Based on a True Story ALEX BRAIDWOOD May 18 - August 11, 2018 SWEENEY GALLERY Sound is an important aspect of the world around us. It tells a great deal about our surroundings when we take the time to listen. Listening requires time to experience because sound requires time to exist. In today’s fast-paced culture, […]
Grilling Ice LEE RAINBOTH July 6 - August 11, 2018 COMMUNITY GALLERY This exhibit examines the ways that matters of mortality and masculinity manifest themselves in a contemporary Haitian context. Too often for young men in Haiti the way that they express their masculinity becomes a matter of survival itself. In an environment where simply […]
Join us this summer at the Ames Main Street Farmers' Market! Second Saturdays (June -- Saturday)* June 9 July 14 August 11 September 8 Visit us in Tom Evans Park (Main Street) for FREE craft activities for the kids. You can also pick up information about classes, workshops, exhibits, and more. See you there! *May be cancelled […]
ARTISANS ROADTRIP August 17 - October 27, 2018 SWEENEY GALLERY This year is the 15th Annual Artisans Road Trip. Artisans Road Trip invites you to travel Iowa's scenic byways and back roads looking for one-of-a-kind treasures. Artisans will offer a rare glimpse into creative processes as they demonstrate their craft in personal and unique work spaces. […]
Tales from a Ghost Town JOANNE ALBERDA August 17 - September 29, 2018 COMMUNITY GALLERY Virginia City is a ghost town—the skeleton of a booming Montana gold mining camp in the late 19th century. As a museum it is the record of one of hundreds of get-rich-quick dramas related to the search for gold in […]
Friday Morning Art Projects, ages 6 - 11 Friday, August 17 9:15 – 10:30 am $15 Students will learn and create using a variety of printmaking methods and materials. Class limit 10 students. Instructor: Beth Weninger Hunziker/Adams Studios
Natural Dyes: Serendipity Dyeing with Flowers, Berries, Leaves, and More Sunday, August 19 1 – 3 pm $55 Learn to dye silk scarves and cotton fabric with a huge variety of easy to obtain dye materials. We will use fresh garden flowers, herbs, and leaves, as well as a variety of materials (copper pennies, spent […]
Monday & Tuesday, 9:30 – 11:30 am August 20 & 21 $50 This mini – camp is intended for students entering kindergarten in the fall. Artist-inspired mixed media projects will make for a fun morning of art. Please provide a small snack and water for your child each day of camp. Class size limit 12 […]
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
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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)