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 […]
Puppets & Masks, ages 5.5* – 12 July 8 – 11 9 – 11:30 am $140 For celebrating, playing, scaring, hiding and general mischief making, we will explore the significance of masks, especially as they relate to a child’s individual self-expression and heritage. A variety of materials will be used to create sturdy, multi-dimensional masks […]
Paint, Rattle, and Roll, ages 9 - 12 July 8 – 10 1 – 3 pm $110 Groove to your favorite songs as you improve your drawing and painting skills. Play with color, shape, and texture and let the music set the mood for your painting. Discover new tunes from British pop to Brazilian bossa […]
Wheelthrowing: Beginner Bowls, ages 16 + Mondays, 6 – 9 pm July 8 – 22 (3 weeks) $85 Create beautiful bowls using the potter’s wheel. Price includes 12 lbs of clay, glazes and firing. Instructor: Jackie Comito Ceramics Studio Class Limit: 7 Registration closes on at 5pm on 7/3/19 or when the class fills. To […]
Handbuilding with Clay, ages 16+ Thursdays, 6 – 9 pm July 11 – 25 (3 weeks) $120 Learn key handbuilding techniques including pinch, coil and slab construction, plus surface decoration and glazing. Instructor provides individual guidance for all levels of experience with special attention to newcomers. Experienced potters may pursue independent projects. Instructor: Jasmine Beul […]
LOCATED IN SWEENEY GALLERY From Elizabeth Shriver: I work with clay to create an array of graceful, organic forms. These pieces are constructed using a combination of hand-building methods such as slab-building, coiling, pinching, and forming with molds. Rarely relying on glaze, I use textures, stains, and colored clay to add visual and tactile interest. […]
Mixed Media Faces, ages 6 - 12 July 15 – July 18 9 – 11:30 am $140 Students will create expressive faces and portraits from life, photos, and imagination, while being inspired by artists from the past as well as the present, from abstract to real. A variety of media – collage, charcoal, paint, string, glass […]
Painting: Myths and Dreamscapes, ages 10 - 14 July 15 – 18 1 – 3:30 pm $140 Unleash your creativity and imagination as you develop foundational painting skills with acrylic paints and watercolors. Learn about ancient myths from Egypt, Asia, and Latin America, and then travel space and time as you create a fantasy world […]
LOCATED IN THE COMMUNITY GALLERY Diary of a Mad World Artworks by Derrick Burbul July 20 to September 7, 2019 Artist Statement My images and writings have sometimes been juxtaposed, but never combined, until this body of work. The relationship between images and words can be traced back all the way to fourth century B.C. […]
Robot Sculptures, ages 8 - 10 July 22 – 25 9 – 11:30 am $140 Study the basics of 3D design and build a sculpture that is out of this world. Draw your prototype, experiment with building techniques, and use wire, cardboard, found objects, and repurposed electronics to construct your extraterrestrial sculpture. Instructor: Susan Norris Class […]
Creating a Precise Linear Drawing for Painting Thursday, July 25 6 - 8 pm North Studio Class Limit: 16 $90 Membership discounts may not be applied to this workshop. Learn the fundamentals of making a linear drawing in preparation for painting. We will discuss accurate shapes, proportional agreement and identifying important information needed during […]
Creating a Tonal Image in Charcoal and Paint Saturday, July 27 1 - 5 pm (4 - 5 pm critique session) North Studio Class Limit: 16 $250 Member discounts may not be applied to this special workshop. In this workshop we will learn the basics of charcoal drawing to get a quick impression of […]
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)