Featured Artist Talk Creating With Carol October 23, 2025 from 6:00 - 7:00pm in the Octagon Shop Free! Ages 16+ Join Ames artist Carol Patrick and learn how she creates new from old, how to combine colors and patterns, and a few of her tips that make sewing fun and easy. Carol creates unique reversible aprons […]
Voices Group Exhibition by Cedar River Artisans Exhibition Dates: October 9th, 2025 – Exhibition Opening Day November 13th, 2025 – Exhibition Public Reception from 6:00 – 7:30PM in the Community Gallery November 13th, 2025 – Exhibition Closes Artist Statement: VOICES will center around what makes our thoughts similar not what makes us different. We look beyond ideologies, […]
Mandalas and Music! Thursday, November 20th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm Learn to create a paint mandala as you listen to meditative music. The perfect way to relax before the rush of the holiday season. Open to anyone 18+ from 6:00-8:00pm. Refreshments available for a donation.
3rd Annual Winter Market Event by Octagon Shop Event Dates: November 24th, 2025 – Event Opening Day December 24th, 2025 – Event Closes About This Event: The Octagon will hold the 3rd annual Winter Market, featuring great finds on holiday-themed artworks from local artists and week-by-week special deals. 11/24 - 11/30 : Cards & Ornaments 12/1 […]
Holiday Ornaments 20% Off & Select Artist’s Works 20-50% Off Get ready… Set… Shop local! Winter Sidewalk Sales in Downtown Ames are a semi-annual sale held by businesses in the Downtown district. Not only will you find great deals, you’ll be supporting the local community by shopping local! You’ll find discounts, promotions, sales and many […]
Snack, Sip, and Sparkle! Jewelry Night Thursday, January 15th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm Join us for a metal jewelry demonstration by Terrie Hoefer and an opportunity to make your own jewelry. For $5, adults have an opportunity to create a metal piece with Terrie - pre-registration required. Click Tickets to register. We will also have […]
Octagonal: The All Media Show Group Exhibition by Various Artists Exhibition Dates: January 19, 2026 – Exhibition Opening DayJanuary 22, 2026 – Exhibition Reception Awards announced at 6:15pmMarch 14, 2026 – Exhibition Closes Exhibiting Artist List:Joanne Alberda – Lunar LandscapeShelly Bales – WonderlustJasmine Beul – Rose Window BottleAmanda Brown – SpaceBetsy Busby – Behold the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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)