Iowa Wolves along with Principal® and ArtForce Iowa to Celebrate Community with Unique Jersey Designs

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Wolves, the NBA G League franchise of the Minnesota Timberwolves, along with Principal® and ArtForce Iowa are excited to announce a collaboration to create and present unique player jerseys in celebration of the many diverse communities in Iowa, with an ensuing jersey auction to benefit local non-profits.

The creation and design of the jerseys has been led by ArtForce Iowa, a local non-profit with the mission to create opportunities for youth living on the margins through art. The community celebration jerseys designed by ArtForce Iowa youth will debut Monday, February 14, for an evening promoting Black History Month, with proceeds from the jersey auction going to I’ll Make Me A World in Iowa: Iowa’s African American Festival.

Tickets for all themed jersey nights can be purchased here.

“We can’t wait to share these jersey designs with everyone. From day one on this project, the team at ArtForce Iowa has absolutely crushed it with their intentional and meaningful approach to these designs and the importance of celebrating community,” said Chip Albright, Vice President of Marketing of the Iowa Wolves. “None of this would have been possible without the vision and commitment from leaders at Principal seeking innovative ways to support their local community here in Des Moines.”

“Principal is proud to be a part of such an exciting collaboration,” said Jo Christine Miles, Director of Principal® Foundation and Community Relations. “Art and sports are universal languages that possess an unparalleled ability to unite, inspire, engage, and inform. Principal is excited to see how our efforts to blend them together leads to new understandings and opportunities for our local community. We commend ArtForce’s thoughtful and beautiful designs, and the Wolves’ openness to provide the stage to share this art with the community and for the benefit of local organizations.”

“The opportunity to create social justice minded jerseys for the Iowa Wolves was an experience I know that so many of us in the ArtForce Iowa community will continue to treasure,” said Emma Parker, ArtForce Iowa Program Director. “Knowing that the voices and ideas from our community will be worn by the players and seen by the greater community is truly an honor. I hope that we can continue to provide unique opportunities like this to the young people who call Des Moines home in the hopes of strengthening our communities and understanding of one another.”

The list of themed community celebration games is below. All games will be played at Wells Fargo Arena starting at 7 p.m. and will include opportunities to win the jerseys in an auction benefitting local non-profits.

Black History Celebration Night, February 14
Asian American Pacific Islander Celebration Night, February 23
Women’s History Celebration Night, March 16
Hispanic Heritage Celebration Night, March 29
LGBTQ+ PRIDE Night, March 31
Mental Health Awareness Night, April 1