opens with Thursday's reception and runs through Dec. 31.
Downtown Winter Farmers' Market, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, EMC Expo Center. Stock the root cellar and jump-start your holiday shopping at the indoor market, with late-season produce, baked goods and hand-crafted products from local makers.
Heather McMahan, 8 p.m. Friday, Hoyt Sherman Place. In her "Bamboozled Tour," dynamite comedian draws from years of experience in the entertainment industry to turn celebrity encounters into comedy gold.
Des Moines Symphony, 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Des Moines Civic Center. Guest violinist Stefan Jackiw joins the orchestra for Bruch’s “Scottish Fantasy” before Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony. |
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Curtain call: Des Moines Performing Arts rolled out a few surprises for President and CEO Jeff Chelesvig’s big retirement send-off on Monday night at the downtown Hilton. The team unveiled an original drawing (pictured) by his friend and former Des Moines Art Center director Jeff Fleming, cued up a performance from Tony-winner Jason Robert Brown (“The Bridges of Madison County,” “Parade”) and announced they’d raised nearly $800,000 for the new endowed Jeff Chelesvig Fund for arts education.
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Remembering Bill Knapp: Tributes have been pouring in this week to remember Bill Knapp, the power broker and philanthropist who died Saturday at age 99. dsm contributor Dave Elbert wrote a remembrance, and the Business Record is encouraging others to share stories and memories.
Library’s next chapter: The Des Moines Public Library announced that Melissa McCollum will take over as the library’s next executive director beginning Feb. 9. The Des Moines native and Roosevelt grad’s 20-year career in libraries and community services includes several stints in greater Los Angeles.
Gallery opening: Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design celebrates its new location with a grand opening and holiday party 5-7 p.m. Friday at 2921 Ingersoll Ave. The free event invites guests to explore the gallery, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and browse the new neutrals-inspired exhibition featuring original works from eight artists. The event also features a holiday shop with art under $500.
Star power: Iranian-born, Boston-based photographer Babak Tafreshi launched this season’s National Geographic Live series Tuesday with a show-and-tell presentation about the night sky. Lots of stars have graced the Des Moines Civic Center stage, but this one happens to have a minor planet named after him. Tafreshi is about a mile wide and orbits the sun every 5 years between Mars and Jupiter.
Decked out halls: Water Works Park will glow once again as Tinseltown opens Saturday, transforming the grounds into a holiday light spectacle with festive activities daily from noon to 9 p.m. Opening day features a tree-lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m., along with carolers, Christmas tree sales and seasonal treats. Families can meet St. Nicholas from 1-5 p.m. Nov. 30 or sign up for horse-drawn carriage rides through the arboretum. Activities wrap up with Tour de Lights on Dec. 14. Most activities are free.
So long, Lefty’s: The owners of the Drake neighborhood venue for live music announced they’re closing for good after 10 years.
Upcoming comedy: Comedian and podcast host Matt McCusker’s first North American theater tour, “The Healing Frequency Tour,” heads to Hoyt Sherman Place on April 11. The tour follows a breakout year for McCusker, whose debut Netflix special “A Humble Offering” premiered in October and climbed to No. 8 on the platform; his podcast with Shane Gillis was the No. 1 Patreon podcast in the world. Tickets go on sale Friday.
Alt pop princesses: Hinterland announced its 2026 lineup on Tuesday. Fans are excited for Katseye, Lorde and Kali Uchis to take the festival stage next summer in St. Charles. Alt girlband MUNA will also return, along with other alternative pop and R&B chart-toppers like Ashnikko, Audrey Nuna, beabadoobee and Suki Waterhouse. |
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At a recent dating event, friends talk up the best qualities of their single friends. (Photo: Micaela Cashman) |
Dating differently with Des Moines Girl |
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By Micaela Cashman The novelty of dating apps has officially worn off. I gave one guy my number and he started texting me, “Good morning!” every day at 6 a.m. I hadn’t met him in person yet. One guy was easily 10 years older than his profile indicated. He claimed his short film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. When I looked it up, I found that the film didn’t exist.
Countless conversations fizzled out or ended for no reason. And then there’s the barrage of fish photos and gym selfies to scroll through.
According to a Forbes survey, 80% of millennials and 79% of Gen Z users feel burned out by dating apps. Their list of grievances includes an inability to connect with someone, feeling disappointment or rejection, and the tedium of repetitive conversations.
So local singles have started taking matters into their own hands. Interactive, in-person dating events like Des Moines Girl’s latest get-together are attracting sold-out crowds. After months of my friends pestering me, I decided to give it a try. How it works
Similar to a business pitch, the dating event hosted by Des Moines Girl invites people to present slide decks about their single friends to a room full of fellow singles. After the presentations, there’s a chance to mix and mingle. Then, you can fill out cards expressing your interest in specific people. Each participating single receives a list of interested prospects the next day, and then the ball is in their court. My experience
As an introvert, the idea of standing in front of people while someone talked about me was downright nerve-wracking. Luckily the presentation only lasted 3 minutes, and I was first on the roster.
Then I got to sit back and watch the other presentations. It was inspiring to see the love and creativity everyone put into their decks, highlighting what makes their friends so special and worthy of the kind of meaningful connection people aren’t finding on Hinge or Bumble. Beyond a dating event, the night ended up feeling like a celebration of friendship.
My favorite part? Seeing two people who seem to be absolutely meant for each other connect. She was a quirky theater-loving lawyer. He was an orchestra conductor who had donated his hair 11 times. It was like watching a romance novel come to life. The verdict
While there was no love connection for me this time around, I can only hope Theater Lawyer and Charitable Conductor will live happily ever after. I wholeheartedly encourage fellow singles to ditch the apps and try dating in real life.
Editor's note: Morgan Chicchelly, founder of Des Moines Girl, told dsm that her team plans to pause these events while she and her team rebrand the event to include similar meetings for platonic friends. But fans and singles hoping for future meet-cutes can be assured “we want to keep the spirit of the event going,” Chicchelly said. Follow the @desmoines_girl Instagram account to stay updated on future events.
Contributing writer Micaela Cashman lives in Des Moines and works as a freelance video producer and writer. |
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- Jan. 13: Unveiling party. Start the new year with a copy of the next edition of dsm magazine, which we'll release at Soma Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetics in Clive.
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| Introducing the dsmWealth Podcast, presented by Revol One Financial — a new space designed to help you rethink and strengthen your relationship with wealth.
Hosted by former BPC CEO Suzanna de Baca, each episode delivers story-driven conversations with financial leaders, entrepreneurs and philanthropists who share practical insights for growing wealth, finding meaning and creating a lasting legacy. Tune in monthly for conversations that help you grow prosperity with purpose — and put your money to work in ways that matter. Learn more
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