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 – 5 pm
Mon: Closed
1314 Mulberry Ave,
Muscatine, IA 52761
Get Directions
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
Aug
17
Kids' Saturday Workshop - August
Explore the work of American painter Morris Graves. Julia Lear will lead school-aged children in creating a bird painting inspired by Graves.
Aug
3
Guided Tours of the Historic Musser-McColm Home
Drop-in guided tours of the historic Musser-McColm mansion are back! Hear stories about the Musser-McColm family and have your questions answered. Reservations are not required to join one of these tours offered on the first Saturday of each month at 1:30 p.m. starting July 6th. Tours are free; donations appreciated.
Sep
7
September Tour of the Historic Musser-McColm Home
Drop-in guided tours of the historic Musser-McColm mansion are back! Hear stories about the Musser-McColm family and have your questions answered. Reservations are not required to join one of these tours offered on the first Saturday of each month at 1:30 p.m. starting July 6th. Tours are free; donations appreciated.
Aug
17
August Saturday Drop-In Art
Not sure what to do on a Saturday afternoon? Drop in for a quick make and take project. Miss Katy will guide you through the steps for this free activity.
Jul
20
July Saturday Drop-In Art
Not sure what to do on a Saturday afternoon? Drop in for a quick make and take project. Miss Katy will guide you through the steps for this free activity.
Jul
18
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker
Artist Vada Baker gives step-by-step instructions on how to complete each painting project. Participants learn new techniques in this fun studio class for adult learners. Classes meet several Thursdays each month from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. Registration is required. Space is limited and is available on a first to register basis. All supplies are included in the class fee of $15 or $13.50 for members of Friends of the Muscatine Art Center.
Aug
1
First Thursday in August with Katy Loos
Tap into your inner DIY-er! Join Program Coordinator Katy Loos on the first Thursday of the month to create fun projects. Classes meet Thursdays from 5:15 - 6:45 p.m. FEE: $15.00 or $13.50 for Friends members. All supplies are included in the class fee. Turn something as simple as a clothespin into a fun, custom wall mirror! We'll use fun and beautiful scrapbook paper and paint to customize the clothespins. Mirror measures 8" diameter.
Jul
20
Mini Masters Wednesday Morning
Every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and every Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Mini Masters is an engaging program for young learners (ages 2 to 7).
Jul
20
Mini Masters Thursday Afternoon
Every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and every Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Mini Masters is an engaging program for young learners (ages 2 to 7).
Aug
24
Pastel Workshop with David Garrison
Saturday, August 24, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Basic Principles and Sunday, August 25, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Applying Learned Skills
Aug
3
National Watermelon Day
Saturday, August 3 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Fee: Free! Stop by and have some delicious Muscatine watermelon and participate in a watermelon-themed craft.
Jul
20
Civil War Program Presentation
Saturday, July 20, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Adults and kids are invited to “meet” Muscatine Civil War soldier, Daniel Parvin, and his wife at the Muscatine Art Center!
Aug
8
Civil War Program Presentation
Thursday, August 8, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Adults and kids are invited to “meet” Muscatine Civil War soldier, Daniel Parvin, and his wife at the Muscatine Art Center!
Aug
6
Mini Camp - Recycled Masters with Miss Katy
August 6th - August 9th 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Fee: Free! Register by August 2.
Aug
29
Booked on Art
Booked on Art August Meet Up Thursday, August 22, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Muscatine Art Center Music Room
Jul
13
Animal Days
Saturday, July 13 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Meet Nadie the Barred Owl and make a mini cork owl and a recycled paper owl.
Aug
17
Yoga in the Japanese Garden
August 17th, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Fee: $5 per person
Aug
10
Animal Days
Saturday, August 10 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Slither along with some live snakes and make a paper plate snake and a pipe cleaner snake.
