Each year, community artists of all ages and skill levels create 80+ 2′ x 2′ paintings following a theme that connects to the prairie. All the artwork is then mounted in the 9-acre restored Iowa prairie at the Wallace Farm.

Walk along the grassy prairie paths, around the farm pond and next to the orchard during this self-guided tour from June through September.

Admission is free and the exhibit is open dawn to dusk. (Buildings and restrooms are open M-F 9 to 3.)

2026 Theme: Sounds in the Prairie

The prairie is never really silent. Wind moves through the tall native plants, birds greet the morning, insects hum at dusk, and storms roll across the open sky. We welcome every interpretation of “Sounds in the Prairie” from artists of all ages and skill levels to paint a board.

Sign up to participate here!

Starting March 10, we provide a primed board to anyone in the community (while supplies last) with pick up at the Wallace House in Des Moines or the Wallace Farm near Orient. You create your work and return it to either location by Friday, May 15. Each board costs $10 and you can claim your artwork after the exhibit is over in October.

Artists can opt to turn your art board into a one-of-a-kind birdhouse at the end of the season for an additional $25. Birdhouses will be available for pickup after December 15 and we will email when ready for pickup.