Beginning Watercolor Painting, Ages 18+ - Octagon Center for the Arts
2026-03-03 13:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Beginning Watercolor Painting, Ages 18+

Beginning Watercolor Painting, Ages 18+
Tuesdays, 1 – 3:30 p.m.
February 10 – March 10 (5 weeks)
$120
Learn and practice brush control, general principles, techniques and tricks using watercolors. Students will learn to simulate texture and patterns resulting from combining and layering or glazing their paints. Basic skills in the use of transparent watercolors, design principles including composition, and how to decide what to keep or eliminate in your art will be covered.
Class size limit: 12
Studio Location: Dance/East Auxiliary Studio
Instructor: Mike Mittermeier
Learn more about Mike Mittermeier on Instagram @mikemittermeier
MATERIALS LIST: Please bring the following to class
WATERCOLOR PAINTS
Transparent (Tube) watercolors. Tube watercolors are best and last longer than pan/palette watercolors.
Cadmium Red or Alizarin crimson
Cadmium Yellow or Lemon yellow
Raw Sienna
Ultramarine Blue or Cerulean Blue
Hookers Green
Cadmium yellow
Paynes grey
Burnt Sienna
Optional-Chinese white
I have used Winsor Newton, Holbein and Schminke. (Holbein is my favorite)
Try to stay clear of the pan sets, they are ok, however, they don’t last and quality is not as good.
WATERCOLOR PAPER
9” x 12 “ Cold Press Watercolor Pad from any of the following: Winsor & Newton, Canson, Strathmore, or Arches
WATERCOLOR BRUSHES*
#8 Bright or flat
# 10 or 14 Round
# 0-2 Round long bristles
*Get the best brushes you can afford. A Mix Synthetic brush lasts and lasts. These brushes are made with a mixture of synthetic filaments designed to replicate the properties of natural hair like sable, often with added benefits like increased longevity and better color release.
~Kolinski are pricey, but they are great for holding paint and have a more natural feel.
~Masterstroke
~Red sable is resilient and budget friendly.
~Chinese brushes are also great to have, less expensive than sable.
MISC.
The Watercolor color wheel; A reference guide to watercolor colors (Jerry’s Art-a-Rama and Amazon)
Xacto Knife (Or something similar) CAREFUL THEY ARE SHARP!
Hake 2 or 3 inch and natural sponge/elephant ear sponge (Hobby Lobby, Amazon, Jerry’s Art-a-Rama)

Baby Time - Ames Public Library
2026-03-03 13:30 - 14:00 | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Bring your pre-walker to the Library for stories, songs, and baby sign language. Join with other caregivers and older siblings for 20 minutes of fun and learning. Feel free to bring a stuffed animal or doll for the older sibling to learn along with you.
Babies and caregivers are welcome to stay and play after the event!

Kids Chess Club - Ames Public Library
2026-03-03 16:00 - 17:00 | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Come play chess! Whether you are just a beginner or already an expert, all kids in grades 1-5 are welcome to come have fun. Drop in and learn how to play or make new friends with other chess lovers. Storytime Room
515 Douglas Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-5646

Library Hours
Mon. – Thurs.: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri. & Sat.: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sun: 1 – 5 p.m.

Portrait Painting Ages, 18+ - Octagon Center for the Arts
2026-03-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Art of the Portrait, Ages 18+
Tuesdays, 6 – 8 p.m.
February 10 – 24 (3 weeks)
$85
Students will explore the art of painting portraits. Students have the choice to paint from a photo, or paint a self-portrait by using a mirror. Students will learn to explore color, likeness, and the many ways of depicting a person on canvas.
Oil paint focused, but other media are also welcome. All skill levels are welcome!
Instructor: Zack Bukovich
Class Size Limit: 10
Studio Location: TBA
Student supply list:
Choose preferred type of Paint: Gouache, Acrylic or Oil Paint

4-6 canvases, panels or paper, between 9 x12” and 16 x 20”

Gouache or Acrylic Supplies:

Gouache or Acrylic paints: A simple color palette of basic colors (red, blue, yellow, black, white and brown).
Brushes*

