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
20
Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - "Ben Shahn" - September 20
Ben Shahn was a Lithuanian-born American artist trained as a printmaker. He was inspired by social issues, American consumer culture, and the lives of everyday people, including shopping carts which will be the focus of this engaging drawing exercise. Please register by September 18.
Sep
11
Collage Workshop for Kids with Miss Annette - September 11 - Ages 13+
Collage, from the French verb coller, meaning "to glue," is the process of gluing and assembling various materials to a flat surface. Youth participants will use handmade papers and ephemera to create their own landscapes and images using classic collage techniques.
Aug
28
Gelli Printmaking for Kids with Miss Heather - August 28 - Ages 9+
Gelli printmaking is a fascinating and fun form of monoprint using a gelatin printing plate and acrylic paint. Test your creativity imprinting textures like bubble wrap, fabric, stamps, stencils, cutouts, plants, and more to create colorful, unique prints. Its easy, fun, and ADDICTIVE! Please register by August 26.
Sep
6
Adult Studio: "Choose Your Theme" Acrylic Painting with Kay Flanders - September 6
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. No prior painting experience necessary. Fee is $25. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up. REGISTER BY JUNE 6.
Sep
14
Adult Workshop: Drum Leaf Bookbinding with Heather Seibel - September 14
Learn the art of drum leaf binding, a book structure built without any sewing or stitching. This workshop covers the techniques to create a beautifully bound book with options unique additions, combining traditional craftsmanship with your own creative expression. Please register by September 12.
Aug
2
Mini Masters Watermelon Day - August 2
Enjoy the last bit of summer by celebrating the Mini Masters in your life! Meet our teachers, make some crafts, get some "cool" snacks, and more. There is no registration for this free event. All ages are encouraged to come join the fun!
Aug
31
Labor Day Closings
Muscatine Art Center will be closed Sunday, August 31 through Monday, September 1 in observation of the Labor Day holiday. Thank you and enjoy your holiday!
Sep
25
Marvin Cone and Grant Wood: Their Life, Artworks, and Friendship - September 25
In celebration of the new "Midwest Icons" exhibit, art scholar Carol Ehlers, a noter lecturer who volunteers at the Figge Art Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago, will discuss two Iowa artists, Grant Wood and Marvin Cone. The presentation will explore the friendship of these master artists and offer insights into their life stories through their extraordinary bodies of work. This event is free, and no registration is required.
Sep
27
Talking About Art: Learning to Look - September 27
Join artist Carol J. Anthony for this salon-inspired gathering. Through guided discussion, explore original works of art and strengthen your abilities to analyze and decipher art and the intent of the maker. This workshop will offer peer support to learn to look and discuss components of the artistic process. Beginning and established artists interested in developing constructive critique skills, as well as general art lovers, are invited to participate. No prior experience is necessary. Each session will begin by spotlighting a few works in the Muscatine Art Center’s permanent collection. Artists are encouraged to bring in a completed work of art or a work in progress for discussion of the critique elements that could be applied to their own works of art. Please register by the Thursday prior to the Saturday session by calling (563) 263-8282. Fees are $15 or $10 for Friends Members.
Sep
28
Red Barn Studio - Vibrant Color - September 28
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*
Aug
24
Red Barn Studio - Bokeh Blending Technique - August 24
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*
Aug
30
Talking About Art: Learning to Look - Saturdays, August 30 and September 27
Join artist Carol J. Anthony for this salon-inspired gathering. Through guided discussion, explore original works of art and strengthen your abilities to analyze and decipher art and the intent of the maker. This workshop will offer peer support to learn to look and discuss components of the artistic process. Beginning and established artists interested in developing constructive critique skills, as well as general art lovers, are invited to participate. No prior experience is necessary. Each session will begin by spotlighting a few works in the Muscatine Art Center’s permanent collection. Artists are encouraged to bring in a completed work of art or a work in progress for discussion of the critique elements that could be applied to their own works of art. Please register by the Thursday prior to the Saturday session by calling (563) 263-8282. Fees are $15 or $10 for Friends Members.
