Botanical Inks and Paints, ages 16 + Sunday, September 16 1 – 3 pm $50 Add a new dimension to writing, drawing, or painting by exploring handmade botanical inks. We will use a variety of botanicals to create plant-based inks and fresh plant-made paints. See the artistic potential of flowers, weeds, and berries with fresh […]
Ceramic Bowls &Mugs on the Wheel Throwing, ages 16+ Tuesdays, 6 – 9 pm (6 weeks) September 18 - October 23 $120 includes 25Lbs. of clay, all glazes and firing. Students will learn basic throwing techniques from wedging to glazing. Students will have finished bowls at the end of the course. Instructor: Suzy Block Ceramics Studio […]
MAKER NIGHT: Travel Sketch Journals: Mapping it all out! Thursday, September 27 6:30 – 9 pm $45 MAKER NIGHTS are for those ages 21 and above. Bring your friends and your favorite beverage & snacks to enjoy while you create! Or come by yourself and make some new pals. Novice and experienced makers are welcome! […]
Knitting For Total Beginners Saturdays, 9 – 11 am September 29 – October 13 (3 weeks) $60 If you’ve always wanted to learn to knit, this is your chance, while making something fun in the process. We’ll learn the basics of the classic, English-style knitting method that’s been used for centuries to create everything from […]
Indigo Dyeing, ages 12+ Sunday, September 30 1 – 2:30 pm $45 Explore the plant and science magic of dyeing with indigo! Indigo is a plant based dye that is use to create beautiful blue colors. All materials provided including two items to dye, however feel free to bring any extra item such as a […]
Exploring Art Ages: 18 months – younger 3’s Tuesdays, 9:15 - 10am $55 for each 4 week session -- See the class listing for the other 4 week sessions. October 2 - 23 Children and their adult partner will explore art together in a relaxed environment. Toddlers will create their own works of art while learning new […]
Smithsonian Institution's Museum on Main Street Exhibit Hometown Teams October 4 - November 10 MAIN GALLERY Our love of sports begins in our hometowns. We play them on ball fields and sandlots, on courts and on ice, in parks and playgrounds, even in the street. From pick-up games to organized leagues, millions of Americans of […]
Worlds Apart by BOGUMIL BRONKOWSKI October 4 - November 10, 2018 COMMUNITY GALLERY My current body of work explores the concepts of struggle, place, and belonging. I immigrated to America at the age of nine; initially, no one told me that my family was permanently moving here. I boarded that international flight thinking that my family […]
Join us for an exciting Gallery Night -- FREE and open to the public! Ames Downtown will host a tailgate event on Douglas Avenue in front of the Octagon. Details to follow! The awards for Aperture 2018 will be announced. Artist Bogumil Bronkowsk may also be with us; we are still working on this possibility.
Contemporary Collage Sundays, 12 – 4 pm October 7 – 28 (4 weeks) $300 nonmember/ $270 members 1 credit: Heartland AEA credit available $35(registration for credit at AEA website by the first day of class) Explore new uses of unexpected materials while introducing conceptual ideas into your art practice. Complete mixed media projects based on […]
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)