Make Stuff, ages 13 – 15 Thursdays, 6:30 – 8 pm January 17 – 31 (3 weeks) $65 A perfect time to get creative in this all media class. Each week you can dabble in painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, or collage. New skills, materials and techniques will be introduced and amazing projects will be created! […]
Beginning Scottish Country Dance Fridays, 7 - 8 pm January 18 - February 22 (6 weeks) $45 Learn the art of the very social and lively Scottish Country Dance with experienced Instructors. After your one hour session, you are welcome to stay and join in with the Scottish Country Dancers. Wear comfortable clothing and soft […]
Knitted Stocking Cap Saturday, January 19 1 - 4 pm $40 If you already know how to knit and are looking for a simple, quick winter cap project, this is YOUR class. Knit this classic stocking cap on 2 needles in any size (provided pattern includes sizes Child through Adult XL). Class will introduce 2-color […]
All Kinds of Art! Winter Conference Workshop, K – 5 Monday, January 21 9 am – 3 pm $45. Sign up for one or both days. Pre-registration required. Bring a sack lunch and get creative on your days off! To register: enter the number of “tickets” you want below (one ticket per student) click […]
Basic Paint Mixing/Color Workshop Saturday, January 26 2 – 4 pm $45 Learn the basics of setting up your paint palette in either oil or acrylic media then create some painted sketches putting into practice how certain colors react each other. All materials provided. Instructor: Dick Shook North Studio To register: enter the number of […]
Mini Makers, ages 3 – 5 with an adult partner Sundays, 1 - 2 pm January 27 February 10 February 24 March 3 $15 per session for one adult/child pair, $12 for each additional child or adult. Spend some creative time making all kinds of art projects including handbuilt clay pieces, canvas paintings, collages, drawings […]
LOCATED IN MAIN GALLERY AND SWEENEY GALLERY (3rd floor) Octagonal: The All-Media Exhibit is the annual, juried all-media exhibition at the Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames, Iowa. Originally titled the Clay and Paper Show, the exhibit opened in 1968 to provide an opportunity to the central Iowa arts community. Over the past 51 years, the […]
Drypoint Printmaking: Condensed Workshop Saturday, February 2 10am – NOON (North Studio) Octagon member discounts may not be used for this special workshop. Limit of 12 people Instructor: Jeanine Coupe Ryding, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Print Media Department Note from Jeanine: workshop is for ALL levels of experience or no experience. If you can hold […]
Handbuilt Pottery, ages 11 - 14 Sundays, 3 – 4:30 pm February 3 – 24 (4 weeks) $80 This is a class where pottery, sculpture and painting meet. Design your own creative forms (functional and non-functional) while learning the basics of hand-building techniques. Pieces will be glazed and fired. Pick up pieces 2 weeks after […]
Make Your Own Mugs – all skill levels, ages 16+ Mondays, 6 – 9 pm February 4 – 18 (3 weeks) $85 Beginning students will learn basic wheel throwing techniques to create mugs, and learn the fundamentals of wedging clay and glazing. Intermediate and advanced students will be guided to continue and practice their artistic […]
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)