Oil Painting Supplies:

Oil Paints: Ivory Black, Yellow Ochre, Titanium white, warm yellow and cool yellow (usually cadmium yellow and lemon yellow), warm red and cool red (usually cadmium red and alizarin crimson) and ultramarine blue; other colors of your choice (bring what you have).
Mixed sized brushes (can be bristle or synthetic)*
Palette Knife
Palette surface (sheets are fine)
Odorless Turpentine or Gamsol
Paint mixing tray
*The Octagon will provide paper towels, pencils, gently used paintbrushes of varying type and size.

Conversation Circles: Spanish - Ames Public Library
2026-03-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Gather (in person or online) for casual conversations in Spanish. Chat in your native language or get comfortable speaking in another language. Dale H. Ross Board Room
To join via Zoom, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81706386269?pwd=[REDACTED]

The Peking Acrobats - Stephens Auditorium
2026-03-03 19:00 - 22:00 | Stephens Auditorium, 1900 Center Dr, Ames, IA, 50011, United States
The Peking Acrobats – Tues., March 3, at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $28.
For over three decades, THE PEKING ACROBATS® have amazed audiences with their daring maneuvers and jaw-dropping artistry. From balancing atop towering pagodas of chairs to executing precision tumbling, trick-cycling, and gravity-defying contortions, they redefine the limits of human ability. THE PEKING ACROBATS are part of a time-honored Chinese tradition, rooted in centuries of Chinese history and folk art. Tradition demands that each generation of acrobats add its own improvements and embellishments; because of this, high honor is conferred upon those skilled enough to become acrobats. THE PEKING ACROBATS seek to uphold this rich and ancient folk art tradition, bringing it to new technical heights while integrating twenty-first century technology.

Creative Explorations March, Ages 3 - 5 - Octagon Center for the Arts
2026-03-04 10:00 - 11:00
Creative Explorations March, Ages 3 – 5

Creative Explorations, 3 – 5 years with an adult partner*
Wednesdays, 10 – 11 a.m.
$65 for each 4 week session
March 4 – April 1 (No class 3/18)
Enjoy creative learning through the art making process using a variety of sensory materials, traditional and nontraditional supplies. New skills will be practiced, while the “process of making” will be the fundamental goal for the child. Materials like paint, charcoal, fabric, plastic, sculpture media, glue, cardboard, paper, etc. will be used. The use of scissors and proper handling of materials and color mixing will also be explored. Guardians are encouraged to participate in class activities.
*Children who are 5 years old may be more developmentally willing/able to work alone on their projects. If so, guardians are encouraged to stay on site either in the studio or in the adjacent lounge area during class.
Class limit: 6 children/adult pairs
Instructor: Beth Weninger
Hunziker Studio

Community & Family Resources at Ames Public Library
2026-03-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Staff from Community and Family Resources will be available in the Library to provide information about addiction, substance abuse treatment, problem gambling treatment, and mental health therapy.
They can also provide assistance in getting started in any of these services including filling out some of the pre-appointment forms.

First Wednesday of Each Month, 10am-12pm on the second floor
Third Wednesday of Each Month, 4-6pm on the second floor

Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection
2026-03-04 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-05 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-06 10:00 - 16:00 | Christian Peterson Art Museum, 1017 Morrill Hall, 603 Morrill Rd, Ames, IA, 50011, United States
University Museums presents “Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection,” an intimate exhibition in the Christian Petersen Art Museum showcasing the innovative technology and conservation science used to preserve Danish-American artist Christian Petersen’s iconic terra cotta sculptures across Iowa State University’s campus.
The exhibition, which opens one week prior to classes beginning for the semester, features materials samples, 3D scanning documentation, and behind-the-scenes insights from the ongoing conservation of the “History of Dairying” fountain—a National Register of Historic Places landmark created in 1934 as one of the nation’s earliest Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) installations.
Democratic Material Meets Iowa Weather
Working within Depression-era constraints, Iowa State College President Raymond M. Hughes directed Petersen to work in terra cotta—”perhaps in tile or pottery”— because ISU’s Ceramic Engineering Department could produce it on campus within the tight PWAP budget and timeline. The material was affordable and expressive—Petersen could create detailed public art for Iowa State’s students at a fraction of the cost of bronze or marble, perfectly aligned with the land-grant mission of serving everyone, not elite institutions. The hand-modeling technique allowed him to capture intricate details in works like the “Fountain of the Four Seasons,” 1941 and “Three Athletes,” 1936.
ISU Innovation in Action
The exhibition highlights the partnership between University Museums and ISU’s Manufacturing & Teaching Labs, where Sawyer Krotz conducted comprehensive 3D scans of the “History of Dairying” fountain to create precise digital models for replication. The same technology was used to replicate the terra cotta for the “Fountain of the Four Seasons,” recently re-dedicated after multi-year conservation. Iowa State’s terra cotta sculptures face challenges from freeze-thaw cycles. The same material that once drained Iowa’s agricultural fields (as drain tiles) graces campus buildings and public spaces, requiring specialized preservation approaches developed through ISU’s materials science and engineering expertise.
“Prior to 3D scanning, successive replications of sculptures would be smaller than their originals due to approximately 5% shrinkage when terra cotta is fired,” said Sydney Marshall, Curator at University Museums. “A direct mold of the original would ultimately produce a smaller result because of that shrinkage. With 3D scanning, we can digitally scale up the models by 5% before creating the molds, ensuring the final fired terra cotta matches Petersen’s original dimensions exactly.”
After 3D scanning, the digital models are scaled up and used to create forms that terra cotta specialists use for traditional slip-casting methods. The active “History of Dairying” conservation project—which includes foundation repairs, mural preservation, and tier replication—is currently underway, with fundraising still in progress to complete this (National Register) landmark preservation effort.
Exhibition Details
“Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection ” offers visitors an insider’s look at how Iowa State preserves and conserves historic objects—from the actual 3D scan data that captured Christian Petersen’s 1934 fountain details to materials samples showing 90 years of Iowa freeze-thaw damage .
This exhibition is curated by University Museums and sponsored by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and The John and Nancy Hayes Chair in Mechanical Engineering.
The exhibition opens January 12 and runs through December 18, 2026
Weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christian Petersen Art Museum’s Neva M. Petersen Gallery
Morrill Hall, Ground Floor Hallway
Free admission
Special Event
March 10, 5:30–6:30 PM
Tech Meets Tradition: Preserving Campus Art with Materials Engineering
Christian Petersen Art Museum, 003 Morrill Hall
In conjunction with the exhibition Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection, materials engineer Sawyer Krotz will join curator Sydney Marshall for a dynamic exploration of how technology is shaping the future of the conservation of sculpture. Following a guided tour of the exhibition, watch a live demonstration of object scanning and learn how these tools can support the preservation and restoration of public art. Especially great for anyone interested in materials engineering, museum conservation, or historic preservation—no technical background required.
Free and open to the public.

Octagonal: The All Media Show - Octagon Center for the Arts
2026-03-04 10:00 - 17:30, 2026-03-05 10:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-06 10:00 - 17:30 | Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Join us for the PUBLIC RECEPTION: Jan. 22, 2026 in the Community Gallery!
Awards will be announced during the reception.

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 57 years, the exhibit morphed over the decades to become the Clay, Fiber, Paper, Glass, Metal, Wood Exhibit that has featured hundreds of artists from dozens of states. The newest version of the exhibit, Octagonal: The All-Media Show, launched in 2018 taking a note from the past while moving forward to continue to provide an exciting opportunity for artists across Iowa, the Midwest, and the nation. This exhibit features a regionally-recognized juror each year, attracts artists from across the United States, and provides significant cash awards.

Toddler Storytime - Ames Public Library
2026-03-04 10:30 - 11:00 | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Families with toddlers are invited for a storytime filled with music, stories, and fun! Mondays and Wednesdays are the same presentation.

