DES MOINES, IA.- Steven Vail Fine Arts, is pleased to announce the opening of their Des Moines location scheduled for February 2009.

The space, located in the historic Teachout Building on East Locust in Des Moines, was restored and is owned by international award winning Iowa architect Kirk Von Blunck, FAIA. The 1500 square foot gallery will consist of one single salon. Throughout the year, the gallery will be open to the public and will offer prints and works on paper by European and American contemporary artists as well as continuing it’s tradition of representing works by world-renowned 19th, 20th century artists including Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, Jackson Pollock, Franz Kline, Claes Oldenburg and Andy Warhol.

In the wake of the City of Des Moines’ announcement of the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden, the gallery opening is being greeted as additional recognition that Des Moines, Iowa is rapidly becoming an important citizen in the nation supporting contemporary art.

“Returning to a Des Moines location will renew our presence in the Midwest.” Steve Vail said. "With Kirk’s life long passion for art and our mutual interest in nurturing a culture of fine art in Des Moines, it is both a fitting and proper step to open a gallery in the Teachout Building," Vail added. “It will truly be a worthwhile experience for the community and certainly a venue that will rival many in top metropolitan art arenas”.

Steven Vail’s professional experience in fine arts business, research, consulting and arts administration dates back to 1993 and Vail–Giesler Contemporary Art, LLC at 316 SW 5th Street in Des Moines. Since then he has pursued an independent consulting practice concentrating on the arts of the twentieth century, and until 2002 served as a partner in Foster & Vail Fine Arts in New London, CT. Vail’s long experience in private dealing, curatorial work and art historical research have been responsible for the sale of major work to private and institutional collectors both in the Americas and abroad. With a historical expertise in the New York School the company is represented, and has secured a significant clientele, in Latin America, Asia and Europe.

Steven Vail Fine Arts Iowa will be located in the historic Teachout Building, 500 East Locust, Floor 2. The opening exhibition will be held Saturday, February 14th from 5-9pm and will consist of examples of stone lithography by celebrated British artist Mark Francis as well as live music by Des Moines Jazz pianist John Krantz.