The Blanden opened in 1932.

Evelyn Ruhnke, of Algona, is 100.

She was showing off her pressed flower art. Each arrangement is neatly framed behind glass.

“I did all of these,” Ruhnke said. “I raise them. I have a flowerbed at my apartment. The frames are recycled. I love getting up and playing with flowers. I get to enjoy God’s creation every day.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Roberta Botchler, of Fort Dodge, talks with a young arts patron Saturday during the Blanden Art Festival at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum in Fort Dodge. This was Botchler's first year showing at the event.

She still has the first piece she did. It was on display, although not for sale. She made it in 1944.

Roberta Bochtler, of Fort Dodge, was exhibiting her acrylic landscapes for the first time.

She has an unusual studio “space.”

“I work on the kitchen counter right next to the sink,” Bochtler said.

It’s a practical decision. She said the natural light is just right and the floor is linoleum, which makes for easy cleanup of the inevitable paint drip or two.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Evelyn Ruhnke, of Algona, shows off a framed collection of flowers she created in 1944 at the Blanden Art Festival at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum in Fort Dodge. She's surrounded by recent work.

She discovered that she likes to paint by accident, sort of. Her family had gotten her a ticket to a wine and painting evening. At first reluctant, she ended up enjoying herself.

“I had a wonderful time,” she said. “I’ve been painting ever since.”

She’s quite prolific.

“I paint it, then stick it in the closet,” she said. “What if I ever have to move?”

She had dozens of pieces on display.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Amelia Satterwhite, 9, of Webster City, gets a clay throwing lesson from Nathan Moore, of Ames, Saturday during the Blanden Art Festival at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum in Fort Dodge.

Common feedback for the artist is, “Did you paint all of them?”

And yes, she did.

Mellissa Naeve, of Fort Dodge, attended the festival with her family. She ended up with two spin art pieces, each created by her children.

“I’m putting them on the fridge, then moving them into their rooms,” Naeve said.

She encourages the arts at home and enjoys creating many things herself.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Ashlee Behrens, 17, at left, and her friend Fiona Conrad, 16, both of Fort Dodge, stop to look over some of the offerings after getting balloon hats Saturday at the Blanden Art Festival at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum in Fort Dodge.

“I’m not materialistic,” she said. “I make elf clothing, little trinkets. I don’t buy a lot. I like to draw, color and paint.”

She gave the festival two thumbs up.

“We love it,” she said.

Jessica Satterwhite, of Fort Dodge, was watching her daughter, Amelia Satterwhite, 9, create a clay piece at Nathan Moore’s spinning wheel.

“She loves art,” Jessica Satterwhite said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Carol Tell, of Dayton, looks over some of Nathan Moore's clay works Saturday during the Blanden Art Festival at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum in Fort Dodge.

It was her second time on the clay wheel. She said she also enjoys Diamond Art, painting, sketching and coloring.

So is throwing a piece on the wheel difficult?

“It’s in the middle since I’ve done it before,” Amelia Satterwhite said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Mellissa Naeve, of Fort Dodge, carries a pair of still drying spin art pieces created by her children Saturday during the Blanden Art Festival at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum in Fort Dodge.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
A canvas at the Blanden Art Festival at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum in Fort Dodge gave visitors a chance to make a self portrait.