The second annual Art Week Des Moines kicks off this week, celebrating local artists today through Sunday. Art Week Des Moines is designed to generate excitement for local art and to set the stage for the annual Des Moines Arts Festival, which will be held June 24-26 in Western Gateway Park. Art Week co-creators David Safris and Liz Adelman worked with the community to host a variety of events during the week such as public art tours, a 48-hour plein air painting festival, gallery shows, conversations with artists and performances by the Des Moines Metro Opera and the Belin Quartet. Events are scheduled for each night during Art Week Des Moines, with more being added each day. Check out its website and click on “events” for a full listing of everything planned.