DES MOINES, Iowa — As part of their Holiday Promenade, local artists designed window displays in downtown Des Moines, but one artist didn’t go with the classic green and red.

This is the first year the Greater Des Moines Partnership has worked with local businesses and artists to put together windows displays. The theme is Nutcracker, and six local businesses were each assigned different moments and characters throughout the ballet.

“Each space was collaborative with a bunch of different artists, so each one has its own flair,” said Amelia Klatt, the Greater Des Moines Partnership Director of Events. “There are some that have window paintings, others there are items within the windows for people to drive by and see.

While most of the artists stuck to the classic red and green, one took a different approach.

“The holidays sometimes can be stressful. They can be very busy, a lot can come up. And so, I wanted to bring the temperature of the holiday down and kind of pare back all the colors,” said Jill Wells a local artist. “So, it’s really minimal. It’s hopefully peaceful and offers a little bit of reflection for folks.”

Jill aims to bring inclusivity into her art and this project was no different. People can scan a QR code to hear a description of the artwork that talks them through the installation. You are also able to interact with the display from the inside.

“It gives you access through touch to the work. And it talks about some of the inaccessibility that we live with within our world today,” said Wells. “And then it also centers disability because the Braille text is first, and the English text is second.”

Jill says the project turned into a fun family activity and she hopes the GDSM Partnership continues to bring opportunities like this to local artists and downtown.

These six locations feature iconic moments from the Nutcracker:

• The Nutcracker – Flynn Wright
  • 1408 Locust St. 
  • Artist: Michelle Lamb 
• The Rat King – Ballet Des Moines
  • 655 Walnut St. 
  • Artist: Jamie Milne 
• The Magical Christmas Tree – Pappajohn Center
  • 1200 Grand Ave. 
  • Artist: Jill Wells 
• Waltz of the Flowers – Davis Brown Tower
  • 215 10th St. 
  • Artist: Wildflower 
• Sugar Plum Fairy – Wellmark YMCA
  • 501 Grand Ave. 
  • Artist: Hannah Harthoorn 
• Snowflake King and Queen – Greater Des Moines Partnership
  • 700 Locust St. (Windows on 7th St.) 
  • Artist: Jacob Kuperman 

“This initiative is about bringing the community together to experience the beauty of the season while supporting local businesses,” said Chris Della Vedova, Operation Downtown Board Chair. “We hope this Winter Window Wonderland sparks joy and inspires people to shop local, dine downtown, and enjoy this time of year with family and friends.” 

To experience the full wonder of the downtown Christmas spirit head out on Fridays for the Holiday Promenade from 5 to 8 p.m. Every Friday through December 20th, there will be holiday activities, live entertainment, and shopping.