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
Oct
26
Free Family Event: Day of the Dead Celebration - October 26
Spend the afternoon at the Muscatine Art Center to commemorate Dia de los Muertos or, Day of the Dead, the Mexican holiday where families come together to honor their loved ones who have passed. Drop in between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. for Dia de los Muertos crafts and activities to celebrate the holiday. No registration required.
Nov
15
Save the Date: Cultural Alliance Luncheon - November 15
Many of the area cultural groups you know and love are collaborating to present a “Cultural Alliance” luncheon at the Merrill Hotel ballroom on November 15th. The event will celebrate the accomplishments of these organizations while also raising funds to support their programs, projects, and other initiatives. Look for details in October.
Dec
31
Free Family Event: Noon Year's Eve - December 31
A family favorite is back! Join us at the Muscatine Art Center on Tuesday, December 31st to celebrate the new year - a little early! Enjoy some tasty snacks, create party hats and noisemakers, and stay for the balloon drop at Noon! Registration not required.
Dec
7
Ornament Competition/Family Festival & Market - December 7
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. New this year is the Family Festival & Market which 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.
Dec
24
Closed for Christmas December 24 & 25
The Muscatine Art Center will be closed Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25 in observance of Christmas. We will reopen Thursday, December 26 at 10:00 a.m.
Dec
31
Closing for New Year's December 31 at 2:00 pm & Closed January 1
The Muscatine Art Center will close at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31 and remain closed Wednesday, January 1 in observance of New Year's. We will reopen Thursday, January 2 at 10:00 a.m.
Nov
28
Closed for Thanksgiving November 28 & 29
The Muscatine Art Center will be closed November 28 & 29 in observance of Thanksgiving. We will reopen November 30 at 1:00 p.m.
Nov
9
Teen Workshop: Macrame & Beaded Bracelets - November 9 - Ages 13+
Teens can get creative with fun and easy crafts and projects, complete with snacks and music. On November 9th, drop in to make macrame and seed bead bracelets. Registration not required.
Oct
1
OCTOBER EVENTS
Check flyer below for at-a-glance information on what is happening at the Muscatine Art Center during the month of October! Call us at 563-263-8282 for more information on classes, programming, and to sign up.
Oct
17
Adult Studio: Weaving Workshop with Heather Seibel - October 17 & 24, November 14 & 21
Dive into the fun world of weaving while creating unique wall hangings in this four part studio class. This class is for both beginners and experienced alike! We will cover basics such as warping a loom and weaving techniques but also experiment with fun textures through a variety of more advanced techniques. Class fee is $50 for all four workshops. Register by October 16.
Nov
2
Clay Gnomes with Miss Heather - November 2 & 16 - Ages 9+
Pleasant Valley School District art educator Heather Seibel will lead this kids class where kids will create clay gnomes. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up. Note: this is a two session class. FREE.
Oct
31
Trick-Or-Treat at the Muscatine Art Center - October 31
Celebrate the end of spooky season by stopping by the Muscatine Art Center on your trick-or-treating route on Halloween night. Miss Katy will be on the front porch of the historic Musser-McColm mansion and will have Halloween Take & Makes (while supplies last), some treats, and maybe some tricks! No registration required.
Dec
12
Adult Studio: Boho-Inspired Fabric & Bead Mobile - December 12
Feeling inspired? Grab a friend and come make a whimsical boho-inspired mobile! We’ll use ribbon, lace, fabric, and beads to create a one-of-a-kind mobile you can hang in your home. You can even add a light and turn it into a chandelier! No experience necessary. Light not included. Register by December 11. Classes are limited to 15 people. Call 563-263-8282 for more information. Fees required upon registration.
Dec
5
Free Performance: Quad City Arts Visiting Artist Series Presents Sunny Jain
The Muscatine Art Center is excited to announce a free live performance from Sunny Jain on Thursday, December 5 beginning at 5:15 p.m. in the Muscatine Art Center Music Room. The FREE performance is in partnership with Quad City Arts Visiting Artist Series.
Dec
21
Teen Workshop: Bleach Dyed Shirts - December 21 - Ages 13+
Teens can get creative with fun and easy crafts and projects, complete with snacks and music. On December 21st, drop in to dye shirts with bleach. **BRING YOUR OWN DARK-COLORED SHIRTS**. Registration not required.
Dec
15
Red Barn Studio - A Silver Winter - December 15
Learn to paint beautiful watercolors using various techniques and learned skills. 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
17
Red Barn Studio - Capturing Autumn - November 17
Learn to paint beautiful watercolors using various techniques and learned skills. 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*
Oct
20
Red Barn Studio - Hay Harvest - October 20
Learn to paint beautiful watercolors using various techniques and learned skills. 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*
Oct
19
Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Faith Ringgold - October 19
This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by October 18 by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
Nov
30
Gingerbread House Workshop - November 30
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 November 26.
Oct
26
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.
Oct
17
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.
Oct
17
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.
