The Des Moines Art Center has partnered with Iowa Juneteenth’s General Chairperson, Dwana Bradly to present a series of audio reflections written by local Black leaders responding to artworks in our permanent collections by Black artists. These recordings will be accessible in the museum’s galleries next to their corresponding artworks. 

The goal of DSM Speaks is to elevate diverse ways of seeing so that we can encourage all visitors to connect more deeply, seeing themselves and their identities within the museum. If you are interested in contributing a reflection to DSM Speaks, please contact Museum Educator Mia Buch at mbuch@desmoinesartcenter.org.

DSM Speaks: Juneteenth Edition

Rev. Rob Johnson on Wangechi Mutu’s "Water Woman"

 Reverend Rob Johnson was born and raised in the projects of Chicago by a single mother of three. He moved to Des Moines to attend Drake University. Growing up his mother, Ms. Jaunice Johnson, taught him and his sisters the value of community. Johnson took that to heart by becoming a community activist and currently serves on multiple boards including with Iowa Juneteenth, Back 2 School Iowa, and Des Moines Selma; he also is a volunteer with Investing in My Future, and others community programs. Recently Johnson was the National Church & Faith Outreach Coordinator for the Biden-Harris Campaign in 2020, overseeing a combined total of nearly 90,000 churches and faith leaders nationwide.

Wangechi Mutu (Kenyan, active United States, born 1972)
Water Woman, 2017
Bronze
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Purchased with funds from the Edmundson Art Foundation, Inc., 2017.25

Rev. Rob Johnson on Wangechi Mutu’s "Water Woman"

Claudia “Brandie” Young on Fred Wilson’s "Iago’s Mirror"

Claudia “Brandie” Young is a former educator for Des Moines Public Schools and currently a Manager of Personnel for the district. Brandie is pursuing a Doctorate in Socio-Cultural K-12 Studies with an emphasis in Social Justice and Colorism. She is impassioned to elevate the social and emotional well-being in Black adolescent girls. Caring deeply about her community, she is involved with many aspects serving in the youth department at ELPIS Christian Fellowship, consultant for the Urban Experience Magazine, Banquet Chair and board member of Iowa Juneteenth , planning committee member for “I’ll Make Me A World in Iowa,”  committee member for Drake University’s Community Engagement, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and has worked with the Sisters for Success program in DMPS. 

Young holds a Master of Science in Teacher Effectiveness and Professional Development with a Middle School endorsement in Global Studies and Language Arts from Drake University. Her undergraduate degrees are in Elementary Education, Drake University and Child and Family Services, Iowa State University.

Fred Wilson (American, born 1954)
Iago's Mirror, 2009
Murano glass
Purchased with funds from the Coffin Fine Arts Trust; Nathan Emory Coffin Collection of the Des Moines Art Center, 2013.3

Claudia “Brandie” Young on Fred Wilson’s "Iago’s Mirror"

Billy “B.WELL” Weathers on Kehinde Wiley’s "Mame Kéwé Aminata Lô" and "Barthélémy Senghor"

Local hip-hop artist, humanitarian, and creator, Billy “B.WELL” Weathers, graduated from Simpson College in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Communications and a minor in Sports Administration. Upon graduation, Weathers began to surround himself with leaders, artists, creatives, and educators with unique and growing perspectives. These relationships added to his creativity and served as sounding resources as he began to embrace new ideas and create resources for his community. Before long the name B.WELL grew, with numerous sold-out shows and for his work in local schools.
Weathers was named the Des Moines Education Association Volunteer of the Year in April 2020; JCI Iowa Outstanding Young Iowan in July 2020; Des Moines Register “People to Watch in 2021” in January 2021; Simpson College Recent Alumni Humanitarian Award in November 2021; and Business Record 40 Under 40 Award in April 2022 for his work as CEO and President of a local non-profit organization, The B.WELL Foundation. 
The B.WELL Foundation strives to build stronger futures for youth and lift them to a place of prosperity. The Foundation has invested more than $200,000 into local schools since its inception in June 2020. As Weathers continues to work with youth and facilitate events to give back, he hopes to ignite new ideas for the next generation.

(Left) Kehinde Wiley (American, born 1977) Mame Kéwé Aminata Lô, 2021 Bronze Overall: 21 1/4 × 12 5/8 × 8 1/4 in. (54 × 32.1 × 21 cm.) Purchased with funds from the Coffin Fine Arts Trust; Nathan Emory Coffin Collection of the Des Moines Art Center, 2022.3
(Right) Kehinde Wiley (American, born 1977) Barthélémy Senghor, 2021 Bronze Overall: 22 1/8 × 12 5/8 × 10 1/8 in. (56.2 × 32.1 × 25.7 cm.) Purchased with funds from the Coffin Fine Arts Trust; Nathan Emory Coffin Collection of the Des Moines Art Center, 2022.4

Billy “B.WELL” Weathers on Kehinde Wiley’s "Mame Kéwé Aminata Lô" and "Barthélémy Senghor"

Dwana Bradley on Ebony Patterson’s "...among the blades between the flowers... while the horse watches... for those who bear/bare witness"

Dwana Bradley holds a bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Services from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in Elementary Education and Literacy from Drake University. She also holds a Specialist’s degree in Administration. 
Bradley is currently the Executive Director of The Des Moines Urban Experience (DMUE), a local nonprofit committed to African Culture and History. Each year DMUE presents the Iowa Juneteenth events, of which Bradley serves as General Chairperson.
Bradley is the owner of Iowa Urban Media, a community-focused publishing company that publishes The Urban Experience Magazine and The Urban Impact Show podcast.  Dwana’s newest business with her family is Ruby B’s Kitchen and Catering. She has two children and represents District 3 Board of Directors for Des Moines Public Schools.

Ebony G. Patterson (Jamaican, born 1981)
...among the blades between the flowers... while the horse watches... for those who bear/bare witness, 2018
Hand-cut jacquard woven photo tapestry with glitter, appliqué, beads, trim, brooches, feathered butterflies, fabric, silk flowers, and hand-embellished resin owl on shelf, on artist-designed fabric wallpaper
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections; Purchased with funds from the Edmundson Art Foundation, Inc., 2019.3.a-.c

Dwana Bradley on Ebony Patterson

The Des Moines Art Center is a museum, an art school, and a sculpture park. Focused on quality and global in scope, the museum’s world-class art collection is housed in three architecturally significant buildings by three world-renowned architects.