Explore Art in Ames, Sioux City and Jefferson

Artists from all over Iowa converge on downtown Ames Sunday for the Octagon Art Festival. Photo courtesy of the Octagon Art Festival.

By Michael Morain

Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs

It’s a good time to be in the tent business. Artists are setting up camp this weekend to show off their work in three big festivals in the following three Iowa Great Places.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday in Jefferson
Art on the Square surrounds the Greene County Courthouse with exhibiting artists, food trucks and music by singer-songwriter Chad Elliot of Lamoni and the popular Parranderos Latin Combo from Des Moines.

11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday in Sioux City
The Alley Art Festival livens up the Historic Fourth Street District, where you can watch artists paint murals during the event. While they’re working, check out the interactive kids’ mural, art vendors, food trucks and plenty of entertainment.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday in Ames
The Octagon Art Festival welcomes more than 80 exhibiting artists from across the state to the Ames Main Street Cultural & Entertainment District. Now in its 51st year, the festival has become an annual highlight of central Iowa’s cultural calendar.

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