Mystic Museum of Art to open summer exhibition on Connecticut textiles

Mystic Museum of Art opens Luxe, CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways on June 26, with the show running through Oct. 11, 2026. The exhibition traces Connecticut’s textile history from historic mills to contemporary fashion and pairs regional artifacts with modern designers tied to the state.

Why it matters: - The exhibition links Connecticut’s textile past to present-day fashion, showing how labor, craft, immigration and industry shaped ideas of luxury. - The show also spotlights contemporary designers with Connecticut ties, extending the museum’s local history lens into current creative work.

What happened: - Mystic Museum of Art will present Luxe, CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways, a summer exhibition opening June 26 and running through Oct. 11, 2026. - The exhibition examines textiles in Connecticut from the precolonial era through contemporary fashion. - A preview reception is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for sponsors, lenders, members of the press and hospitality, elected officials and MMoA members.

The details: - Luxe, CT is inspired by southeastern Connecticut’s historic velvet industry. - The exhibition includes beadwork, embroidery, quilts, velvet and fashion from regional institutional partners and Mystic Museum of Art’s permanent collection. - The exhibition is presented with Historic Stonington, Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center and Mystic Seaport Museum. - Visitors will see objects tied to labor, innovation, community traditions and changing systems of value across generations. - Contemporary fashion designers highlighted in the show include Xarea Lockhart, Toriana Sauro, Christian Siriano and Peter Som. - Public programs, workshops and other events will run throughout the exhibition. - The exhibition will be at Mystic Museum of Art, 9 Water Street, Mystic, Connecticut. - More information, exhibition schedules and tickets are available at mysticmuseumofart.org.

Between the lines: - The exhibition positions textiles as both art and economic history, not just fashion. - The museum is using regional partnerships to broaden the story beyond one collection or one institution. - Executive Director Alana Ryder said the show aims to connect regional history to contemporary conversations around identity, community and creative expression.

What’s next: - Mystic Museum of Art will continue adding public programs and workshops across the run of the exhibition. - Visitors can attend the preview event before the public opening. - The museum’s website will carry schedules and ticket details as the show approaches and begins.

The bottom line: - Luxe, CT turns Connecticut textiles into a broad story about culture, craft and change across centuries.