Current
American Art Pottery Collection
Highlighted in the collection are Iowa State Pottery and pottery from other Iowa companies.
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.
Tues – Fri: 10am – 5pm
Thurs: 10am - 7pm
Sat & Sun: 1pm – 5pm
Mon: Closed
1314 Mulberry Ave,
Muscatine, IA 52761
The Mansion circa 1910
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.
American Art Pottery Collection
Highlighted in the collection are Iowa State Pottery and pottery from other Iowa companies.
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.
Muscatine History Collection
A wide variety of artifacts, ephemera, photographs, and archives makes up the Muscatine History Collection.
Costume Collection
The central pieces in the Costume Collection were owned by the Musser-McColm family.
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.
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.
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.
Iowa Regionalist Collection
The Iowa Regionalist collection features works by Grant Wood and his Iowa contemporaries.
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.
Nov
15
Many of the area cultural groups you know and love are collaborating to present a “Cultural Alliance” luncheon at the Merrill Hotel ballroom on November 15th. The event will celebrate the accomplishments of these organizations while also raising funds to support their programs, projects, and other initiatives. Look for details in October.
Dec
31
A family favorite is back! Join us at the Muscatine Art Center on Tuesday, December 31st to celebrate the new year - a little early! Enjoy some tasty snacks, create party hats and noisemakers, and stay for the balloon drop at Noon! Registration not required.
Dec
7
Get festive for a good cause! Support Friends of the Muscatine Art Center by attending the Family Festival & Market and be among the very first to purchase ornaments from the Heartfelt & Handmade Ornament Competition. Ornaments purchased during the event will be available to take home that day. New this year is the Family Festival & Market which includes a vendor market, studio crafts for kids, photos with Santa, and a free-will donation hot chocolate bar. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Muscatine Art Center and educational programs at the Muscatine Art Center. Sponsors include HNI Corporation and SSAB.
Dec
24
The Muscatine Art Center will be closed Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25 in observance of Christmas. We will reopen Thursday, December 26 at 10:00 a.m.
Dec
31
The Muscatine Art Center will close at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31 and remain closed Wednesday, January 1 in observance of New Year's. We will reopen Thursday, January 2 at 10:00 a.m.
Nov
28
The Muscatine Art Center will be closed November 28 & 29 in observance of Thanksgiving. We will reopen November 30 at 1:00 p.m.
Dec
21
Teens can get creative with fun and easy crafts and projects, complete with snacks and music. On December 21st, drop in to dye shirts with bleach. **BRING YOUR OWN DARK-COLORED SHIRTS**. Registration not required.
Dec
5
The Muscatine Art Center is excited to announce a free live performance from Sunny Jain on Thursday, December 5 beginning at 5:15 p.m. in the Muscatine Art Center Music Room. The FREE performance is in partnership with Quad City Arts Visiting Artist Series.
Nov
9
Teens can get creative with fun and easy crafts and projects, complete with snacks and music. On November 9th, drop in to make macrame and seed bead bracelets. Registration not required.
Dec
12
Feeling inspired? Grab a friend and come make a whimsical boho-inspired mobile! We’ll use ribbon, lace, fabric, and beads to create a one-of-a-kind mobile you can hang in your home. You can even add a light and turn it into a chandelier! No experience necessary. Light not included. Register by December 11. Classes are limited to 15 people. Call 563-263-8282 for more information. Fees required upon registration.
Oct
31
Celebrate the end of spooky season by stopping by the Muscatine Art Center on your trick-or-treating route on Halloween night. Miss Katy will be on the front porch of the historic Musser-McColm mansion and will have Halloween Take & Makes (while supplies last), some treats, and maybe some tricks! No registration required.
Nov
2
Pleasant Valley School District art educator Heather Seibel will lead this kids class where kids will create clay gnomes. Call 563-263-8282 to sign up. Note: this is a two session class. FREE.
Oct
17
Dive into the fun world of weaving while creating unique wall hangings in this four part studio class. This class is for both beginners and experienced alike! We will cover basics such as warping a loom and weaving techniques but also experiment with fun textures through a variety of more advanced techniques. Class fee is $50 for all four workshops. Register by October 16.
Oct
1
Check flyer below for at-a-glance information on what is happening at the Muscatine Art Center during the month of October! Call us at 563-263-8282 for more information on classes, programming, and to sign up.
Dec
15
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*
Nov
17
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*
Nov
30
Get ready for the delicious smell of gingerbread! Join Miss Julie to build your own gingerbread house! Fee for one house is $12 and includes icing ONLY. Please bring your own candy. Class size is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Register by November 26.
Oct
26
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.
Nov
6
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.
Nov
6
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.