Muscatine Art Center

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.

Hours

Tues – Fri: 10am – 5pm
Thurs: 10am - 7pm
Sat & Sun: 1pm – 5pm
Mon: Closed

1314 Mulberry Ave,
Muscatine, IA 52761

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The Mansion circa 1910

Since 1965 ...

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.

Events & Classes

Mar

21

Friends of the Japanese Garden - Planning Session - March 21 Image

Friends of the Japanese Garden - Planning Session - March 21

Experienced gardeners, amateur gardeners, and all who enjoy working outdoors are invited to learn about the Japanese Garden and the care it will require. Help develop the plan for preparing the garden for the spring and sign up to volunteer in the garden. The group will meet in the Music Room. Registration is not required. For those who would like to help but cannot attend, contact Melanie Alexander at malexander@muscatineiowa.gov or 563-263-8282 to be added to the contact list.

Mar

24

Free Performance: Daniel Adam Maltz: Fortepianist - March 24 Image

Free Performance: Daniel Adam Maltz: Fortepianist - March 24

The concert is presented in partnership with the Muscatine County Arts Council. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 1:15 p.m. The recommended donation is $15 per person. Call 563-263-8282 for any questions. No registration required.

Apr

4

Art Array 2024 - Juried Exhibition presented by the Muscatine County Arts Council - Opening Reception - April 4 Image

Art Array 2024 - Juried Exhibition presented by the Muscatine County Arts Council - Opening Reception - April 4

The Muscatine County Arts Council is bringing back Art Array- a juried exhibition with your neighbors, friends, family members, and artists living within 50 miles of Muscatine displaying their 2-dimensional works of art. During the reception, view the entries for this year's juried exhibition, meet some of the artists and judges, and find out who will receive 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards. Details will be publicized on social media, and through the Muscatine County Arts Council. Free admission.

Mar

1

MARCH EVENTS Image

MARCH EVENTS

Check flyer below for at-a-glance information on what is happening at the Muscatine Art Center during the month of March! Call us at 563-263-8282 for more information on classes, programming, and to sign up.

Apr

11

Clay Slab Mugs with Miss Heather - April 11 & 25 - Ages 9+ Image

Clay Slab Mugs with Miss Heather - April 11 & 25 - Ages 9+

Pleasant Valley School District art educator Heather Seibel will lead this kids class where kids will create clay mugs. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up. Note: this is a two session class. FREE.

Jul

15

"The Vanishing of the Jolly Roger" Theatre Camp with Footlighters Traveling Playhouse- July 15-19, 2024 Image

"The Vanishing of the Jolly Roger" Theatre Camp with Footlighters Traveling Playhouse- July 15-19, 2024

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!

Apr

21

Beginning Crochet with Bonnie Buelt - April 21, May 19, June 23 Image

Beginning Crochet with Bonnie Buelt - April 21, May 19, June 23

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.

Mar

23

Drawing Dragons with Miss Heather - March 23 - Ages 7+ Image

Drawing Dragons with Miss Heather - March 23 - Ages 7+

Pleasant Valley School District art educator Heather Seibel will lead this kids class where kids will have fun drawing dragons. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up. FREE.

May

16

Origami Mandalas with Miss Heather - May 16 - Ages 8+ Image

Origami Mandalas with Miss Heather - May 16 - Ages 8+

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.

Mar

28

Thursday Night Makerspace - Decoupage Terra Cotta Pot - March 28 Image

Thursday Night Makerspace - Decoupage Terra Cotta Pot - March 28

In this class, use decorative napkins and paper to decoupage a terra cotta flower pot. Fee is $15, or $13.50 for Friends Members, and all supplies are included. Advance registration required by March 27. Classes are limited to 15 people. Call 563-263-8282 for more information. Fees required upon registration.

Mar

21

Victorian Easter Card Workshop - March 21 Image

Victorian Easter Card Workshop - March 21

The introduction of the halfpenny stamp in the 1870s made it more affordable to send greeting cards, creating a card-sending craze. Christmas was the main holiday for mailing cards but soon Easter became a popular time to send unique cards. Registrar Virginia Cooper leads this workshop where participants can view Easter cards from the permanent collection and create their own versions. No experience necessary.

Apr

1

APRIL EVENTS Image

APRIL EVENTS

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.

Apr

18

Adult Studio: Clay Slab Mugs with Heather Seibel - April 18 & May 9 Image

Adult Studio: Clay Slab Mugs with Heather Seibel - April 18 & May 9

Pleasant Valley School District art educator Heather Seibel will lead this workshop where participants will create clay mugs. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up. Note: this is a two session class. FREE.

Jun

16

Red Barn Studio - The Storm - June 16 Image

Red Barn Studio - The Storm - June 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.

Apr

7

Red Barn Studio - Glorious Poppy - April 7 Image

Red Barn Studio - Glorious Poppy - April 7

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

Bracelet Making at Creations by Oz - May 23 Image

Bracelet Making at Creations by Oz - 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

5

Red Barn Studio - Cardinal on a Branch - May 5 Image

Red Barn Studio - Cardinal on a Branch - 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

18

Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Ellsworth Kelly - May 18 Image

Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Ellsworth Kelly - 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.

Apr

20

Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Cherry Blossoms - April 20 Image

Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Cherry Blossoms - April 20

In 1912, more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees were gifted to the United States from Japan, and arrived in Washington, D.C. What began as a gesture of friendship between two nations has expanded to become one of the biggest celebrations of spring in the world! Join Miss Julie to celebrate spring by making your own cherry blossoms in a paper vase. This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by April 19 by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.

Mar

30

Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Vincent van Gogh - March 30 Image

Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Vincent van Gogh - March 30

Immerse yourself in van Gogh's world by creating a 3D pop-up. This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by March 29 by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.

Jun

22

Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Fairy Furniture - June 22 Image

Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Fairy Furniture - June 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

Projects to Go - "Take & Makes" Image

Projects to Go - "Take & Makes"

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.

Mar

19

Mini Masters Wednesday Mornings @ 9:30 a.m. Image

Mini Masters Wednesday Mornings @ 9:30 a.m.

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.

Mar

19

Mini Masters Thursday Afternoons @ 3:30 p.m. Image

Mini Masters Thursday Afternoons @ 3:30 p.m.

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

Live Insects with Muscatine County Conservation - June 8 Image

Live Insects with Muscatine County Conservation - June 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

18

Author Talk: Betty Brandt Passick - April 18 Image

Author Talk: Betty Brandt Passick - April 18

Join us in the Music Room Thursday, April 18 at 5:30 to welcome Iowa native author, Betty Brandt Passick as she gives a sixty-minute talk on her book "Gangster in Our Midst". Winner of the 2019 Notable Indie Book Award from "Shelf Unbound" book review magazine.

Apr

20

Live Raptors with Muscatine County Conservation - April 20 Image

Live Raptors with Muscatine County Conservation - April 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.