Current
American Art Pottery Collection
Highlighted in the collection are Iowa State Pottery and pottery from other Iowa companies.
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
Exhibitions
Collections
Events & Classes
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.
Collections
Current
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.
Current
Muscatine History Collection
A wide variety of artifacts, ephemera, photographs, and archives makes up the Muscatine History Collection.
Current
Costume Collection
The central pieces in the Costume Collection were owned by the Musser-McColm family.
Current
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.
Current
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.
Current
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.
Current
Iowa Regionalist Collection
The Iowa Regionalist collection features works by Grant Wood and his Iowa contemporaries.
Current
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.
Events & Classes
Dec
13
Gingerbread House Workshop - December 13
Get ready for the delicious smell of gingerbread! Join Miss Julie to build your own gingerbread house! Fee for one house is $12 and includes icing ONLY. Please bring your own candy. Class size is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Register by December 5.
Dec
6
Heartfelt and Handmade Family Festival & Market - December 6
Get festive for a good cause! Support Friends of the Muscatine Art Center by attending the Family Festival & Market and be among the very first to purchase ornaments from the Heartfelt & Handmade Ornament Competition. Ornaments purchased during the event will be available to take home that day. The Family Festival & Market includes a vendor market, studio crafts for kids, photos with Santa, and a free-will donation hot chocolate bar. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Muscatine Art Center and educational programs at the Muscatine Art Center. Sponsors include HNI Corporation and SSAB.
Nov
22
Karl Zerbe: German Expressionism at the German American Heritage Center
Join us in Davenport to learn about the iconic Karl Zerbe, a painter deemed a “degenerate” by the Nazis, who emigrated to the US to escape persecution. Celebrate his connection to Muscatine and create your own cityscape in the Zerbe style. The workshop is led by Muscatine Art Center and hosted by the German American Heritage Center as part of their German Expressionist exhibition. Visit gahc.org to register!
Nov
18
Bilingual Mini Masters Third Tuesdays November 18 at 3:30 p.m.
The new Bilingual Mini Masters is a free class in partnership with the Diversity Service Center of Iowa to provide Spanish language translations. Now that we are back to school the classes will be offered the third Tuesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. These sessions mirror the original Mini Masters classes with a storybook reading and art projects, but will provide the story and all instructions in both English and Spanish. These classes are free with no registration required.
Nov
6
Cats, Cats, Cats with Miss Brianna - November 6 - Ages 7+
Students will work with a variety of supplies and templated images to create their own crazy cat painting on canvas. All supplies will be provided and no experience is necessary. Come join the fun! This class is free, but registration by November 4 is required..
Nov
9
Holiday Card Collage Workshop with Annette Hovland - November 9
Participants will work with a variety of supplies and preprinted images to create their own holiday cards and decorations. All supplies will be provided and no experience is necessary. Come join the fun! Cost is $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members. Please register by November 7 by calling (563) 263-8282.
Nov
16
Red Barn Studio - Grant Wood Inspired Acrylic Landscape - November 16
Follow along as artist Vada Baker guides participants through each step of the painting process, adding your own flair as you go. All supplies included. No experience necessary. Advanced registration required by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282. *FEES MUST BE PAID AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION*
Nov
8
Learning to Look: "Midwest Icons" - November 8
Join artist Carol J. Anthony for a guided discussion exploring original works by Grant Wood, John Steuart Curry, and Thomas Hart Benton in the new “Midwest Icons” exhibit. This workshop will offer peer support to learn to look, strengthen the ability to analyze and decipher art, and the intent of the maker. Beginning and working artists interested in developing constructive visual appreciation skills, as well as general art lovers, are invited to participate. There is no cost for this special offering. Please register by the Thursday prior to the Saturday session by calling (563) 263-8282.
Nov
15
Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Laura Musser's Birthday - November 15
Celebrate Laura Musser’s upcoming birthday with a special craft creating a bejeweled mirror, just like one of her prized possessions held in the collection. No experience is necessary and all supplies will be provided. This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by November 13 by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
Nov
6
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!
Nov
6
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.
