MAKER NIGHT: Easy Silver Earrings Ages: 21 years old and up Day/Date/Time: Thursday, November 7, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Cost: $45 materials included Description: Learn about wire work and make your own earrings. Learn about metals, wire, gauges, tools, and also learn about gemstones, wrapped eye loops and how to make head pins, bead links […]
LOCATED IN THE COMMUNITY GALLERY Ange Altenhofen "Metaphorical function" is a term I use to describe my work, dovetailing sculptural form with the innate potential for usefulness and interaction that every three-dimensional object possesses. In this scenario function follows form, recycling art into a prosaic, functional object that is activated through touch and let loose […]
All Kinds of Art! Fall Conference Workshops Ages: K – 5 Time: 9 am – 3 pm Cost: $50 for each one day workshop Thursday, November 7 Friday, November 8 THIS REGISTRATION IS FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8 ONLY. Check the class listing for additional sessions. Register for just one or both; a separate registration is required for each […]
Hand Built Clay Ornaments (NOV) Ages: 16 years old and up Day/Date/Time: Tuesdays, 6 – 9 pm, November 12 – 19 (2 weeks) Cost: $50 Description: Create autumn and winter hand built ornaments for your holiday packages, wreaths, and for use in decorating. Students will learn to use slab and hand building techniques. Bring your favorite […]
EXPLORING ART: SESSION 4 (DEC) Ages: 18 months – younger 3’s Day/Time: Tuesdays, 9:15 - 10am Cost: $60 for each 4 week session below. Session 1 (SEPT): September 3 – 24 Session 2 (OCT): October 1 – 22 Session 3 (NOV): October 29 – November 19 Session 4 (DEC): November 26 – December 17 THIS […]
Wheelthrowing: Ceramic Mugs & Vases Ages: 16 years old and up Time/Day: Mondays, 6 – 9 pm Dates: (3 weeks) December 2 - 16 Cost: $95 includes 12.5 lbs. of clay, all glazes and firing. Description: Students at all skill levels will learn, review and hone wheel throwing techniques. Instructor: Jackie Comito Location: Ceramics Studio Class Limit: 7 Registration closes when the […]
Children’s Picture Book Design and Self-publishing Ages: 15 years old and up Day/Date/Time: Saturday, December 7, 10 am – 2 pm (30 minute break at 12 pm) Cost: $135 Description: Have you always wanted to create you very own children’s book but just don’t know how to get it off the ground? Self-published children’s author […]
LOCATED IN THE COMMUNITY GALLERY (FIRST FLOOR) Artist Biography Emily Lambertsen Minnie is an artist who specializes in charcoal drawing and oil painting. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Tennessee. Emily taught art for three years […]
Contemporary Approach in Drawing (JAN/FEB) Ages: 18 years old and up Day/Date/Time: Sundays, 12:30 – 4 pm, January 19 – February 9 (4 weeks) Cost: $250 Description: “If you can draw a triangle, you can draw this.” ~Jack Wilkes, Instructor (see photo) Using drawing techniques, value, design elements, and observational skills, participants will learn to […]
LOCATED IN SWEENEY GALLERY (THIRD FLOOR) Artist Statement Limen may pertain to the sill of a doorway, the threshold itself, or the point at which a stimulus produces a physiological or psychological response. It marks a boundary of perception. The thresholds presented here explore feelings of liminality, and loss. Things emerge and divide, crystalize in time, […]
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
Privacy Policy
We encourage online shopping! Contact us with questions.
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)