WHAT’S THE BUZZ? [explorations in handmade paper]: Dawn Wohlford

Octagon Center for the Arts 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, United States

Artist Statement: I could be the Poster Child for the slogan “Reuse, Reduce, Recycle.” Handmade paper is the basis for the majority of my artwork, but I often incorporate, weave or build using other found materials. I use old clothes, dead plants, shredded money, and items such as old doormats (made of natural fibers) to […]

[unTITled]: how a breast cancer survivor learned to say goodbye to her boobs

Octagon Center for the Arts 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, United States

Co-curated with Tiffany Antone, who recently went through breast cancer and a double mastectomy, this exhibit will offer space for community, connection, and healing through conversations around breast cancer and breast removal. Tiffany, and a community of artists with shared experiences of breast cancer, will showcase visual, literary, and performance artwork, and the Octagon will invite community members to participate in interactive art-making opportunities. This exhibit will interrogate our cultural obsession with breasts, bring light to the sometimes fraught (and oft-times under-realized) connection we have to them, and give voice to the myriad complicated feelings that comes with letting them go.

Snáithín Bainneanach/Feminine Fiber

Octagon Center for the Arts 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, United States

Exhibition by Cynthia O'Hern, January 30th - February 25th 2023

Octagonal 2023: The All Media Show

Octagon Center for the Arts 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, United States

Octagonal: The All-Media Show is the annual, juried all-media exhibition at the Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames, Iowa.

2023 Elementary/Middle/High School Annual Student Show

Octagon Center for the Arts 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, United States

The Octagon Center for the Arts highlights artwork by local elementary, middle, and high school students annually. GRADES K – 8 (Virtual): SHOW DETAILS: Google Form Submission Due: 5 pm, […]

515 Week at the Octagon

Octagon Center for the Arts 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, United States

Downtown Ames has a lot of fun scheduled each day from 5/15 - 5/19. On 5/16 and 5/17, help us add some fun color to our patio and paint on our fence and exterior walls!

Party on the Patio – May 18th – Featuring Leo Bird

Octagon Center for the Arts 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, United States

Party on the Patio is every third Thursday of the month, May - September from 5 PM - 8 PM. Performers are scheduled to perform from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM unless otherwise noted. Drinks and light refreshments provided for a donation.

The Words He Cannot Say

Octagon Center for the Arts 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, United States

Exhibition by Leo Bird, May 22 - June 17, 2023

Ames Art Walk – June 1st

Octagon Center for the Arts 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, United States

  5 PM - 8 PM June 1st, 2023 Here's who is coming to The Octagon during Ames Art Walk!   ⏪ Nathan Moore Ceramicist, Artist, Teacher "Born in the Midwest, […]

Party on the Patio – June 15th – Featuring Cyre Empire™

Octagon Center for the Arts 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, United States

Party on the Patio is every third Thursday of the month, May - September from 5 PM - 8 PM. Performers are scheduled to perform from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM unless otherwise noted. Drinks and light refreshments provided for a donation.