Baby Time - Ames Public Library
2026-03-04 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-03-05 18:30 - 19:00 | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Bring your pre-walker to the Library for stories, songs, and baby sign language. Join with other caregivers and older siblings for 20 minutes of fun and learning. Feel free to bring a stuffed animal or doll for the older sibling to learn along with you.
Babies and caregivers are welcome to stay and play after the event! Storytime Room

Mystery Lovers Book Group - Ames Public Library
2026-03-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Mystery readers, come talk about books by a selected author or on a theme:
2025

September: Isabella Maldonado
October: Page to Screen
November: Marcie Rendon
December: Mary Higgins Clark

Rotary Room
515 Douglas Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-5646
Mon. – Thurs.: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri. & Sat.: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sun: 1 – 5 p.m.

America 250: Prairie, Plows, and the People's College - University Museums
2026-03-04 12:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-05 12:00 - 16:00 | Farm House Museum, 601 Farm House Lane, Ames, IA, 50011, United States
America 250: Prairie, Plows, and the People’s College
February – October 2026
America 250: Prairie, Plows, and the People’s College honors key people, moments, objects, and experiences centered within Farm House through more than 250 primary source objects. The exhibition presents six themes—Early Iowa State Agricultural College and Model Farm, Early Iowa, Immigration, National Imagery, Native Stories, and Innovation and the Victorian Home—through decorative arts, textiles, furniture, agricultural implements, and documents that trace the land-grant university’s heritage and the nation’s evolution.
Visitors will see George Washington Carver featured in the 1896 Bomb yearbook as the first Black man to enroll, graduate, and teach at Iowa State; a hand-painted Norwegian Rosemaling trunk from 1852 personalized with the name “Anna”; Mary Beaumont Welch’s 1884 cookbook from the first Department of Domestic Economy in the nation; the VEISHA bicycle from the 1890s; and early student yearbooks revealing timeless aspects of college life.
Reflective questions appear throughout the exhibition, inviting visitors to consider how historical narratives continue to shape contemporary society. Topics range from the Morrill Act of 1862 and land-grant universities to immigration patterns in Iowa, Indigenous history, and Victorian-era technological innovation.
On July 4, 2026, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding. Farm House Museum, built in 1860 as Iowa State’s first building, has been central to the development of campus, Iowa State heritage, education, innovation, and national policy.

Youth Belly Dance, Ages 8 -14 - Octagon Center for the Arts
2026-03-04 18:00 - 19:00 | Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Youth Belly Dance, Ages 8-14
Wednesdays, 6 – 7 p.m.
February 11 – March 25 (7 weeks)
$60
Find your wiggle in this fun class introducing movements from Middle Eastern fusion belly dance for ages 8-14. Learn bouncy hip movements, snaky arms, balance, and more, through short dance games and combinations set to a variety of music. Wear comfortable clothing.
Instructor: Sara Merrit, professional belly dancer and instructor of Mirage Middle Eastern Dance Troupe
Class Size Limit: 12
Studio Location: Dance Studio, 2nd Floor

Maker Nights - Reiman Gardens
2026-03-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Blvd, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Bring your friends and get creative with Maker Nights at Reiman Gardens!
Various Wednesday evenings, 6 – 8 p.m.
All projects are inspired by nature and are simple but elegant. Select from topics typically offered on first Wednesdays in the spring and fall:

2025 Workshops
December 3: Air Plant Globes

Select from various materials such as sand, perlite, soil, pebbles, and other decorative objects to form a base for an air plant that will sit within an open glass globe. Globes can then be suspended from the ceiling or other plant hangers in your home. Each participant will make 2 globes.

2026 Workshops

January 7: Seed Art
February 4: Botanical Doodling
SPECIAL: February 12: PALentine’s Day Maker Night: Fired Ink Wall Art
March 4: Pulp Painting
April 1: Pressed Flower Birds
July 1: MINI Maker Night: Canvas Paintings
July 8: MINI Maker Night: Micro Collages
September 2: Spore Printing
October 7: Pressed Flower Landscapes
November 4: Tiny Terrariums
December 2: Mini Macrame Wall Hanging

Prices

$30
General Public

$18
Members Must Present Membership Card at Check-In

$15
ISU Students Valid with Student ID

Visit https://reimangardens.com/events to find out more and to register.

