A festival in the middle of nowhere: Inaugural Madrid event features diverse local artists
Siriaco Garcia has come a long way in the last 10 years. Now, he wants to help other artists increase their visibility through his unique event.
Known as Siricasso, Garcia powered through a rough childhood with many challenges, including domestic violence. His role models, however, did everything they could to survive.
As an adult, he turned to painting as a way of expressing himself.
As his talent blossomed, success followed, with the Des Moines Register recently tapping the muralist as a "Person to Watch" in 2024.
Now, that passion for art has led to Siricasso creating the inaugural "The Middle of NOWhere" Rural Art and Music Festival in Madrid.
The celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 20 at The Cellar Winery, 2183 320th St.
Siricasso's eclectic event will showcase area artists of all ages, anchored by varying artistic styles. A mix of local musicians will also perform throughout the day.
"The Cellar is in a beautiful location where people can enjoy nature while they are also looking at art and listening to music," Siricasso said.
More: Siriaco Garcia overcomes a rough youth to become emerging star of central Iowa art world
Art, music and food
Siricasso knows the importance of opportunity. He was the first person in his family to graduate, crossing the stage as an Ames High School student in 2014.
The Ames Tribune wrote an article about him that year, and he started painting shortly after.
"Looking back at the past 10 years, it shows the growth," Siricasso said. "It's amazing to see that."
He recently completed a Candyland-inspired mural at Lollipop, a kids' barbershop in Des Moines, and a couple of days before that, he finished a mural at Hoover High School. Siricasso also painted the "Huxley" mural in the shopping plaza of his home community.
The free July 20 event in Madrid will feature art, music, food trucks, games, and community art activities.
Live music will begin at 1 p.m. and Emmett Phillips will emcee.
"We're bringing a diverse lineup, bringing different artists here," Siricasso said. "I want to bring a blend and make sure everybody has the opportunity to be seen and heard."
The Middle of NOWhere Rural Art and Music Festival isn't the first Siricasso has organized. He also created an event at Columbus Park in Des Moines during Art Week.
"I wanted to do something to activate that neighborhood, so I put on a kid-friendly festival but also invited artists," he said.
A key goal of that festival was to make it affordable for vendors, a notion Siricasso carried over to The Middle of NOWhere Festival.
More: Here are the Des Moines Register's 2024 People to Watch
"I don't want artists to feel that pressure to sell to pay for the cost. I want them to just come network and be involved with each other," Siricasso said.
A talented promoter
Siricasso operates several smaller music and arts events throughout the year but was looking for a venue where he could hold a big annual event.
That's when John Barber, who co-owns The Cellar with his wife, Barb Hokel, reached out. Barber heard Siricasso being interviewed on a radio show and wanted to offer their vineyard as a venue.
"What he was doing was so impressive to me," Barber said.
The picturesque, peaceful landscape in rural Madrid was just what Siricasso had in mind.
"I wanted to do something outside the city where we aren't boxed in," the artist said.
Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Inaugural Middle of NOWhere art festival to be held near Madrid
