The Ames ArtWalk is a showcase of downtown businesses and local artists. Over 60 artists, ranging from painters, jewelry makers, sculptures, musicians and more, come together to place creativity at the front of the Ames community.

The Ames ArtWalk celebrated its 24th year on Main Street with new and returning artists on Friday.

“The ArtWalk is a great community event,” said Maggie Wynja, owner of American Country Home on Main Street. “We can discover a lot of artists that are local and all one of a kind”.

Wynja featured three artists in her store this year, one of those being Susan Hafermann. Hafermann is a seamstress and has been sewing for over 20 years. She likes to collect scraps from antique stores and relatives to make unique purses and pillows.

Anahy Corujo is an international student from Puerto Rico studying graphic design at Iowa State. When she was younger, she enjoyed making clothes and doing photoshoots with her friends. She started her own clothes line, ARD, and looks forward to events like the ArtWalk to show her pieces. 

“My clothes are my passion,” said Corujo. She continues to discover her style while representing her home.  “I want to bring color back to my country while also putting myself in my pieces”.

The Ames ArtWalk is important for many artists, but is also important to the city of Ames. The Ames Community Arts Council is focused on bringing attention to the bike racks on Main Street.

“It is summertime in Ames and [the Arts Council] wants to represent bikers in the city of Ames,” said Jenni Brockpahler, a representative for the Arts Council.

Throughout the night, community members could decorate four bikes that would be showcased around Main Street. These bikes were also to represent Ames as it is a stop for RAGBRAI for 2018.

In Emerhoff’s Footwear, David Brown showcased his new hobby. Brown has been involved with digital illustration for over 30 years, but picked up digital collages a few months ago.

“Each collage has a story to tell,” said Brown. “My intent is to create bright spots of color and humor.”

Brown placed his work in his wife’s yoga studio and caught the public’s interest. Events like the ArtWalk help Brown’s art grow and reach new audiences.  

The City of Ames Public Arts Commission is focused on providing art sculptures around Ames neighborhoods for no cost to the public. Artists submit their work to the commission, and then neighborhoods can apply to own the sculptures.

The commission is committed to “the creation of a visual and aesthetic environment that integrates art into the lives of Ames citizens,” said commission representative Claire Kruesel.

Thousands of people walked up and down Main Street, socializing with artists, store owners and other community members. Food trucks like “Kona Ice” and “Smiles and Gyros,” were available for people to enjoy.

“The ArtWalk is community building and economic development,” said Kelly Murphy.

Murphy started a jewelry company called “Throwing Stones Glass House.”

Murphy started taking classes for fused glass at the community center when she lived in Tucson, Arizona. This art is an outlet for her to get away from her day job.

KHOI 98.1 FM radio station was at the event promoting local musicians.

Inside the radio station, community members could add to the mural wall, a yearly tradition for KHOI.

“We encourage people to come in and add to [the mural],” said Gale Seiler, a volunteer for KHOI. “It is interesting to see how the mural will take shape every year.” 

You can find the mural at the Fourth of July parade downtown, as well as the sculptures by the Ames Public Art Commission. All artists from the ArtWalk can be found on their website.