The Faces I've Seen. Solo Exhibition by Karen Cooper December 16th, 2024 - January 11th, 2025 At The Octagon Community Gallery About this solo exhibition: Exhibition Dates: December 16th, 2024 - Exhibition Opening Day December 19th, 2024 - Exhibition Reception 6PM - 7PM in the Community gallery January 11th, 2025 - Exhibition Closes Artist Biography: […]
Winter Maker's Table Public Craft Event January 16th 6PM - 8PM Join us January 16th for a come and go Winter Maker's Table in the gallery of the Octagon. Break out of the winter doldrums with an evening of creativity! We provide supplies, you create to your heart's content for only $5. Make simple and […]
Be Still Solo Exhibition by Denice Peters January 20th - February 15th, 2025 At The Octagon Community Gallery About this solo exhibition: Creating realistic pastel paintings using strong light and shadow with a bit of nostalgia and a sense of peace is my goal. I'm inspired by the effect that light has on objects. It's […]
Valentine Makers’ Table Saturday, February 8 2 - 4 pm $5 Make beautiful “Valentine-y”art, cards and messages for your special people. All supplies provided. Children under 10 must bring a paying adult partner. Click here to RSVP!
Join us in the gallery for beautiful music from the Ames High String Quartet. We will have drinks and snacks available for a donation and, if you’re interested, a music related craft at each table. It’s a great reason to get out of the house, spend time with friends, or maybe make up for that […]
February 27th – March 29th, 2025 RECEPTION: February 27th 5:30PM-7:30PM In the Community Gallery Awards announced at 6:30PM ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND! Octagonal: The All-Media Show 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 […]
Third Thursdays: ♟♜♞♛ Game Night at the Octagon! ♥ ♠ ♦ ♣ Spring break will be wrapping up and you might need an activity to keep the family busy! Or, an opportunity to hang around some fun adults! Join us for Game Night on Thursday, March 20. From 5:00-6:30 pm we welcome people of all ages to play […]
Draw Your Pet with Bethany Schultz Thursday March 27 6:00pm-7:30pm Donations encouraged! This month's featured artist, Bethany Schultz, is holding a drawing workshop on March 27th! Submit your photo to shop@octagonarts.org and Bethany will prep your drawing with a grid to help you in your drawing adventure!
2025 Elementary, Middle School, High School Annual Student Show April 7th - April 18th, 2025 in the Octagon Community Gallery About this group exhibition: The Annual Student Art Show highlights artwork by elementary, middle, and high school students from schools within 20 miles of Ames. Learn more on this exhibition's webpage here Exhibition Dates: April […]
Needle Night Thursday, April 17th 6PM - 8PM It’s needle night at the Octagon! Come see local artists demonstrate a variety of needle and fiber arts, including knitting, crocheting, embroidery, felting, quilting and mending. This come-and-go event is from 6:00-8:00 PM and is for all ages. Feel free to bring your own fiber projects to work […]
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)