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 […]
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 […]
Octagon Art Sale Event by Octagon Shop Event Dates: May 15th, 2025 – Event Opening Day May 17th, 2025 – Event Closes About This Event: The Octagon Shop will host an art sale in the Community Gallery. Great deals on fantastic donated artworks await you!
2025 Annual Members' Show Group Exhibition by members of the Octagon Center for the Arts May 26th - 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 […]
Over + Under Solo Exhibition by Raluca Iancu Exhibition Dates: June 30th, 2025 – Exhibition Opening Day July 12th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes Artist Statement: My work explores disaster, memory and vulnerability through different media, ranging from printmaking to performance, to edible art and printed objects. I question the way we look at tragedy as […]
Elusive Balance Group Exhibition by Iowa Artist/Mother Group Exhibition Dates: July 21st, 2025 – Exhibition Opening Day August 9th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes Artist Statement: Works in this exhibition will include fiber art, painting, printmaking, mixed media, performance, sculpture, photography, and video with a variety of processes and methods. With our intention to showcase the […]
Just Duet Group Exhibition by Alex Ackerman and Jeremy Ackerman Exhibition Dates: August 18th, 2025 – Exhibition Opening Day September 6th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes Artists' Statements: Alex Ackerman: For as long as I can remember I have found comfort and joy in making things with my hands. Art has helped me process and respond […]
Dreaming Hildegard Solo Exhibition by Christopher Hynes Exhibition Dates: September 15th, 2025 – Exhibition Opening Day September 27th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes Artist Statement: “There is a little bit of something in everything and that is what I like to explore.” My work is all about storytelling–my Assemblages, Sculptures, Collages, and Pigmented Plasters all bear […]
Voices Group Exhibition by Cedar River Artisans Exhibition Dates: October 6th, 2025 – Exhibition Opening Day October 25th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes Artist Statement: VOICES will center around what makes our thoughts similar not what makes us different. We look beyond ideologies, divisive words, materials and techniques. We live in a time when it is […]
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.
© 2023 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)
