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
Feb
16
Alexander Clark's Legacy: Elevating His Story - February 16
Several projects are currently underway to introduce the Alexander Clark story to new audiences, demonstrate his national significance, and broaden understanding of Clark's leadership in his own time. Join author Rachelle Chase and local historian Dan Clark for a discussion on Alexander Clark.
Mar
23
Faces of Hope: Bob Campagna Remembers the Clark House & 1970s Muscatine - March 23
Bob Campagna served as Director of the Muscatine Housing Authority from 1972 to 1977. In his talk, Bob will give well-remembered insights into designing the Clark House as well as the process of selecting people for life therein. He will address project hurdles, conditions of housing, and life in Muscatine during that era. Through his photographs and stories, this will truly be a walk through time into that certain era of life in Muscatine.
Jan
31
Laura Musser McColm's Historic Japanese Garden Project Update
See below for project updates.
Feb
23
Darwin Turner Action Theatre - February 23
Darwin Turner Action Theatre (DTAT) is the social outreach component for the Theatre Arts Department. It was originally established in 1968 as Black Action Theatre. Its mission was to expose Iowa audiences to African-American culture and promote knowledge and understanding to people of different backgrounds. DTAT is now more culturally and socially inclusive, reflecting the growing diversity of our state and country. It presents dynamic, thought-provoking pieces of theatre for social and cultural awareness.
Mar
16
Art Array 2023 - Juried Exhibition presented by the Muscatine County Arts Council - Opening Reception - March 16
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
2
Kids Studio: Clay Bobbleheads with Heather Seibel (3rd grade and up) - March 2 & 23
Pleasant Valley School District art teacher and Figge Art Museum instructor Heather Seibel will lead this FREE kids class in making custom clay bobblehead pets! Learn to sculpt clay and add details to personalize your pet creature. This is a two class session, one to create, and one to paint.
Jan
19
Thursday Night Makerspace - Watercolor Notecards - January 19
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
12
Free Family Event: "Elephant & Piggie" You Are Invited to a PJ Party - January 12
During this free family event, explore the exhibition "Elephant & Piggie in WE ARE ART!" (A Mo Willems Exhibition). Mo Willems is one of the most celebrated children's book authors and artists working today! Drop in for crafts, story time, and refreshments.
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
9
Valentine's with Virginia Cooper - February 9
The Muscatine Art Center’s permanent collection includes over 200 historic Valentine’s Day cards made in the late 1800s through 1930s. Registrar Virginia Cooper will present highlights from the collection and lead participants in making their own handmade Valentine’s Day card. Registration required by February 8.
Mar
4
Kids Studio: T-Shirt Screen Printing with Heather Seibel (5th grade and up) - March 4
Pleasant Valley School District art teacher and Figge Art Museum instructor Heather Seibel will lead this FREE kids class in making custom screen printed shirt! Come with ideas for your shirt, and a plain t-shirt.
Feb
11
Free Family Event: CATurday - February 11
For all the fans of our feline friends, come celebrate all things Cats! Miss Katy has prepared the purrrfect Saturday - stories about cats, make your own cat toys, cat-inspired crafts, and face painted cat whiskers. CATurday is a drop-in event for families. Admission is free of charge, and registration is not required. No Cat at home? No problem! You don’t need to be a cat owner (or a servant to a cat) to be crazy about cats!
Jan
28
Kids Saturday Workshop - Chinese New Year - January 28
Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit by making a Chinese lantern. This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
Feb
25
Kids Saturday Workshop - Fernand Leger Portraits - February 25
Celebrate French artist Fernand Leger by making a portrait in his unique style. This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
Mar
25
Kids Saturday Workshop - Tchotchke Egg - March 25
Make a "tchotchke" egg just in time to celebrate Easter and bring on spring weather. This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
Dec
13
Projects to Go - "Take & Makes"
Stop by the Muscatine Art Center during open hours and grab a themed "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.
Jan
31
Mini Masters Wednesday Mornings @ 9:30 a.m.
Mini Masters is a free class that meets Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Reservations required. Call 563-263-8282 to register. These classes are free.
Jan
31
Mini Masters Thursday Afternoons @ 3:30 p.m.
Mini Masters is a free class that meets Thursday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. Reservations required. Call 563-263-8282 to register. These classes are free.
Feb
18
Kid's Felted Snowman at Silver Bell Hollow Alpaca Farm - February 18
In this fun family workshop, kids will create an Olaf-inspired snowman using wet felting techniques and tour the farm to meet the alpacas! The $25 fee also includes an alpaca cookie! Call the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282 to register by February 11. Fees paid directly to Silver Bell Hollow.
Jan
26
Coptic & Long Stitch Bookbinding with Heather Seibel - January 26
Pleasant Valley art teacher and Figge Museum instructor Heather Seibel will lead this class about Coptic bookbinding. Learn how to bind your own journal or sketchbook using this gorgeous variation of the Coptic stitch, and create your own personalized hardcovers for the book. No experience necessary. Advance registration required. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Mar
4
Needle Felted Leprechauns at Silver Bell Hollow Alpaca Farm- March 4
In this adult workshop, participants will create sweet needle felted leprechauns just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. The $35 fee includes an alpaca cookie and a tour to meet the resident alpacas. While there, learn about the process of turning alpaca fleece into numerous products. Call the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282 to register by February 25. Fees paid directly to Silver Bell Hollow.
Feb
4
CANCELED - Virtual Presentation: Antarctica Crew Connection - February 4
This program has been canceled. Please call 563-263-8282 with any questions.
