Special Events

ENVISION 2030
FRIDAY, February 1st, 5pm - 7pm
Free and open to the public. Music by
WORLD PORT of West Des Moines, refreshments

By 2030 Fort Dodge is a vibrant community and destination
center. The Des Moines River is the city's focal point
with pedestrian walkways and hiking trails, equestrian and bicycle paths,
canoeing and boat launches, and alternative vehicle bridges span the river,
linking the city's west side community college, retirement communities, and
full-service specialty medical center to the east side historic downtown,
cultural institutions, and shopping districts.
Known statewide as an exemplary safety-oriented community, Fort
Dodge citizens respect the surrounding ecological environment, are proud
of the city historical origins, encourage cultural diversity, and are open to
discussion of sustainable, innovative concepts.

Guided by the SIX PILLARS of CHARACTER –
Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness,
Caring, and Citizenship - we will create a global community that is a catalyst
to stimulate economic development and adds value to the quality of life
for our citizens, partners, and investors.

Physical safety of each and every citizen and visitor.
Redesigned land use, transportation road and airways,
and utilities infrastructure that supports environmentally safe economic
growth and construction of affordable housing.
Community public spaces [entry-points to city, Des Moines River, river
frontage land, parks, recreational sports] are attractive, proactively
designed to conserve natural resources, environmentally safe, user-friendly,
and provide linkages between west and east sides of the city. All
public land is well maintained throughout the year. Diversity of leisure time
activities is provided in the form of encouragement and private-public financial
partnership support of the library [education, accessible global information],
regional historic sites, and musical, theater, vocal, dance, and visual
arts venues.
Citizens are encouraged to participate in public forums and to
volunteer at public institutions. Citizens of all nationalities and cultural
heritages are encouraged to become city leaders.

Kids Art Day – Saturday, March 15
beginning at 12:30pm
Organized by Linda Flaherty, Museum Education

March is Youth Art Month, and we would like you to come help us celebrate again this year on Saturday, March 15. We have an afternoon of entertaining activities planned that will be fun for the whole family. Visit both the classroom and the gallery for experimentation and adventure. Things will start happening at 12:30 PM.

In the main floor gallery prepare to be transfixed by the Storytellers of the Prairie as they recount the adventures and perils of life on the prairie right here in Iowa. Clayton and Linda Layman of Rockwell City, and Alan Baughman of Manson are a talented and experienced group of storytellers who captivate the imagination of the young and the memories of the old. They have been featured at the Iowa State Fair and many other public events. You don't have to be a kid to enjoy Kids' Art Day at the Blanden this year.

Be sure to take some time during the afternoon to visit the lower level classroom for some hands on art making. The classroom will be full of activity as Roger Feldhans and some enthusiastic art teaching, art-making assistants join us to help you experiment with mixing all kinds of color. Roger is an artist who's spirit of adventure led him not only to build his spin art machines and to use color on a variety of different surfaces, but to enjoy every minute of helping others experience the joy in art making.

Here at the museum, we keep saying, “Art is for Everyone!” But today that statement will come alive when the Storytellers of the Prairie begin spinning stories in the gallery, and Roger and friends begin spinning color in the classroom.

"Storytelling and classroom activities will continue until approximately 4:30PM.
There's just one more thing- before you leave, be sure to have one of our Kids' Art Day
snacks to make the day complete"

Kids Art Day sponsored by ....

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