Like all great collaborative projects, the Holiday Open Studio started with two friends making a simple plan to open their studios at the same time and cross-promote their opening. It turns out, more is better and so we’ve decided to do it again in 2022.

Participating Artists

Artist	Address	Featuring
Kristin M Roach	138 Main Street, (2nd Floor)	Paintings, Prints, Zines, Kits
Jennifer Drinkwater (12/15 Only)	312 1/2 Main Street (North Suite)	Painting & Prints
Barbara Walton	312 1/2 Main Street (South Suite)	Encaustic Painting
Melissa Stenstrom	507 Main Street Suite 1	Jewelry & Metals
Octagon Arts	427 Douglas Avenue	Gallery Shop/ Community Gallery

For an artist, having a space for their work is vital. Sometime a private space, other times shared, it’s not often the public is invited in. Unlike a gallery or a retail space, it’s a process space. There are raw materials, in progress objects, and finished works not ready to release to the world. We’ve all seen exhibits, but how often do we get the chance to peek behind the metaphorical curtain and see the spaces that foster the practice of art making?

This holiday season, enjoy a different kind of event. Take a step into a wealth of creativity and experience where these professional artists get their work done, support your local creative community directly, and finish out your last minute shopping with unique locally made works.

Take a stroll around Downtown Ames, pick up some last minute shopping directly from the makers, and get your creativity kindled!