Current
American Art Pottery Collection
Highlighted in the collection are Iowa State Pottery and pottery from other Iowa companies.
Visitors to the Muscatine Art Center encounter paintings made by artists recognized around the world, fascinating objects connected to Muscatine’s past, beautifully crafted decorative arts, charming period rooms, and a Japanese Garden installed nearly a century ago. Learners of all ages can pique their curiosity through changing exhibitions, classes, and events.
Tues – Fri: 10am – 5pm
Thurs: 10am - 7pm
Sat & Sun: 1pm – 5pm
Mon: Closed
1314 Mulberry Ave,
Muscatine, IA 52761
The Mansion circa 1910
The Laura Musser Museum, later renamed the Muscatine Art Center, has been an important gathering place for the Muscatine community. Laura Musser McColm’s niece, Mary Musser Gilmore, and Laura’s stepdaughter, Mary Catherine Atkins McWhirter, jointly offered the home to the City of Muscatine and established a trust to aid in the maintenance of the house.
Over generations, Muscatine children have participated in school and youth group programs and studio classes, families have attended cultural events, adults have further developed their artistic skills and deepened their knowledge of local history and art related topics. Since 1976, the Stanley Gallery has displayed countless changing art and history exhibitions. Today, first time visitors and long time friends alike are captivated by the historic home, the collection, and the stories presented in exhibitions.
American Art Pottery Collection
Highlighted in the collection are Iowa State Pottery and pottery from other Iowa companies.
Historic Toy Collection
Included in the Toy Collection are games, books, dolls and doll accessories and furniture, stuffed animals, wooden blocks and cars, and metal toys and ride-ons.
Muscatine History Collection
A wide variety of artifacts, ephemera, photographs, and archives makes up the Muscatine History Collection.
Costume Collection
The central pieces in the Costume Collection were owned by the Musser-McColm family.
Mississippi River Collection
The Mississippi River Collection historically and aesthetically documents the cities, towns and communities along the mighty Mississippi from the headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico.
Musser-McColm Family Collection
Furniture, photographs, dresses, paintings, glass, silver, diaries, music boxes, rugs and other decorative arts are among the items left by the Musser-McColm family.
Mary Musser-Gilmore Collection
Mrs. Gilmore was an avid art collector, acquiring works by Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent van Gogh, Marc Chagall, Camille Pissarro, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.
Iowa Regionalist Collection
The Iowa Regionalist collection features works by Grant Wood and his Iowa contemporaries.
Early American Pattern Glass & Art Glass Collection
The glass collection consists of over 3,000 pieces of glass featuring a wide variety of patterns, colors, and forms, including American Art Glass and Early American Pattern Glass.
May
11
Support the Friends of the Muscatine Art Center on Saturday, May 11, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 or $20 for Members of Friends. Reservations are required. Gather your best pals, mom, daughters, grandmothers, and others. This fundraiser for Friends of the Muscatine Art Center includes tea (or coffee) with both savory and sweet treats. Featured musicians are pianist Shelley Lawson, singer Josh Lary, and harpist Aleese Kenitzer. Reservations are made on a first-come, first served basis. Tables of two, four, six, and eight can be booked. Call 563-263-8282 to reserve your spot before seats sell out. *EVENT IS SOLD OUT - WAITLIST ONLY*
May
2
The rehabilitation of the Japanese Garden was multiple years in the making. Celebrate the completion of the project by joining us for a special ribbon cutting followed by a performance by Kuniko Yamamoto featuring Japanese folktales combined with traditional musical instruments, magical masks, origami, and mime to create a spellbinding story. The performance is part of the Quad City Arts Visiting Artist Series. Admission is free of charge. Reservations are not required. Light refreshments.
