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 – 4pm
Thurs: 10am - 7pm
Sat & Sun: 1pm – 4pm
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
Mar
17
Opening Reception: Art Array 2022
The Muscatine County Arts Council is bringing back Art Array- a juried exhibition with your neighbors, friends, family members, and artists living within 50 miles of Muscatine displaying their 2-dimensional works of art. During the reception, view the entries for this year's juried exhibition, meet some of the artists and judges, and find out who will receive 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards. Details will be publicized on social media, and through the Muscatine County Arts Council. Free admission.
Mar
31
Reception: Middle & High School Exhibition - March 31
Every other year, the talents of area middle and high school students are highlighted in the Stanley Gallery. This year, in partnership with Muscatine Sister Cities and Global Education at Stanley Center, local students can choose to compete for local and international cash prizes by submitting artwork in response to a theme, “Sustainable Water for All,” selected by Sisters Cities International. Local competition winners will be announced at 5:30 p.m. on March 31st!
Feb
1
Historic Rug Fundraiser - February - September 2022
The Muscatine Art Center staff has identified several historic rugs in need of professional cleaning and restoration. Nahigian Brothers will pick up our rugs and arrange pick up of other rugs in Muscatine several times throughout 2022. Nahigian Brothers will donate 20% of the cost of cleaning to the Japanese Garden project. Muscatine Art Center patrons receive an additional 10% discount during the month of February. The first pick up of rugs will begin in February 2022. Details posted here and on Facebook.
Jan
1
January - February - March 2022 Quarterly Newsletter
Click below to download the Muscatine Art Center's quarterly newsletter for information on classes, events, workshops and more from January through March. Call us at 563-263-8282 for more information or if you wish to be added to the mailing list.
Jan
1
JANUARY EVENTS
Check flyer below for at-a-glance information on what is happening at the Muscatine Art Center during the month of January. Call us at 563-263-8282 for more information on classes, programming, and to sign up.
Feb
6
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Leaf Negative Watercolor - February 6
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.
Mar
13
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Fish Negative Watercolor - March 13
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.
Jan
15
Kids Open Studio - January 15 and March 26
Drop in anytime between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. January 15 and March 26 for a free Kids Open Studio. Admission is free of charge.
Feb
5
LEGO Brick Workshop - February 5
Drop in anytime between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, February 5 for a free LEGO Brick Workshop. Admission is free of charge.
Feb
12
Family Valentine Workshop - February 12
Drop in anytime between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, February 12 for a free Valentine workshop. Admission is free of charge.
Jan
29
Kids' Saturday Workshop - Chinese New Year - January 29
Join Miss Julie Saturday, January 29 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to create a beautiful print to help you celebrate the new year. Call 563-263-8282 for more information and to sign up.
Feb
19
Kids' Saturday Workshop - Happy Birthday, Grant Wood! - February 19
Join Miss Julie Saturday, February 19 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to channel your inner Grant Wood by sketching some live chickens! Call 563-263-8282 for more information and to sign up.
Mar
12
Kids' Saturday Workshop - Happy Birthday, Juan Gris! - March 12
Join Miss Julie Saturday, March 12 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to celebrate artist Juan Gris' birthday by creating a painting in his style. Call 563-263-8282 for more information and to sign up. For ages 7-14.
Jan
21
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.
Jan
20
Thursday Night Makerspace - Mountain Watercolor Wash - January 20
In this class, participants will learn how to create a "wash" effect in watercolor while painting misty mountains. Advance registration required. *NEW* Class fee must be paid upon registration. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Feb
3
Thursday Night Makerspace - Dish Towel Painting - February 3
In this class, participants will decorate dish towels with acrylic paint, stamps, and stencils. Advance registration required. *NEW* Class fee must be paid upon registration. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Feb
17
Thursday Night Makerspace - Alcohol Ink Pendant - February 17
In this class, participants will create beautiful glass pendants using alcohol ink. Fee includes pendant and chain. Advance registration required. *NEW* Class fee must be paid upon registration. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Mar
10
Thursday Night Makerspace - Acrylic Pour Painting - March 10
In this class, participants will use the "Dutch pour" method of acrylic pour painting to create a beautiful piece of artwork. Advance registration required. *NEW* Class fee must be paid upon registration. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Mar
24
Thursday Night Makerspace - Macrame Necklace - March 24
In this class, participants will learn basic macrame knots in order to create a simple pendant and a pair of earrings. Advance registration required. *NEW* Class fee must be paid upon registration. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Jan
21
Mini Masters Wednesday Mornings @ 9:30 a.m.
Mini Masters has returned to in-person class on 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.
Jan
21
Mini Masters Thursday Afternoons @ 3:30 p.m.
Mini Masters has returned to in-person class on 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.
Mar
7
History on Tap Trivia Night at Contrary Brewing - March 7
History on Tap is back with a trivia night! Join us Monday, March 7 for a fun night of trivia at Contrary Brewing to support Friends of the Muscatine Art Center. Details below.