Aug
23
Live Animals with Muscatine County Conservation - August 23
Our friends from Muscatine County Conservation will visit the Muscatine Art Center so we can learn about, and interact with , live animals, including your favorite reptiles and amphibians. Stay for a fun craft celebrating our new "Friends!" There is no registration for this free event.
Jul
22
Bilingual Mini Masters Fourth Tuesdays July 22 at 10:30 a.m.
The new Bilingual Mini Masters is a free class in partnership with the Diversity Service Center of Iowa to provide Spanish language translations. The classes will be offered the fourth Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.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, but reservations required by calling 563-263-8282.
Sep
18
60th Anniversary Celebration - September 18
Gather with your fellow Muscatine Art Center friends and supporters to celebrate the first 60 years of this local treasure! Take in the new exhibition, "Midwest Icons: Grant Wood, John Steuart Curry, and Thomas Hart Benton," and meet artist Kimble Bromley who will unveil his painting of the Japanese Garden, created for the anniversary celebration. The unveiling and brief remarks are scheduled for 5:45 p.m. This event is free and registration is not required. All are welcome!
Aug
14
Collage Workshop with Annette Hovland - August 14th
Join artist and arts educator Annette Hovland to explore the art of collage. Participants will enjoy experimenting with handmade papers and glue, cutting and pasting colors and textures to create their own masterpiece of collage! Come join the fun! Register by August 12th by calling (563) 263-8282. Fees are $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members.
Aug
16
Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - Thomas Bewick's "Nature Illustration" - August 16
Thomas Bewick was an English wood-engraver and natural history author of the late 1th and early 19th century. A foremost authority on British birds, he engaged the imagination of many admirers, including Emily Bronte who most notably included a reference to Bewick in her novel Jane Eyre. Students will try their hand at creating their own nature illustration.
Jul
26
Talking About Art: Learning to Look - Saturdays, July 26, August 30, and September 27
Join artist Carol J. Anthony for this salon-inspired gathering. Through guided discussion, explore original works of art and strengthen your abilities to analyze and decipher art and the intent of the maker. This workshop will offer peer support to learn to look and discuss components of the artistic process. Beginning and established artists interested in developing constructive critique skills, as well as general art lovers, are invited to participate. No prior experience is necessary. Each session will begin by spotlighting a few works in the Muscatine Art Center’s permanent collection. Artists are encouraged to bring in a completed work of art or a work in progress for discussion of the critique elements that could be applied to their own works of art. Please register by the Thursday prior to the Saturday session by calling (563) 263-8282. Fees are $15 or $10 for Friends Members.
Jul
31
Dried Flower Creations with Bonnie Buelt - July 31
Join flower expert and floral artist Bonnie Buelt of Island Floral to learn how to cut, dry, arrange, and preserve flowers from your garden. Participants will see a variety of techniques and finished design options for wreathmaking, wedding bouquets, and floral décor, and will make their own small dried arrangement to take home with them. Register by July 29 by calling (563) 263-8282. Fees are $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members.
Jul
27
Red Barn Studio - Loose Brush Technique - July 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*
Jul
18
Footliters Traveling Playhouse - "The School for Spies" Final Performance - July 18 DOORS OPEN AT 6 PM!
The Muscatine community is invited to a free performance of The School for Spies, an original musical featuring local talent. From July 14 through July 18, area kids ages 7 to 18, auditioned, rehearsed, and will perform the musical alongside three professional teaching artists. The School for Spies is a brand-new production with a script from Katie Colletta and original music by Jason Sifford. The theater camp was organized by the Footliters Traveling Playhouse, part of the Coralville Center for Performing Arts. The camp was offered at no cost, thanks to the support of Quad City Arts, through the Arts Dollars re-granting program, supported by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency, The Hubbel-Waterman Foundation, and the Quad Cities Community Foundation - Isabel Bloom Art Education Endowment.
Jul
12
Artist Workshops for Kids with Miss Julie - "Dubuffet's Dogs" - July 12
Jean Philippe Arthur Dubuffet was a French painter best known for coining the term "Art Brut," a phrase used to describe artists who were not formally trained and who often worked outside mainstream culture. Participants will create a colorful and “brutish” art inspired by Dubuffet’s Dogs.
Jul
7
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!
Jul
7
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.
