Exhibits
The Community Gallery is FREE and open to the public. You are warmly invited to visit.
You will find the Community Gallery on the street level (first floor) adjacent to the Octagon Shop. The Gallery observes the same hours as the Shop.
You are welcome to join in gallery events, such as artist talks. Sign up for the newsletter or follow us on Facebook for announcements. Please note that the gallery is closed during exhibit changes.
Scroll down to see our upcoming events!
The Feinberg & Drexler Mask Collection
Masks are FOR SALE!
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Events Search and Views Navigation
December 2024
The Faces I’ve Seen.
The Faces I've Seen. Solo Exhibition by Karen Cooper December 16th, 2024 - January 11th, 2025 At The Octagon Community Gallery About this solo exhibition: Exhibition Dates: December 16th, 2024 - Exhibition Opening Day December 19th, 2024 - Exhibition Reception 6PM - 7PM in the Community gallery January 11th, 2025 - Exhibition Closes Artist Biography: I am a watcher. If someone with an interesting face, or someone who looks like they might be great in a painting, is out there…
Find out more »January 2025
Be Still
Be Still Solo Exhibition by Denice Peters January 20th - February 15th, 2025 At The Octagon Community Gallery About this solo exhibition: Creating realistic pastel paintings using strong light and shadow with a bit of nostalgia and a sense of peace is my goal. I'm inspired by the effect that light has on objects. It's the spark of brightness shining against the darkness that appeals to me. Every painting is about this dramatic glow evoking an emotional response, regardless of…
Find out more »February 2025
Octagonal: The All Media Show 2025
February 27th – March 29th, 2025 RECEPTION: February 27th 5:30PM-7:30PM In the Community Gallery Awards announced at 6:30PM ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND! Applications are now OPEN! 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 56 years, the exhibit morphed over the decades to…
Find out more »March 2025
2025 Elementary, Middle School, High School Annual Student Show
2025 Elementary, Middle School, High School Annual Student Show April 7th - April 19th, 2025 in the Octagon Community Gallery About this group exhibition: The Annual Student Art Show highlights artwork by elementary, middle, and high school students from schools within 20 miles of Ames. Learn more on this exhibition's webpage here Exhibition Dates: April 7th, 2025 - Exhibition Opening Day April 19th, 2025 - Exhibition Closes
Find out more »May 2025
2025 Annual Members’ Show
2025 Annual Members' Show Group Exhibition by members of the Octagon Center for the Arts May 19th - June 14th, 2025 in the Octagon Community Gallery About this group exhibition: 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. Exhibition Dates: May 19th, 2025 - Exhibition Opening Day June 14th, 2025 - Exhibition Closes…
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