Bridget Marcus has been bird watching for most of her life and her wonder and love for birds is only increasing as the vulnerability of our avian neighbors becomes ever clearer. Growing up in South Africa much of her free time was spent in the “bushveld” resulting in a deep knowledge of South African birds. […]
Community Gallery -- View from the Sidewalk Show Statement Do we have time to slow down? And I don't mean that Only in the sense of physically, but mentality. Though we are living in a pandemic and things are to supposed to me moving much slower, I feel that is far from the […]
Located in the Community Gallery Octagonal: The All-Media Show is the annual, juried all-media exhibition at the Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames, Iowa. Originally titled the Clay and Paper Show, the exhibit opened in 1968 to provide an opportunity to the central Iowa arts community. Over the past 53 years, the exhibit morphed over the […]
Located in the Community Gallery Seventeen Integrated Studio Arts seniors from ISU's department of art & visual culture will be exhibiting artwork in Apricity, their BFA exhibition, with media ranging from ceramics, painting, metalwork. wood, drawing, textiles, printmaking, photography, and digital media. Students designed the exhibition and decided on Apricity as their exhibition title, which means the […]
Located in the Community Gallery/Virtual The Octagon Center for the Arts highlights artwork by local elementary, middle, and high school students annually. 2022 Kindergarten - 8th Grade Student Show See the K - 8th Grade Show virtually! Visit our YouTube channel to see the Show: https://youtu.be/l_N0KeDsDNI 2022 High School Student Show See the High School […]
Located in the Community Gallery Exhibit Reception: Join us at our exhibit reception on June 9, 6-8pm at the Octagon! Come meet some of the artists, see the show, listen to our crowdsourced exhibit playlist, and if weather permits, hang out on the patio and enjoy some light refreshments! Masks are required for events. Artist […]
Located in the Community Gallery This unjuried 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. The Octagon’s Member Show 2022: Participating Artists Carolyn Abbott carolyntabbott.smugmug.com Penny Adam Robert Anders Instagram: […]
Artist Statements Andrew Clarridge “My work is an endeavored process culminating out of experiences many or all of us have had in our lives. I like to focus on an array of issues such as technology and its psychological effects, enslavement, love, loss, death, renewal, enlightenment and empowerment. These are broad topics that have deep […]
Artist Statement: I could be the Poster Child for the slogan “Reuse, Reduce, Recycle.” Handmade paper is the basis for the majority of my artwork, but I often incorporate, weave or build using other found materials. I use old clothes, dead plants, shredded money, and items such as old doormats (made of natural fibers) to […]
The Octagon Center for the Arts highlights artwork by local elementary, middle, and high school students annually. GRADES K – 8 (Virtual): SHOW DETAILS: Google Form Submission Due: 5 pm, Saturday, April 1, 2023 Virtual Exhibit Opening: Monday, April 17, 2023 Art from Grades K – 8 will be displayed virtually. Each elementary and middle […]
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)
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