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7 events,
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 […] 
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 […]
$165.00
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 […]
$140.00
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 […]
$70.00
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7 events, |
8 events,
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 […]
$60.00
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9 events,
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 – […]
$60.00
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11 events,
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 – […]
$60.00
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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 […]
$45.00
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10 events, |
10 events, |
10 events, |
11 events,
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Mixed Bag of Art -- One day workshops Ages: K – 5 Time: 9 am – 3 pm Cost: $50 for each one day workshop Monday, October 7 Friday, November 1 THIS REGISTRATION IS FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 7 ONLY. Check the class listing for additional sessions. Register for just one or both; a separate registration […]
$50.00
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10 events, |
10 events, |
11 events,
Art Buffet, ages 7 - 9 Day / Date / Time: Thursdays, October 10 - 24 (3 weeks), 5 - 6:00 pm Cost: $35 Description: Students will have a unique opportunity to create mixed media art pieces using tools and materials from our overflowing trove of art supplies. Elements of 2 and 3 - D […]
$35.00
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11 events, |
12 events,
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Watercolor Workshop with Jo Myers-Walker Ages: 16 years old and above, All skill levels Day / Day / Time: Saturday, October 12, 9 am – 1 pm Cost: $120 Description: Join local artist, Jo Myers-Walker in exploring the fluid and magical medium, watercolor. Jo will guide students with demonstrations on how to paint neighborhoods, backyards, […]
$120.00
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10 events, |
10 events, |
9 events, |
9 events, |
9 events, |
10 events,
Beginning Scottish Country Dance Ages: 16 years old and up Day / Time / Dates: Fridays, 7 - 8 pm, October 18 - November 22 (6 weeks) Cost: $45 Description: Learn the art of the very social and lively Scottish Country Dance with experienced Instructors. After your one hour session, you are welcome to […]
$45.00
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10 events, |
10 events, |
10 events, |
11 events,
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MAKER NIGHT: Radical Rivets Ages: 21 years old and up Day/Date/Time: Tuesday, October 22, 6 – 9 pm Cost: $45 materials included Description: Learn how to drill and rivet metal. Create designs on copper or bring your charms that you made in Copper Charms class and rivet different elements together to create fun and expressive […]
$45.00
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8 events, |
9 events,
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Paper Marbling Ages: 16+ Day / Date / Time: Thursday, October 24, 6:30 - 8:30 pm Cost: $40 Description: Join Rhonda Scott in creating a collection of beautiful marbled papers using the traditional Turkish form of paper marbling, Ebru. Minimum class limit: 6 Maximum class limit: 12 Instructor: Rhonda Scott Studio: TBA Registration closes when […]
$40.00
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Handmade Booklets with Decorated Papers Day / Date / Time: Thursday, October 24, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Cost: $40 Description: Using your previously made marbled papers, papers from home, or decorated papers provided in class, learn to make small, soft cover booklets using basic stitch bindings. We will cover other stitches if time allows. If […]
$40.00
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4 events,
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Wheelthrowing: Ceramic Mugs & Vases Ages: 16 years old and up Time/Day: Mondays, 6 - 9 pm Dates: (3 weeks) October 28 - November 11 Cost: $95 includes 12.5 lbs. of clay, all glazes and firing. Description: Students at all skill levels will learn, review and hone wheel throwing techniques. Instructor: Jackie Comito Location: Ceramics Studio Class […]
$95.00
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4 events,
EXPLORING ART: SESSION 3 (NOV) 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 […]
$60.00
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5 events,
CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS: WEDNESDAYS, SESSION 3 (NOV) 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 – […]
$60.00
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6 events,
CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS: THURSDAYS, SESSION 3 (NOV) 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 – […]
$60.00
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7 events,
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Mixed Bag of Art -- One day workshops Ages: K – 5 Time: 9 am – 3 pm Cost: $50 for each one day workshop Monday, October 7 Friday, November 1 THIS REGISTRATION IS FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 ONLY. Check the class listing for additional sessions. Register for just one or both; a separate registration […]
$50.00
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8 events,
LOCATED IN SWEENEY GALLERY (3RD FLOOR) Emily Verdoorn Through drawing, I form vital relationships with the world of my everyday experience. My process often begins by drawing on location. I enjoy drawing places and spaces steeped in the personality of their inhabitants. My drawings develop in response to time spent observing places and things – […] 
LOCATED IN THE SMALL WALL GALLERY (3RD FLOOR) I think of these works as inklings, for their humble beginnings as tiny ink doodles, and for those small, nagging ideas, fears, and behaviors that have the power to become reality – whether beautiful or monstrous in their realization. The earliest works date back to 1997, when […] |
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)