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
Mar
29
Free Family Event: CATurday - March 29
For all the fans of our feline friends, come celebrate all things cats! Enjoy stories about cats, make your own cat toys, create cat-inspired crafts, get face painted cat whiskers, and more. Enter a drawing to win a basket full of fun stuff for your cat! 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! CATurday is a free drop-in event for families. No registration required.
Mar
9
"A Toast to Women in Art" & Closing Reception for Corinne Stanley - March 9
The public is invited to celebrate Women’s History Month with a toast to some of our favorite women in art! View treasured pieces from the Muscatine Art Center’s permanent collection by women artists, such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Elizabeth Catlett. On view are florals by Beth Van Hoesen and collages by Iowa City Artist Corinne Stanley who will visit with attendees during the reception. Meet members of the Muscatine League of Women Voters and learn about the organization, its history, and how to get involved. No registration required. Free admission.
Mar
20
Art Array 2025 - Juried Exhibition presented by the Muscatine County Arts Council - Opening Reception - March 20
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.
Jan
9
Adult Studio: Clay Origami Bowls with Heather Seibel - January 9 & January 23
In this workshop, use simple clay slabs and basic origami folding to create stunning bowls and platters. Experiment with texture and sculptural add-ons for a truly unique piece. In the first class on January 9th, we will build the bowl/platter, and glaze them in the second class on January 23rd.
Mar
15
Adult Studio: "Choose Your Theme" Acrylic Painting with Kay Flanders - March 15
Spend a Saturday afternoon with artist Kay Flanders while exploring your creative side. Participants will be tasked with choosing a theme for their individual painting that fits their taste, such as a landscape or still life, and Flanders will give examples and share techniques to start. Participants will take home a large completed canvas at the end of the workshop. No prior painting experience necessary. Fee is $25. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up. REGISTER BY MARCH 14.
Mar
6
Adult Studio: Guided Freestyle Painting with Jim Elias - Flora - March 6
Flora will be explored in this acrylic painting workshop, and examples of plants and flowers will be given as prompts to begin the painting. This “impromptu” workshop will involve as-needed instructions, to allow participants to explore the themes presented on their own. No prior painting experience necessary. Fee is $15, or $13.50 for Friends Members. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up. REGISTER BY MARCH 5.
Feb
1
Miniature Clay Rooms with Miss Heather - February 1 & February 8 - Ages 9+
Pleasant Valley School District art educator Heather Seibel will lead this kids class where kids will create mini clay "rooms". Call 563-263-8282 to sign up. Note: this is a two session class. FREE.
Feb
6
Adult Studio: Guided Freestyle Painting with Jim Elias - Abstract - February 6
An abstract style will be explored in this acrylic painting workshop. Artist Jim Elias will guide painters in mark-making prompts and explorative ideas. This “impromptu” workshop will involve as-needed instructions, to allow participants to explore the themes presented on their own. No prior painting experience necessary. Fee is $15, or $13.50 for Friends Members. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up. REGISTER BY FEBRUARY 5.
Mar
1
Clay Tic-Tac-Toe Boards with Miss Heather - March 1 & March 8 - Ages 9+
Pleasant Valley School District art educator Heather Seibel will lead this kids class where kids will create clay tic-tac-toe boards. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up. Note: this is a two session class. FREE.
Jan
30
Adult Studio: Victorian Valentine Workshop - January 30
The Muscatine Art Center’s permanent collection includes over 200 historic Valentine’s Day cards made in the late 1800s through 1930s. Muscatine Art Center staff will present highlights of original Valentine’s from the permanent collection and lead participants in making their own handmade Valentine’s Day cards to send or to keep!
Feb
22
Free Performance: An Afternoon of Piano Music with Marian Lee - February 22
An afternoon of piano music with Marian Lee, Saturday, February 22, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Free admission, no registration required.
Feb
2
Red Barn Studio - Rooster - February 2
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*
Jan
12
Red Barn Studio - Winter Cardinal - January 12
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*
Jan
25
Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Chinese New Year - January 25
This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by January 24 by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
Feb
22
Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - "Lilies of the Alley" Grant Wood - February 22
This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by February 21 by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
Mar
22
Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Henri Rousseau - March 22
This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by March 21 by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
Jan
31
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.
Jan
5
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.
Jan
5
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.
Feb
20
Theatrical Reading of "Alexander Clark" - An Original Play by Cianon Jones - February 20
Theatrical Reading of “Alexander Clark”, An original play by Cianon Jones - Free Admission. Thursday, February 20, 6:00 p.m. Black Box Theatre, Muscatine Community College
