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
Jun
25
Friends of the Muscatine Art Center Annual Ice Cream Social - June 25
Enjoy live music, games, crafts, ice cream...and SO much more! See below for details of the afternoon.
May
1
MAY EVENTS
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.
Jun
3
Origami with Miss Heather - June 3 - Ages 8+
Pleasant Valley School District art educator Heather Seibel will lead this FREE kids class in learning about origami paper folding.
Jun
10
Teen Workshop: Tie-Dye It - June 10 - Ages 13+
Spend your afternoon learning different types of tie-dye techniques. Bring a pre-washed plain black shirt and a pre-washed plain white shirt to dye. All other supplies included.
Jun
4
All About Succulents with Bonnie Buelt - June 4
Join us for a fun, informational session with Island Floral owner Bonnie Buelt. Bring your own coffee cup-sized container, and you will be provided with a small starter succulent and soil. Fee is $3. Other full-sized succulents from Island Floral will be available for additional purchase.
Jul
17
"Call of the Matterhorn" Theater Camp with Footlighters Traveling Playhouse- July 17-21
Footliters Traveling Playhouse is a new touring program of Young Footliters Youth Theatre. Together with master teaching artists, we're creating engaging theatre experiences for students across Iowa. Our week-long camps are open to students of all backgrounds, experience levels, and training. Footliters Traveling Playhouse is committed to "engaging and empowering students through an immersive, inclusive theatre experience." We put our students first and collaborate with parents and communities to make our theatre a safe and exciting space for all.
Apr
16
POSTPONED: Red Barn Studio - Iceland Poppy - April 16
*THIS CLASS HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL A LATER DATE TBD* Local artist Vada Baker returns to the Muscatine Art Center this spring with fresh new projects. Vada gives step-by-step instructions on how to complete your project. Learn new techniques and have all your questions answered in this fun studio class you won't want to miss! Advanced registration required by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
May
21
POSTPONED: Red Barn Studio - Paint the Sunshine - May 21
Local artist Vada Baker returns to the Muscatine Art Center this spring with fresh new projects. Vada gives step-by-step instructions on how to complete your project. Learn new techniques and have all your questions answered in this fun studio class you won't want to miss! Advanced registration required by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
Jun
11
Red Barn Studio - Sunflower Earrings or Pendant - June 11
Local artist Vada Baker returns to the Muscatine Art Center this spring with fresh new projects. Vada gives step-by-step instructions on how to complete your project. Learn new techniques and have all your questions answered in this fun studio class you won't want to miss! Advanced registration required by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
Jun
6
Fairtytale Day at West Hill Cakery - June 6
Hear ye, hear ye! Join Muscatine Art Center Program Coordinator Katy at West Hill Cakery on June 6 for a fairytale fantasy day! Enjoy fairytale-themed crafts and activities from the Muscatine Art Center and plenty of fresh-baked sweets from West Hill Cakery. There is no registration for this free event.
May
13
Artist Workshops for Kids - Marisol Escobar Sculpture - July 8
Celebrate Venezuelan-American artist Marisol Escobar by building a wooden chair sculpture. This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by May 12 by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
Jun
17
Artist Workshops for Kids - Saul Steinberg Doodles - June 17
Celebrate Romanian-American artist Saul Steinberg by drawing whimsical doodles and turning a paper bag into a mask. This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by June 16 by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
May
16
Projects to Go - "Take & Makes"
Stop by the Muscatine Art Center during open hours and grab a themed "Take & Make” kit. Each bag contains a few projects that you can complete at home with just a few additional supplies. These crafts make excellent gifts, and the bags are free to pick up! Available select dates (see below). While supplies last. Limit three per household.
May
31
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.
May
31
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.
May
25
Adult Studio- Colored Pencils & Solvents with Heather Seibel - May 25
Pleasant Valley School District art educator Heather Seibel leads this class where participants will learn how to blend colored pencils using solvents. This process enhances the vibrancy of colored pencils and allows for the application of layers, creating a drawing that looks more like a painting. This method works well for any subject matter. Come with an idea or reference of what you would like to draw and have fun experimenting! Class fee is $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members. No experience necessary. All supplies included. Advance registration required. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Jun
17
Live Raptors with Muscatine County Conservation - June 17
In partnership with Muscatine County Conservation, join us in the Muscatine Art Center studio to learn about different raptors with naturalist Michelle Berns! Kids will get to see live birds and hear about their habitats and habits. Then, make a craft inspired by owls to take home! There is no registration for this free event.
