Welcome to the Ames Community Arts Council
Ames Community Arts Council celebrates those who celebrate the arts!
Join us for the 2026 Arts Awards Celebration on Sun., May 17 at 1:30 p.m. at Reiman Gardens. Help us honor the individuals, organizations, and businesses that have contributed exceptional energy to the Ames arts community throughout the year.
Join us for the 2026 Arts Awards Celebration on Sun., May 17 at 1:30 p.m. at Reiman Gardens. Help us honor the individuals, organizations, and businesses that have contributed exceptional energy to the Ames arts community throughout the year.
Who we are:Artists and supporters of the arts, non-profit organizations and businesses have come together as the Ames Community Arts Council since 1976. We are dedicated to building a sense of community and helping artists succeed. We believe that participating in the arts--as audience members, musicians, actors, dancers, writers, makers, volunteers, and more--enriches our lives and our community.
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What we do:
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The Ames Community Arts Council is a non-profit 501(c)(3) funded through memberships, donations, and grants, including the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA). The Arts Council is dedicated to celebrating the arts and serving the community.
Here's a quick look at some things we do:
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News of the Day
Ames Community Arts Council celebrates those who celebrate the arts!
The Ames Community Arts Council will hold its annual Arts Awards Celebration on Sunday, May 17 at 1:30 p.m. at Reiman Gardens [1407 University Blvd., Ames]. The public is invited to join the Ames Community Arts Council in honoring those who have supported and encouraged the arts through their extraordinary actions and exemplary service to the Ames community. This event is free and open to everyone. Refreshments will be served.
The following awards will be given:
Jodi Goble, nominated by Brad Dell on behalf of the ISU Department of Music and Theatre Arts, is this year's Art Educator award recipient. For over 15 years, Jodi has been an indispensable force in the artistic and musical landscape of Iowa State University and the Ames community, contributing her extraordinary talents as a pianist, composer, and musical director to countless performances and productions that have enriched our cultural fabric. Jodi Goble is a true artistic treasure, and her tireless dedication to the musical life of Ames and beyond makes her an ideal recipient of this award.
Bryan Willer, this year’s Local Treasure awardee has been nominated by Stan Rabe of the Ames Community Theater (ACTORS). Bryan is a true local treasure whose impact reaches far beyond community theater. As the band director at Woodward‑Granger High School, he leads marching band, concerts, contests, and even organizes a jazz festival for area schools. He directs musicals and plays, coaches speech students, and creates opportunities for students to experience live theatre. In the community, he performs with the Boone Municipal Band and contributes his musical talents to his church. At ACTORS, Bryan has been a leader, director, music director, set builder, mentor, and standout performer. His creativity, generosity, and tireless dedication make him invaluable to our arts community.
Reiman Gardens’ Grow and Give Volunteers, nominated by Kim Hope on behalf of Reiman Gardens, are this year’s Hazel Hammer Cherished Volunteers. This dedicated team closes the loop between local growers and the urgent need for fresh produce in Story County. They tend and harvest Reiman Gardens’ produce, staff weekly drop‑offs, and weigh, sort, and deliver donations to more than a dozen pantries. Core volunteers—including David and Laura Miller, Linda Naeve, Glen Umbaugh, Donald and Dorothy Lewis, Teresa Rosenberg, and Lonny Jepsen—help ensure nearly 24,500 pounds of nutritious food reached families in 2025. Their commitment truly strengthens our community.
It is an honor to recognize Heather Lanning, nominated by Beth Weninger, representing the Octagon Center for the Arts, as the 2026 Distinguished Board Member. For seven years, Heather has offered steady, generous leadership, extending her term to support a thoughtful transition and mentor new board members. As Board President, she guided the Octagon through the uncertainty of COVID‑19 while sustaining DEI and committee work. Heather shows up for everything—events, workshops, fundraisers, and the behind‑the‑scenes tasks that keep the Octagon thriving. Her optimism, dedication, and wholehearted presence have left a lasting and deeply meaningful impact on the organization.
The Ames Water Treatment Plant, nominated by Lee Anne Willson, is being recognized with the Art in the Workplace award. For many years, the plant hosted a well‑run and thoughtfully curated art show centered on the theme of water, showcasing creative work from across the community. The exhibition remained on display for a month, included several cash awards, and often resulted in the purchase of selected pieces for permanent installation. This annual show consistently attracted compelling artwork that meaningfully enriched the cultural landscape of Ames, demonstrating how public facilities can champion and celebrate local creativity.
