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
Apr
29
Virtual Collection Tour April 29
In partnership with the Figge Art Museum, join us for a virtual behind-the-scenes exploration of artworks in Muscatine Art Center’s permanent collection. Each featured work of art was created by an important American artist - many who were part of the National Gallery of Design. This program is offered in conjunction with the Figge’s exhibition, For America: 200 Years of Paintings from the National Academy of Design.
Jun
11
Visiting Artist Summer Workshops- Year of the Musser Mansion: 1908 (June 11, 2021)
The historic Musser-McColm mansion was completed in 1908 during the Edwardian era (1901-1910) and many pieces on display in the mansion come from that period. During this era, the popular art movement was called Art Nouveau, or "new art". This June, join us to learn about the historic era by taking a tour through the mansion, and creating projects in the Art Nouveau style, like faux stained glass, woodblock printing, and more! Workshops will be held June 11 & 25 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. You can sign up for both workshops, or just one.
May
20
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker- Serenity Reflections Watercolor
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. Guests must wear a mask while in the building. Call 563-263-8282 to reserve your spot.
May
27
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker- Bears at Dusk Watercolor
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. Guests must wear a mask while in the building. Call 563-263-8282 to reserve your spot.
Jun
17
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker- Brown Pelican Watercolor
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. Guests must wear a mask while in the building. Call 563-263-8282 to reserve your spot.
Jun
24
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker- Bird in Water Acrylic
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. Guests must wear a mask while in the building. Call 563-263-8282 to reserve your spot.
Jun
25
Visiting Artist Summer Workshops- Year of the Musser Mansion: 1908 (June 25, 2021)
The historic Musser-McColm mansion was completed in 1908 during the Edwardian era (1901-1910) and many pieces on display in the mansion come from that period. During this era, the popular art movement was called Art Nouveau, or "new art". This June, join us to learn about the historic era by taking a tour through the mansion, and creating projects in the Art Nouveau style, like faux stained glass, woodblock printing, and more! Workshops will be held June 11 & 25 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. You can sign up for both workshops, or just one.
May
13
Creative Sessions: Bi-Lingual Interactive Songs with Lisa Neher
Creative Sessions are free and open to cancer survivors, patients, and their support team. Lisa Neher will lead participants in this session to be held Thursday, May 13th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Advance registration required through Living Proof Exhibit.
Jun
10
Creative Sessions: Polymer Clay Pendants with Marla Andich
Creative Sessions are free and open to cancer survivors, patients, and their support team. Artist Marla Andich will teach this session to be held Thursday, June 10th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Advance registration required through Living Proof Exhibit.
May
15
Kids' Saturday Workshop - Salvador Dali
Join Miss Julie Saturday, May 15 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to learn about Salvador Dali's strange style and celebrate his birthday by creating your own melted sculpture. Call 563-263-8282 for more information and to sign up.
Jun
12
Kids' Saturday Workshop - Maurice Sendak
Join Miss Julie Saturday, June 12 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to create a Wild Thing mask and take a romp through the Japanese Garden to celebrate Sendak's birthday. Call 563-263-8282 for more information and to sign up.
May
7
Mother's Day in a Bag!
To celebrate Mother's Day this year, 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 bags are free to pick up! While supplies last. Mother's Day bags are available to pickup April 30-May 9.
Apr
1
First Thursday- Zentangle Flowers
Get in a "zen" mood with these Zentangle Flowers. We will use acrylic paint and markers to create this stunning artwork on paper. Guests must wear a mask while in the building. Fees are $15 or $13.50 for Friends members and all supplies are included. Advance registration required. Call 563-263-8282 to reserve your spot.
May
6
First Thursday- Acrylic Dandelions
Make a wish! We'll use rich acrylics on canvas board to paint dandelions floating in the wind. Guests must wear a mask while in the building. Fees are $15 or $13.50 for Friends members and all supplies are included. Advance registration required. Call 563-263-8282 to reserve your spot.
Jun
3
First Thursday- Garden Stepping Stones
Spruce up your garden or pathway with these one-of-a-kind stepping stones! We'll use glass gems, broken plates, and more to create our designs. Bring your own or use some of ours! Guests must wear a mask while in the building. Fees are $15 or $13.50 for Friends members and all supplies are included. Fee is for ONE stone approximately 10" in diameter. Advance registration required. Call 563-263-8282 to reserve your spot.
May
7
Mini Masters Wednesday Mornings
Mini Masters has returned to in-person class on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Please wear masks. 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.
May
7
Mini Masters Thursday Afternoons
Mini Masters will return to in-person class on Thursday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. Please wear masks. Registration limited, 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.
Apr
24
Nature in the Garden- Turtles
In partnership with the Muscatine County Conservation Board, join us in the Japanese Garden at the Muscatine Art Center to learn about some animals with conservationist Michelle Berns! Kids will get to see live animals and learn about them. Then, make a craft inspired by turtles to take home! The program is free of charge, but pre-registration is required.
Jun
3
June Booked on Art: "Frida in America: The Creative Awakening of a Great Artist" by Celia Stahr
Booked on Art June Meet Up Thursday, June 3, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Muscatine Art Center Music Room. Please RSVP to ensure enough space for physical distancing. Please wear a mask. This program may take place virtually so check back here and our Facebook page for updated information.
