Henri Rousseau: Reverse Glass Tropical Forest Painting Saturday, March 22, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. (Register by March 21) Henri Rousseau was a French Post-Impressionist painter in the “Primitive” or “Naïve” style. Primarily a self-taught artist, Rousseau claimed he had “no teacher other than nature”, and indeed a majority of his works depicted jungle scenes and... Read More →

Saturday, March 15, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. - $25 (Register by March 14) 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... Read More →

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.... Read More →

Grant Wood: Lilies of the Alley Saturday, February 22, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. (Register by February 21) Iowa artist Grant Wood grew up near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and spent most of his life in the area, painting scenes of the Midwest, from farm landscapes, to portraits of farmers, and more. In the early 1920s when... Read More →

Dr. Marian Lee, Piano Professor and Chair of St. Ambrose University's Music Department, will delight the senses with a program that includes an international array of music from familiar composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff to the more exotic music of Esmail, Frank, and Onalbaeva. Dr. Lee made her New York City debut... Read More →

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... Read More →

Vada Baker leads this class where participants use beautiful watercolors to paint a proud rooster. All supplies included. No experience necessary. Class fees are $15 or $13.50 for Friends Members. REGISTER BY JANUARY 31.

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! Register by January 29.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of the Snake begins January 29, 2025. The dates of the Chinese Lunar New Year varies every year, but falls on a day in either January or February, unlike the Gregorian Calendar, where New Year’s Eve is always December 31st. Join Miss Julie to learn more about the... Read More →

Artist Vada Baker leads this class where participants use watercolors in contrasting colors to bring to life a bright red cardinal against a winter backdrop. All supplies included. No experience necessary. Register by January 10.

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... Read More →

Sunny Jain is a composer, drummer, dhol player, and thought leader. In 2021, Jain released Phoenix Rise, a collaborative effort featuring over 50 artists. Called the “Hendrix of dhol” by Manchester Salon (UK), Jain is most known for founding the pioneering band Red Baraat, a frenzied fusion of bhangra, hip-hop, jazz, rock, and sheer, unbridled... Read More →

Teens can get creative with fun and easy crafts and projects, complete with snacks and music. Registration not required. Ages 13+.

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! Registration not required.

Artist Vada Baker leads this adult studio class where participants use watercolors to create a scenic barn as the season changes. All supplies included. No experience necessary. Sunday, October 20, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. $15/$13.50 for Friends members. Register by October 18.

Faith Ringgold was an American painter, author, mixed media sculptor, performance artist, and activist, perhaps best known for her narrative quilts. She was the author of 17 children’s books, including ‘Tar Beach ‘ based on her quilt story by the same name. Celebrate Faith’s artistic legacy by creating a story project of your own. Saturday,... Read More →

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 basic skills but also experiment with fun textures through a variety of more advanced weaving techniques. Session 1: Warp a loom... Read More →

Artist Vada Baker leads this class where participants will use rich watercolors to paint a friendly raven against a bright burst background. All supplies included. No experience necessary. Sunday, September 22 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. $15/$13.50 for Friends members Register by September 20

Leo Sewell - Saturday, September 21, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Leo Sewell is an American “found” object artist that creates assemblages out of recycled materials or “junk”, and whose pieces are in over 40 museums and private collections worldwide. Build your own assemblage using “found” objects. Register by September 20.

Saturday, September 21, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Reptiles In partnership with Muscatine County Conservation, join us in the Muscatine Art Center studio to learn about some reptiles with naturalist Michelle Berns from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Kids will get to see live reptiles and hear about habitats and habits. Then, from 11:30 a.m.... Read More →

Join us in downtown Muscatine for a jewelry-making workshop that includes unique wines, beers, and hors d’oeuvres. Melissa and her staff will lend their jewelry-designing expertise, helping participants create original necklaces, bracelets, or earrings for $45 a person. Additional wine and beer offered for sale. No experience necessary. Contact Melissa at 319-930-9189 or stop in... Read More →

Muscatine artist Jim Elias uses acrylics and watercolors to explore his faith and connection to the natural world. Meet Jim during the Artist Reception on Sunday, September 22, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Free admission.

Saturday, September 7, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. & Saturday, September 14, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Learn to use a variety of clay methods to create cool, realistic clay food! We will work with pinch pots, slabs, and coils to make a plate of your favorite foods. This is a two-part class, one to create (September... Read More →