The Blanden Memorial Art Museum presents “Cityscapes,” a watercolor exhibition by Fort Dodge native Richard Hanson, on view in the second floor gallery from Saturday through March 28.

A public reception will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 7, with an artist talk beginning at 3 p.m.

“Cityscapes” features Hanson’s richly textured visual impressions of Italian streets and architecture. Shaped by years of living, working, and traveling in Italy, Hanson’s work reflects a deep interest in art history and its relationship to the culture that produced it. The Italian Renaissance, with its innovation and artistic energy, continues to inform his approach to composition, structure, and visual storytelling.

Italy’s reverence for art, architecture, and historical monuments left a lasting impression on Hanson.

Drawn to imagery that is less than pristine, Hanson focuses on highly detailed surfaces and complex spatial relationships. He builds space through strong contrasts of black and white, allowing strategic areas of color and texture to emerge. As a representational painter, formal design is central to his work.

Hanson is a representational watercolor artist and art educator whose career spans more than 50 years. His current work centers on textured visual interpretations of Italian streets, highlighting the contrast between ancient architectural forms and contemporary life.

Hanson’s work has been exhibited more than 150 times nationwide and has earned numerous juror awards. Notable exhibitions include OK Harris Works of Art in New York, the National Watercolor Society in Los Angeles, and the American Watercolor Society in New York.

Born and raised in Fort Dodge, Hanson is a 1967 graduate of St. Edmond High School. He holds an associate degree from Iowa Central Community College, a bachelor’s degree in art education from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, and a master’s degree in studio art (painting) from Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota.

He spent his professional career as an art educator with Fort Dodge Community Schools and Iowa Central Community College.