West Des Moines, IA

Even Water

Created by Cliff Garten; Venice, CA

Water plays a critical role in a community’s quality of life,
from public health and safety to recreation and beauty.
Knowing what a watershed is and how we can each play a role in preserving its function and value is important but rarely understood. The Public Arts Advisory Commission aspired to use a public art initiative to raise awareness of watersheds and everyday actions our residents and businesses can take to improve water quality in a watershed. 

The Commission wants every person who participates in and experiences Even Water to be enlightened, empowered, and proud to live in West Des Moines. Even Water is an eight-piece cycle suite of permanent sculptures installed in Raccoon River Park in 2019. It is fabricated in mirror polished stainless steel and bronze.

Two other components to the Water Quality Community Service Art Project include a temporary work of art, Blossoms on the Water, and a community-sourced sculpture, Aqua Strata. Both of these artworks are by artist, Bounnak Thammavong, of Kingston, Illinois.

View the informational brochure here for more pictures, sculpture descriptions, artist bio, and artist poetry.

Download an educational activity book for children to use so they can learn more about Even Water and public art.