Nominated by Darryl Bennett, Jody Bergan Bennett, owner of Lucky Star Market, is this year’s recipient of the Veronika Ruedenberg Cultural Entrepreneur award. For 15 years, her pop‑up market has created a free, welcoming venue for emerging artists to share and sell their work. Appearing in locations across Ames and nearby communities, Lucky Star features printmakers, painters, jewelers, potters, wood and leather artists, food artisans, and local musicians. Jody also uplifts young creators and nonprofits, including annual partnerships with Ames High art students and Friendship Ark. Her vision has strengthened community connection and enriched Ames’ creative landscape. It is a pleasure to honor her.
Nominated by Tracey Stewart, it is an privilege to recognize University Museums Director Lynette Pohlman with the Bill Pelz Arts Advocacy award. Lynette has spent more than five decades shaping the arts at Iowa State and beyond. Since the early 1970s, she has been the guiding force behind University Museums, transforming a small collection into a world‑class assembly of 30,000 objects and turning the entire campus into a living gallery. Her leadership, scholarship, and vision have touched thousands of students and community members. As she prepares for retirement, we celebrate her extraordinary legacy and lifelong commitment to advancing the arts.
Finally, Ames musician Homer Gartz was nominated by Chris Ewan for the Lifetime Achievement award. For more than four decades, Homer has shaped the musical life of Ames through his extraordinary dedication to teaching, performing, and community leadership. As a music educator in the Ames Community Schools from 1962 to 2003 and Ames High band director for nearly 30 years, he inspired generations of young musicians and built a program that grew to almost 300 students. His influence extended far beyond the classroom through his long service as director of the Ames Municipal Band and his contributions to arts organizations across the community. Generous, passionate, and unwavering in his commitment, Homer Gartz has left an enduring legacy that continues to enrich Ames.
The Mesa String Quartet—Michael Li and Simay Zhu, violins; Erin Cho, viola; and Sailesh Srinath, cello will provide entertainment during the 2026 Arts Awards Celebration. The quartet formed after meeting in high school orchestra and bonding over their love of music. Casual rehearsals soon became a dedicated pursuit, shaped by guidance from private teachers, orchestra directors, and coachings from Julie Henson. They value collaboration and strive to make chamber music meaningful and accessible for the Ames community and beyond.
Light refreshments will be available. The Arts Awards Celebration, an annual event of the Ames Community Arts Council, is free and open to everyone.
This event is supported in part by the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA). For more information, call 515-259-0494 or visit our website: www.amesart.org.
The Ames Community Arts Council will hold its annual Arts Awards Celebration on Sunday, May 17 at 1:30 p.m. at Reiman Gardens [1407 University Blvd., Ames]. The public is invited to join the Ames Community Arts Council in honoring those who have supported and encouraged the arts through their extraordinary actions and exemplary service to the Ames community. This event is free and open to everyone. Refreshments will be served.
The following awards will be given:
Jodi Goble, nominated by Brad Dell on behalf of the ISU Department of Music and Theatre Arts, is this year's Art Educator award recipient. For over 15 years, Jodi has been an indispensable force in the artistic and musical landscape of Iowa State University and the Ames community, contributing her extraordinary talents as a pianist, composer, and musical director to countless performances and productions that have enriched our cultural fabric. Jodi Goble is a true artistic treasure, and her tireless dedication to the musical life of Ames and beyond makes her an ideal recipient of this award.
Bryan Willer, this year’s Local Treasure awardee has been nominated by Stan Rabe of the Ames Community Theater (ACTORS). Bryan is a true local treasure whose impact reaches far beyond community theater. As the band director at Woodward‑Granger High School, he leads marching band, concerts, contests, and even organizes a jazz festival for area schools. He directs musicals and plays, coaches speech students, and creates opportunities for students to experience live theatre. In the community, he performs with the Boone Municipal Band and contributes his musical talents to his church. At ACTORS, Bryan has been a leader, director, music director, set builder, mentor, and standout performer. His creativity, generosity, and tireless dedication make him invaluable to our arts community.
