EVENTS

Experience Art at Mainframe: First Friday open studio festivities,
artist-led workshops, public gatherings and more. 

FIRST FRIDAY OPEN STUDIOS: Occurring on the first Friday of every month these themed open studio events are your chance to tour up to 180 artist studios, enjoy special exhibitions, food and live music. Always free and open to the public.

Social Media Isn't Scary by Derek Frank
May
13

Social Media Isn't Scary by Derek Frank

10:30-12:30 | Happy Home Coffee
11-12 | Social Media Isn’t Scary by Derek Frank
2nd Floor Gallery | Mainframe Studios

This will also serve as a time where you can connect with Mainframe staff on ways we can support you at Mainframe.
Questions?
Contact julia@mainframestudios.org

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How Galleries Work by Susan Watts
May
20

How Galleries Work by Susan Watts

10:30-12:30 | Happy Home Coffee
11-12 | How Galleries Work by Susan Watts of Olson-Larsen
2nd Floor Gallery | Mainframe Studios

This will also serve as a time where you can connect with Mainframe staff on ways we can support you at Mainframe.
Questions?
Contact julia@mainframestudios.org

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Marketing by Keesha Ward
May
6

Marketing by Keesha Ward

10:30-12:30 | Happy Home Coffee
11-12 | Marketing by Keesha Ward
2nd Floor Gallery | Mainframe Studios

This will also serve as a time where you can connect with Mainframe staff on ways we can support you at Mainframe.
Questions?
Contact julia@mainframestudios.org

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First Friday
May
3

First Friday

Join us on May 3rd from 5pm-8pm for May's First Friday event at Mainframe Studios. Spring is here and it's time to celebrate! Explore 5 floors of art and artists' studios, support local nonprofits City Sounds & ArtForce Iowa's creative projects, enjoy food and drinks, and make and take a painting with Siricasso. It will be a night to remember! 

If you would like to help support First Friday, you can Volunteer..

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Grant Writing presented by Brittany Brooke Crow
Apr
15

Grant Writing presented by Brittany Brooke Crow

10:30-12:30 | Happy Home Coffee
11-12 | Grant Writing presented by Brittany Brooke Crow
2nd Floor Gallery | Mainframe Studios

This will also serve as a time where you can connect with Mainframe staff on ways we can support you at Mainframe.
Questions?
Contact julia@mainframestudios.org

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Collaboration Hour with Other Artists
Mar
25

Collaboration Hour with Other Artists

10:30-12:30 | Happy Home Coffee
11-12 | Collaboration Hour with Other Artists
2nd Floor Gallery | Mainframe Studios

This will also serve as a time where you can connect with Mainframe staff on ways we can support you at Mainframe.

Questions?
Contact julia@mainframestudios.org

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Artist Resumes & CVs by Julia Franklin
Mar
18

Artist Resumes & CVs by Julia Franklin

Join Us!

10:30-12:30 | Happy Home Coffee
11-12 | Artist Resumes and CVs by Julia Franklin
2nd Floor Gallery | Mainframe Studios

This will also serve as a time where you can connect with Mainframe staff on ways we can support you at Mainframe.

Questions?
Contact julia@mainframestudios.org

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First Impressions With Jess Quinn
Mar
4

First Impressions With Jess Quinn

Join Us!
10:30-12:30 | Happy Home Coffee
11-12 | First Impressions by Jess Quinn
2nd Floor Gallery | Mainframe Studios

This will also serve as a time where you can connect with Mainframe staff on ways we can support you at Mainframe.
Questions?
Contact julia@mainframestudios.org

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First Friday | Youth Art Month
Mar
1

First Friday | Youth Art Month

Join us for the Des Moines Public Schools annual art show and gallery presentation will be hosted at Mainframe Studios during the month of March. Student artists selected by art teachers from the 60 DMPS schools will be featured in the galleries during First Friday and beyond.

Mainframe's First Friday Open Studios are free and open to the public. Each month features a theme that provides visitors an opportunity to experience the extensive variety of artistic talent, local culture and forms of creative expression that exists in our community. Bring your family, friends and visitors to make a night of it at Mainframe Studios.

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Collaboration Hour
Feb
26

Collaboration Hour

Join Us!

10:30-1:30 | Happy Home Coffee
11-12 | Collaboration Hour
2nd Floor Gallery | Mainframe Studios

This will also serve as a time where you can connect with Mainframe staff Julia and Katelyn on ways we can support you at Mainframe.

Questions?
Contact katelyn@mainframestudios.org

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Budgeting with Brittany Brooke Crow
Feb
12

Budgeting with Brittany Brooke Crow

Join Us!

10:30-1:30 | Happy Home Coffee
11-12 | Budgeting with Brittany Brooke Crow
2nd Floor Gallery | Mainframe Studios

This will also serve as a time where you can connect with Mainframe staff Julia and Katelyn on ways we can support you at Mainframe.

