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
2
Meet the Artist: William Havlicek
Join William Havlicek for the opening of his exhibition, "Sanctuary of the Sun: Seasons and Time," on view on the second floor of the historic Musser McColm home. The exhibition is on view from June 2nd through September 11, 2022. Havlicek grew up in Cedar Rapids and graduated from the University of Iowa. While he now lives in California, his roots are in Iowa.
May
22
Laura Musser McColm's Japanese Garden and Early 20th Century Japanese Gardens in the Midwest
In 2021, Beth Cody, author of Iowa Gardens of the Past, researched Laura Musser McColm’s Japanese Garden, placing it in historical context and exploring the influences behind the garden. In this presentation, Cody will discuss Japanese Gardens at the World’s Fairs, landscape designers who created some of the earliest Japanese Gardens in the Midwest, the fate of many Japanese-style gardens during World War II, and other influences connected to the garden at 1314 Mulberry Avenue. A grant from Humanities Iowa funded the project, and a booklet about the garden will be available at the Muscatine Art Center this summer.
Jun
24
Free Family Picnic - June 24, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
This June, gather your family and some snacks and join us for a family picnic! Families are encouraged to spread out on the Muscatine Art Center lawn while enjoying calliope music, free ice cream, window painting, and “Take & Make” projects to complete at home. There is no registration for this free event. Free ice cream sponsored by Kent Corporation.
Jun
29
Visiting Artist Summer Workshops for Kids- Creepy Crawlers - June 29-July 1
Elementary art teachers Nancy Foxen and Mary Alice Sessler are back to lead another workshop together this summer! The theme for these workshops is “creepy crawlers”! Create a 3D colorful paper chameleon, corrugated paper insects, and a symmetrical cicada. The workshops are intended for kids in grades K-6th. To register call the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282 or email kloos@muscatineiowa.gov.
Jun
10
Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Presents "Uncle Rabbit's Adventures/Las Aventuras de Tio Conejo" - June 10, 12:30 p.m.
Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre to perform "Uncle Rabbit’s Adventures (Las Aventuras de Tio Conejo)" on Friday, June 10 starting at 12:30 p.m. See below for details. Free Admission.
May
15
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Underwater Watercolor - May 15
Join us for a fun studio class where you become the artist! Fees are $15 or $13.50 for Friends members, and all supplies are included. Advance registration required. Classes are limited to 15 people. Call 563-263-8282 for more information. Fees required upon registration.
Jun
12
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Eagle Feather Painting - June 12
Join us for a fun studio class where you become the artist! Fees are $15 or $13.50 for Friends members, and all supplies are included. Advance registration required. Classes are limited to 15 people. Call 563-263-8282 for more information. Fees required upon registration.
Apr
1
April - May - June 2022 Quarterly Newsletter
Click below to download the Muscatine Art Center's quarterly newsletter for information on classes, events, workshops and more from April through June. Call us at 563-263-8282 for more information or if you wish to be added to the mailing list.
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
9
Living Proof Exhibit Creative Session - Acrylic Mixed Media on Canvas - June 9
Creative Sessions are free and open to cancer survivors, patients, and their support team. Quad City artist Gina Kirschbaum will lead this session on Thursday, June 9 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Advance registration required through Living Proof Exhibit or by calling the Muscatine Art Center 563-263-8282.
Jun
18
Kids' Saturday Workshop - Happy Birthday, Jim Dine! - June 18
Join Miss Julie Saturday, June 18 to celebrate Dine’s birthday by creating a painting inspired by the artist. Please register by June 16. Call 563-263-8282 for more information and to sign up. For ages 7-14.
May
3
Projects to Go - "Take & Makes"
Stop by the Muscatine Art Center during open hours and grab a “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
19
Thursday Night Makerspace - Wood Garden Signs - May 19
In this class we will use stencils and acrylic paint to decorate a sign for your garden or home. A few stencils will be provided but you can bring your own to use. Advance registration required. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Jun
16
Thursday Night Makerspace - Garden Stepping Stones - June 16
In this class we will get a little messy! Bring your own items to put in the stones like broken dishes, glass and tile, or use some of ours. Advance registration required. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
May
25
Mini Masters Wednesday Mornings @ 9:30 a.m.
Mini Masters meets Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Reservations required. Call 563-263-8282 to register. Go to the Muscatine Art Center Mini Masters Facebook page to watch the weekly videos, and view other content related to tots. Check back with us for updates and other cancellations. These classes are free.
May
25
Mini Masters Thursday Afternoons @ 3:30 p.m.
Mini Masters meets Thursday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. Reservations required. Call 563-263-8282 to register. Go to the Muscatine Art Center Mini Masters Facebook page to watch the weekly videos, and view other content related to tots. Check back with us for updates and other cancellations. These classes are free.
May
21
Live Animals with Muscatine County Conservation- Snakes - May 21
In partnership with the Muscatine County Conservation Board, join us in the Brad Burns Performing Arts Park (on Mulberry, next to the Muscatine Art Center) to learn about snakes with naturalist Michelle Berns! Kids will get to see live snakes and hear about their habitats and habits. Then, make a craft inspired by snakes to take home! In case of inclement weather, activities will be held in the Muscatine Art Center studio. There is no registration for this free event.
Jun
11
Live Animals with Muscatine County Conservation- Turtles - June 11
In partnership with the Muscatine County Conservation Board, join us in the Brad Burns Performing Arts Park (on Mulberry, next to the Muscatine Art Center) to learn about turtles with naturalist Michelle Berns! Kids will get to see live turtles and hear about their habitats and habits. Then, make a craft inspired by turtles to take home! In case of inclement weather, activities will be held in the Muscatine Art Center studio. There is no registration for this free event.
