The Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, Connecticut, will host a live performance by the Grateful Dead tribute band Mystic Dead on June 11, 2026, as a fundraiser for the museum's education and public programs. The event is tied to the upcoming exhibition "Psychedelic Splendor: The Concert Art of AJ Masthay & Helen Kennedy," which runs from June 13 to September 26 and features over 20 gig posters created for bands including Black Sabbath, Dave Matthews Band, and The Grateful Dead. The exhibit marks the first museum show for both Connecticut-based artists, who are known for their screen-printed concert posters.
This event matters because it highlights the growing recognition of gig poster design as a legitimate art form within museum contexts, bridging popular music culture and visual art. The fundraiser also underscores the museum's commitment to community engagement and educational programming, while bringing regional artists and a local tribute band together to attract diverse audiences. The exhibition positions the Mattatuck Museum as a platform for contemporary graphic art and counterculture aesthetics in Connecticut.