Mystic Museum of Art previews summer textile and fashion exhibition

Mystic Museum of Art will host a media preview on June 24 for Luxe, CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways, a summer exhibition that opens to the public June 26 in Mystic, Connecticut. The show examines the state’s textile history and links historic craftsmanship to contemporary fashion, with work from designers including Christian Siriano and Peter Som.

Why it matters: - The exhibition connects Connecticut’s textile past to present-day fashion, showing how industry, labor, immigration, cultural identity, and creativity shaped the region. - The show puts local history in conversation with contemporary design, which can broaden public interest beyond a traditional museum audience.

What happened: - Mystic Museum of Art invited media to an opening preview of Luxe, CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways on Wednesday, June 24, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - The preview will take place at Mystic Museum of Art, 9 Water Street, in downtown Mystic, Connecticut. - The exhibition opens to the public on June 26 and runs through October 11.

The details: - The exhibition traces textiles in Connecticut from precolonial artistry and traditional craftsmanship to the region’s historic velvet industry and modern fashion design. - Historic and contemporary objects in the show include beadwork, embroidery, quilts, velvet, fashion, and decorative arts. - Mystic Museum of Art developed the exhibition with Historic Stonington, Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, and Mystic Seaport Museum. - The exhibition includes looks from Connecticut-linked designers Christian Siriano, Peter Som, Xarea Lockart, and Toriana Sauro. - Media attendees can tour the exhibition before public opening, photograph galleries and featured works, interview museum leadership, curators, and partners, and capture visitors during the opening celebration. - The preview also will highlight upcoming public programs, workshops, and special events tied to the exhibition. - Photo opportunities include historic textiles and garments, contemporary fashion designs, exhibition galleries, opening reception guests, and museum leadership and exhibition organizers. - Media planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP by calling visitor services at 860.536.7601 or emailing visitorservices@mysticmuseumofart.org. - More information is available on the museum’s website.

Between the lines: - The exhibition frames fashion as more than style, using garments and textiles to tell a broader story about Connecticut’s economy, communities, and identity. - The partnership with three regional institutions suggests an effort to anchor the exhibition in multiple local histories and collections. - Featuring contemporary designers alongside historic materials gives the show a bridge between heritage and current creative practice.

What's next: - Mystic Museum of Art will open the exhibition to the public on June 26. - Public programs, workshops, and special events linked to the show are expected during the run through October 11. - The museum is also promoting the exhibition through social media, including Instagram and Facebook.