News Flash

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Art Center is turning 60, and the community is invited to help celebrate at the annual Ice Cream Social on Sunday, June 29, from 1 to 4 p.m. This beloved tradition—hosted by the Friends of the Muscatine Art Center—offers a fun, free afternoon for families, friends, and art lovers of all ages.

“This event is a great place to interact with fellow art and local history fans as well as your friends and neighbors,” Melanie Alexander, Director of the Muscatine Art Center, said. “We see first-time visitors and ‘frequent-flyers,’ but it is especially rewarding to talk with those who have not been to the Art Center for a few years. They especially take note of changes like the rehabilitation of the Japanese Garden, the exhibitions, and the impressive collections on view.” 

This year’s event features special touches in honor of the Art Center’s 60th anniversary, including plein air painting demonstrations in the newly rehabilitated Japanese Garden, and exclusive exhibitions highlighting the permanent collection and local collaborations.

Throughout the afternoon, visitors will be able to peek over the shoulders of four local artists as they paint in the rehabilitated Japanese Garden. Art lovers can meet Tim Schiffer, former Director of Davenport’s Figge Art Museum, whose “tributes to Muscatine”, in the form of watercolor paintings, will be on view in the historic house.

Also on view are portraits from the permanent collection, a series of photographs by Randy Richmond, and highlights from Jim Burr’s local history collection. The “Muscatine History Revisited” exhibition remains on view in the Stanley Gallery and offers an immersion into Muscatine’s past.   

Music enthusiasts will enjoy the sounds of Pandelirium’s steel drums from 1 to 4 p.m. with an intermission from 2 to 3 p.m. that will feature Metro Mix Chorus who will delight listeners with four-part harmony and their barbershop style of music. 

Other family-friendly activities include games in the courtyard, building with big blue blocks from Musser Public Library, studio projects for the children, art activities with the Muscatine County Arts Council, and learning about wildlife with Muscatine County Conservation. Children can also earn a prize by exploring all of the different activities offered as part of the event.

The Friends of the Muscatine Art Center’s Annual Ice Cream Social has been a local tradition since 1979. The event raises funds for the Friends organization through the sale of ice cream, desserts, and other items. The Friends organization supports the educational mission of the Muscatine Art Center and helps fund staff wages for the Education Coordinator and the Registrar / Curator. 

For the 60th anniversary, the Muscatine Art Center team has spotlighted the permanent collection and collaborations with artists. The event features plein air painting demonstrations, the display of Tim Schiffer’s commissioned “Tribute: Muscatine Still Lifes” and Randy Richmond’s photography, and the debut of coloring pages created by Laura Palmer. 

As always, those who participated in the family-friendly bike ride will receive a token for a free ice cream during the event. The bike ride is free of charge. Riders will depart from the Charles and Jean Harper Pavilion on Houser Street at 1:00 p.m. and stop at the Muscatine Art Center. The Melon City Bike Club and Harper’s Cycle and Fitness are the organizers of the bike ride.

Admission to the Ice Cream Social is free of charge. In addition to selling ice cream, the Friends organization is offering slices of pie, brownies, and cookies to satisfy your sweet tooth and distributing special 60th anniversary buttons for a free-will donation. 

The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday evenings until 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Visit www.muscatineartcenter.org for more information about programs and events and to download a quarterly newsletter.