Unlike many art exhibits, Iowa Artists 2000 at the Des Moines Art Center does not focus on one style or period of art. Instead, the exhibit is devoted to art made in Iowa, by people living in the state. This 49th annual installment from the Des Moines Art Center features 77 pieces from 22 artists and will run through Oct. 22. “It’s a fascinating concept for Iowa to open its doors to people around the whole world,” said Jeff Fleming, senior curator at the Des Moines Art Center. “This exhibit portrays that through diversity.” Some artists represented in the exhibit were born in the United States, but others are from Haiti, Bosnia, Germany and Laos. Last year, Fleming went on a journey to choose which pieces would be featured in this year’s exhibit. He spent 15 months travelling across Iowa in order to meet and view the work of all the artists. Fleming believes the exhibit provides a place for Iowans to view art that was made in their own state. “The variety of the types of work and the approaches of making art is exciting,” Fleming said. Paintings, baskets, photographs, clay sculptures, wood constructions, brass figures, lace needle art, etchings and quilts are formats represented in this year’s exhibit. Subjects of the art ranges from landscapes and belief systems to photos from India and political views. Most of the artists have been featured in Iowa exhibits, with the exception of Ajisa-Zemina Maslic. Maslic moved from Bosnia, then to Spain and settled in Iowa five years ago. Her featured pieces are lace needle art and a flowing cotton scarf. Joanna Schanz and Shoua Her have been displayed before, but not in a fine art context. Schanz’s artistic talent is displayed by three hand -woven baskets. She made a story quilt which depicts her journey from Laos after the Vietnam War. Alex Brown, Margaret Stratton, Jim Shrosbree and John Dilg are artists who are involved with New York galleries or have dealers that represent them. The contrast of the artists and their work presents a wide variety of media. “It was exciting to combine that many levels of art into one presentation,” Fleming said. “All of the art is wonderful, and the artists can compete on any level.” – Lisa Schumacher