The inaugural Art Week Des Moines fellowship program is a way to invest in local, community-focused artists leading the creation of new work in one of our neighborhoods while creating a focal point for activating artists and benefiting neighbors.
Fellows work to:
- Activate community as the medium
- Stretch assumptions of how and where art can be experienced
- Engage neighborhood residents in the creation/experience of the work
- Partner with supportive community interests
Jordan Brooks
Neighborhood Activation: Franklin Area
Jordan Brooks is a creator and owner of KNWSLF (pronounced Know Self). His art and research explore how Black parents curate Black art within their homeplaces to influence their children’s racial/ethnic identity development. KNWSLF stands for KNowledge, Wisdom, Self Love, and Fellowship. Jordan is a doctoral student at Iowa State University in the Social and Cultural Studies of Education program and has worked in Higher Education for over 10 years.
Siriaco “Siricasso” Garcia
Neighborhood Activation: Columbus Park
My name is Siriaco “Siricasso” Garcia. I am based out of Huxley, IA, but do a lot of work in Ames. I am heavily inspired by my family to create the best work I can and support them with my art. Doing full time commission work, I have painted several murals across central lowa in addition to having my own clothing brand. With a hope to inspire as many people as I can with my work and actions, I frequently collaborate with other artists of all different facets to be able to bring art to communities I work in. This is best seen through the art events I host regularly to help other artists get exposure to people they would never have encountered and help foster a confidence in their ability to present their work to others. Past that, art is my love and foundation. I hope to create art for as long as I can and help others find that love themselves. #savetheart
Ramona Muse Lambert
Neighborhood Activation: Valley Junction, West Des Moines
Born in rural Iowa, and now residing in Des Moines, Ramona Muse Lambert creates art in a variety of mediums including illustration, painting, textile, and multimedia. Since receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Iowa State University, she has cultivated art experiences for children and adults at various schools, museums, and workspaces across the state. Ramona believes that art should be an inclusive experience, and often injects humor and playfulness into her work, in an attempt to make it accessible and enjoyable for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Ramona is the lead of the musical act Ramona and the Sometimes, as well as a long time member of national act Leslie and the Lys. Working as a freelancer, she has illustrated work for Hinterland, Exile, J. Crew, Zanzibar’s, Pavement, and more. She also sells her art merchandise to unique gift boutiques around the country. Currently, she is writing and directing a tv show, Yarn House, with frequent comedic partner, Leslie Hall. Ramona co-hosts the podcast Mona and Derek’s Quiz Show, makes music and raises three sons with her wonderful husband Derek Muse Lambert.
Billy “B.WELL” Weathers
Neighborhood Activation: Oak Park / Highland Park
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 his work in local schools. Weathers was named the Des Moines Education Association Volunteer of the Year in April 2020; American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa Iowan of the Year 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 over $150,000+ into local schools since its inception in June 2020. As he continues to work with youth and facilitate events to give back, B.WELL hopes to ignite new ideas and light to the next generation.
Jill Wells & Cameron Gray
Neighborhood Activation: Drake / Dogtown
Jill Wells (America, b. 1980) is a multimedia artist, muralist, advocate, and mentor. Wells has firmly situated herself within art and advocacy work and is best known for her public works investigating race, history, stereotypes, accessibility, and human experiences. Wells’ practice engages with individuals of all abilities, through various mediums, interdisciplinary art workshops, and talks to create new modes of working through the arts that are inclusive and representational. From 2012–15 Wells served as a Substance Use Activities Specialist. In 2015, Wells was certified as a Certified Alcohol and Substance Use Counselor for the state of Iowa. In 2020, she founded Artists X Advocacy Mentorship Program (AXA). In 2021, Wells was the recipient of the Iowa Arts & Culture Resilience Grant. Additionally, in 2021, Wells was a TEDx speaker on The Power of Public Art. In 2022 Wells became the first Harkin Institute Artist Fellow and was the lecturing artist for Al-Quds Bard College for Arts and Sciences in East Jerusalem for The Resistance Course on “The Disability Art, Revolution, and Advocacy in the USA.” Her work is represented in the permanent collections of the Havelocks, Dublin; the Center of Afrofuturist Studies at Public Space One in Iowa City; as well as the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families and Disability Rights Iowa.
Cameron Gray is a Birmingham born artist, whose work focuses on Blackness in America. He uses his work to help decipher his own understanding of self . He believes that Blackness is a universal force. He tries to reveal a small part of its glory through every work he creates. Through his artistic and social practice, He hope to be a reminder to people of how we got here, with the intention to spark inspiration in Black Futures. Gray founded the Buxton Initiative in 2020, which is an organization that centers Blackness in the realm of art, music, literature, and film. In 2021, he was the recipient of the Iowa American Rescue Plan grant and the Iowa Arts and Culture Resilience Grant.
