Octagon Center for the Arts

HeART of Ames
2026-02-01 10:00 - 2026-02-16 17:30 (America/Chicago) | Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Love is in the Air in the Heart of Ames!
Indulge in all that Downtown Ames has to offer as our Downtown Businesses present a curated celebration of love and connection February 1-16!
Our mission? To showcase Downtown Ames as the ultimate date night destination to celebrate those you love! Our Downtown Businesses have curated a list of ideas for experiences, gifts, gal-entines, food and kids to help guide your way through the Heart of Ames celebrating those you love and care for.
Join us to feel the heartbeat of Downtown Ames as you create unforgettable moments together in the heart of the Ames.
Event Specials:
More information to come

Join the Resistance! Create your protest hat
2026-02-07 14:00 - 16:00
We will gather at the Octagon Center, 427 Douglas, to create Norwegian protest hats, called a nisselue. You bring your supplies, we will provide the pattern and the space. Why the nisselue? In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. This is a chance to engage in one of the oldest forms of resistance, knitting, with like-minded friends. To knit you will need:
Red yarn (200 yards, DK or Worsted); knitting needles (4,6 or 8); your beverage of choice; attitude.
To crochet you will need:
Red yarn (200 yards, Worsted); Crochet hook (4.5 or 5.0 mm); your beverage of choice; attitude.

Third Thursday Mandalas and Music
2026-02-19 18:00 - 20:00
Spend a few hours relaxing while creating beautiful mandalas and enjoying meditative music. This free event is open to ages 16+ and refreshments will be available for a donation.

Third Thursday Game Night
2026-03-19 17:30 - 20:30
Join us for a fun night of board games and cards. Families and friends of all ages, join us from 5:30-7:00. If you prefer an adults only space and more advanced games, come from 7:00-8:30. Beverages will be available for a donation. Bring your own favorite game or use one of ours!

The Annual High School Show
2026-03-26 10:00 - 2026-04-04 17:00
The Annual High School Senior & Junior Show
Group Exhibition by Various High School Artists

Exhibition Dates:
March 26, 2026 – Exhibition Opening Day
March 26, 2026 – Artists’ Reception from 4:30-5:30pm; Awards to be announced at 5:00pm
April 4, 2026 – Exhibition Closes

The Annual High School Show Reception
2026-03-26 16:30 - 17:30

Group Art Exhibition: Joe Muench “Lessons Learned: Explorations in Metal”
2026-04-10 10:00 - 2026-04-30 17:00
Lessons Learned: Explorations in Metal
Group Exhibition by Joe Muench & former students of the ISU jewelry/metalsmithing courses
This exhibit features work created by Joe Muench, Professor Emeritus of Art and Visual Culture, in the College of Design at Iowa State University and Mr. Muench’s former students of the jewelry/metalsmithing courses.

Exhibition Dates:
April 10, 2026 – Exhibition Opening Day
April 30, 2026 – Public Reception from 5:30pm – 7pm in the Community Gallery
April 30, 2026 – Exhibition Closes

Artist Statements:
More information to come

Artist Biographies:
More information to come

Third Thursday Patch to Quilt
2026-04-16 18:00 - 20:00
Enjoy demonstrations from area quilters, from cutting fabric for patches to the finished quilt. You can try creating your own square as well!

“Lessons Learned: Explorations in Metal” Reception
2026-04-30 17:30 - 19:00

2026 College of Design MFA Capstone Show
2026-05-04 10:00 - 2026-05-11 17:00
2026 College of Design MFA Capstone Show
Group Exhibition by graduate students in the Integrated Visual Arts MFA program at Iowa State University
May 4th – May 11th, 2026 in the Octagon Community Gallery

About this group exhibition:
Graduate students in the Integrated Visual Arts MFA program at Iowa State University will showcase their capstone projects in the Community Gallery.

Exhibition Dates:
May 4th, 2026 – Exhibition Opening Day
May 7, 2026 – Exhibition Reception
May 11th, 2026 – Exhibition Closes

2026 College of Design MFA Capstone Reception
2026-05-07 17:30 - 19:00

Art From the Attic - Octagon Art Sale
2026-05-13 10:00 - 2026-05-16 17:00
Art From the AtticArt Sale Event by Octagon ShopEvent Dates:Wednesday, May 13th, 2025 – Member’s Only Pre-Sale, 4:00-7:00Thursday, May 14th, 2025 – Event Public Opening DaySaturday, May 16th, 2025 – Event Closes
About This Event:Art from the Attic begins Thursday, May 14! Purchase art from members of the Octagon who have graciously donated original artwork, and pieces we have gathered from our building that need a new home. We believe that art is for everyone, so you will find a variety of styles and prices that are affordable. Stop by the gallery between 10AM and 7PM to browse through one-of-a-kind artworks that will fit perfectly in your space at incredibly low prices. The sale continues Friday, 10AM to 7PM and Saturday, 10AM to 5PM.

