mighty mouse

If you're familiar with music poster art, you've seen the work of the iconic Stanley "Mouse" Miller. Perhaps best known for his work with The Grateful Dead, Mouse is also responsible for the poster and album cover art for Big Brother and the Holding Company, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix and the Steve Miller Band, among others. Mouse's significance in the music scene of the 1960's and 70's goes undisputed. "Legendary concert promoter Bill Graham referred to Stanley Mouse as one of the most important figures from the 1960's," while Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart recognizes Mouse as core to their DNA, referring to Mouse as a “part of our mythology.”

Like his peers of the psychedelic era, Mouse's rock art was heavily influenced by the work of Czech artist Alfons Mucha (a personal favorite), the godfather of a style that would come to be known as 'Art Nouveau'. Mouse continued to work in this style, making rock art and memorabilia through the 1980's, later experimenting with a variety of media and ultimately producing a significant portfolio of illustration and fine art.

Today, you'll have the chance to meet the man they call Mouse at his gallery opening at the Govinda Gallery in Washington, DC. The exhibit will run from April 13th - 30th, and marks the first ever showing of Mouse's work in The District. It's no coincidence the exhibition coincides with The Dead show at Verizon Center on April 14th. In fact, "the majority of the artwork in this exhibition has been created especially in honor of this occasion."