Blanden Art Museum Presents:
Walking In Traffic by Debra Smith (East Gallery)
November 1, 2025 – January 24, 2026
Reception: November 15, 2025 | 2:00–4:30pm
Artist Talk at 3:00pm
Fort Dodge, IA : The Blanden Art Museum is pleased to present Walking In Traffic, a solo exhibition by textile artist Debra Smith, on view in the East Gallery from November 1, 2025 through January 24, 2026.
The exhibition features seven new works from Smith’s most recent series, Walking In Traffic, alongside a selection of earlier works that reflect her decades-long practice with vintage textiles, including pieces dating back to 1997. Together, these works trace the evolution of Smith’s practice as a third-generation textile artist, highlighting her ability to transform vintage fabrics into contemporary narratives that bridge generations and cultures.
Smith’s work is rooted in both technical precision and intuitive artistry. “Every textile I work with holds a hidden architecture, constructed rhythms, subtle irregularities, and the presence of its maker,” she explains. “The fabric itself is never silent. It holds memory, history, and the touch of hands I will never know, yet always honor.”
Founded in 1932 through the vision and philanthropy of Charles Granger Blanden, the Blanden Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums in Iowa. Located in Fort Dodge’s historic Oak Hill District, the museum has long been a cultural cornerstone, housing a permanent collection that spans European and American painting, sculpture, and prints, while also presenting contemporary exhibitions that connect global and regional voices. Hosting Walking In Traffic within this historic institution underscores the museum’s ongoing commitment to bridging past and present through art.
Smith’s full artist statement for Walking In Traffic can be read at: https://www.debramsmith.com/events/walking-in-traffic
The public is invited to a reception on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 2:00–4:30pm, with an artist talk at 3:00pm.
Exhibition Details:
Walking In Traffic by Debra Smith
Dates: November 1, 2025 – January 24, 2026
Location: Blanden Art Museum, East Gallery
Address: 920 3rd Avenue South, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Website: www.blanden.org | Phone: 515-573-2316