A D V O C A C Y

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Since January, 2014, I have supported and promoted Iowa Creatives through social media (Facebook, Facebook Group, & Instagram), this website, networking, and an event called Riverview Artist Salon, now called Salonniere DSM Salon Series. Always an advocate for Iowa Artists, I’ve held twenty-five salons in the Des Moines metropolitan area that have included poetry, art advocacy and community outreach presentations, a musical showcase, and visual art at locations such as the Des Moines Social Club, Pappajohn Higher Education Center, Mainframe Studios, xBk Live, Historic Valley Junction, and xBk Annex. For my efforts, I received an Excellence in Community Service Award from The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

HISTORY

In the beginning, I hosted a small Meetup.com group called River City Art and Music.  It was my community service project and a way to reconnect with my art, my love of music and other creatives. The first “Meet and Greet” event was a luncheon at the Des Moines Art Center, a Facebook page, and website were launched thereafter. Over the ensuing years, events fostered friendships and built connections between new and existing Des Moines metro residents, art advocates, benefactors and creative community members.

While attending an event at the Des Moines Social Club in August, 2016, the formation of an “artist salon” was mentioned.  Someone approached the Des Moines Social Club with this idea, and they were interested enough to put it on their calendar; however, an unfortunate series of events transpired and the salon was cancelled.  That November, I began development of Riverview Artist Salon (RAS) based on a modern day salon in Baltimore, Maryland and famous historical salons of Paris and New York.  From interactions with creatives over the previous two years, this concept was needed, so I joined my experience and love of hospitality with my soul’s reason and passion for being and held RAS1 on Thursday, January 26th, 2017 at the Historic Gabriel House at Union Park.

On February 23rd, 2017, RAS2 was held at what would become it’s ‘homebase, the Des Moines Social Club.  Over the next two and half years, 16 events were held (RAS10 at The University of Iowa’s, Pappajohn Education Center) with the final, RAS17, on August 28th, 2019, right before the club closed in September.  On October 17th, 2019, RAS18 was held at Mainframe Studios before moving to it’s new “homebase”, xBk Live for RAS19 on March 11th, 2020, the day the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic.  It would turn out to be what was thought to be the final in-person RAS at xBk Live. 

Five Riverview Artist Salon’s were scheduled at xBk Live. In addition to March 11 (RAS19), other dates included April 8 (RAS20), June 23 (Art Week/RAS21), August 12 (RAS22) and October 14 (RAS23).

From June 19th through June 26th, 2020 RAS20 went online with a barrage of social media promotions on Instagram and Facebook with works by Central Iowa Creatives curated organically for ArtWeek Des Moines.  Artist’s works and actions effecting change at the local, regional, national and international level through creative expression were posted daily on River City Art and Music, and Riverview Artist Salon’s, Instagram and Facebook feeds as well as on www.rivercityartandmusic.com.

Three months after the Des Moines Social Club closed in 2019, the name of the River City Art and Music Meetup.com group was changed to Salonniere DSM. Events included dining followed by art and music events. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-10 pandemic, events were placed on hold and the group was disbanded until further notice. However, the spark and spirit of Riverview Artist Salon and Salonniere DSM lives on through my fascination and passion for salons of the past and present and social media.

On June 23rd, 2021, a hybrid RAS21 was held at xBk Live during Art Week 2021 with prerecorded videos and a live performance by Billy Weathers (B. Well).  This event was RAS’ first fundraiser and netted the B. Well Foundation $500 in donations.

RAS21 | xBk Live | 1159 24th St. | Des Moines, IA 50311

In 2022, RCAM hosted RAS22 during Art Week at The Venue in Historic Valley Junction. The event included works by Artists of the Phenix School for Artists and invited guest Artists, culinary delicacies, live music, and typewriter poetry.

RCAM hosted RAS23, a Historic Valley Junction, Fall Gallery Night Pop-Up Event, on October 13, 2023 at Five Monkeys. The event included works by Artists of the Phenix School for Artists and invited guest Artists, as well as culinary delicacies and live music.

In 2024 a salon was not held due to family matters, but it made its triumphant return to full programming at xBk’s Annex on Thursday, November 20, 2025, with Salon 25. The name Riverview Artist Salon was replaced with Salonniere DSM Salon Series.

Salonniere DSM is grassroots and funded by its founder, Valerie Van Horne. Its private Facebook group, Atelier des Moines, has over 300 full-time, part-time, emerging, and returning Iowa creatives from all disciplines, as well as businesses, organizations, educators, and advocates of Iowa art and culture. Open calls for Salon events are first announced to this group..

Participants are provided with a free opportunity to share their words, sounds, passions, and works through presentations, displays, performances, and shows..

MISSION

To elevate the status of creatives living in our city and state and provide a center for public engagement, networking, new ideas, personal development, and artistic growth.