Members Only Pre-Sale:
Members can join us Wednesday, May 13 from 4:00-7:00 PM for a special pre-sale. Members have the first opportunity to browse and purchase work for sale. It’s our way of saying thank you for supporting the Octagon through your membership!

Donating Artwork:
If you have quality art pieces that you no longer have room for or no longer fits with your décor, we would love to have you consider donating it to our art sale. We provide incredible discounts on quality work to make it accessible to people from all walks of life. We are focused on original art and prints, as opposed to items purchased from box stores or home décor businesses. All proceeds go to support classes and events at the Octagon.

If you choose to donate, please make sure artwork is not damaged, dirty or faded. If you have multiple or large pieces, live in Ames, and don’t have a way to transport them to the Octagon, please contact office@octagonarts.org or admin@octagonarts.org and the Octagon staff will make arrangements for pick up. Also, we are not able to accept jewelry for the sale. Once donated to the sale, the Octagon has full ownership and discretion of any remaining, unsold artwork.

We appreciate your commitment to the Octagon and our mission, through your membership, donations and attendance at events. If this is something you are interested in participating in, you can bring your art pieces to the Octagon Monday through Thursday, 10 AM to 5:30 PM. If those times don’t work for you, give us a call and we can set up a time to meet you.

NOTE: Per IRS guidelines, the Octagon is not able to provide a donation receipt for artwork since it’s a noncash charitable contribution, and the Octagon is unable to establish a cash value for donated artwork.

Early Sale on Large Pieces

If you have been looking for art to fill a large space, we have some options for you! We know that walking in to a sale and making a decision about a large piece is difficult. This is your opportunity to see the art and its measurements early. Each can be purchased beginning April 28.
Prices range from $50-$175
If you are interested in purchasing one of these pieces, contact Laura at admin@octagonarts.org.

Belisario Manrique37.5″x47″

Disappearing PlanetVicki Adams
31″x41″

Untitled43.25×49.5

Map of Germany32.5×39.5

The ReefMargaret Daniels

Tapa cloth, hand painted42×28

Tea TableUnknown
28″x35:

Gray and GoldJohn Roger Cox
15.5″x21.5″

Haveman37.5″x28″

Sunrise from Upper Valley, San Francisco40.5″x31″

UntitledVS Cloe
32″x28″

TriptychJo Myers-Walker

Triptych 1Jo Myers-Walker

Triptych 2Jo Myers-Walker

Triptych 3Jo Myers-Walker

2026 Annual Members' Show
2026-05-21 10:00 - 2026-06-27 17:00
2026 Annual Members’ Show
Group Exhibition by members of the Octagon Center for the Arts
May 21 – June 27 in the Octagon Community Gallery
About this group exhibition:
This non-juried show celebrates the skills, creativity, and lived experiences of the Octagon community! Let’s fill the gallery and surround ourselves with our own amazing work — established artists next to emerging artists, all media.
Octagon Members – use the link below to submit your entry. Deadline is 11:45 PM, May 3.

Link to submit entry
Exhibition Dates:
May 21, 2026 – Exhibition Opening Day
June 11, 5:00-8:00 PM – Exhibition Reception
June 27, 2026 – Exhibition Closes
Artist List:
TBD

Third Thursday Paint & Plant
2026-06-18 17:30 - 20:00
We provide the flower pot and paint, you create a beautiful home for your plants! We will have plants available for a small fee or give one of your own plants a new home. Open to all ages. Refreshments available for a donation.

Octagon 60th Birthday Hullabaloo
2026-08-31 10:00 - 2026-10-10 17:00
Octagon 60th Birthday Hullabaloo
Octagon History Exhibition by the Octagon Staff

Exhibition Dates:
August 31, 2026 – Exhibition Opening Day
TBD – Exhibition Reception
October 10, 2026 – Exhibition Closes

55th Annual Octagon Art Festival
2026-09-27 10:00 - 16:00
The Octagon Art Festival takes place the fourth Sunday of September along Main Street in downtown Ames, IA. The festival is held outdoors on pavement, RAIN OR SHINE. Visual arts, children’s art area, food vendors and performing arts form the foundation of the Octagon Art Festival. Approximately 10,000 people attend the festival.

4th Annual Winter Market
2026-11-23 10:00 - 2026-12-24 17:00
4th Annual Winter Market
Event by Octagon Shop

Event Dates:
November 23, 2026 – Event Opening Day
December 24, 2026 – Event Closes

About This Event:
The Octagon will hold the 4rd annual Winter Market, featuring great finds on holiday-themed artworks from local artists and week-by-week special deals.
