Archives and Art: The Resources and Possibilities at the State Historical Society of Iowa

Iowa Artist Henry Payer regularly mines local historical archives for cultural materials that inform his artwork — bridging his Ho-Chunk heritage, American history, and the relationship between past and present. Inspired by his artistic practice, the Des Moines Art Center presents “Archives and Art,” in collaboration with the State Historical Society of Iowa. Archives and special collections offer rich windows into the past, and engaging with them is not limited to professional historians. In this talk, Andrew Klumpp, Education and Outreach Manager at the State Historical Society of Iowa, will introduce the breadth of materials held in their archives and share practical ways to access and use these resources. He will also describe how artists have partnered with the State Historical Society, plus other individuals and organizations to create dynamic and impactful collaborations that shed new light onto our shared past. Free; registration required. We strive to provide live captioning for all events offered in Levitt Auditorium. Due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa, American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing jfeatherstone@desmoinesartcenter.org . Henry Payer (Ho Chunk, born 1986) “Wandering Winnebago No. 5” (detail) Mixed media Courtesy of the artist