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Marc Sijan’s lifelike representations of real people have been featured in dozens of one-man exhibitions. Sijan’s attention to the human body - tiny hairs, pores, freckles, wrinkles - has amazed many viewers. His gritty illustrations of real people explore the universal and eternal concerns of the human form. The 2023 exhibition is his third at the Muscatine Art Center. Marc Sijan’s ultra-realistic sculptures are “homages to humanity’s fascination with its own forms—a fascination which has compelled artists throughout the millennia to mirror life in virtually every medium.” Sijan’s figures are incredibly lifelike, sensuous, and graceful. His figures are so lifelike, they seem always on the verge of movement, a mere instant away from action. The pores in the skin, the Tiny hairs and veins, even the bald spots, the blemishes, and the individual shapes of the faces make human beings so similar, yet so unique. These details make Marc Sijan’s work especially arresting.

Bob Campagna served as the Director of the Low Rent Housing Commission when Muscatine established its first public housing project. Hired at the age of 23, Campagna screened and aided in selecting the first residents of the Clark House. After “move in day”, Campagna was instrumental in establishing a community among the residents and staff members. One of Bob’s special projects was to create a directory of residents, and he photographed each individual, couple, or family group. This exhibition examines the ups and downs of building the Clark House, the relocation of the historic Alexander Clark home, and the stories of the individuals working to improve living conditions in the 1970s.

Juried Exhibition presented by the Muscatine County Arts Council March 17 - May 28, 2023. Reception on March 16 from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. First prize is $500. Details at https://www.muscatineartcenter.org/artists.

Make a “tchotchke” egg with Miss Julie just in time to celebrate Easter and bring on spring.

Introduce your children to the world of art with free art classes. Each class consists of a story and two art projects! Classes meet Wednesdays from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. & Thursdays from 3:30 - 4:15 p.m. Advanced registration is required. Classes are FREE! Call 563-263-8282 to register. Sun shines on a patch of snow. Hocus pocus! Where did it go? Winter turns to spring in this lyrical book that celebrates the magic of nature and the changing seasons. Finally, it’s warm enough to pack away winter clothes and go out and play!

Introduce your children to the world of art with free art classes. Each class consists of a story and two art projects! Classes meet Wednesdays from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. & Thursdays from 3:30 - 4:15 p.m. Advanced registration is required. Classes are FREE! Call 563-263-8282 to register. Sun shines on a patch of snow. Hocus pocus! Where did it go? Winter turns to spring in this lyrical book that celebrates the magic of nature and the changing seasons. Finally, it’s warm enough to pack away winter clothes and go out and play!

Join local historian Dan Clark, who serves on the Alexander Clark Foundation, for a discussion on efforts to reach school children, scholars, and the general public with the story of this African American Muscatine man who pushed for change starting in the mid 1800s. Dan Clark will highlight segments from his weekly  Muscatine Journal column on Alexander Clark.