A workshop haven for aspiring artists may be one of the best-kept secrets on the Ames art scene.

Currently, only 30 members take advantage of the facilities in the Creative Artists’ Workspace of Ames, a place for artists to hone their skills and sell their work.

The workshop, sometimes called CASA, is open 24-hours-a-day for paying members, and is open to the public on weekends. Located at 130 Sheldon Ave., the building provides studios and other facilities for artists to use.

“We encourage everyone to get involved,” said Mary Weisgram, one of the studio directors. “Watch for what’s happening here in the paper.”

There are special events nearly every weekend, Weisgram said, and students are encouraged to visit and look around, regardless of their artistic ability. The workshop is open to the public between noon and 4 p.m. Saturday.

CASA offers a creative outlet to nearly every type of artist. Shared and private studio spaces are leased on a first-come, first-serve basis. For a shared studio, prices run from $150 for a semester-long rental to $400 for a year’s rental. In addition, there is a $50 membership fee for students or a $200 fee for nonstudents.

“We have been trying to create a way for students to make, teach and sell their art,” Weisgram said. “And this makes it affordable.”

The workspace offers a variety of workshops according to what members wish to create.

“The workshops will vary from week to week,” said Lee Anne Wilson, president of CASA. “Everything is artist-generated, and we base our studio around each individual’s artistic needs and what they wish to create.”

Along with the workshops and studio spaces available, artists can also sell their work. All kinds of wares are available, Wilson said.

“We have a lot of people that are interested in clay, but we have such a variety of items – belts, purses, paintings, pastels, photographs – we even have one artist that makes fountains,” she said.

Since it opened its doors in January 2001, CASA has drawn together 30 artists, including three ISU students. The workspace leaders are still hoping to expand and bring more artists to the studio.

“It’s all about the artists,” Weisgram said. “We want to support the artists so they are able to do what they do best.”

Both directors of the studio have the same goal – to continue to help CASA grow and encourage as many students as possible to get involved.

“We would like to have a lot more students involved – the more lively, the better,” Wilson said. “We want to fill up the space, get more events happening.”