2019 Ames Artists' Studio Tour
Saturday, October 12 [10 a.m. - 4 p.m.]
Sunday, October 13 [noon - 4 p.m.]
2018 Ames Area Studio Tour Info:
Click the following links, or scroll down for more information!
Meet the Artists Studio Tour Maps Studio Tour Headquarters FAQ
Click the following links, or scroll down for more information!
Meet the Artists Studio Tour Maps Studio Tour Headquarters FAQ
Visit our blog or Facebook page for additional information, updates, and more photos!
2018 Ames Area Studio Tour Brochure (PDF) | Static / Printable Map (jpeg)
2018 Ames Area Studio Tour Brochure (PDF) | Static / Printable Map (jpeg)
Thank you to our 2018 Artists.
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Brett Beasley
1320 Wilson Ave, Ames Pottery Brett Beasley makes wheel thrown utilitarian pottery intended for everyday use. He also makes one-of-a-kind ceramic sculptures. Earning a Master of Fine Art degree from East Carolina University, Beasley is currently a full time studio artist. Beasley has assisted top-ranked, professional artists such as Ayumi Horie, Justin Rothshank, Steve Loucks and Lynnette Hesser at various nationally recognized craft schools. He has been an active member of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) since 2011 and attends the annual conference. Beasley exhibits his artwork at both the national and regional level, and while art is the chosen profession, fishing is his primary passion. Visit 'Brett Beasley Ceramics' online: www.beasleyceramics.com Click Here to watch Brett's Studio Tour preview video. |
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College of Design
715 Bissell Rd, Lower Level, Ames Pottery, Printmaking, Textiles, Woods, Metals, Photography, Digital Media, & Painting The Iowa State University College of Design will feature open studios in ceramics, printmaking, textiles, woods, metals, photography, digital media, and painting. During the Studio Tour, students will be available to display current works and talk to the public about what they are learning. Visit 'College of Design' online: www.design.iastate.edu Click Here to watch College of Design's Studio Tour preview video. |
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Ciccotti Art Glass
2306 258th St, Ames (Napier) Handblown Glass Art Ciccotti grew up in Southern California, married, and moved to Ames, Iowa. He attended Iowa State University and graduated as an Art and Design major with an emphasis in Art Education. While attending Iowa State, he became part of the glassblowing club, “The Gaffer's Guild.” There he learned the basics of glassblowing. In his own words... I am mostly self-taught as a glassblower. Over the years I have attended workshops around the U.S., learning techniques and honing the skills that fuel my passion for this ancient craft. My current designs have roots in Venetian glass working techniques. The use of a roll up of glass (tocar pierre) allows me to put together designs that can vary from the random composition of a Garden Walk Platter to a very controlled design using cane and murrine. Bright colors and curvilinear forms are the design elements I prefer to work with. I enjoy exploring new color combinations, shapes, and functionality. As my skill level increases so does the complexity of the designs and techniques. Making art is a passion for me. I blow glass because of the rush of seeing an object take shape from a white hot mass to a finished piece. After weeks of planning, sometimes months, the design comes together in a piece within a short period of time. It is intense! My objective is to produce a piece of work that not only is unique but that brings a sense of visual and tactile pleasure. The theme running through my work relates to the natural world—flowers, weather, animals. My intent is not to recreate these things exactly, but to make visual reference to them. These things have a natural beauty to which we can connect. Visit 'Ciccotti Art Glass' online: www.ciccottiartglass.com Click Here to watch Art Ciccotti's Studio Tour preview video. |
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Creative Artists’ Studio of Ames (CASA) 130 S. Sheldon Ave, Suite 107, Ames Clay, Fiber, Encaustics, Metal, Paper, Ink, & Watercolor CASA is a group of artists who work in clay, fiber, encaustics, metal, paper, ink, and watercolor. Mission: To provide space for artists to work, to learn, and to share their expertise with the public. Visit 'CASA' online: www.creativeartists.org Click Here to watch CASA's Studio Tour preview video. 
