Progression

Created by Douwe Blumberg; DeMossville, KY

When the West Des Moines Public Arts Advisory Commission was formed in 2011, we had a vision for placing art in our community that would be of high aesthetic and intellectual quality that would promote cultural expression and artistic appreciation. We began the mission to create a city with successful public spaces incorporating public works of art that offer moments of serendipity and opportunities for reflection--a city with public art woven into the fine-grain detail of the public infrastructure. We planned for a public art program that would champion excellence in art, design, architecture, and landscape. And that the Public Art Program and collection would be the most visible symbols of West Des Moines’ commitment to creativity.

This work of art, titled “Progression,” measures up to those lofty goals. “Progression,” dare we say, was a continual work in progress. In October of 2017, the Commission budgetarily planned for a $125,000 work of art to be placed on public property in West Des Moines. During this same period, plans for an amphitheater on the City Campus were developing. Knowing this, the Commission decided that an amphitheater, a place for artistic expression uniquely rising from the community, would be a fitting location for the public artwork. By the fall of 2018, the Amphitheater Public Art Work Group was established but remained in a bit of a holding pattern until the construction of the amphitheater was approved. The wait time was utilized by applying for a $50,000 Bravo Greater Des Moines Public Art Grant which was then awarded to the City in the summer of 2019. This fortuitously coincided with the start of construction on the newly named Jamie Hurd Amphitheater.

The Work Group then established the scope of the artwork project, and because it was a monetarily substantial commission, totaling $175,000, they chose to publish a request for qualifications to artists throughout the country, seeking a broader pool of experienced artists. From that selection process, artist Douwe Blumberg from DeMossville, Kentucky, was chosen in March of 2020.

A few weeks later, the world as everyone knew it changed as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived. Working together to determine the best way to collect public input on the project during a time of limited social interaction, Douwe and the Work Group released an online survey. They were happily surprised that 487 people gave their feedback on what features they would like to see in the artwork. The top responses were water features, artwork that blends in with the scenery and architecture, and artwork that could be touched or climbed on.

In August of 2020, only 12 months after construction began, the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater was completed. Douwe was then able to see the amphitheater infrastructure and layout to submit an art design proposal to the Work Group that incorporated the feedback from the public survey. The Work Group was thrilled with the proposed design, and the fabrication of the 29 metal spheres began with a goal of installation in the fall of 2021.

At this point, the artwork still did not have a title. Douwe and the Work Group determined that “Progression” was an apt description of not only the artwork’s theoretical movement down the hill into the pond but also spoke to the historical development of the city of West Des Moines from a rough and tumble railroad town to a shining city of excellence with a rich history.

Due to supply chain and transportation issues, it became clear that installation would need to take place in the spring of 2022. On April 2, Douwe and his team installed “Progression” in only 12 hours. “Progression” immediately drew onlookers and those seizing an opportunity for a unique picture. Three months later, a gathering was held at West Des Moines City Hall to celebrate the visualization, planning, fabrication, installation, and excitement of “Progression.”

The booklet below is a condensed timeline of the history of West Des Moines and attempts to demonstrate the progression of over 175 years of opportunities and change from Walnut Township to Valley Junction to West Des Moines.

-West Des Moines Public Arts Advisory Commission

Progression is located at the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater (4100 Mills Civic Pkwy.).