“Artists Around a Table: Artmaking and Merrymaking, 1927-1952”

On view April 25 - August 30. “Artists Around a Table” presents works on paper made by a vibrant social network of artist-printmakers who moved between New York City, Woodstock, Paris, and beyond in the first decades of the 20th century. Drawing on a wealth of prints from Iowa collections including the Art Center, the Stanley Museum of Art, the Figge Art Museum, and private individuals, this exhibition presents rollicking depictions of artists gabbing, preening, debating, smoking, and drinking in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. “Artists Around a Table” explores a group of artists, friends, and lovers who constructed figurative works of art inflected with humor and merrymaking. They depicted scenes from their own lives as well as those illustrating the various locales in which they lived and worked. This exhibition features works on paper made by Peggy Bacon, Alexander Brook, John Carroll, Adolf Dehn, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, and Jules Pascin, in addition to a film with dancers Mura Dehn and Roger Pryor Dodge, archival photographs of artist parties from the early 20th century, and Bacon’s bestselling satirical book “Off With Their Heads!” Opening Celebration, Friday, April 24 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Join us for the opening celebration in the John Brady Print Gallery! This event is hosted by the Des Moines Art Center’s longstanding member group, Print Club. Bring family and friends to view the artwork. Lite refreshments provided by the Art Center Café. Beer and wine available for purchase.