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Saturday
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5 events,
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. […] 
Aperture: The Biennial Juried Photography Exhibit 2018 Theme: Community Sports September 14 - November 21, 2018 Main Gallery We experience the world around us in flashes of action and emotion in the world of sports. From the youngest to the oldest members of our community, competitive games bring people together and spark movement and involvement. Photographers […] 
Ceramic Bowls &Mugs on the Wheel Throwing, ages 16+ Tuesdays, 6 – 9 pm (6 weeks) September 18 - October 23 $120 includes 25Lbs. of clay, all glazes and firing. Students will learn basic throwing techniques from wedging to glazing. Students will have finished bowls at the end of the course. Instructor: Suzy Block Ceramics Studio […]
$120
Knitting For Total Beginners Saturdays, 9 – 11 am September 29 – October 13 (3 weeks) $60 If you’ve always wanted to learn to knit, this is your chance, while making something fun in the process. We’ll learn the basics of the classic, English-style knitting method that’s been used for centuries to create everything from […]
$60
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Indigo Dyeing, ages 12+ Sunday, September 30 1 – 2:30 pm $45 Explore the plant and science magic of dyeing with indigo! Indigo is a plant based dye that is use to create beautiful blue colors. All materials provided including two items to dye, however feel free to bring any extra item such as a […]
$45
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5 events,
Exploring Art Ages: 18 months – younger 3’s Tuesdays, 9:15 - 10am $55 for each 4 week session -- See the class listing for the other 4 week sessions. October 2 - 23 Children and their adult partner will explore art together in a relaxed environment. Toddlers will create their own works of art while learning new […]
$55
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8 events,
Smithsonian Institution's Museum on Main Street Exhibit Hometown Teams October 4 - November 10 MAIN GALLERY Our love of sports begins in our hometowns. We play them on ball fields and sandlots, on courts and on ice, in parks and playgrounds, even in the street. From pick-up games to organized leagues, millions of Americans of […] 
Worlds Apart by BOGUMIL BRONKOWSKI October 4 - November 10, 2018 COMMUNITY GALLERY My current body of work explores the concepts of struggle, place, and belonging. I immigrated to America at the age of nine; initially, no one told me that my family was permanently moving here. I boarded that international flight thinking that my family […]
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Join us for an exciting Gallery Night -- FREE and open to the public! Ames Downtown will host a tailgate event on Douglas Avenue in front of the Octagon. Details to follow! The awards for Aperture 2018 will be announced. Artist Bogumil Bronkowsk may also be with us; we are still working on this possibility. |
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8 events,
Contemporary Collage Sundays, 12 – 4 pm October 7 – 28 (4 weeks) $300 nonmember/ $270 members 1 credit: Heartland AEA credit available $35(registration for credit at AEA website by the first day of class) Explore new uses of unexpected materials while introducing conceptual ideas into your art practice. Complete mixed media projects based on […]
$300
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9 events,
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Mixed Bag of Art, K - 5 Monday, October 8 9 am – 3 pm $45 Bring a sack lunch and get creative on your days off! To register: enter the number of "tickets" you want below (one ticket per student) click "add to cart" complete the contact information form that appears after you […]
$45
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8 events, |
8 events, |
10 events,
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Thursday morning Art Projects, ages 5 – 7 9:15 – 10:15 am on October 11 Other classes in this series are held on: September 7 November15 December 6 $15 per class. Pre-registration required. Class limit: 8 students Create unique and interesting art projects each class while learning about new artists, their methods and materials. All supplies […]
$15
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Thursday morning Art Projects, ages 5 - 10 11 am – 12 pm on October 11 Other classes in this series are held on: September 7 November15 December 6 $15 per class. Pre-registration required. Class limit: 8 students Create unique and interesting art projects each class while learning about new artists, their methods and materials. […]
$15
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8 events, |
8 events, |
8 events,
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Hands on Harps, ages 16+ Saturday, October 20 10:30 am – 12 pm $35 Learn more about the harp and try out different sizes of folk harps. Participants will have the opportunity to learn to play simple melodies and chords, in unison and in rounds. The harp is a very beginner friendly instrument (even mistakes […]
$35
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6 events,
Felted Tote Bag Wednesdays, 6 pm – 8 pm October 24 – November 7 (3 weeks) $60 Looking for a classy, fun-to-make knitting project that will give you a chance to learn some new skills? This versatile felted tote is perfect as a handbag, for shopping or carrying books to and from the library. Skills required: basic knitting […]
$60
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7 events,
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Paper Marbling with Rhonda Scott Friday, October 26 $35 all materials included 6:30 - 8:30 pm MAKER NIGHTS are for those ages 21 and above. Bring your friends and your favorite beverage & snacks to enjoy while you create! Or come by yourself and make some new pals. Novice and experienced makers are welcome! Join […]
$35
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6 events,
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Drop Spindling, ages 14+ Sunday, October 28 1 – 3 pm $55 Making yarn without a spinning wheel has never been so much fun! We will discuss varieties of wool; its various preparations and how to buy it; while learning to spin wool roving into yarn using a drop spindle. You will use and take […]
$55
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5 events,
Exploring Art Ages: 18 months – younger 3’s Tuesdays, 9:15 - 10am $55 for each 4 week session -- See the class listing for the other 4 week sessions. October 30 - November 20 Children and their adult partner will explore art together in a relaxed environment. Toddlers will create their own works of art while learning […]
$55
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6 events,
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Needle Mittens Saturday, November 3 9 am – 12 pm $30 Want to learn to knit mittens but can’t handle working on 4 needles? Relax – this easy 2-needle mitten method will allow you to make them easily. Skill level: Advanced Beginner/ knitters with basic skills or who have taken a Beginning Knitting class Instructor: […]
$30
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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)