Creative Artists' Studios of Ames (CASA)

06/11/2026

TOMORROW, June 11, Thursday is Art Walk night from 5pm to 8pm in downtwon Ames. CASA Artist Nathan Moore will be in front of the Salon on Main Street. Be sure to stop by and say hello. Be sure to stop at the Octagon Center for the Arts to see all the great things happening there, outside and inside and check out the shop which will be open! After 8pm, there is a free to the public concert at Bandshell Park with some of CASA’s members playing in the band(Darla Ewalt and Linda Lieberman)! Hope to see you there! https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1565975028871498&id=100063770461913&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=7FstWywsFyWn7656

06/09/2026

More photos of CASA Artists at work from this afternoon!

06/09/2026

CASA was a very busy place when I dropped by mid afternoon today. CASA Artist LeeAnne Willson was finishing up banners for members of the Ames Climate Action Team for the fourth of July parade coming up in a few weeks. CASA Artist Maureen Burke was working on bread bags. In the Shared clay area CASA Artist Bree Englehardt was working on pots that will be at a great art show in in Chicago. CASA Artist Greg Lamont was working in his studio, CASA Artist Nathan Moore was busy in his studio. CASA Artist Samantha Morrow was busy with unloading some great student work from a kiln. CASA Artist Lucky Kim was busy in her studio. It was great to see all this wonderful ART happening!

06/09/2026

The Fiber Arts Node is open, as usual, today noon-3. This week we are sewing sashes (from old sheets) that will be used by the Ames Climate Action Team in the 4th of July Parade. Next week we will add the text. In between, they will be dyed a sunny golden color, like the color in this fabric.

06/03/2026

There was a lot happening yesterday at CASA when I stopped by. Maureen Burke was working on fabric bread bags in the fiber Arts Node while LeeAnne Willson was working on a banners project with a friend. And …. In the shared clay area Isaac Rolf was throwing his first pot of the summer in his studio area. Greg Lamont and Breanna Englehardt were repairing kiln #4. Maryanne Begg was creating new shapes for several garden totems she’s been working on. Great work, everyone!

06/02/2026

CASA Artist AnaGomez is the featured artist for June at the Octagon this month. Check it out!! Great work, Ana!

Ana Gomez is a ceramics artist and her work is 15% off the whole month of June. Here's what Ana has to say about her work:
In my country, Spain, food is more than a mere physiological need; meals are a social event. I started cooking at a very early age and was fascinated not only by the cooking process but also by the pots and pans and plates and bowls. Most of my pieces relate to food, to the process of creating a meal, from preparation and cooking to serving and presenting it to the table.

My initial contact with clay was in hand building and sculpture, first in Germany during my college years and later in Mexico. When my husband and I moved to Pennsylvania, I enrolled in some pottery classes that opened a new world of possibilities.

06/01/2026

From CASA Artist Nathan Moore on May 29:
This afternoon Gilbert CSD had its annual end of year celebration recognizing years of service and staff awards. One award is the Dan Woodin Excellence in Education Award that recognizes one staff member that goes above and beyond for students from each building in the district. (CASA Artist)Lucky (Kim)received this award from the Intermediate building in part for her clay workshops that she has been offering to staff in our studios and the pots she has been able to make for the students at Gilbert. Please help me congratulate Lucky on this great award and for representing our studios so well -- congrats Lucky!

05/30/2026

The expanded downtown farmers' market offers more opportunities for artists. Two CASA members were out this morning: Jenn Withers & Isaac Rolf. Very nice!

05/28/2026

Stopped in the beautiful Artisan Gallery in Iowa City recently and was greeted by this wonderful display of CASA Artist Mary Weisgram’s work. Gorgeous, Mary! Be sure to take a look when you are in Iowa City!