Downtown Ames Music Walk! Thursday, September 18th, 5:00pm - 8:00pm Participate in Music Walk, from 5:00-8:00pm, throughout downtown and stop by to see our featured band, Foxpin! Join us on the Octagon Patio in the alley on the west side of the building for good music and good company! Our Performer: Foxpin is a […]
The Octagon Art Festival takes place the fourth Sunday of September along Main Street in downtown Ames, IA. The festival is held outdoors on pavement, RAIN OR SHINE. Visual arts, children’s art area, food vendors and performing arts form the foundation of the Octagon Art Festival. Approximately 10,000 people attend the festival.
Voices Group Exhibition by Cedar River Artisans Exhibition Dates: October 9th, 2025 – Exhibition Opening Day November 13th, 2025 – Exhibition Public Reception from 6:00 - 7:30PM in the Community Gallery November 13th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes Artist Statement: VOICES will center around what makes our thoughts similar not what makes us different. We look beyond […]
Come out for a scary good time on Thursday, October 9! Downtown businesses will be open late and hosting snacks and sips between 6:00 – 8:00pm. Visit us at the Octagon Shop and gift yourself with a great pair of earrings, then come back in November for a gift for someone else! 10% off all […]
Halloween Maker’s Table! Thursday, October 16th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm We provide an array of Halloween and fall art supplies and you create to your heart’s content! Open to all ages, from 5:30-7:30pm, for a $5 fee.
Featured Artist Talk Creating With Carol October 23, 2025 from 6:00 - 7:00pm in the Octagon Shop Free! Ages 16+ Join Ames artist Carol Patrick and learn how she creates new from old, how to combine colors and patterns, and a few of her tips that make sewing fun and easy. Carol creates unique reversible aprons […]
Voices Group Exhibition by Cedar River Artisans Exhibition Dates: October 9th, 2025 – Exhibition Opening Day November 13th, 2025 – Exhibition Public Reception from 6:00 – 7:30PM in the Community Gallery November 13th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes Artist Statement: VOICES will center around what makes our thoughts similar not what makes us different. We look beyond ideologies, […]
Mandalas and Music! Thursday, November 20th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm Learn to create a paint mandala as you listen to meditative music. The perfect way to relax before the rush of the holiday season. Open to anyone 18+ from 6:00-8:00pm. Refreshments available for a donation.
3rd Annual Winter Market Event by Octagon Shop Event Dates: November 24th, 2025 – Event Opening Day December 24th, 2025 – Event Closes About This Event: The Octagon will hold the 3rd annual Winter Market, featuring great finds on holiday-themed artworks from local artists and week-by-week special deals. 11/24 - 11/30 : Cards & Ornaments 12/1 […]
Holiday Ornaments 20% Off & Select Artist’s Works 20-50% Off Get ready… Set… Shop local! Winter Sidewalk Sales in Downtown Ames are a semi-annual sale held by businesses in the Downtown district. Not only will you find great deals, you’ll be supporting the local community by shopping local! You’ll find discounts, promotions, sales and many […]
About Us
The Octagon Center for the Arts is a non-profit community art center in the heart of downtown Ames, Iowa. A cornerstone of the cultural scene in Ames since 1966, the Octagon serves more than 30,000 people each year through art classes and outreach, rotating exhibits, a retail gallery shop, and the annual Octagon Art Festival.
The Octagon Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded in part through memberships, donations, and grants, including the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA) and the Iowa Arts Council.
© 2025 Octagon Center for the Arts. All rights reserved.
Octagon Center for the Arts
413 & 427 Douglas Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
Phone: 515-232-5331
Email: info@octagonarts.org
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Octagon Shop and Community Gallery
Monday-Wednesday 10:00am-5:30pm
Thursday 10:00am-7:00pm
Friday 10:00am-5:30pm
Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday CLOSED (except during the holidays)