Big as a Barn News: March 2023

Get Your Paint Brushes Ready

We can't wait to see what masterpieces our community artists are going to produce for this year's Prairie Art Exhibit! The theme of "Prairie Footprints" is sure to spark some creative juices: think about who or what has walked the land.

Ready to start? Visit our Prairie Art web page for all the guidelines and details, plus an easy way to reserve your board(s) and pay the $10 materials fee.

This exhibit will be displayed June 1 - Oct. 1 at the Wallace Farm, dawn to dusk. Free admission. Thanks to the Knock Family Charitable Fund for support.

Cooking with Miso Class

Chef Katie still has a few spots open for her Cooking with Miso cooking class on Monday, May 8 at the Wallace House. This class will include Miso Chile-glazed Chicken over a Vegetable Slaw with a Miso Sesame Vinaigrette and finishes with Miso Caramel Sauce over Cardamom Ice Cream.

Chef Katie's classes mix step-by-step demonstration with a dab of hands-on cooking. Classes begin at 5:30 pm and last about 2 hours. Bring your own wine to enjoy with the meal. Questions? Email Katie.

Spring into Hearts & Homes

Gather your gang and celebrate the return of spring with our Hearts & Homes program at the Wallace House. Limited tables are open for April 14 and May 12, with more availability later in 2023. The 90-minute program includes a locally-sourced lunch, thought-provoking readings and interesting table discussion.

We always begin at 11:30 am, with doors opening 15 minutes prior. Accessible parking & entrance available with notice. For reservations and menus, please visit the Hearts & Homes web page or call 515.243.7063.

Wallace House improvements

During this chilly and snowy spring weather, we're thankful for the hardy and skilled folks working at the Wallace House. A crew from Woodland Fair is replacing the ADA entrance/deck on the south and west sides of the house this week.

This work, plus the new roof and 2 new HVAC systems installed a few months ago, is the result of a Community Development Grant from the Polk County Board of Supervisors and a sustainability grant from Wells Fargo. Thanks to the supervisors, Wells Fargo and all the skilled work crews for helping to preserve this historic site.

Make it monthly

A monthly gift is a great way to show your support for WCI. It breaks down your gift into more budget-friendly chunks and eliminates writing and mailing a check. Once your monthly gift is set up, you don't have to do anything else until you want to make changes. Monthly gifts provide WCI with a consistent revenue stream so we can better manage our budget. Visit our Support page and choose "Monthly".

Legacy giving

Do you want to ensure that the Wallace Centers of Iowa continues connecting people to food and the land for a long time to come? Consider a gift to one of WCI's two endowment funds. A distribution is issued each year from these funds for operational support and maintenance needs at our two historic sites. Gifts of any amount are welcome, and one of the funds allows for Endow Iowa tax credits. Contact Ann via email or at 515.243.7063 wiyou th your confidential questions and without any obligation.

Connect with us!

Visit us online at wallace.org

The Wallace Centers of Iowa

Wallace House: 756 16th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50314

Wallace Farm: 2773 290th Street, Orient, Iowa 50858