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
Feb
9
Panel Discussion - Hard Won, Not Done Eastern Iowa Women Artists Invitational
(Image Credit: Kristin Quinn, "Sweet Lorraine") Eastern Iowa is home to many dedicated and driven women who significantly contribute to the local, regional, and sometimes national and international visual arts community. In these panel discussions, artists will share their life and studio experiences as they continue to develop skills and ideas, build community, and navigate a livelihood in the visual arts. Attendees are encouraged to come with questions or to share their own experiences. Panelists on Sunday, February 9th are Miriam Alarcon Avila, Cecile Houel, Nancy Purington, and Kristin Quinn. Panelists on Thursday, March 26th are Jean Berry, Rose Frantzen, Monica Leo, Elizabeth Shriver, and Jo Myers-Walker.
Mar
26
Panel Discussion - Hard Won, Not Done Eastern Iowa Women Artists Invitational
(Image Credit: Elizabeth Shriver, "Interwoven Vessel") Eastern Iowa is home to many dedicated and driven women who significantly contribute to the local, regional, and sometimes national and international visual arts community. In these panel discussions, artists will share their life and studio experiences as they continue to develop skills and ideas, build community, and navigate a livelihood in the visual arts. Attendees are encouraged to come with questions or to share their own experiences. Panelists on Thursday, March 26th are Jean Berry, Rose Frantzen, Monica Leo, Elizabeth Shriver, and Jo Myers-Walker. Panelists on Sunday, February 9th are Miriam Alarcon Avila, Cecile Houel, Nancy Purington, and Kristin Quinn.
Apr
5
Reception - Hard Won, Not Done Eastern Iowa Women Artists Invitational
(Image Credit: Louise Kames, "Malala Yousafza") Join us for a reception on April 5th starting at 1:30 p.m. to celebrate the 24 Eastern Iowa women artists represented in the "Hard Won, Not Done" exhibition. From 2:30 to 3:00 p.m., Truc Deegan, one of the exhibiting artists, will give a demonstration of her traditional ink painting technique. This exhibition was organized to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment - Women's Right to Vote.
Apr
20
History on Tap Trivia Night at Contrary Brewing Co.
Join us for a trivia night at Contrary Brewing Co. on Monday, April 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person.
May
3
Red Cedar Chamber Music Presents: Brinton Reprise
Red Cedar Chamber Music of Marion, Iowa, will present "Brinton Reprise" on Sunday, May 3rd, at 3:00 p.m. in the Muscatine Art Center's Music Room. Free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis starting April 7th.
May
31
For Love of Art Tea & Preview of "Till Death" Exhibit
"For the Love of Art" and preview of "Till Death" exhibition will be held Sunday, May 31st, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Mar
17
Spring Break Activities at the Muscatine Art Center
Spring is in the air, and that means fun at the Muscatine Art Center from March 17th through 19th and a special event at the Musser Public Library on March 20th and 21st. Families can drop in anytime between 1 and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of Spring Break to participate in a different activity each day. Juice and a light snack will be provided.
Mar
19
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Button Lamb Collage
Let's bring in spring! Create an adorable little lamb collage with buttons. Fee is $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members. ID 6653
Apr
9
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Pretty Poppies Watercolor
Using watercolors, we will paint beautiful and vibrant poppies that are sure to brighten your day. Fee is $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members. ID 6654
Apr
16
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Down on the Farm Watercolor
Feel right at home down on the farm with this inviting watercolor barn scene. Fee is $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members. ID 6655
Apr
30
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Garden Bath Time Watercolor
Feel the warmth of spring with these adorable birds in a birdbath. Fee is $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members. ID 6656
Feb
20
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker- Wise Old Owl
On February 20th, bring this wise old owl to life with lifelike watercolors. Fee is $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members. ID 6647
Feb
27
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker- Purple Rabbit
On February 27th, beckon spring with this playful purple watercolor rabbit. Fee is $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members. ID 6648
May
28
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Paper Napkin Necklace Pendant
Make your own unique necklace pendant with graphics from a paper napkin and silver jewelry findings. Chain included. Fee is $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members. ID 6658
May
21
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker- Purple Elephant
Bring this playful elephant to life with beautiful hues of purple watercolors. Fee is $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members. ID 6657
Mar
12
Creative Sessions: Bi-Lingual Uniting Through Words & Music
Creative Sessions are free and open to cancer survivors, patients, and their support team. Musician and Muscatine native Juan Carlos Mendoza will lead participants in this session to be held Thursday, March 12th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Advance registration required.
May
14
Creative Sessions: Bookmaking
Creative Sessions are free and open to cancer survivors, patients, and their support team. Brian Allen from the Figge Art Museum leads this session which will be held Thursday, May 14th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Advance registration required.
Mar
14
National Children's Craft Day
Help us celebrate National Children's Craft Day. Stop by to participate in some fun crafts on March 14th, anytime between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. No registration required for this free event.
Apr
22
Earth Day Celebration
Help us celebrate National Earth Day by stopping by the Muscatine Art Center Wednesday, April 22nd, anytime between 1:30 and 4:00 p.m. to participate in a "green" craft using only recycled materials. No registration required for this free event.
Mar
7
Kids' Saturday Workshop - Seussical Mounted Animals
Join Julie Lear to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday by making whimsical "Seussical" animals that you can mount on your wall! Free. Register by March 6th. ID 6688
Apr
4
Kids' Saturday Workshop - Easter Sugar Eggs
Join Julie Lear to celebrate spring by making a sugary egg of your own! Free. Register by April 3rd. ID 6689
May
2
Kids' Saturday Workshop - Cinco de Mayo
Join Julie Lear to celebrate Cinco de Mayo by making Ojo de Dios (God's Eye) weavings. Free. Register by May 1st. ID 6690
Mar
18
Spring Break Kid's Open Studio March 18th
Spring Break is March 16th - March 20th! The Muscatine Art Center will hold an "open studio" for kids ages 2-10 on Wednesday, March 18th, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Don't miss the other spring break activities going on at the Muscatine Art Center!
Feb
15
Take & Make Art
Need something to do on the weekend? Stop by the Muscatine Art Center and grab a Take & Make project! Every Saturday and Sunday during open hours.
Feb
6
Dan Rohde Reception
Starting at 5 p.m. on February 6th, join Dan Rohde for a look at his exhibition, "A Visual Retrospective."
Mar
5
First Thursday with Katy Loos
Get colorful with this fun fabric scrap bowl! Use some of our fabric or bring your own. Katy will show you two different ways to make your bowls. Fee is $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members. ID 6659
Apr
2
First Thursday with Katy Loos
Tap into your inner Bohemian artist with these unique macrame necklaces! Katy will give you tutorials on simple macrame knotting to create these one-of-a-kind pendants. Fee is for one pendant and chain. Fee is $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members. ID 6660
May
7
First Thursday with Katy Loos
Make your own "crystal" pendants with resin and alcohol inks. We'll explore the many uses of resin and become familiar with the process. Fee is for two pendants and chains. Fee is $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members. ID 6661
Feb
22
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).
Feb
22
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).
Apr
9
Booked on Art: Broad Strokes
Booked on Art April Meet Up Thursday, April 9th, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Muscatine Art Center Art Reference Library.
