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
12
Lord Cultural Resources Information Sessions - September 12
In 2023, the Muscatine Art Center hired Lord Cultural Resources, the global leader in cultural sector planning, to develop a Business and Facility Planning Study. The study, completed in May 2024, outlines many recommendations for the proposed functions of a building addition, adjustments to operations, rebranding, and programming enhancements. Muscatine Art Center Director, Melanie Alexander, will discuss the process, the recommendations, and next steps. Sessions will be held in the Muscatine Art Center Music Room. Free admission.
Sep
4
Japanese Garden Lunch & Learn - September 4
Join Director Melanie Alexander for a look back at the multi-year project of rehabilitating the historic Japanese Garden. Learn about all of the details such as the archaeological investigation, the approval process involving the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office, the big and small decisions made in consultation with Aunt Rhodie’s and Iowa State University Associate Professor Heidi Hohmann, and the volunteer work of the Friends of the Japanese Garden. Bring a sack lunch.
Sep
26
Lord Cultural Resources Information Sessions - September 26
In 2023, the Muscatine Art Center hired Lord Cultural Resources, the global leader in cultural sector planning, to develop a Business and Facility Planning Study. The study, completed in May 2024, outlines many recommendations for the proposed functions of a building addition, adjustments to operations, rebranding, and programming enhancements. Muscatine Art Center Director, Melanie Alexander, will discuss the process, the recommendations, and next steps. Sessions will be held in the Muscatine Art Center Music Room. Free admission.
Aug
25
POSTPONED - “Be Part of the Story” - Live Recordings from Pearl City Players - August 25
The Pearl City Players Theatrical Society is launching a new series called “Be Part of the Story,” a series of stories from local authors that reflect Muscatine, dramatized through performances at various events that will be recorded for Access Channel 9. The public is invited to watch the live recordings on Sunday, July 21 and Sunday, August 25, at 2:00 p.m. in the Muscatine Art Center Music Room. Registrations not required. Pearl City Players Theatrical Society can be contacted on Facebook or at pearlcityplayers1@gmail.com.
Sep
7
Clay Food with Miss Heather - September 7 & 14 - Ages 9+
Pleasant Valley School District art educator Heather Seibel will lead this kids class where kids will create clay food. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up. Note: this is a two session class. FREE.
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
19
Design Your Own Jewelry at Creations by Oz - September 19
Join us in downtown Muscatine for a jewelry-making workshop that includes unique wines, beers, and hors d’oeuvres. Melissa and her staff will lend her jewelry-designing expertise, helping participants create original necklaces, bracelets, or earrings for $45 a person. Additional wine and beer offered for sale. No experience necessary. Contact Melissa at 319-930-9189 or at Creations by Oz to register by September 18.
Sep
22
Red Barn Studio - Raven - September 22
Learn to paint beautiful watercolors using various techniques and learned skills. Follow along as artist Vada Baker guides participants through each step of the painting process, adding your own flair as you go. All supplies included. No experience necessary. Advanced registration required by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282. *FEES MUST BE PAID AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION*
Sep
21
Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Leo Sewell - September 21
This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by September 20 by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
Jul
30
Projects to Go - "Take & Makes"
Stop by the Muscatine Art Center during open hours and grab a craft bag, each one containing some supplies to make a few projects. These bags are free to pick up while supplies last.
Sep
8
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. See below for updated calendar.
Sep
8
Mini Masters Thursday Afternoons @ 3:30 p.m.
Mini Masters is a free class that meets Thursday afternoons at 3:30 - 4:15 p.m. Reservations required. Call 563-263-8282 to register. These classes are free. See below for updated calendar.
Sep
21
Live Reptiles with Muscatine County Conservation - September 21
In partnership with Muscatine County Conservation, join us in the Muscatine Art Center studio to learn about some reptiles with naturalist Michelle Berns! Kids will get to see live snakes and more and hear about their habitats and habits. Then, make a snake-inspired craft to take home! There is no registration for this free event.
