Colorful Collaboration Turns Everyday Items Into Art: The Upcycled Garden
DES MOINES, Iowa — Art, creativity, and community came together in a big way with the creation of the Upcycled Garden, a whimsical, vibrant piece of collaborative art now on display at the Des Moines Children’s Museum thanks to the combined efforts of Art is Rad, Creative Habitat, and Mix Creative Community.
What began as a simple idea—turning discarded egg cartons into something beautiful—quickly became a community-wide celebration of imagination. With the help of museum patrons, families, and local creatives, dozens of recycled egg cartons were transformed into radiant hanging flowers. The resulting mobile is a testament to the power of collective creativity and the magic that happens when people of all ages and backgrounds are invited to make art together.
“We believe art should be fun, inclusive, and accessible to all,” said Jeremiah LaBresh, president of Art is Rad, a local organization dedicated to fostering creativity through Art Night events and public art projects. “The Upcycled Garden reflects that mission perfectly—it’s colorful, collaborative, and made entirely from easy to find upcycled materials.”
The project was co-sponsored by Creative Habitat, a family-friendly coworking community that supports small business owners and their children, and Mix Creative Community, a coworking space uniquely designed to provide functional and comfortable workspace for creative entrepreneurs and makers in West Des Moines.
The Des Moines Children’s Museum was delighted to welcome the vibrant installation into their collection of interactive exhibits. “Our patrons are always drawn to colorful displays that spark imagination and highlight sustainability,” said Laura Johnson, co-founder. “We were thrilled to add this community-made piece—it perfectly reflects the creative spirit we love to nurture here.”
The Upcycled Garden is more than just an art installation—it’s a reminder that art can be made by anyone, anywhere, and that creativity truly blooms when communities come together.
For more information about Art is Rad and upcoming community projects, visit https://artisrad.org/. To learn more about the Des Moines Children’s Museum, visit https://www.dsmchildrensmuseum.com.
