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. […]
LOCATED IN THE SMALL WALL GALLERY From Megan Anderson: I have always been in awe of nature and its beauty. I see the world through a photographer’s eyes and always wish I had a camera permanently attached to my hand. With the invention of cell phones, my dream came true. I want to show that […]
LOCATED IN MAIN GALLERY Let’s do a little math! A = πr2 There are 70,686 square miles in a circle with 150 square mile radius. Thus the name for this exhibit… 70K is a juried exhibition of artists located 150 miles from Ames or nearer. This focus on local and regional artists is an important part of the mission […]
EXPLORING ART: SESSION 1 (SEPT) Ages: 18 months – younger 3’s Day/Time: Tuesdays, 9:15 - 10am Cost: $60 for each 4 week session below. Session 1 (SEPT): September 3 – 24 Session 2 (OCT): October 1 – 22 Session 3 (NOV): October 29 – November 19 Session 4 (DEC): November 26 – December 17 THIS […]
CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS: WEDNESDAYS, SESSION 1 (SEPT) Ages: older 3’s - 5 years Day/Time: Wednesdays OR Thursdays, 9:15 – 10:00 am (Sign up for the day that suits you best!) Cost: $60 for each 4 week session below. WEDNESDAYS Session 1: September 4 – 25 Session 2: October 2 – 23 Session 3: October 30 – […]
CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS: THURSDAYS, SESSION 1 (SEPT) Ages: older 3’s - 5 years Day/Time: Wednesdays OR Thursdays, 9:15 – 10:00 am (Sign up for the day that suits you best!) Cost: $60 for each 4 week session below. WEDNESDAYS Session 1: September 4 – 25 Session 2: October 2 – 23 Session 3: October 30 – […]
LOCATED IN SWEENEY GALLERY (3RD FLOOR) Angie Huffman I try to render scenes from generally unremarkable life events that bring me joy when I first see them. Though mundane, they reach out with a harmonious balance of composition and color. Quiet and wordless, they imply a visual narrative and ask for further consideration. Transporting […]
LOCATED IN THE COMMUNITY GALLERY (1st FLOOR/STREET LEVEL) Artist Statement Using site-adjusted installations as my primary mode of practice, I deploy an integrated and focused approach to both theoretical and practical questions pertaining to the nature and impact of materiality specific to the re-occupation of post-industrial spaces. My works provoke a temporal-spatial encounter that reconciles […]
Wheelthrowing: Ceramic Bowls and Mugs Ages: 16 years old and up Time/Day: Tuesdays, 6 – 9 pm Dates: (6 weeks) September 17 – October 22 Cost: $165 includes 25lbs. of clay, all glazes and firing. Description: Students at all skill levels will learn, review and hone wheel throwing techniques from wedging to glazing. Students will […]
Very Silly Monster Creative Adventure Ages: 5 – 8 years old Day/Date/Time: Wednesday, September 18, 4 – 5:30 pm Cost: $40 Description: Join children's author and Illustrator Tim Read as he embarks on a Very Silly Creative Adventure. Students will learn how to draw Very Silly Monsters, make puppets, bookmarks, mini books, and more! Instructor: Tim […]
Intermediate Oil Painting Ages: 16 years old and up Day / Date / Time: Mondays, September 23 – October 14(4 weeks), 6 – 9 pm Cost: $140 Description: Suitable for beginning/intermediate experienced painters who would like to dive deeper and paint with others. This 4 - week intensive class will include work done in the […]
LOCATED IN THE SMALL WALL GALLERY Artist Statement I first fell in love with the prairie when studying art at UNI. Wandering the twisting paths of the restored prairie calmed my mind. As I drank in grasshopper droning, late summer’s scent of grass, the pollen, the leaves, and the many colors, I felt grounded and […]
Comic Book Class Ages: 8-13 years old Day/Time: Saturdays, 9 – 10:30 am Dates: September 28 – October 12 (3 weeks) Cost: $70 Description: Learn the basics of what it takes to create your very own comic book. Students will learn basic layout and design, Story structure, and how to create effective dialogue. Instructor: Tim […]
EXPLORING ART: SESSION 2 (OCT) Ages: 18 months – younger 3’s Day/Time: Tuesdays, 9:15 - 10am Cost: $60 for each 4 week session below. Session 1 (SEPT): September 3 – 24 Session 2 (OCT): October 1 – 22 Session 3 (NOV): October 29 – November 19 Session 4 (DEC): November 26 – December 17 THIS […]
CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS: WEDNESDAYS, SESSION 2 (OCT) Ages: older 3’s - 5 years Day/Time: Wednesdays OR Thursdays, 9:15 – 10:00 am (Sign up for the day that suits you best!) Cost: $60 for each 4 week session below. WEDNESDAYS Session 1: September 4 – 25 Session 2: October 2 – 23 Session 3: October 30 – […]
CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS: THURSDAYS, SESSION 2 (OCT) Ages: older 3’s - 5 years Day/Time: Wednesdays OR Thursdays, 9:15 – 10:00 am (Sign up for the day that suits you best!) Cost: $60 for each 4 week session below. WEDNESDAYS Session 1: September 4 – 25 Session 2: October 2 – 23 Session 3: October 30 – […]
MAKER NIGHT: Stamped Copper Charms Ages: 21 and up Date & Time: Thursday, October 3, 6 - 9 pm Cost: $45 Materials included Description: 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 […]
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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