The Octagon Center for the Arts highlights artwork by local elementary, middle, and high school students annually. GRADES K – 8 (Virtual): SHOW DETAILS: Google Form Submission Due: 5 pm, Saturday, April 1, 2023 Virtual Exhibit Opening: Monday, April 17, 2023 Art from Grades K – 8 will be displayed virtually. Each elementary and middle […]
Downtown Ames has a lot of fun scheduled each day from 5/15 - 5/19. On 5/16 and 5/17, help us add some fun color to our patio and paint on our fence and exterior walls!
Party on the Patio is every third Thursday of the month, May - September from 5 PM - 8 PM. Performers are scheduled to perform from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM unless otherwise noted. Drinks and light refreshments provided for a donation.
Exhibition by Leo Bird, May 22 - June 17, 2023
5 PM - 8 PM June 1st, 2023 Here's who is coming to The Octagon during Ames Art Walk! ⏪ Nathan Moore Ceramicist, Artist, Teacher "Born in the Midwest, my journey as a ceramic artist started at a small liberal arts college nestled in the northeast corner of Iowa. There, I became increasingly interested […]
Party on the Patio is every third Thursday of the month, May - September from 5 PM - 8 PM. Performers are scheduled to perform from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM unless otherwise noted. Drinks and light refreshments provided for a donation.
This unjuried 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 to emerging artists, all media.
Party on the Patio is every third Thursday of the month, May - September from 5 PM - 8 PM. Performers are scheduled to perform from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM unless otherwise noted. Drinks and light refreshments provided for a donation.
"Misplaced and Lost" Exhibition by Lisa Lockman July 31st - August 26th, 2023 An Exhibition by Lisa Lockman Exhibiting in the Community Gallery Lisa Lockman is an artist and a Professor of Art at Nebraska Wesleyan University where she teaches ceramics and metalsmithing. Her current work – ceramic murals and vessels - is […]
Party on the Patio is every third Thursday of the month, May - September from 5 PM - 8 PM. Performers are scheduled to perform from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM unless otherwise noted. Drinks and light refreshments provided for a donation.
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)