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Finding an appealing Instagram background is easy most of the year. In spring, find some flowers. In summer, get some sun. In fall, it’s foliage. But dead trees and brown grass make things more difficult in winter. Fortunately, downtown Des Moines has you covered thanks to a wealth of colorful end eye-catching murals.  

“The murals are so unique and are good for an Instagram pic background,” said Dalton Dencklau, a Grand View student who is active on Instagram. “I also really like taking pictures in the streets of downtown. It gives a soft, fast-paced vibe, and I think it matches my lifestyle.” 

Public Art

One popular spot is the art piece created by Chris Vance called “No Action Too Small” on 300 E. Locust St. on the west wall of the Metro Waste Authority building. This is a colorful and vibrant mural that brightens up downtown. The cartoon-like characters have been on the wall since 2013 when the Metro Waste Authority first commissioned this mural. This street art can bring any photo to life and compliment your style.  

Another street mural is “Better Together” by Ben Schuh. This is located in the heart of the city on 401 Locust St. This mural covers the whole west side of the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel. This is a great location that represents Des Moines perfectly. The mural contains in big letters the word “ DES MOINES,” and in each letter is a picture that shows locations in Des Moines or represents Iowans in general. For example, the letter “E” of the mural shows the Bridge at Gray’s Lake. This can help take your Instagram pictures to the next level. Traveling to different street murals throughout the city can be a great way to explore more of Des Moines.  Parking might give you some headaches but it won’t hurt to find a central parking spot downtown and walk or bike to each location you find.    

Another popular Insta spot is the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park located at 1330 Grand Ave. in downtown Des Moines. The Sculpture Park features artwork by 22 different globally known artists. The park is 4.4 acres with easy walkways, which gives you access to a variety of art to be incorporated with your photos. It also has beautiful scaled landscaping to go along with the sculptures that will give you a great setting. The good thing about the park is it is open from sun up to midnight, so it gives you plenty of time to come up with creative ideas. They also offer guided tours to make sure you get the full effect of the park and you can choose the best sculptures. The only bad thing is touching, climbing, and sitting on the sculptures is not allowed, with the exception of Scott Burton’s “Seating for Eight.” Two popular pieces are the “LOVE” sculpture by Robert Indiana and the “Nomade” sculpture by Jaume Plensa. 

Photos By: Karleigh Halpin

DSM Brewery

An interesting indoor location can be found at the Des Moines Brewery. You can find it at 300 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Suite 140 in Des Moines. This location is a little hard to find, but it’s in the same building as Fuzzy’s.  

“I really liked the all-white walls and neon decoration,” Dencklau said. “The coffee is also really good, and it was my favorite spot to do homework. Coffee shops are definitely my favorite in the winter because I’m not a huge fan of dressing up when it’s cold.”  

The Des Moines Brewery sets off an interesting vibe and can be a great setting for your photos. As Dencklau said, the all-white walls and the artwork on them complement each other. Those things along with the coffee will have your followers wishing they were in the photo with you.  

Recap

No matter where you end up going, Dencklau has some advice for you.   

“I usually look for interesting or aesthetically pleasing backgrounds that aren’t too busy so the focus is still on the subject of the picture,” Dencklau said. “I also try to coordinate my outfit to the scenery. If the color palette for the location is darker tones, I’ll try to wear some dark-colored clothing.” 

Apply those principles Dencklau stated, and these locations to your Instagram photos will receive a lot of attention.