Internationally recognized Spanish artist and creator of the Botanical Garden’s newest public art installation, Juanjo Novella, will be in Des Moines to celebrate the grand opening of the Founders Garden. Visit with the artist of “Threshold”, the substantial steel sculpture of a Combretaceae leaf that anchors the Founders Garden on Sunday, May 29 from noon to 2:00 p.m.  This meet and greet event is open to all Botanical Garden guests at no additional charge.

Novella, who lives in the Basque Country of Spain, is known for his exquisite, large-scale work with metal sculptures that enhance their urban surroundings and offer visitors interesting opportunities to interact with the light and shadows cast by his sculptures. As an artist with more than 37 years of experience, he is sought after as a lecturer on public art. He now works exclusively on public art sculptures, often participating in urban regeneration campaigns. His sculptures are featured across the globe.