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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Saturday
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6 events,
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 […] 
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 […] 
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
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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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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7 events,
Hand Built Clay Ornaments, ages 16+ Tuesdays, 6 – 9 pm November 6 – 13 (2 weeks) $50 Create autumn and winter hand built ornaments for your holiday packages, wreaths, and for use in decorating. Students will learn to using slab and hand building techniques. Bring your favorite cookie cutters for shape ideas. Instructor: Susan Anderson Ceramics Studio Class Limit […]
$50
Make Your own Mugs, ages 16+ Tuesdays, 6 – 9 pm November 6 – 27 (3 weeks) No class November 20 $80 includes 25Lbs. of clay, all glazes and firing. Learn to wheel throw the base of the mugs, attach handles and finish your piece with glaze. Everyone will have mugs to take home and […]
$80
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8 events,
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Knitted Stocking Cap Wednesday, November 7 6 – 9 pm $30 If you already know how to knit and are looking for a simple, quick winter cap project, this is YOUR class. Knit this classic stocking cap on 2 needles in any size (provided pattern includes sizes Child through Adult XL). Class will introduce 2-color knitting […]
$30
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7 events,
All Kinds of Art! Fall Conference Workshops, K - 5 Thursday & Friday, November 8 & 9 9 am – 3 pm $45 per day. Sign up for one or both days. Pre-registration required. Bring a sack lunch and get creative on your days off! To register: enter the number of "tickets" you want […]
$45
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7 events,
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All Kinds of Art! Fall Conference Workshops, K - 5 Thursday & Friday, November 8 & 9 9 am – 3 pm $45 per day. Sign up for one or both days. Pre-registration required. Bring a sack lunch and get creative on your days off! To register: enter the number of "tickets" you want […]
$45
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7 events,
Cairo, Illinois: Photographs & Enamels by SARAH PERKINS & GWEN WALSTRAND November 15 - December 21, 2018 COMMUNITY GALLERY This work is a collaboration, of sorts, by Gwen Walstrand, photographer, and Sarah Perkins, metalsmith and enamelist. The works themselves are not collaborations, but instead are designed to be viewed together in order to have an impact […]
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Thursday morning Art Projects, ages 5 - 10 11 am – 12 pm on November 15 Other classes in this series are held on: September 7 October 11 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 […]
$15
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Join us for Gallery Night -- FREE and open to the public! Meet the artists and hear about how they collaborated in practice to create this exhibit. The holidays are just around the corner. While you're here, why not pop into the Gallery Shop and get a unique gift for someone special on your […]
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Easy Silver Earrings Thursday, November 15 6:30 – 8:30 pm $35 materials included 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! Learn about wire work […]
$35
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3 events,
Exploring Art Ages: 18 months – younger 3’s Tuesdays, 9:15 - 10am $55 for each 4 week session below: *Register for all four sessions and take $5 off total! Membership discounts do not apply to this special rate. November 27 – December 18 Children and their adult partner will explore art together in a relaxed environment. Toddlers […]
$55
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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)