Questions?
Contact katelyn@mainframestudios.org

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First Friday
Feb
2

First Friday

Carter G. Woodson, founder of Black History Week which later became Black History Month, hoped to deepen our collective study and scholarship about Black history. Black History Month recognizes the contributions of African Americans as triumphant, resilient, and inextricable from, yet transcendent of, the American story. The February First Friday exhibition is a creative lens on such transcendence then & now, and of optimism for Black futures." - Abena Sankofa Imhotep - Author and Mainframe Artist

Mainframe's First Friday Open Studios are free and open to the public. Each month features a theme that provides visitors an opportunity to experience the extensive variety of artistic talent, local culture and forms of creative expression that exists in our community. Bring your family, friends and visitors to make a night of it at Mainframe Studios.

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Adaptive & Inclusive workshops
Jan
22

Adaptive & Inclusive workshops

Join us in the 2nd Floor Gallery for our weekly Monday Morning Coffee Social and Workshop

☕️ 10:30-1:30 | Happy Home Coffee

⏰ 11-12 | Artist Social

📍 2nd Floor Gallery | Mainframe Studios

First ten artists to attend the workshop will receive a free cup of coffee!

This will also serve as a time where you can connect with Mainframe staff Julia and Katelyn on ways we can support you at Mainframe.

Questions?

Contact katelyn@mainframestudios.org

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Chat GPT in your studio
Jan
8

Chat GPT in your studio

Join us in the 2nd Floor Gallery for our weekly Monday Morning Coffee Social and Workshop

☕️ 10:30-1:30 | Happy Home Coffee

⏰ 11-12 | Artist Social

📍 2nd Floor Gallery | Mainframe Studios

First ten artists to attend the workshop will receive a free cup of coffee!

This will also serve as a time where you can connect with Mainframe staff Julia and Katelyn on ways we can support you at Mainframe.

Questions?

Contact katelyn@mainframestudios.org

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Fresh Start First Friday
Jan
5

Fresh Start First Friday

Mainframe's First Friday Open Studios are free and open to the public. Each month features a theme that provides visitors an opportunity to experience the extensive variety of artistic talent, local culture and forms of creative expression that exists in our community. Bring your family, friends and visitors to make a night of it at Mainframe Studios.

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Artist Social
Dec
18

Artist Social

Join us in the 2nd Floor Gallery for our weekly Monday Morning Coffee Social and Workshop

☕️ 10:30-1:30 | Happy Home Coffee

⏰ 11-12 | Artist Social

📍 2nd Floor Gallery | Mainframe Studios

First ten artists to attend the workshop will receive a free cup of coffee!

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Last Call, Open Studios
Dec
16

Last Call, Open Studios

Last Call, Open Studios

Join us on December 16th from 1-5 pm at Mainframe Studios for a festive holiday market like no other.

Discover unique and handcrafted gifts from local artists, enjoy live music, and soak up the creative atmosphere. Don't miss your Last Call for holiday shopping fun!

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Small Talk, Big Dreams, by Coral Thede
Dec
11

Small Talk, Big Dreams, by Coral Thede

Join us in the 2nd Floor Gallery for our weekly Monday Morning Coffee Social and Workshop

Monday, December 11th | Small Talk, Big Dreams with Coral Thede

☕️ 10:30-1:30 | Happy Home Coffee

⏰ 11-12 | Tenant Workshop

📍 2nd Floor Gallery | Mainframe Studios

First ten artists to attend the workshop will receive a free cup of coffee!

Workshops are free and open to the public.

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Observe an Artist Workshop
Dec
4

Observe an Artist Workshop

Join us in the 2nd Floor Gallery for our weekly Monday Morning Coffee Social and Workshop

Monday, December 11th | Observe an Artist Workshop with Toni Corbett

☕️ 10:30-1:30 | Happy Home Coffee

⏰ 11-12 | Tenant Workshop

📍 2nd Floor Gallery | Mainframe Studios

First ten artists to attend the workshop will receive a free cup of coffee!

Workshops are free and open to the public. This will also serve as a time where you can connect with Mainframe staff Julia and Katelyn on ways we can support you at Mainframe.

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First Friday with Mainframe Studios
Dec
1

First Friday with Mainframe Studios

Ceramics Invitational / Annual Event

Join us at Mainframe's First Friday Open Studios are free and open to the public.
Each month features a theme that provides visitors an opportunity to experience the extensive variety of artistic talent, local culture and forms of creative expression that exists in our community. Bring your family, friends and visitors to make a night of it at Mainframe Studios.

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11.27 | TENANT HAPPY HOUR
Nov
27

11.27 | TENANT HAPPY HOUR

Join us in The Big Room on 11/27 from 4-7 for a Tenant Happy Hour!
Drinks and appetizers will be provided.

This will also serve as a time where you can connect with Mainframe staff Lani and Katelyn on ways we can support you at Mainframe.

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