GRASS VALLEY, CA, Tuesday, May 13, 2026 —The Center for the Arts is proud to present Ripple Effect: Art + Music + Psychedelia, an immersive group exhibition exploring the visual and cultural legacy of the psychedelic era — from its countercultural origins to its vital presence in contemporary art.
Opening with a VIP reception from 6–7 PM followed by a public opening from 7–9 PM on Friday, June 19, 2026, the exhibition runs through August 2 and features work by 18 artists brought together through a collaboration between Center for the Arts Gallery Curator Sarah Coleman and Brian Chambers, founder of The Chambers Project, widely regarded as the world’s leading psychedelic art gallery.
Ripple Effect brings together paintings and posters, both historic and contemporary, that trace the moment psychedelic experience began reshaping music, art, and global culture. Iconic imagery sits alongside original Grateful Dead album artwork and rare vintage concert posters,
interwoven with bold new work by today’s leading voices in the genre. The result is a multi-sensory journey that honors the pioneers while showcasing where psychedelic art is headed.
At the heart of the exhibition is The Chambers Project, an international hub for artists, collectors, and enthusiasts with longstanding relationships with some of the most influential figures in the field, including Ralph Steadman, Roger Dean, the Rick Griffin Estate, Oliver Vernon, and Mars-1. Founded and curated by Brian Chambers, the gallery has become a beacon for the psychedelic art community, hosting not only exhibitions but events, workshops, and discussions that bridge generations of artists and audiences.
“The rock ‘n’ roll and psychedelic counter culture revolution out of San Francisco has always been core to our programming and curation at TCP,” says Brian Chambers, founder of The Chambers Project. “To visually tell these stories with Sarah Coleman at the GV Center for the Arts is something I’m quite inspired about and excited to see.”
“A lot of our patrons actually lived through this moment, so it’s been really special to give them a bit of a throwback—while also showing everyone the artists who are carrying that energy forward today,” said Sarah Coleman, Gallery Curator at The Center for the Arts. “We wove in portrait work to put real faces to the movement, and leaned into the music side of things, because music is such a big part of what we do here at The Center. This is a next-level show for all of us in downtown Grass Valley to experience together.”
Participating Artists
Ben Vierling · Bill Walker · Colin Prahl · Dale Smith · Damon Soule · David Choong Lee · Forest Aliya · Jen Stark · Justin Lovato · Leighton Kelly · Mars-1 · Mieke Blees · Nicole Hayden · Nome Edonna · Norman Seeff · Oliver Vernon · Ralph Steadman · Rick Griffin
WHAT: Ripple Effect: Art + Music + Psychedelia
WHERE: The Center for the Arts | 314 West Main Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945
WHEN: Opening Reception: Friday, June 19, 2026 | Dates: June 19 – August 2, 2026
WEBSITE & INFO: thecenterforthearts.org | (530) 274-8384