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
Sep
18
In Concert: Francis Verba, French Classical Guitarist- September 18
Verba will present a wide and colorful repertoire of European and Latin American music with his unique custom made 12 string guitar. His revolutionary new position holding the instrument allows him to express his virtuosity transcending sounds to levels that will enchant all your senses. For one day only, concert goers will also be treated to the visual delights of painted portraits by Cecile Houel, whose portrait of the Dalai Lama was included in the Muscatine Art Center’s 2020 invitational exhibition, "Hard Won, Not Done".
Sep
17
Live Radio Show: Encore for Murder: The New Adventures of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer- September 17
"Encore for Murder" created by Max Allan Collins and presented by Friends of the Muscatine Art Center. Saturday, September 17, 7:00 p.m. at Muscatine High School Auditorium, 2705 Cedar Street, Muscatine.
Aug
21
Friends of the Muscatine Art Center Annual Ice Cream Social - August 21
The Ice Cream Social is back! Live music, games, crafts, ice cream...and SO much more! See below for details of the afternoon.
Aug
18
Partner Event: Community Stage Presented by the Muscatine County Arts Council- August 18
Join your friends and neighbors for a "back to school" celebration during the Community Stage event held on the grounds of the Muscatine Art Center. During this family-friendly event, enjoy the writings and musings of local residents - including selections from the Wandering Words project, hear music by the Muscatine Brass Ensemble, create crafts to kick-off the new school year, watch an Eulenspiegel performance, and play games on the lawn.
Jul
1
July-August-September 2022 Quarterly Newsletter
Click below to download the Muscatine Art Center's quarterly newsletter for information on classes, events, workshops and more from July through September. Call us at 563-263-8282 for more information or if you wish to be added to the mailing list.
Aug
1
AUGUST EVENTS
Check flyer below for at-a-glance information on what is happening at the Muscatine Art Center during the month of August. Call us at 563-263-8282 for more information on classes, programming, and to sign up.
Aug
14
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Owl Magnets- August 14
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.
Sep
11
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Whimsical Animal Watercolor Notecard- September 11
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.
Aug
12
Visiting Artist Summer Workshops for Kids- Stuffies with Heather Seibel- August 12 (3rd-4th grade)
Pleasant Valley art teacher and Figge instructor Heather Seibel will lead this workshop for kids in 3rd & 4th grade. Kids will design their creatures, cut, stuff, and sew them up to create their own unique stuffed friend. All supplies will be provided.
Aug
12
Visiting Artist Summer Workshops for Kids- Clay Whistles with Heather Seibel- August 12 (5th-6th grade)
Pleasant Valley art teacher and Figge instructor Heather Seibel will lead this workshop. Kids will design and mold whistles out of clay. All supplies will be provided.
Aug
27
Kids' Saturday Workshop - Jon Fasanelli-Cawelti Prints - August 27
Join Miss Julie Saturday, August 27 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to celebrate the life and art of Muscatine artist Jon Fasanelli-Cawelti by creating woven prints in the late artist's style. Please register by August 26. Call 563-263-8282 for more information and to sign up.
Sep
24
Kids' Saturday Workshop - Illuminated Letters- September 24
Join Miss Julie Saturday, September 24 to learn more about this ancient art form and to create your own illuminated letter. This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by September 23. Call the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282 for more information and to sign up.
Aug
25
Thursday Night Makerspace - Polymer Clay Marbled Pendant- August 25
In this class we will use polymer clay, paint, and gold flecks to mold and create unique marbled pendants. Once they are baked, we will finish by sealing with UV resin and adding a bail for a chain. No previous clay or jewelry-making experience necessary! Advance registration required. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Sep
15
Thursday Night Makerspace - Alcohol Ink Washer Pendants- September 15
In this class we will use solid metal washers, sandpaper, and alcohol ink to make unique and personalized pendants. There is no previous alcohol ink or jewelry-making experience necessary! Advance registration required. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Aug
14
Mini Masters Wednesday Mornings @ 9:30 a.m.
Mini Masters is a free class that meets Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m., and now some Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. (see dates below). Reservations required. Call 563-263-8282 to register. These classes are free.
Aug
14
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.
Sep
10
Needle Felted Owls at Silver Bell Hallow Alpaca Farm- September 10
Join us for a fun-filled afternoon at Silver Bell Hollow Alpaca Farm this September! In this adult workshop, participants will create whimsical snowy owls using needle felting techniques and tour the farm to meet the alpacas! The $35 fee includes an alpaca cookie, but you are welcome to bring other snacks. If you would like to carpool with other participants, please meet at the Muscatine Art Center on Saturday, September 10 at 1:10 in the Cedar Street parking lot, or meet us there at the address below. Advance registration required by September 2. Call the Muscatine Art Center to register. Cash, check, or Venmo paid directly to Silver Bell Hollow.
Aug
11
Coptic Bookbinding with Heather Seibel- August 11
Pleasant Valley art teacher and Figge Museum instructor Heather Seibel will lead this class about Coptic bookbinding. This unique way of bookbinding uses a Coptic stitch style binding that doesn't use any glues and where the stitching is left exposed. Advance registration required. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Sep
8
Virtual Presentation- Van Gogh's Untold Journey by William Havlicek- September 8
William Havlicek is the author of the book, "Van Gogh’s Untold Journey", and the artist who created the exhibition, "The Sanctuary of the Sun". Join Havlicek for a virtual presentation discussing his exploration of Van Gogh’s letters which provide insight into the artist’s character, his faith, the influence of his family, and the solicitude he felt for mankind. Participants can view the virtual presentation as part of a group at the Muscatine Art Center or join from home. Login details below.
