Nearly 100 artists from the Midwest will weave, sculpt and paint their way to Hilton Coliseum this weekend to participate in the 32nd annual OctagonOs Art Festival.

The fund-raiser for the Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Ave., will start at 10 a.m. and last until 5 p.m. Tickets are $3 in advance at USBank locations and at the Octagon Shop, or they can be purchased for $4 at Hilton Coliseum. Tickets for a day-long raffle of more than 60 pieces of artwork donated by the artists can be purchased at the festival.

OStudents can gain exposure to artists who have created a business of their own, using a talent they love,O says Heather Straszheim, coordinator and publicity chairwoman for the OctagonOs Art Festival. OStudents can also explore the vast creativity in and around the Midwest. The Art Festival is something different to experience in Ames.O

Artists from states such as Minnesota, Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Iowa have been selected to display their art at the festival.

Straszheim says people attending the festival will get the opportunity to see a variety of art created in many different mediums.

OSome people come just to look at the photography or ceramics, but we have blown glass and metal sculptures and other things,O she says. OThereOs not always the chance to see that much versatility [of art] in one location.O

Glenda Stormes-Bice, co-chairwoman of the OctagonOs Art Festival, also believes the festival is a great opportunity to see many different types of art.

OIf youOre interested in art and looking for great pieces, thereOs a price range for everyone and mediums for everyone,O she says.

In addition to the blown glass and metal sculptures, artwork in other mediums such as photography, clay, ceramics, drawings, paintings, stained glass, porcelain and fibers will be displayed.

OOne artist group even makes oil lamps out of rock,O Straszheim says.

In order to participate in the festival, artists must submit slides of their artwork to be reviewed by a panel of three artists. Stormes-Bice believes that this process puts the festival at an advantage to get talented artists.

OIt keeps the variety fresh and the quality of art high,O she says.

As well as viewing artwork, people attending the festival can see live entertainment provided by local performance groups. This yearOs entertainment includes a childrenOs dance group, a belly- dancing troupe, several music groups and a magician.

Mirage, the Middle Eastern Belly Dance Troupe, is a unique treat, Stormes-Bice says.

OTheir dancing is great and the music is very different,O she adds.

The festival has undergone many changes in the past couple years. One major change is the festivalOs name; it was formerly called Art in the Park. The name was changed to make people aware of where the funds were going, Stormes-Bice says.

OThe Octagon is a local not-for-profit organization that survives on memberships, grants, and fund raising,O Stormes-Bice says. There are five full-time staff and they put in the majority [of work] that makes this thing [the festival] go.O

The funds raised from this festival go toward the OctagonOs educational programs that are open to people at any skill level and any age level.

OThe Octagon exists to provide art education for everybody, from ages eight to 80, is what we often say,O Stormes-Bice says.

This festival is also a major fund-raiser that allows the Octagon to continue hosting free shows in their gallery, she adds.

Another change for the festival is the change of its date. In previous years, the festival has taken place in mid-August.

OWeOre most looking forward to having more people attend,O Straszheim says. OSince it is in the fall this year, we want more students to come, and since the ISU versus Nebraska game is this weekend, it might draw in some visitors from outside Ames.O