From the Director,

The ENVISION 2030 Celebration held from 5-7pm at the Blanden Art Museum on Friday, February 1st is an event that celebrates the City of Fort Dodge's first long-range plan in its history. It is an historic event to have a long range plan, developed by the hundreds of community participants in group discussions facilitated by The Slater Group during the period from December 2006 through October 2007. Adopted by the City Council of Fort Dodge the long-range plan envisions a safe, vibrant, ecologically-sensitive, and attractive city, with excellent transportation routes, utilities infrastructure, a focus on the benefits of the Des Moines River as a recreation and leisure attraction, and athletic, education, and arts offerings. The ENVISION 2030 Celebration is free - the entire region is invited.

During the ENVISION 2030 Celebration and up until February 16th the KATE JAVENS: American Beasts exhibition will be on view. Thematically centered on American individuals from the late 1700s through present day who changed their communities, this exhibit is a perfect environment for the commemoration of Fort Dodge's first adoption of a long-range plan.

Three new exhibitions will open during the period from early January through March, all developed by Lindsay Shannon, Curator. Lindsay's exceptional ability to organize exhibitions from the permanent collection, shedding new meaning on the works of art is a benchmark for the Blanden. Free Gallery Guides are available for Lindsay's Casualties of War: Modern Artists and the Second World War exhibition.

Linda Flaherty, Museum Education, has organized superb classes for children that focus on integrating the process of imagining with the reality of actual construction. Additionally, expert artists in basket weaving, watercolor painting, and pastel drawing will facilitate adult workshops that challenge local artists to push their skills to a higher level.

Pam Kay, Business Office, and Mark Jessen, Security & Maintenance, ensure that each visitor has a relaxing, enjoyable experience at the Blanden through visitor service, safety, and facilities maintenance.

Warm winter wishes & stimulating,
energetic spring wishes to everyone.

Margaret A. Skove
Director

Blanden Art Museum
920 Third Avenue South, Ft. Dodge, Ia. 50501 (515.573.2316)
Fax: (515.573.2317)

OPEN Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
CLOSED Sunday and Monday