Celebrate the vital connections between water, land, and community in this engaging afternoon led by CALL artist Dennis RedMoon Darkeem in collaboration with artist and wampum carver Tecumseh Ceaser. Focusing on water as a source of life and spiritual sustenance, we will explore Algonquian languages and the deep-rooted Indigenous histories of the region by creating a collective art piece.

In this hands-on workshop, participants will delve into the cultural and environmental significance of water through watercolor, stamp making and printing, storytelling, and performances that highlight Indigenous knowledge and traditions. This program invites community members of all ages to explore the sacred bond between people and nature. The event is a celebration of the Crescent Park community, fostering a deeper sense of togetherness while honoring Indigenous environmental practices.

Dennis RedMoon Darkeem is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work explores the intersections of Native American and African American identity, cultural preservation, and environmental justice. With a background in visual arts, RedMoon creates sculptures, installations, and mixed-media works that draw on both his Native heritage and urban experiences. His practice reflects a deep commitment to community engagement and a desire to connect people with the land and cultural memory. He has a history of collaborating on projects that address environmental and social justice issues, creating public artworks that bridge communities and histories.

Spots are limited, please RSVP below and let us know if you cannot make it

CALL invites you to join us in conversation. CALL/ Conversations is a 3-part discussion series, that will help create new windows of understanding for our key projects and broader mission. Join us at the first session at 6 pm, on November 7th, at the home of Tom Bishop and Katie Ford. Light refreshments will be served.

CALL/Conversations Part 1 will focus on Mary Miss’s 1996 project Greenwood Pond: Double Site, covered in this recent Art News article. Former museum director Max Anderson, arts attorney Christine Steiner, and Charles Birnbaum, who leads the Cultural Landscape Foundation, will consider the issues raised by removing this landmark environmental sculpture from the Des Moines Art Center’s collection.

All of the ticket costs are tax-deductible

The second conversation will take place on February 12th and highlight Double Site as a fulcrum point that led to shifts in Miss’s practice and the conception of City as Living Laboratory (CALL). The third event in mid-April will focus on two major CALL initiatives – the urban scale projects WaterMarks in Milwaukee and the Cloudburst Project in New York City.

These events will help CALL support artists to work with scientists and communities to address critical environmental challenges. Please consider supporting CALL with a contribution if you cannot attend. Through conversation, we can convey our first-hand knowledge as well as consider the larger fields and impacts of our work.