National Inspire Your Heart with Art Day is a day to reflect on how art affects your heart. Art, in all of its forms, has the power to move us, and to inspire our hearts. Of all the different kinds of art created in the world, those that move us to tears or cause us to burst out in laughter remain with us for a lifetime.

Living Proof Exhibit grew out of a friendship between two women who used art as therapy in coping with a diagnosis of breast cancer. The two women curated their first exhibit at Bucktown Center for the Arts in Davenport in 2010. Since that time, Living Proof Exhibit has partnered with the Figge Art Museum, the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, UnityPoint Health-Trinity Cancer Center, and the Peoria Public Library to display works of art by cancer patients and survivors.

A new ornament competition is coming to the Muscatine Art Center as a fundraiser for Friends of the Muscatine Art Center. Crafters, artists, and craftsmen of all ages are encouraged to compete, and cash prizes will be award in two categories – one for adults and one for 18 and under. The Heartfelt and Handmade Ornament Competition will be on view from November 18th through December 14th.

The Muscatine Art Center is pleased to announce that it has received a $10,000 grant from the Cultural Leadership Partners (CLP) program from the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Grant funds will support wages for weekend staff and specific museum purposes such as purchasing archival materials and presenting public programs.