ART GALLERY

Hoyt Sherman Place Added to 2004 Des Moines Symphony Orchestra
Alliance Designer Show House Tour

For the first time in 50 years, there will be two homes featured during the annual Symphony Alliance Show House.

Hoyt Sherman Place has been added as a second stop in the tour, which also features The Hillside Apartment Building located at 1902 Woodland Ave. To prepare for the tour, renovations to the art gallery, entryway and a small bathroom on the first floor were recently completed and now the entire mansion is available for rental before the tour begins on November 9.

“We are so pleased to be part of this notable Symphony Alliance event,” said Leisha Barcus, executive director of the Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation. “This year’s event gives people a great chance to come to the Sherman Hill neighborhood and celebrate the revitalization that continues to take place, as well as highlight all the changes happening here at Hoyt Sherman Place.

Several of the same contractors and designers she worked with are the same that completed the theater renovation last year.

“Many of the people we worked with during the theater renovation have been an integral part of this project,” Barcus said. “This made things easier for everyone. They understood what we were looking for – restoring the elegance to this wonderful building.”

The most comprehensive part of the remodeling was done to the galleries. Barcus noted that it had been quite some time since the rooms of the gallery had been updated. The wooden floors were sanded and refinished. The ceiling, which was covered with outdated tiles, was refinished and new state-of-the-art lighting fixtures was installed. In addition, the walls were recovered, and a stained glass window that has hung from the ceiling beneath skylights was removed and stored until it the funds can be raised to replace in its original location in the stairwell.

The renovations offered an additional opportunity for others to view the nearly $2 million in artwork that typically hangs in Hoyt Sherman when Terrus Real Estate Group volunteered to move and install the art in the Art Zone at the Principal Financial Group.
“Safely removing the artwork was one of our biggest concerns before we started this projected,” Barcus said. “We were thrilled when The Principal Financial Group stepped forward with the services of Terrus Real Estate Group and offered to move the artwork and then display the artifacts during our renovation.”

Terrus’ help didn’t end there. After all the remodeling was completed, Terrus helped rearrange and re-hang the impressive art collection.

Other changes were made the front entry into the mansion, which was repainted, as well as a small bathroom that received a facelift.

“A few years ago, several layers of paint were removed to expose a charming stencil pattern in the entryway. We replicated the pattern in the entry hall to reflect what it looked like when the mansion was built,” Barcus said. “We made an exciting discovery in the process, though. We had thought the pattern went up the staircase, but it doesn’t. In fact, there is a whole new pattern that was exposed that we hope to duplicate the pattern in the future.”

In addition to being open for the tour, the Show House Boutique and the Show House Preview Party will also be held at Hoyt Sherman Place. Proceeds from the Show House support the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra and its many educational and community based programs.

“This is truly an exciting opportunity for everyone to see all the changes that have been made to this important community gem,” Barcus said.

Collaborators on this renovation project include: The Weitz Company; Baker Group; Color Inc.; T3 Technologies; Terrus Real Estate Group; Plumb Supply; Designing Women Interiors; Ralph N. Smith, Inc.; and Architects Wells, Kastner Shipper

The tour is scheduled from November 9 – 28. For more information about room rental or tour tickets contact Hoyt Sherman Place at 515-244-0507.

THEATER

The curtain has finally risen on Act I of the newly renovated 1,250 seats Hoyt Sherman Place Theater. A standing ovation goes over 750 corporations, foundations and individuals who made the $5.5 million restoration project possible with their generous financial support. Please be sure to read the donor plaques located throughout the main lobby and Theater.

Originally built in 1923, the renovation includes:
• air-conditioning
• new electrical wiring
• refurbished seating
• refurbished floors
• smoke detection and sprinkling system
• updated theatrical rigging
• new theatrical lighting
• updated sound system
• refurnished architectural lighting
• new storage facility and loading dock
• restored original paint colors
• remodeled dressing rooms
• updated handicapped accessibility and seating

The goal of Phase 1 was to return the Theater to its former glory and “re-gift” to the community a first class performing arts venue. We hope you like the Theater’s amazing transformation and will join the hundred’s of others who helped provide the necessary financial support.
 
WE STILL NEED YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS!

Our fundraising efforts continue in order to eliminate a current financial gap of approximately $480,000. Eliminating this gap is extremely important in order to keep the Theater accessible to our community’s non-profit performing arts organizations. Our desire is to keep rental fees affordable while utilizing theater and art gallery revenues for basic operating and building maintenance expenses. Please click here for ways in which you can contribute.
 
ARE MORE RENOVATIONS PLANNED? 

Yes! Phase II includes increasing the number of restrooms on the lower level. Phase III will expand the main stage and dressing rooms. 

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