LOCATED IN THE COMMUNITY GALLERY (Street level) Artist Statement: Pacia Sallomi I began this series in 2010. In the beginning, I was focused on roundabouts or in French, rond-point, which came about because of an experience of being lost on back roads and small villages in the French countryside. I had begun to think about […]
Mini Makers, ages 3 – 5 with an adult partner Sundays, 1 - 2 pm January 27 February 10 February 24 March 3 $15 per session for one adult/child pair, $12 for each additional child or adult. Spend some creative time making all kinds of art projects including handbuilt clay pieces, canvas paintings, collages, drawings […]
LOCATED IN MAIN GALLERY AND SWEENEY GALLERY (3rd floor) Octagonal: The All-Media Exhibit 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 provide an opportunity to the central Iowa arts community. Over the past 51 years, the […]
Drypoint Printmaking: Condensed Workshop Saturday, February 2 10am – NOON (North Studio) Octagon member discounts may not be used for this special workshop. Limit of 12 people Instructor: Jeanine Coupe Ryding, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Print Media Department Note from Jeanine: workshop is for ALL levels of experience or no experience. If you can hold […]
Handbuilt Pottery, ages 11 - 14 Sundays, 3 – 4:30 pm February 3 – 24 (4 weeks) $80 This is a class where pottery, sculpture and painting meet. Design your own creative forms (functional and non-functional) while learning the basics of hand-building techniques. Pieces will be glazed and fired. Pick up pieces 2 weeks after […]
Make Your Own Mugs – all skill levels, ages 16+ Mondays, 6 – 9 pm February 4 – 18 (3 weeks) $85 Beginning students will learn basic wheel throwing techniques to create mugs, and learn the fundamentals of wedging clay and glazing. Intermediate and advanced students will be guided to continue and practice their artistic […]
Mini Makers, ages 3 – 5 with an adult partner Sundays, 1 - 2 pm January 27 February 10 February 24 March 3 $15 per session for one adult/child pair, $12 for each additional child or adult. Spend some creative time making all kinds of art projects including handbuilt clay pieces, canvas paintings, collages, drawings […]
Bring a date -- Make a Plate, ages 21+ Friday, February 15, 6 – 9 pm $60 per couple Open to couples who wish to create a plates together on the potter’s wheel and/or a handbuilt platter or container. Class size is limited to 5 couples. Plates will be ready for pick up two weeks […]
Exploring Art, ages: 18 months – younger 3’s Tuesdays, 9:15 - 10am $55 for each 4 week session below: January 8 - 29 February 19 – March 12 April 2 – 23 May 7 - 28 Children and their adult partner will explore art together in a relaxed environment. Toddlers will create their own works of art […]
Creative Explorations, ages 3 - 5 years Thursdays, 9:15 – 10:00 am $55 for each 4 week session below: January 10 - 31 February 21 – March 14 April 4 - 25 This class is dedicated to the process of exploration through materials such as paint, charcoal, fabric, plastic, sculpture media, cardboard, paper, ink etc…Use […]
Thursday Morning Art Projects, ages K - 6 11 am – 12 pm $10 Create unique and interesting art projects each class while learning about new artists, their methods and materials. All supplies included. January 17 February 21 March 14 Class Limit: 8 To register: enter the number of “tickets” you want below (one ticket […]
Printmaking 101, ages 9 - 13 February 21 - March 14 (4 weeks) 6 - 7:30 pm $75 In this class, young artists will sharpen their drawing skills to create eye-catching printed artworks. Students will explore intricate designs and techniques of mono-print and relief printmaking, as well as alternative processes. Students will develop skills in layering, carving, composition and design […]
LOCATED IN THE SMALL WALL GALLERY (Third Floor) Artist Statement Camera’s freeze moments in split seconds while life passes in days, weeks and years. Some lives are mixed with both quality and quantity of time. Those individuals celebrate memories while unaware that the final chapters of their lives are being written. Photographs help us punctuate […]
Mini Makers, ages 3 – 5 with an adult partner Sundays, 1 - 2 pm January 27 February 10 February 24 March 3 $15 per session for one adult/child pair, $12 for each additional child or adult. Spend some creative time making all kinds of art projects including handbuilt clay pieces, canvas paintings, collages, drawings […]
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)