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Creative Spirits
4820 Mortensen Rd, Ames Painting Creative Spirits offer paint and sip events with step-by-step instructions designed for all skill levels. Studio Tour attendees will get a glimpse into what a "painting party" looks and feels like at Creative Spirits. An artist will be showcasing a step-by-step painting, and participants can join in for a small fee. Creative Spirits is a BYOB establishment, so attendees are welcome to bring a refreshment of their choice to enjoy while painting. Visit 'Creative Spirits' online: www.creativespiritsames.com |
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Caroline Freese
130 S. Sheldon Ave, Suite 108, Ames Multimedia Artist Caroline Freese is a multimedia artist focusing in acrylic painting, digital designs, and ceramics. She creates unique animal paintings on wood, which are then turned into computer-generated images that are applied to her pottery using decals. Caroline uses porcelain and a potter’s wheel to create her modern, functional pottery that brings a little whimsy into any animal lover’s home. Visit 'Caroline Freese Designs' online: www.carolinefreesedesigns.com Click Here to watch Caroline's Studio Tour preview video. |
Linda Hardie
5847 Arrasmith Trail, Ames Pottery Linda completed a Bachelor's of Fine Art from Alfred University, NY in 1990. After graduation, she moved to Pittsburgh, PA and worked for The Manchester Craftsmen's Guild as an "Artist in Education" for several years. During this time, she continued to develop her work and participated in gallery shows in the Pittsburgh area. In 1994, Linda pursued a career in Computer Science and completed a Master’s of Science at Indiana University. She then moved to Newport News, Virginia where she worked at Christopher Newport University in the Physics, Computer Science, and Engineering Department. She managed the department servers, labs, and taught undergraduate computer science courses. After working in the IT field for twenty years, Linda finally returned to the studio on a part-time basis. Last July, Linda’s family moved to Iowa and she made the decision to open her own studio as a full-time potter. Linda’s work is primarily functional. She starts with classic forms which are then altered with textures. These changes are sometimes slow and methodical and sometimes sudden and violent. After each alteration, the piece is reshaped from the inside to regain its volume while retaining the texture. My goal is to show how outside forces change the shape but these changes can add to the strength and beauty of the piece. Visit 'Linda Hardie' online: www.hardieclay.com Click Here to watch Linda's Studio Tour preview video. |
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Greg Lamont - Northwood Clay Studio CASA, 130 S. Sheldon Ave, Suite 101, Ames Functional Pottery My work references the Korean and Japanese folk pottery traditions and their influence on potterymaking in the last half-century. I make vessels that relate primarily to the preparation and serving of food and drink, and the beautification of one’s surroundings. My journey in pottery began in a ceramics class during my sophomore year in college in 1972. After college, I took the occasional pottery class and eventually became a “basement potter.” In 2001, I, along with a few other local artists, had the opportunity to establish an artists’ cooperative, Creative Artists’ Studios of Ames (CASA). So, while making pots is quiet and personal experience I want to be reflected in the pots themselves, I now am also a potter in a community of potters and artists working in a variety of media and working alongside both students and peers. It is now hard to imagine myself as a solitary potter. Every day I share resources, experience, and perspective with my fellow artists. As part of a university community I’ve been given many opportunities to teach students with diverse talents and backgrounds. Teaching has let me experiment with new ideas and perspectives, challenging myself at the same time as I challenge my students. Being a potter is a very balanced profession. As a potter I am a designer, a maker, a business owner, a laborer, a chemist, and a physicist. I love throwing, trimming, pulling handles, glazing and firing. And so… the journey begun forty years ago continues as I strive to create pottery that is fresh and alive in its form, color and surface, and performs its intended function well. I believe a substantial part of the beauty of handmade pottery lies in its use, and the pottery I create is intended to take an active part in one’s daily life. My wish is that you will incorporate my pottery as a part of your daily life and that you will sense the excitement and pleasure that I have enjoyed in making it. Visit 'Greg Lamont' online: www.lamontpottery.com Click Here to watch Greg's Studio Tour preview video. |
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Matthew Merritt
1812 Ferndale Ave, Ames Digital Illustration Sara & Matthew Merritt have 3 working studio spaces in their home, and they'll both be working in and showcasing these locations. Matthew will tour visitors through his unique and inspiring work space while Sara demonstrates with various media, from ink and oil painting to hand-dyeing silk. Both will have prints and finished work for sale and there will be light refreshments available. Matthew Merritt found his interest in drawing abstractly as a child. Prior to his 35th birthday, Merritt had surgery and took advantage of the two months recovery time to do something creative, “or I was going to lose my mind,” he stated. He decided to focus his creativity on digital drawing, which he has been working on ever since. |
Sara Merritt
1812 Ferndale Ave, Ames Ink and Collage Artist Sara & Matthew Merritt have 3 working studio spaces in their home, and they'll both be working in and showcasing these locations. Matthew will tour visitors through his unique and inspiring work space while Sara demonstrates with various media, from ink and oil painting to hand-dyeing silk. Both will have prints and finished work for sale and there will be light refreshments available. “Art was a necessity for me as a way to kind of center myself to focus to get to a kind of center,” Sara Merritt stated in a television interview in 2014. Merritt believes zen doodle art is, “a way to focus yourself, to laugh, to reach a kind of meditative state.” Zen doodle is an ink and collage based artwork that Merritt has been creating since she was a teenager. Visit 'Sara Merritt' online: www.saramerritt.com |