Jun
7
Two-time Grammy-winner Terrance Simien creates a hypnotic blend of New Orleans funk-reggae-flavored-world-blues-American zydeco roots music that beckons you to your feet and into the groove. Leading his Zydeco Experience band, Simien has become one of the most respected and accomplished artists in American roots music. Kids and families are invited to participate in “Creole for Kidz” which features a little history on Zydeco, live performance, and opportunities to interact with Terrance and his bandmembers. The afternoon session at the Muscatine Art Center is partially funded by an ArtsDollars grant from Quad City Arts. Local sponsors have made it possible to also offer a full concert at the Old Barn free of charge. Call 563-263-8282 for any questions. No registration required.
Jun
30
Enjoy live music, games, crafts, ice cream...and SO much more! See below for details of the afternoon.
May
1
Check flyer below for at-a-glance information on what is happening at the Muscatine Art Center during the month of May! Call us at 563-263-8282 for more information on classes, programming, and to sign up.
Apr
1
Check flyer below for at-a-glance information on what is happening at the Muscatine Art Center during the month of April! Call us at 563-263-8282 for more information on classes, programming, and to sign up.
Jul
15
Footliters Traveling Playhouse is back this summer with another FREE musical camp for kids! This year the musical is "The Vanishing of the Jolly Roger". Camp is intended for kids ages 7-18 of any theatre experience. The weeklong camp and final performance will be held at the Black Box Theatre at Muscatine Community College. Contact Katy at the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282 or kloos@muscatineiowa.gov to register today!
May
16
Learn the fun art of origami while creating a multi-layered mandala using radial symmetry. Explore various folding techniques and experiment with how to combine folds and color combinations to create a colorful, layered artwork! No experience necessary. Register by May 15 by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282. FREE.
May
19
Join us for a fun, informational workshops with Island Floral owner Bonnie Buelt. Bring your own yarn and hooks if you have them. Fee is $5 per session. Please register by the Friday before each workshop by calling 563-263-8282.
Jun
16
Artist Vada Baker is back with fresh new projects to get you excited for spring. Vada guides participants in a step-by-step process to complete each painting. All supplies included. No experience necessary. Advanced registration required by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
May
5
Artist Vada Baker is back with fresh new projects to get you excited for spring. Vada guides participants in a step-by-step process to complete each painting. All supplies included. No experience necessary. Advanced registration required by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
May
23
Join us downtown Muscatine to enjoy a bracelet-making workshop, with food and wine. Melissa at Creations by Oz, will lend her jewelry-making expertise and lead participants in creating unique and stunning beaded bracelets. Enjoy warm spinach and artichoke dip and a glass of wine for $39 per person. Additional wine and beer offered for sale. Contact Melissa at 319-930-9189 or at Creations by Oz, 110 E. 2nd Street, Muscatine, to register by May 22.
May
18
Ellsworth Kelly was an American painter, sculptor, and printmaker who used bright colors and was associated with hard-edged and color field painting, and minimalism. Join Miss Julie to celebrate his works by creating an acrylic square painting in his style. This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by May 17 by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
Jun
22
Let’s add some flair to our potted plants and fairy gardens with fairy furniture! We’ll get whimsical while using our imagination to create tiny pieces of furniture and accessories for the little magical fairies that call our gardens home! This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by June 21 by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
May
7
Stop by the Muscatine Art Center during open hours and grab a craft bag, each one containing some supplies to make a few projects. These bags are free to pick up while supplies last.
May
4
Mini Masters is a free class that meets Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Reservations required. Call 563-263-8282 to register. These classes are free. See below for updated calendar.
May
4
Mini Masters is a free class that meets Thursday afternoons at 3:30 - 4:15 p.m. Reservations required. Call 563-263-8282 to register. These classes are free. See below for updated calendar.
Jun
8
In partnership with Muscatine County Conservation, join us in the Muscatine Art Center studio to learn about some insects with naturalist Michelle Berns! Kids will get to see live insects and hear about their habitats and habits. Then, make a insect-inspired craft to take home! There is no registration for this free event.
Apr
20
In partnership with Muscatine County Conservation, join us in the Muscatine Art Center studio to learn about different types of raptors with naturalist Michelle Berns! Kids will get to see live animals and hear about their habitats and habits. Then, make a craft inspired by raptors to take home! There is no registration for this free event.