Dead Central is a gallery space on the Main Floor of McHenry Library at UC Santa Cruz dedicated to exploring cultural, social, and creative moments in the twentieth century in which the Grateful Dead played a critical part. Exhibits feature unique materials from the Grateful Dead Archive alongside original sources from across the University Library's rich historical collections. The creation of Dead Central was made possible through a generous grant from the Brittingham Family Foundation.
Dead Central admission is free and open to the public during all normal McHenry Library hours.
LOCATION: Dead Central, on the main level of McHenry Library
Any reference to the Grateful Dead, perhaps the world’s most iconic improvisational band, can easily conjure images in one’s mind of psychedelic tie-dyed clothes, dancing bears, and rose-garlanded skeletons. But just as they defied expectations with their music, the band also inspired in their listeners a diverse visual landscape in response to their songs.
(card sent to the Grateful Dead from Dead Heads Japan, with art by Miki Saito)
Imagining the Dead: Photographs and Photographers in the Grateful Dead Archive, 1965-1995
May 15, 2016 - April 30, 2017
Imagining the Dead presented more than 200 images and artifacts drawn from every era of the Grateful Dead.
This exhibit explored the art that documented, celebrated, and inspired the Grateful Dead and their fans.