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
Dec
12
Sant-O-Rama December 12
Get into the Holiday spirit! Drop in to create Santa related crafts with Miss Julie. There is no fee to participate in this workshop and no registration is required.
Oct
28
Scarecrow & Jack-O-Lantern Competition October 28-31
The Muscatine Art Center is inviting families, artists, crafters, and students to participate in the Scarecrow & Jack-O-Lantern Competitions this October. Entries will be on view October 28 through October 31 during our open hours. See below for more details and how to enter! Entry forms now due no later than October 8.
Sep
1
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
Check flyer below for at-a-glance information on what is happening at the Muscatine Art Center during the month of September. Call us at 563-263-8282 for more information on classes, programming, and to sign up.
Sep
26
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Watercolor Pencil Sunflowers, September 26
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 to sign up.
Oct
22
Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Presents "The Bremen Town Musicians", October 22, 12:30 p.m.
The Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre will perform an adaptation of "The Bremen Town Musicians" on the grounds of the Muscatine Art Center. The performance is free. Bring a sack lunch to enjoy outside before the performance and bring a chair or blanket for viewing.
Jul
1
July - August - September 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.
Oct
1
October - November - December Quarterly Newsletter
Click below to download the Muscatine Art Center's quarterly newsletter for information on classes, events, workshops and more from October through December. Call us at 563-263-8282 for more information or if you wish to be added to the mailing list.
Oct
17
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Watercolor Techniques for Painting Trees, October 17
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. *NEW* Class fee must be paid upon registration. Classes are limited to 15 people. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Oct
1
Wine at 5 "Alterations" Workshop, October 1, 5-7 p.m.
Gather your team for a creative and engaging evening. Learn about the "Price of Fashion" and work with your team to build a sculpture from repurposed materials. Featuring artist, environmental educator, and creator of the "Alterations" exhibition, Nancy Judd, who will lead the workshop via Zoom.
Nov
7
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Watercolor Mosaic Leaf Earrings November 7
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 to reserve your spot.
Dec
5
Red Barn Studio with Vada Baker - Button Christmas Ornaments, December 5
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 to reserve your spot.
Oct
14
Living Proof Exhibit Creative Sessions: Air Dry Clay Spoon Rests with Brian Allen, October 14
Creative Sessions are free and open to cancer survivors, patients, and their support team. Brian Allen from the Figge Art Museum will lead this session on Thursday, October 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Advance registration required through Living Proof Exhibit at https://www.livingproofexhibit.org/creative-sessions, or by calling the Muscatine Art Center 563-263-8282.
Oct
30
Kids' Saturday Workshop - Dia de los Muertos, October 30
Join Miss Julie Saturday, October 30 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to celebrate the Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos. Call 563-263-8282 for more information and to sign up. For ages 7-14.
Nov
20
Kids' Saturday Workshop - Laura Musser's Birthday Party, November 20
The Musser Mansion at the Muscatine Art Center was built in 1908 and is named after Laura McColm, the woman who called 1314 Mulberry Avenue "home". After Laura passed away in 1964, her home was donated for use as a museum. Join Miss Julie Saturday, November 20 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to celebrate Laura's birthday with an old-fashioned tea party and a Laura Musser "tea bag" biography.
Dec
11
Kids' Saturday Workshop - Gingerbread House Workshop, December 11
A family favorite is back! Miss Julie will lead this special workshop where participants can build and decorate their own gingerbread house! Fee for one house is $10 and includes icing and candy. Class sizes are limited and registration is required by December 3. Classes are filled on a first come, first served basis.
Oct
22
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.
Oct
7
Thursday Night Makerspace - Finger Knit Yarn Pumpkin, October 7
In this class, participants use their hands to knit a long chain that will be wrapped around a faux pumpkin, creating a warm, cozy piece to add to your fall décor. Advance registration required. *NEW* Class fee must be paid upon registration. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Nov
18
Thursday Night Makerspace - Decoupage Jar Luminary, November 18
In this class, participants will decorate glass jars with patterned paper napkins to create beautiful and unique jars that can be used as a candle holder. Battery powered tea light included. Advance registration required. *NEW* Class fee must be paid upon registration. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Dec
2
Thursday Night Makerspace - Christmas Ornaments (your choice), December 2
In this class, participants can choose several different types of ornaments to make. Fee includes two ornaments of your choice. Advance registration required. *NEW* Class fee must be paid upon registration. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up.
Sep
26
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.
Sep
26
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.
