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
Apr
2
APRIL EVENTS
Check flyer below for at-a-glance information on what is happening at the Muscatine Art Center during the month of April! Call us at 563-263-8282 for more information on classes, programming, and to sign up.
Apr
12
Muscatine Symphony Orchestra "A River Runs Through" - April 12
The public is invited to celebrate our river community with the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra concert, "A River Runs Through," featuring the Mississippi River Collection of the Muscatine Art Center's Permanent Collection. During the concert hundreds of images of the impressive Mississippi River Collection will be projected, allowing the audience to both hear and see the inspiration of the river on composers and artists. Concert tickets are available at the door and at muscatinesymphony.org. Gather with fellow art lovers before the concert at the Muscatine Art Center for a free performance by Bill Anson & Co.
Apr
12
Coil Pottery for Kids with Miss Heather - April 12 & April 26 - Ages 9+
Pleasant Valley School District art educator Heather Seibel will lead this kids class where kids will learn the ancient craft of coil pottery. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up. Note: this is a two session class. FREE.
Jun
29
Friends of the Muscatine Art Center Annual Ice Cream Social - June 29
Enjoy live music, games, crafts, ice cream...and SO much more! See below for details of the afternoon.
Apr
12
Prelude to the Symphony Concert: A Performance by Bill Anson & Co. - April 12
Join us before the Muscatine Symphony concert for a performance by Bill Anson and Company in the Muscatine Art Center Music Room. Free admission, no registration required.
Apr
24
Adult Studio: Origami Earrings with Heather Seibel - April 24
Join artist and art educator Heather Seibel to learn ancient origami technique in a contemporary context, as jewelry. Origami evolved as a Japanese craft form in the 6th century shortly after the invention of paper. Over time many traditional forms, like the crane and stars, developed. Participants will use Japanese paper and patterns to create one of a kind origami earrings.
Apr
27
Red Barn Studio - Coal Tit - April 27
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*
Apr
5
Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Joan Walsh Anglund - April 5
This free class is open to kids ages 7 to 14 and their families. Please register by April 4 by calling the Muscatine Art Center at 563-263-8282.
Apr
2
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.
Apr
2
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.
