Salonnière DSM Salon Series

10/14/2026

10/14/2026

Salonniere DSM | Salon Series

Salon 27

Sat 10 Oct 2026 | xBk Annex

Here are images of Saturday night's Salon 27 at xBk Annex. CHANGE was all around for this themed environmental focused event that included Teresa Zilk , Poets & Writers, Sarah Spain, Art Advocacy, Christine Curry, Community Outreach, Eric Kennedy, Creative Showcase, and Sarah Spain, Visual Art.

Hosted by Founder, Valerie Van Horne and supported by Bill Rogers, xBk Live, and Madison Ray, Salon's Master of Ceremonies.

Thank you to all who attended the 27th Salon and to all who have attended since January 26th, 2017.

Event Photographer: Vince Valdez

Teresa Zilk, Mandala Cynosures / Sarah Spain, Christine Curry, Squidboy, Madison Ray, xBk Live, Valerie Van Horne Art

10/13/2026

You Had To Be There.

Some moments aren’t meant to be recapped.

At Salon 27, C H A N G E was more than a theme. It was a question.

What does change mean to you?
What are we willing to protect?
What happens when we see the world differently?

Through art, poetry, music, and conversation, we reflected on our relationship with the Earth and the change we have the power to create.

We won’t be posting what was said.
We never do.

Because Salon isn’t about watching from the outside —
it’s about being in the room.

If you’ve been curious…
perhaps it’s time you were in the room.

10/11/2026

Salonniere DSM Salon Series

Last night's Salon 27 at The Annex at xBk was pure magic. Another wonderful event of poetry, art advocacy, outreach, music, visual art, and community building.

Since 2017, Salonnière DSM has brought Iowa creatives together for 27 events starting at the Gabriel House, moving to the Des Moines Social Club, and now at xBk.

These free, two-hour salons help elevate the status of creatives and provides a center for networking, new ideas, personal development and artistic growth. It allows them to reach new audiences in a safe and inviting atmosphere.

Salonniere DSM is grateful for the support.

Find the GoFundMe page to help keep it going.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-iowas-salonniere-dsm-salon-series

Salonnière DSM Salon Series

Promoting and Supporting Iowa Creatives Salonnière DSM Salon Series … Valerie Van Horne needs your support for Support Iowa’s Salonniere DSM: Salon Series

10/10/2026

Salonniere DSM Salon Series

Salonniere DSM's Master of Ceremonies is no other than Madison Ray! Multi talented performer, producer, and passionate advocate for building community through the creative arts. Madison will bring his signature energy and wit as MC for Salon 27 on Saturday, October 9th at The Annex at xBk.

10/09/2026

S A L O N 2 7

C H A N G E

Some stories are told without words.

For Salon 27, we’re excited to welcome Eric Kennedy to our Creative Showcase.

Bluesy folk-rock.
A little grit.
A lot of heart.

A veteran of the Des Moines music scene, Eric has played with Squidboy and Why Make Clocks. Today, he brings his singer-songwriter side to the stage as a solo artist.

Music that feels lived in.
Stories shaped by experience.
A voice all his own.

C H A N G E sounds different for everyone.

SALONNIÈRE DSM PRESENTS

S A L O N 2 7 : C H A N G E

Saturday, October 10, 2026 \ 7–9 PM | Doors at 6:30 PM
The xBk Annex \ 1163 24th St, Unit B, Des Moines, IA

Dress beautifully. Bring your curiosity.
Leave room for intrigue.

10/09/2026

S A L O N 2 7

C H A N G E

Some connections run deeper than we realize.

For Salon 27, we’re excited to welcome Christine A. Curry to our Community Outreach segment.
Environmental conservationist.

Mixed-media artist.
A champion for clean water.
A voice for the Mississippi River watershed.

Christine blends science, art, and community engagement to restore ecosystems, build climate resilience, and inspire a deeper connection to the places we call home.

Science rooted in community. Art shaped by place. A vision for a more resilient future.

C H A N G E begins with how we care for the world around us.

SALONNIÈRE DSM PRESENTS

S A L O N 2 7 : C H A N G E

Saturday, October 10, 2026 \ 7–9 PM | Doors at 6:30 PM
The xBk Annex \ 1163 24th St, Unit B, Des Moines, IA

Dress beautifully. Bring your curiosity.
Leave room for intrigue.

Christine Curry

10/08/2026

Salonniere DSM Salon Series Events

*21+ - Limited Seating On a First Come, First Serve Basis

10/08/2026

S A L O N 2 7

C H A N G E

What if we looked again at what we’ve chosen to throw away?

For Salon 27, we’re honored to welcome Sarah Spain to our Art Advocacy and Visual Art segments.

An Iowa native and multidisciplinary artist, Sarah transforms discarded plastics, salvaged electronics, and reclaimed materials into evocative sculptures and installations.

Her current work begins on her daily walks, where she gathers what she calls “diamonds in the rough” and “fossils of the petroleum age.”

Through assemblage, Sarah asks us to reconsider what we protect, what we discard, and what we decide is worthy of our attention.

From the gutter to the gallery.
From ME to WE.
From discarded to reimagined.

C H A N G E begins with reflection.

SALONNIÈRE DSM PRESENTS

S A L O N 2 7 : C H A N G E

Saturday, October 10, 2026 \ 7–9 PM | Doors at 6:30 PM
The xBk Annex \ 1163 24th St, Unit B, Des Moines, IA

Dress beautifully. Bring your curiosity.
Leave room for intrigue.

Mandala Cynosures / Sarah Spain

05/30/2026

Hello Everyone!

Since last August, my art has been waiting patiently for me.

I've spent many years giving my time and energy to supporting the arts community, and I don't regret a moment of it. But I've realized that if I'm going to encourage others to make art, I also need to make room for my own.

So I'm taking a step back from some of the community service work I do in the arts and shifting my focus toward creating again. I'll continue to champion artists, arts organizations, and creative projects, but more through social media, storytelling, and advocacy than through producing Salonnière DSM Salon Series events.

As part of that decision, I've postponed Salon 27 at The Annex. Instead of taking place during the Des Moines Arts Festival, it will now be held in October.

This isn't an ending. It's a realignment.

I'm not walking away from the arts community that has meant so much to me. I'm simply turning my attention back toward the creative work that first led me there—to my own art, the art of others, and the art that surrounds me in my neighborhood.

Thank you for your love and understanding.

PEACE + LOVE + ART & MUSIC = HAPPINESS