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Bill Rickard
Prairie Rivers Woodworking 328 S Hazel Ave, Ames Woodworking Woodworker Bill Rickard will be showing his work, including furniture, assembled art, and greenwood carvings, as well as providing demonstrations of traditional greenwood carving, such as for spoons and bowls, using hand tools including axes, adzes, knives, and other carving implements. Click Here to watch Bill's Studio Tour preview video. |
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Melissa Stenstrom Fine Jewelry
507 Main St, Suite 1, Ames Jewelry – silver, gold, gemstones & pearls Melissa Stenstrom Fine Jewelry is a creative endeavor headed up by Melissa Stenstrom with the help of her amazing family. Melissa studied art including jewelry making while at Iowa State University, but has attributed much of her knowledge to experience. Always up for a new challenge and new skills to master, Melissa is always studying and looking for the next jewelry adventure. "I make jewelry using silver, gold, gemstones, and pearls. I like working with a range of techniques such as anticlastic raising, forging, fabricating, casting, and engraving. I like to keep my work dynamic, so I look for new challenges and try to develop new skill sets. In addition, my own ideas, I also make custom work for a clientele interested in unique, personalized jewelry. Often, I work with recycled elements to make their pieces, such as metals or gemstones." Visit 'Melissa Stenstrom Jewelry' online: www.melissastenstrom.com Click Here to watch Melisa's Studio Tour preview video. |
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Find the Studios - Interactive Map
(click here for a static / printable studio tour map)
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Find assistance, info, & more @ the Studio Tour Headquarters:
Morning Bell Coffee Roasters 111 Main St, Suite 103, Ames Got a question? Feeling a little lost? Just need a break? Please stop by our Studio Tour host, Morning Bell Coffee Roasters. Morning Bell presents specialty coffee in the heart of Iowa. Conveniently located at 111 Main Street, their roastery and tasting room is open to the public 7 am to 5 pm every day. Fresh-roasted coffees are always available, along with pour over service, nitro cold brew, and espresso bar options. Throughout the Studio Tour, Morning Bell staff and Arts Council volunteers will ready to answer your questions and give a helping hand. Visit 'Morning Bell Coffee Roasters' online: www.squareup.com/store/morningbellcoffeeroasters |
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Studio Tour Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)*
Where is the Ames Area Studio Tour? How does this work?
The Studio Tour is does not have a single location--instead there are participating studios throughout the Ames area. You provide your own transportation, use the map, and visit one or all the studios during the open hours. Take a peek at the life of an artist!
How much does it cost to visit the studios?
You are invited to make the rounds to as many studios as you like--all for free! Artists will have their work available for purchase, so you can take home a little bit of the Studio Tour.
What will I see on the Studio Tour?
Have you ever wondered how a ceramicist throws pottery on a wheel or how a hand blown vase is made? The artists of the Studio Tour are inviting you behind the scenes to experience live demonstrations, ask questions, and see how the work is done. Ask the artists about where they get their inspiration, how they learned their craft, what they love about their work, what frustrates them, what their average day looks like, what they do when they can't seem to create and so on.
Are children welcome?
This is a family friendly event and a wonderful opportunity for children to learn. Please remember these are working studios -- children must be closely supervised at all times and parents/guardians are responsible for their children's behavior.
Are the studios handicap accessible?
Unfortunately, many studios are in buildings with stairs. Handicap accessible locations are noted with a symbol on the map and
in the listed studio descriptions.
Other questions?
Please feel free to email us at [email protected] or jump over to the contact page. We can't wait to see you on the Studio Tour!
The Studio Tour is does not have a single location--instead there are participating studios throughout the Ames area. You provide your own transportation, use the map, and visit one or all the studios during the open hours. Take a peek at the life of an artist!
How much does it cost to visit the studios?
You are invited to make the rounds to as many studios as you like--all for free! Artists will have their work available for purchase, so you can take home a little bit of the Studio Tour.
What will I see on the Studio Tour?
Have you ever wondered how a ceramicist throws pottery on a wheel or how a hand blown vase is made? The artists of the Studio Tour are inviting you behind the scenes to experience live demonstrations, ask questions, and see how the work is done. Ask the artists about where they get their inspiration, how they learned their craft, what they love about their work, what frustrates them, what their average day looks like, what they do when they can't seem to create and so on.
Are children welcome?
This is a family friendly event and a wonderful opportunity for children to learn. Please remember these are working studios -- children must be closely supervised at all times and parents/guardians are responsible for their children's behavior.
Are the studios handicap accessible?
Unfortunately, many studios are in buildings with stairs. Handicap accessible locations are noted with a symbol on the map and
in the listed studio descriptions.
Other questions?
Please feel free to email us at [email protected] or jump over to the contact page. We can't wait to see you on the Studio Tour!
