Poetry SLAM! Thursday, August 21st, 5:30pm – 8pm The Octagon is holding its first ever poetry slam! Come hear original work from local poets of all ages and styles. The event will begin at 5:30 and poets will take the stage at 6:00. This is a free event, for attendees and poets alike. We […]
Just Duet Group Exhibition by Alexandra Ackerman and Jeremy Ackerman Exhibition Dates: August 18th, 2025 – Exhibition Opening Day September 5th, 2025 – Exhibition Reception 5:30PM – 7:30PM in the Community Gallery September 5th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes Artists' Statements: Alexandra Ackerman: For as long as I can remember I have found comfort and joy […]
Find your art supply treasures and bag them up for free! From 10am - 2pm In the Octagon 2nd Floor Dance Studio Prairie Rose Needleworks, Knittery Nook and the Octagon have been gathering art and craft supplies from the community throughout August. And now we want to make them available to you - for free! […]
Visions of Hildegard Solo Exhibition by Christopher Hynes Exhibition Dates: September 12th, 2025 – Exhibition Opening Day September 12th, 2025 – Exhibition Reception 5:30PM – 7PM in the Community Gallery with choir performance by the group "Good Company" at 6pm September 28th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes Artist Statement: “There is a little bit of something […]
Visions of Hildegard Solo Exhibition by Christopher Hynes Exhibition Dates: September 12th, 2025 – Exhibition Opening Day September 12th, 2025 – Exhibition Reception 5:30PM – 7PM in the Community Gallery with choir performance by the group "Good Company" at 6pm September 28th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes Artist Statement: “There is a little bit of something […]
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.
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)