2026 Annual Members' Show Group Exhibition by members of the Octagon Center for the Arts TBD in the Octagon Community Gallery About this group exhibition: This non-juried show celebrates the skills, creativity, and lived experiences of the Octagon community! Let’s fill the gallery and surround ourselves with our own amazing work — established artists next […]
2025 Annual Members' Show Group Exhibition by members of the Octagon Center for the Arts May 27th - June 21st, 2025 in the Octagon Community Gallery About this group exhibition: This non-juried show celebrates the skills, creativity, and lived experiences of the Octagon community! Let’s fill the gallery and surround ourselves with our own amazing […]
Paint & Plant on the Patio! June 19 from 5:30 - 7:30pm Choose a free flower pot and decorate it in any way you can dream up! All are welcome - grab a friend, bring your family, or have an evening on your own! Back Alley Plants will have a variety of plants available if […]
Over + Under Solo Exhibition by Raluca Iancu Exhibition Dates: June 30th, 2025 – Exhibition Opening Day July 10th, 2025 – Exhibition Reception from 6pm - 7:30pm in the Community Gallery Raluca will be giving an Artist Talk at 6:30pm on July 10th! July 12th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes Artist Statement: My work explores disaster, […]
Musical Guests on the Patio Featuring The Bone People! Thursday, July 17 5pm - 8pm The Bone People are back! This longtime Iowa-based band is back in the studio and ready to spend an evening singing for you. Join us on the patio, on the west side of the Octagon, from 5-8 PM on […]
Elusive Balance Group Exhibition by Iowa Artist/Mother Group Exhibition Dates: July 21st, 2025 – Exhibition Opening Day August 9th, 2025 – Exhibition Reception 2:00PM - 5:00PM in the Community Gallery August 9th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes Artist Statement: Works in this exhibition will include fiber art, painting, printmaking, mixed media, performance, sculpture, photography, and video […]
Calling for all spare art supplies! We are partnering with area art stores and community members to provide a free art supply day for artists of all ages in September! Prairie Rose Needleworks, The Knittery Nook, and The Octagon Center for the Arts are committed to making creativity inclusive so we've teamed up to for […]
Elusive Balance Group Exhibition by Iowa Artist/Mother Group Exhibition Dates: July 21st, 2025 – Exhibition Opening Day August 9th, 2025 – Exhibition Reception 2:00PM - 5:00PM in the Community Gallery August 9th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes Artist Statement: Works in this exhibition will include fiber art, painting, printmaking, mixed media, performance, sculpture, photography, and video […]
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 […]
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 […]
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)