CEDAR CITY — Music had a heyday in the 1960s and 1970s. Artists were free to explore and create new sounds and new music for a generation. The “Age of Aquarius” was upon the world, and in recognition of this important time in musical – and American – history, a new exhibition at the Southern Utah Museum of Art will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the “Summer of Love.”
“During the summer of 1967, thousands of people descended on San Francisco to play, party and protest,” Roland Gow, the curator of the exhibit, said. “This event became known as the ‘Summer of Love’ and was a gathering eclipsed only by Woodstock in 1969.”
Starting Thursday and running through Sept. 16, posters celebrating the music of the era as performed at Bill Graham’s Fillmore West will be on display. A mile from the original San Francisco Fillmore Auditorium, Fillmore West opened in July 1968 and closed three years later. During that time, it was home to a wide variety of music that was often advertised by custom designed posters.
To kick off this trip in time, the Friends of SUMA will host a vibrant opening reception Thursday with the theme of the 1960s and 1970s. Don your tie-dyed tops and bell-bottom pants and dance the night away with your friends.
This free event will be held from 6-8 p.m. and will feature light refreshments, music by the bands featured in the exhibition and opportunities for prizes such as “Name that Tune” with a DJ.
Seeing as a few pieces of art displayed in this exhibit will offer presentations of the nude human figure, SUMA asks that concerned patrons view the exhibit before bringing children into the museum.
Event details
- What: “Summer of Love” musical poster exhibition.
- When:
- Exhibit: Aug. 24 – Sept. 16. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m., closed Sunday.
- Opening reception: Aug. 24, 6-8 p.m.
- Where: Southern Utah Museum of Art, 13 S. 300 West, Cedar City.
- Details: For more information, please visit the website or call 435-586-5432
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
A poster that will be on display at the Southern Utah Museum of Art, undated | Photo courtesy of Southern Utah Museum of Art, St. George News / Cedar City News A poster that will be on display at the Southern Utah Museum of Art, undated | Photo courtesy of Southern Utah Museum of Art, St. George News / Cedar City News A poster that will be on display at the Southern Utah Museum of Art, undated | Photo courtesy of Southern Utah Museum of Art, St. George News / Cedar City News
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