Adult Belly Dance Wednesdays, Ages 15+ - Octagon Center for the Arts
2026-03-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Adult Belly Dance, Ages 15+
Wednesdays, 7 – 8 p.m.
February 11 – March 25 (7 weeks)
$60
This mixed-level adult class is designed for anyone interested in exploring the graceful and expressive art of belly dance with Melinda, of Mirage Middle Eastern Dance Troupe. Each session will be tailored to the students enrolled and will involve gentle warm-ups with stretching exercises followed by basic techniques, isolation drills, combinations, and choreography. Connect with other dancers in a supportive and encouraging environment. Wear comfortable clothing.
Instructor: Melinda Jenkins-Moore
Class Size Limit: 12
Studio Location: Dance Studio, 2nd Floor

Homeschool Book Club - Ames Public Libary
2026-03-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Join us for a monthly book discussion just for families that are homeschooling! This year we have selected a wide variety of books that mirror our world. Families are invited to read the book of the month (together or independently), then come to the Library for a discussion and related activities. This event and books are geared for school-age kids or middle-grade reading level, but all ages are welcome to attend. Teen Space
2025

September – Get started with fun activities and pick up the book for next month!
October – The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
November – The Secret Letters by Margaret Peterson Haddix
December (Nonfiction) – History Smashers: The Titanic by Kate Messner

2026

January (Graphic Novel) – Mexikid by Pedro Martín
February – Just Gus by McCall Hoyle
March – Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee
April – Lion of the Sky by Ritu Hemnani
May – The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat

Family Story Time - Ames Public Library
2026-03-05 10:30 - 11:00 | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Children of all ages and their grown-ups are invited to this storytime to build listening, language, and literacy skills through music, movement, song and action rhymes. Each week will feature a new theme.

Unitypoint Health - Eyerly Ball at the Library
2026-03-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Staff from UnityPoint Health – Eyerly Ball will be available in the Library to connect you with mental health services.

Thursdays, 2 – 3 p.m. on the second floor, Lisa Fawcett Nilsson Study Room

UnityPoint Health – Eyerly Ball offers a full continuum of mental health services and treatment to meet the needs of our community, from family and individual counseling to outpatient care for all ages. Eyerly Ball’s core focus is on outpatient, residential, community outreach, care coordination and crisis services.

Conversation Circles: Chinese - Ames Public Library
2026-03-05 18:00 - 19:00 | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Gather (in person or online) for casual conversations in Chinese. Chat in your native language or get comfortable speaking in another language. PEO Room
To join via Zoom, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81706386269?pwd=[REDACTED]
515 Douglas Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 239-5646
Mon. – Thurs.: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri. & Sat.: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sun: 1 – 5 p.m.

Tarot Meetup - Ames Public Library
2026-03-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Do you want to learn to read Tarot? Are you a Tarot reader looking to build community with others?
Join the Ames Public Library for a monthly Tarot Meetup! Bring your curiosity and your cards (if you have them) and spend the evening with like-minded folks.
No Tarot experience necessary — anyone from the simply curious to the seasoned expert is welcome.

Cyclone Cinema: Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 – ISU Student Union Board
2026-03-05 19:00 | Carver Hall, Room 0101, 411 Morrill Rd, Ames, IA 50011, Ames, IA, 50011, United States
One year after the supernatural nightmare at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, Abby runs away to reconnect with her animatronic friends, uncovering dark secrets about the true origins of Freddy’s and unleashing a horror hidden for decades.
2025 | PG-13 | 1hr 44min

All Cyclone Cinema showings start at 7:00pm. Sunday film screenings will be in open caption format. All other screenings can be open caption as long as the request is made to the staff before the movie starts.

Storybook S.T.E.M. - Ames Public Library
2026-03-06 10:30 - 11:00 | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Families are invited to enjoy a short storytime and get hands-on with a fun related STEM activity for all ages!
