Looking for different dragons to slay than just the ones offering bad pickup lines? A local science-fiction and curio shop is looking to offer “more than just bars and church events” in the area on weekend nights, boasting a slate to ultimately include gaming, trivia nights, dungeons and dragons, Magic and more. Dickens’ Curiosity Shop, 207 W. 2nd St., opened in 2017, and since then has been expanding its universe of collectibles, books and art items for sale on its shelves. Along with that growth has come an expansion of the store’s place in the local entertainment galaxy. “We’re... Read More

Alexis Huscko sits in a coffee shop below a mural of a multi-colored brew emanating from a magical cauldron, and it may as well be an avatar for her own vibrant thoughts. The 24-year-old born-and-raised in Muscatine is ebullient and upbeat as she discusses her many passions, all of which share one common thread – a love and respect for humanity and a desire to spread those good vibes and create a legacy that leaves this world better for her presence.   Huscko is active in a number of altruistic and idealistic ventures with a common thread of equality and human rights – she’s active with... Read More

Connect with your inner artist at Sunrise Galleries, this weekend! All weekend long, Sunrise Galleries (114 E 2nd Street Muscatine) will be hosting Alcohol Ink Workshops, with Artist Paula Crandell. And you’re invited! Come learn about alcohol Ink with Artist Paula Crandell! This relatively new medium is known for its vibrant colors and unpredictable mixing and movements on a slick surface.  From Sioux City, Paula is thrilled to bring alcohol ink to Eastern Iowa.  She says she is on a mission to bring legitimacy to this art form. Paula will provide everything you need to explore and create... Read More

Still looking for the perfect way to celebrate National Gumdrop Day? Well look no further! Celebrate National Gumdrop Day this Friday Feb 15 from 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. at the Muscatine Art Center (1314 Mulberry Ave. Muscatine). Credit to the modern gumdrop candy goes to chemist and candy manufacturer Percy S. Truesdell. He took the once hard candy and altered it, turning it into the chewy candy we love today. After his death in 1948, he became known as the Gumdrop King. Help celebrate Truesdell and his invention by making your own creation out of gumdrops! Put your STEAM skills to the test and see... Read More

Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Muscatine! Make plans to attend the 2019 Happy Chinese New Year Concert this Thursday Feb 14 from 7 – 9 p.m. at The Muscatine Center for Performing Arts – Central Middle School (901 Cedar Street Muscatine). This concert features the world-renowned China National Peking Opera Company and the unforgettable Hubei Chime Bells National Chinese Orchestra! This is a free concert and NO tickets are required. For questions please contact Dan Stein, Chairman, Muscatine/China Initiatives Committee at steindan@hotmail.com.  Read More

Do you LOVE chocolate? Join Silver Bell Hollow (13111 311th St W Illinois City) this Sunday Feb 10 from 2 – 4:30 p.m. for the exclusive Chocolate Lovers Fiber Art Event! Enjoy some delectable chocolate treats, an adorable chocolate themed fiber art project, and cuddle time with the alpacas! Your class fee includes all the materials you need to make a box of needle felted chocolates and all of the chocolatey goodness you can eat! Event fee is $45 per person. Registration is required. Limited spots available. This is an adult class. Go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b054baba72ca3f85-silver5... Read More

Paint-N-Sip while staying warm this Thursday evening! Make plans to attend Sunrise Galleries’ (114 E 2nd Street Muscatine) Paint-N-Sip Botanicals event this Thursday Jan 31 from 6 – 9 p.m. With guidance and encouragement from Sunrise Galleries artists you’ll paint botanicals of your choice to match your home décor, to create something special for someone special, or simply paint for fun and creativity. The cost of this class is only $45 and includes your canvas (16”x20” ready to paint), paint, brushes, equipment, professional gallery & studio inspiration, instruction, guidance and... Read More

The Muscatine Art Center will feature one of Muscatine’s own in the exhibition, “Jon Fasanelli-Cawelti: Atlas,” opening on January 17th with a reception in the afternoon on January 19th. Fasanelli-Cawelti is an accomplished printmaker. His artwork features the people, places and objects, especially musical instruments, which are woven into his daily routines. His technique of intaglio printing dates back to the 1400s but Fasanelli-Cawelti has found innovative ways to present a traditional technique. In 2013, the Muscatine Art Center featured a retrospective of Fasanelli-Cawelti’s first... Read More

Join The Little Red Hen (612 Hope Ave Muscatine) for 7 months of crazy fun learning to create the Crazy Good Life Quilt by Janet Nesbitt of One Crazy Sister formally of Buggy Barn. Each month you will get a pattern and fabric for each of the 9 blocks plus spend a couple hours either on Tuesday night or Saturday morning learning how to make the blocks except the last month which will be a Wednesday night when Janet herself joins in! Besides receiving patterns for the blocks in this quilt you will also receive patterns to make single quilts out of each block. That is a total of 10 patterns plus the... Read More

Gerberich’s Gadgetry: Re-Tooled is on display now at the Muscatine Art Center (1314 Mulberry Ave Muscatine). The exhibit will be ending on Sunday Dec 30. This is one exhibit you won’t want to miss! From a pack rat’s treasure trove of motors, toys, and other bric-a-brac, Steve Gerberich builds some of the most entertaining contraptions you’ve ever seen. An alchemist of odds and ends, he’s always searching for possibilities: a plastic dinosaur for this, a lampshade for that. He spins them all together in an elaborate call and response; call it a dialogue between mechanical memories... Read More