Reiman Gardens’ Grow and Give Volunteers, nominated by Kim Hope on behalf of Reiman Gardens, are this year’s Hazel Hammer Cherished Volunteers. This dedicated team closes the loop between local growers and the urgent need for fresh produce in Story County. They tend and harvest Reiman Gardens’ produce, staff weekly drop‑offs, and weigh, sort, and deliver donations to more than a dozen pantries. Core volunteers—including David and Laura Miller, Linda Naeve, Glen Umbaugh, Donald and Dorothy Lewis, Teresa Rosenberg, and Lonny Jepsen—help ensure nearly 24,500 pounds of nutritious food reached families in 2025. Their commitment truly strengthens our community.
It is an honor to recognize Heather Lanning, nominated by Beth Weninger, representing the Octagon Center for the Arts, as the 2026 Distinguished Board Member. For seven years, Heather has offered steady, generous leadership, extending her term to support a thoughtful transition and mentor new board members. As Board President, she guided the Octagon through the uncertainty of COVID‑19 while sustaining DEI and committee work. Heather shows up for everything—events, workshops, fundraisers, and the behind‑the‑scenes tasks that keep the Octagon thriving. Her optimism, dedication, and wholehearted presence have left a lasting and deeply meaningful impact on the organization.
The Ames Water Treatment Plant, nominated by Lee Anne Willson, is being recognized with the Art in the Workplace award. For many years, the plant hosted a well‑run and thoughtfully curated art show centered on the theme of water, showcasing creative work from across the community. The exhibition remained on display for a month, included several cash awards, and often resulted in the purchase of selected pieces for permanent installation. This annual show consistently attracted compelling artwork that meaningfully enriched the cultural landscape of Ames, demonstrating how public facilities can champion and celebrate local creativity.
Nominated by Darryl Bennett, Jody Bergan Bennett, owner of Lucky Star Market, is this year’s recipient of the Veronika Ruedenberg Cultural Entrepreneur award. For 15 years, her pop‑up market has created a free, welcoming venue for emerging artists to share and sell their work. Appearing in locations across Ames and nearby communities, Lucky Star features printmakers, painters, jewelers, potters, wood and leather artists, food artisans, and local musicians. Jody also uplifts young creators and nonprofits, including annual partnerships with Ames High art students and Friendship Ark. Her vision has strengthened community connection and enriched Ames’ creative landscape. It is a pleasure to honor her.
Nominated by Tracey Stewart, it is an privilege to recognize University Museums Director Lynette Pohlman with the Bill Pelz Arts Advocacy award. Lynette has spent more than five decades shaping the arts at Iowa State and beyond. Since the early 1970s, she has been the guiding force behind University Museums, transforming a small collection into a world‑class assembly of 30,000 objects and turning the entire campus into a living gallery. Her leadership, scholarship, and vision have touched thousands of students and community members. As she prepares for retirement, we celebrate her extraordinary legacy and lifelong commitment to advancing the arts.
Finally, Ames musician Homer Gartz was nominated by Chris Ewan for the Lifetime Achievement award. For more than four decades, Homer has shaped the musical life of Ames through his extraordinary dedication to teaching, performing, and community leadership. As a music educator in the Ames Community Schools from 1962 to 2003 and Ames High band director for nearly 30 years, he inspired generations of young musicians and built a program that grew to almost 300 students. His influence extended far beyond the classroom through his long service as director of the Ames Municipal Band and his contributions to arts organizations across the community. Generous, passionate, and unwavering in his commitment, Homer Gartz has left an enduring legacy that continues to enrich Ames.
The Mesa String Quartet—Michael Li and Simay Zhu, violins; Erin Cho, viola; and Sailesh Srinath, cello will provide entertainment during the 2026 Arts Awards Celebration. The quartet formed after meeting in high school orchestra and bonding over their love of music. Casual rehearsals soon became a dedicated pursuit, shaped by guidance from private teachers, orchestra directors, and coachings from Julie Henson. They value collaboration and strive to make chamber music meaningful and accessible for the Ames community and beyond.
Light refreshments will be available. The Arts Awards Celebration, an annual event of the Ames Community Arts Council, is free and open to everyone.
This event is supported in part by the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA). For more information, call 515-259-0494 or visit our website: www.amesart.org.
