Five new murals now line Fifth Street in West Des Moines' Valley Junction, bringing scenes of prairie wildlife, a full-scale steam locomotive and the laborers who built the railroads that shaped the district to walls at 127, 131, 208, 214 and 233. The artwork premiered Friday, Oct. 9, during the neighborhood's Gallery Night, marking the first phase of a placemaking effort called Vivid Junction.
According to the Des Moines Register, the five murals represent the first phase of the Vivid Junction initiative, which the Business Record reports was launched by the Historic Valley Junction Foundation as a redevelopment and placemaking effort. The foundation's design committee drafted the request for proposals, selected the artists and worked with property owners to secure five walls for painting, per the same outlet. Planning for the artwork began in December 2025, the West Des Moines City Council approved the project after an approval process that started in April 2026, and painting itself got underway in August 2026, the Business Record notes.
Murals Trace Prairie, Rail and Light
Local artist James Navarro created “Iowa Prairie Keepers,” featuring native flora and fauna, while Iowa City artists Thomas Agran and Drew Etienne painted “Siding,” which depicts a full-scale steam locomotive, according to dsm magazine. Twin Cities artist Biafra's contribution, “The Line's Legacy,” honors the workers who built the railroads, the magazine reports. A team led by Mike Giron of Omaha created “Catch the Wind,” featuring 3D vignettes that chronicle local railroad history.
Those four works are collectively titled “Off the Rails” and aim to improve the pedestrian experience, encourage use of the walkway and invite visitors to linger, per the Business Record. A fifth piece, Nick Goettling's “Night Life,” depicts Valley Junction's history through a series of vignettes, each centered around a source of light, dsm magazine reports. Artists attended Gallery Night to discuss their work with the community.
New Lighting Joins the Artwork
Railroad Park's globe lights have also returned, upgraded with programmable, energy-efficient color-changing LEDs that debuted during the same Gallery Night celebration, according to Axios. Axios describes the project as five new large-scale artworks — including murals and sculptures — though the Business Record and the Des Moines Register characterize the unveiling as five murals; the Business Record and Axios both describe the project as the largest public-art investment made in Valley Junction to date.
Steve Frevert, executive director of the Historic Valley Junction Foundation, said the murals are meant to “give people reason to stop, take a look at the art, reflect on it, promote the heritage of this area,” he told WHO 13. Per the Business Record, Frevert took Microsoft and West Des Moines officials on a walk through the business district during their visit to Valley Junction last summer to share his ideas for the neighborhood. Microsoft matched Bravo Greater Des Moines' funding for the project, according to the Business Record.
Foundation's Role and What Comes Next
The Historic Valley Junction Foundation is the nonprofit main street revitalization program for the community, focused on revitalizing the commercial district from Railroad Avenue to Vine Street and between Fourth and Sixth streets, the Business Record reports. Its work spans business support, events, marketing and beautification. Susan Watts, owner of Olson-Larsen Galleries, serves as president of the foundation's board, per the outlet.
Vivid Junction is supported by the Historic Valley Junction Foundation, the City of West Des Moines, Bravo Greater Des Moines and Microsoft, according to dsm magazine, and is described by Axios as an ongoing initiative that commemorates the district's heritage, adds public art and creates more inviting community spaces. The foundation is still deciding what comes next for Vivid Junction, the Business Record reports. Frevert hopes to complete additional lighting improvements and add another art piece near a different walkway, and he may also add a water feature, according to the same account.
