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4 events,
LOCATED IN THE SMALL WALL GALLERY Biography and Artist Statement AJ Zandt is an artist and printmaker from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Surface Wear is the result of his latest efforts to expand the relationship between the human body and surface through the lens of skin and clothing. Each work in the exhibition is comprised of varied […] 
LOCATED IN THE SWEENEY GALLERY Artist Statement and Bio: Mary Jones Mary Jones makes maps of the wilderness of personal history. Images and words are layered out of time and perspective; space is described by the inhabitants, whose journeys are being told. Details get piled on in the way that life is lived– in steps, […] 
LOCATED IN THE MAIN GALLERY Print Retrospective Artist Bio: April Katz April Katz received her M.F.A. degree from Arizona State University. She is Morrill Professor at Iowa State University where she has taught printmaking since 1999. For nineteen years she organized the university’s annual international postcard print exchange. From 2004 - 2006 Katz served […] 
LOCATED IN THE COMMUNITY GALLERY Artist Statement for Measured Perceptions During a 2015 trip to Spain, Katz encountered evidence of La Convivencia (the coexistence of Muslim, Jewish and Christian populations) in Medieval Spain that provided hope for our current time of vitriolic discourse. Measured Perceptions embraces the similarities and unique contributions of the varied cultures […] |
5 events,
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Make Your Own Mugs, ages 16+ Tuesdays, 6 – 9 pm May 28 – June 11 (3 weeks) $85 All skill levels: Beginners 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 pursuits. […]
$85.00
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5 events,
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Maker Night: Mosaics, ages 21+ Thursday, May 30 6:30 – 9 pm $50 Bring a friend, snacks and a beverage of your choice and get creative with glass mosaics. Each student will learn basics of designing and laying down glass on backing. Pieces will be grouted by the Octagon staff and ready for pick up […]
$50.00
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5 events,
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Maker Night -- Travel Sketch Journals: Mapping it all out! (ages 21+) Thursday, June 6 (Register by May 23) 6:30 – 9 pm $45 Create a personal and meaningful travel journal. We will cover simple techniques on how to capture details quickly while on the move that you can apply to your journal right away. […]
$45.00
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7 events,
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Clay/Glass/Canvas, ages 8 – 12 June 10 – 13 9 – 11:30 am $145 In this Mixed Media camp, students will spend some time in the Ceramics studio making handbuilt clay mosaic tiles for clay slab frames to be glazed and fired. Throughout the week, campers will create a glass fusion projects and finish out […]
$145.00
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Deep Sea Adventure, ages 5.5* - 8 June 10 – 13 9 am – 11:30 am $140 Let’s cool down the summer heat with aquatic adventures! Sharks and rays, stars of the bay, creatures of the deep, jellies and other squishy creatures will be our inspiration through the artistic process. Mini aquariums, sea globes, printmaking, […]
$140.00
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Pastel Workshop, ages 16+ June 10 – 13 1:30 – 3:00 pm Create beautiful drawings with soft chalk pastels. Learn techniques to enhance and capture the beauty of this medium. All levels of experience are welcome Instructor: Rebecca Erickson North Studio Class Limit: 16 $110 Students should bring the following supplies: Basic set of soft chalk […]
$110.00
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6 events,
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Yoga Basics, ages 16 + Learn traditional yoga poses, including both standing and seated poses, in a gentle, supportive environment. Bring a yoga mat and a small towel. All levels of experience are welcome. Tuesdays, 3:15 – 4:15 pm June 11 – 25 (3 weeks) $40 Instructor: Rebecca Erickson Dance Studio Registration closes on at 5pm […]
$40.00
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Yoga Meditation, ages 16+ Refresh your mind and body with a relaxing, meditative yoga practice using basic poses to create peace for yourself. Bring a yoga mat and a small towel. All experience levels are welcome. Tuesdays, 4:30 – 5:30 pm June 11 – 25 (3 weeks) $40 Instructor: Rebecca Erickson Dance Studio Registration closes […]
$40.00
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6 events,
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Puffle and Plushie Design Camp, ages 7 - 9 June 17 - 19 9 am – 11:00 am $95 Design your own Puffles (furry stuffed creature) or your own unique Plushie or soft sculpture characters and make them come to life! Design, draw patterns, stuff, and sew your new friend using felt, fun fur, feathers […]
$95.00
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Watercolor Workshop, ages 16+ June 17 – 20 1:30 – 3 pm Explore the beauty of watercolor painting and learn techniques to apply to your painting. All levels of experience are welcome. Instructor: Rebecca Erickson North Studio $110 Students should bring the following supplies: Set of watercolor paints, tube or paper, 90# watercolor paper 9” […]
$110.00
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5 events,
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Drawing Workshop, ages 16+ June 24 – 27 1:30 – 3 pm Use pencil and/ or pen to learn classic drawing techniques as a foundation for all 2 dimensional art work. Perspective, value, composition, and proportion will all be practiced. All levels of experience are welcome. Instructor: Rebecca Erickson North Studio $110 Students should bring the following […]
$110.00
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5 events,
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Maker Night -- Glass Light Catchers/Indoor Wind Chimes (ages 21+) Thursday, June 27 6:30 – 9 pm $45 Create a fused glass light catcher with colorful glass pieces to hang in your home or “wind proof” porch. Pieces will be fired and ready for pick up one week after class ends. Class Limit: 12 Registration […]
$45.00
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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
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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)