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
Feb
17
Bilingual Mini Masters Third Tuesdays @ 3:30 p.m. - February 17, 2026
The new Bilingual Mini Masters is a free class in partnership with the Diversity Service Center of Iowa to provide Spanish language translations. Classes are offered the third Tuesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. These sessions mirror the original Mini Masters classes with a storybook reading and art projects, but will provide the story and all instructions in both English and Spanish. These classes are free with no registration required.
Mar
17
Bilingual Mini Masters Third Tuesdays @ 3:30 p.m. - March 17, 2026
The new Bilingual Mini Masters is a free class in partnership with the Diversity Service Center of Iowa to provide Spanish language translations. Classes are offered the third Tuesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. These sessions mirror the original Mini Masters classes with a storybook reading and art projects, but will provide the story and all instructions in both English and Spanish. These classes are free with no registration required.
Feb
8
Adult Studio: Pet Portraits with Brianna Rivers - February 8
Join artist Brianna Rivers to bring a portrait of your favorite pet to life. Submit a photograph of your pet when you register and start your painting with a professional sketch! All supplies are included, and no experience is necessary. Register by October 10 to allow time for sketches by calling (563) 263-8282. Fees are $35 or $30 for Friends Members.
Jan
25
Adult Studio: Portrait Collage with Annette Hovland - January 25
Join artist and arts educator Annette Hovland to explore a unique approach to collage. Participants will use a variety of materials and techniques to create their own handmade papers to collage on to the outline of a personal portrait. All supplies will be included, but attendees will be asked to submit their preferred photo when they register so the image can be prepared for the class. Register by January 23 by calling (563) 263-8282. Fees are $20 or $17.50 for Friends Members.
Feb
7
"Grant Wood: Prairie Rebel" Featuring Tom Milligan - February 7
In celebration of the Midwest Icons" exhibit closing February 22, Humanities Iowa scholar Tom Milligan will present his one-man show "Grant Wood: Prairie Rebel." In the show, Milligan is transformed into the artist to chat with his audience as if talking to an old friend over the backyard fence. This event is free, brought to the Muscatine community through the support of Humanities Iowa and the State Historical Society, Inc. of Iowa. No registration is required.
Feb
22
Grant Wood & Hollywood - Lecture & Film with Sandra Lee Hudson - February 22
Sandra Lee Hudson received an Author's Grant from the State Historical Society of Iowa to document the story of a 1940 Hollywood art happening in which Grant Wood created the largest—and perhaps his least-known—painting of his career. The lecture and film short will focus on Grant Wood as “Hollywood darling.” No registration required.
Jan
24
Perspective Snowmen with Miss Heather - January 24 - Ages 9+
Make a three dimensional snowman using perspective and blending with pastels. In this workshop we will create fun snowman personalities while learning to blend and layer pastels. Register by January 22.
Feb
21
"Zine" Workshop for Kids - February 21, 2026
Join the University of Iowa Art Education students for a free workshop. Kids will create a “magazine” page to illustrate their own stories, using collage methods.
Jan
31
Free Family Event: CATurday - January 31
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.
Jan
22
K-Pop Demon Hunters with Miss Brianna - January 22 - Ages 10+
Join artist and K-Pop fan Brianna Rivers to create your own Derpy Tiger using acrylic paints on canvas. All supplies will be provided and no experience is necessary. Come join the fun! This class is free, but registration by January 20 is required..
Feb
15
Learning to Look with Carol J. Anthony: "Midwest Icons" - February 15 FREE
Join us for a guided discussion of the "Midwest Icons" exhibit. You will learn to look, analyze, and decipher art and the intent of the maker. Beginning and working artists, as well as general art lovers, are invited to participate. Registration required by February 12, by calling (563) 263-8282.
Jan
21
JANUARY EVENTS
Check flyer below for at-a-glance information on what is happening at the Muscatine Art Center during the month of December! Call us at 563-263-8282 for more information on classes, programming, and to sign up.
Mar
19
Art Array 2026 Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony - March 19, 2026
Meet and mingle with Art Array 2026 artists and jurors. See this year’s entries. Be on hand when the winners of the first, second, and third place prizes are announced. No registration required.
Feb
10
Projects to Go - "Valentine's Day Take & Makes", available February 10-15
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
21
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!
Jan
21
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.
