Chris B.
Created in 2009, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park covers 4.4 acres in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Don’t be confused by the name, the Pappajohn’s have nothing to do with pizza. John Pappajohn is actually a successful venture capitalist who started in the insurance industry. I don’t know if it would be proper to call him Iowa’s version of Warren Buffett, but that’s what came to mind when I read his bio. Many of the sculptures in the park once adorned the Pappajohn’s estate and are valued at around $40 million dollars. While I’m certainly no art aficionado, I recognize some of the artists’ work from other sculpture exhibits like the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Denver’s “the Art” Hotel. Specifically, I’ve seen works by Deborah Butterfield, Scott Burton, Barry Flanagan, Gary Hume, Judith Shea and Mark di Suervo before. As I looked back at my pictures and researched the artists, the list kept getting longer and longer. In any event, if you are interested in art and sculpture, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park is a must visit.
