By Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register
Originally published October 16, 2026.
Five new murals premiered Friday, Oct. 9, in West Des Moines’ Valley Junction, representing what the city calls the largest public art investment in Valley Junction’s history.
The Fall Gallery Night event in Valley Junction included the presentation of new murals along Fifth Street, at 127, 131, 208, 214 and 233.
Artists were available to speak with visitors about their work that reflects Valley Junction’s history and culture, according to a City of West Des Moines news release.
The murals are the first phase of Historic Valley Junction Foundation’s “Vivid Junction” initiative. The phase is specifically called “Off the Rails” — a nod to the neighborhood’s ties to the railroad.
Five new murals celebrate Valley Junction’s history
The murals are “Siding” by Thomas Agran and Drew Etienne, “The Line’s Legacy” by Biafra Inc., “Catch the Wind” by Mike Giron and A Midsummer’s Mural, “Night Life” by Nick Goettling, and “Iowa Prairie Keepers” by James Navarro.
The murals were chosen from submissions to the Historic Valley Junction Foundation’s Design Committee, and public preferences were also collected from social media.
A $154,000 investment in public art
West Des Moines city spokesperson Janet Wilwerding said the total cost of the project was $154,000. Microsoft contributed $100,000, a grant from Bravo Greater Des Moines — the region’s arts council — covered $50,000, and the city contributed $4,000.
“Valley Junction is the heart of West Des Moines’ heritage and its cultural center,” Historic Valley Junction Foundation wrote on its website. “As we build on the stories and successes of this special place, the Historic Valley Junction Foundation is excited to work with our partners to bring even more vibrancy to the district.”
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