Two unique pieces of art are now on display on and around 6th Avenue, beautifying the corridor and surrounding neighborhood in more ways than one.
Frustrated by the appearance of litter in the neighborhood, Laura Peters, Executive Director of the 6th Avenue Corridor, Inc., decided it was time to address the issue. While researching anti-litter strategies online, she came across the Litter Letter Project, conceived by a graphic artist in Louisiana. The project features thought-provoking words constructed of rebar and chicken wire, filled with litter.
“I knew immediately that we needed to replicate this project here on 6th Avenue,” Peters stated. “These words carry a dual message for environmental sustainability and community revitalization. My hope is that people will reflect on their meaning, and feel inspired to take action. It’s about building awareness AND pride in our community.”
The 6th Avenue Corridor partnered with Moulton Extended Learning Center and Children and Family Urban Movement (CFUM) to create the word “HOPE”. Martha McCormick, an educational consultant with Keep Iowa Beautiful, guided youth from CFUM through a process to develop and determine their word. “The kids were amazed at how much litter they picked up on their first sweep of the neighborhood. They are pretty excited about the leadership role they’re playing in this project. I think they’ll make a real difference in the neighborhood.”
On April 22nd (Earth Day), youth of CFUM and Moulton Extended Learning Center
conducted a neighborhood clean-up in the area surrounding their school. That afternoon, each Moulton student assisted with the filling of “THINK” during Moulton’s Earth Day Garden Party. (Their word “HOPE” wasn’t quite ready yet). On Saturday, April 26th, community members conducted a neighborhood clean-up focusing on remaining areas around 6th Avenue. Twenty-six volunteers picked up approximately 95 bags of litter. After a picnic, together the group filled the word “HOPE”. “THINK” is now on display in a highly-visible, vacant lot at 6th & Forest. “HOPE” has been placed in a garden at the corner of 9th & College. Both words will be on display indefinitely, perhaps being refilled and moved to other locations on the corridor.
The 6th Avenue Corridor would like to thank all of the supporters for the project:
Steve Murga (Artist/Fabricator)
Metro Waste Authority
Keep Iowa Beautiful
Martha McCormick
Metro Arts Alliance Green Arts Program
Andrea Hauer
Mike Hildebrand
Laura Graham
Breanne Barnum
Links to the
THINK and
HOPE albums are available on our
Facebook page.
6th Avenue Corridor has launched an exciting new initiative - a MultiCultural Market! In 2015, the Market will run from August to November and will reopen in May of 2016 as a weekly or bi-weekly event. The MultiCultural Market features a diverse array of ethnic and multicultural products - textiles, artisan goods, food, and more! (Products will vary based on vendor availability.)
The MultiCultural Market will be open the first Sunday of each month (August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1) at the grassy lot on the southwest corner of the intersection of 6th Avenue and Washington Avenue.
As part of 6th Avenue Corridor's core mission to support business development within the area, this Market will allow emerging entrepreneurs an opportunity to develop their businesses and customer base. We also hope it will provide a fun place for residents and visitors to gather on a Sunday afternoon - creating connections, celebrating the growing multiculturalism of Des Moines, and showcasing all the wonderful assets of the 6th Avenue Corridor district.
The cost to be a vendor is only $20 per Market and a table and 2 chairs will be provided to each vendor (if desired). We require no vendor insurance as our organization has secured a special policy that covers vendors.
For questions about the MultiCultural Market, please call 515-314-4243 or email director@6thavedsm.org. If you'd like to join the planning committee, we'd welcome your input and ideas!
The annual Main Street Iowa Awards was held on Friday, May 1, 2015 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center (Iowa Events Center) in downtown Des Moines. The event to recognize local Main Street projects, activities and volunteers was attended by more than 500 individuals representing communities across the state. Competitive nominations were submitted for 107 projects and activities within the five categories of design, economic restructuring, organization, promotion and overall program. Twenty-one projects received winner awards recognition and nine received honorable mention.
6th Avenue Corridor received the following state awards and special recognitions: Business Start-Up Success Story - C Fresh Market, Image Campaign - Litter Letter Project, Volunteer of the Year - Jason Harmer.
The honors were presented by Governor Terry E. Branstad and Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). In addition to the competitive nominations, individuals, couples or co-chairs representing the 52 Main Street programs were recognized for their outstanding dedication and volunteer service. The program directors accompanied their volunteers on stage as they received their certificates.
“In my 1985 Condition of the State address to the Iowa Legislature, I proposed finding the funds to create Main Street Iowa,” stated Governor Branstad. “We knew from the very beginning that Main Street was not a quick-fix solution, but rather an incremental approach to fostering positive change. In my travels across the state, I have seen the program at work in small towns, mid–size cities, urban centers and neighborhood commercial districts. It has had far greater impact than we ever could have imagined in 1985.”
Of the awards, interim Executive Director Breann Bye remarked, "We're incredibly proud that the efforts of our businesses and volunteers have been recognized at a state-wide level. All of us involved with 6th Avenue Corridor feel the energy and momentum that has taken hold in our Urban Main Street District, and we were pleased to celebrate our accomplishments with other Iowans dedicated to improving their communities."
