Tim Schiffer, Tribute: Muscatine Still Lifes, watercolor, 2024
MUSCATINE, IOWA (June 18, 2025) — 2025 marks the sixtieth anniversary of the Muscatine Art Center, and the Annual Ice Cream Social on June 29 will have some special additions. The Friends of the Muscatine Art Center invites the local community to celebrate during this free, family-oriented event, 1-4PM.
Throughout the afternoon, visitors can peek over the shoulders of four local artists as they paint in the rehabilitated Japanese Garden. Art lovers can meet artist Tim Schiffer, former Director of the Figge Art Museum, whose “tributes to Muscatine” in the form of watercolor paintings are on view in the historic house. Also on view in the historic house 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 is 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, 1-4PM, with an intermission 2-3PM.
During intermission, Metro Mix Chorus will delight listeners with four-part harmony, barbershop style music.
Other family-friendly activities include games in the courtyard, building with big blue blocks from Musser Public Library, studio projects for the kids, art activities with the Muscatine County Arts Council, and learning about wildlife with Muscatine County Conservation. Kids can also earn a prize by exploring all of the different activities offered as part of the event.
Plein Air Painting in the Japanese Garden
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.
“The event is a great place to interact with fellow art and local history fans as well as your friends and neighbors,” explains Melanie Alexander, Director of the Muscatine Art Center. “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.”
For the sixtieth 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 the Tim Schiffer’s commissioned “Tribute: Muscatine Still Lifes” and Randy Richmond’s photography, and the debut of coloring pages created by Laura Palmer.
Entertainment during the 2024 Annual Ice Cream Social
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 1PM 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 sixtieth-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, 10AM-5PM; Thursday evenings, until 7PM; and Saturday and Sunday, 1-5:00PM. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Visit muscatineartcenter.org for more information about programs and events and to download a quarterly newsletter.
