The Research & Development Store launches an expanded exhibition and event space with 50 Years of PUNK, honoring the groundbreaking legacy of PUNK Magazine. 50 Years of PUNK celebrates not only the publication’s enduring cultural impact but also the artists, photographers, and musicians who helped shape one of the most influential creative movements of the 20th century.

The exhibition is organized by Ki Smith Gallery and features art and photographs by Roberta Bayley, R. Crumb, Shepard Fairey, Danny Fields, Bob Gruen, and Chris Stein, and special contributions from Brian Eno, Debbie Harry, David Byrne, Mark Mothersbaugh, Joan Jett, and many more.

At the heart of 50 Years of PUNK is a suite of eleven signed and numbered silk screens produced by Gary Lichtenstein Editions. These works reimagine and revive original stills from PUNK Magazine, transforming the publication’s playful, subversive art and photography into bold, large-scale, and collectible fine art screen prints.

January 1976 saw the first photocopied issues of PUNK #1 sold at burgeoning downtown club CBGB. When Rough Trade (U.K. Indie Label & Record Shop) imported thousands of copies of PUNK Magazine #3 to England, it guaranteed attention for the Ramones’ legendary first UK performance (July 1976 at the Roundhouse) and the co-mingling of the U.S. and U.K. punk scenes.

This underground zine would help define a generation and transform a downtown New York art and music scene into a global punk movement. This exhibition invites audiences to revisit — and rediscover — the rebellious energy, humor, and artistic innovation that made PUNK Magazine a defining force in contemporary culture.

Core support for the Department of Public Programs is provided by the WLS Spencer Foundation.

Major support is generously provided by the national Leadership in Art Museums (LAM) initiative funded by the Alice L. Walton Foundation, Mellon Foundation, and Pilot House Philanthropy; the Feigenbaum Foundation; and the Ruth E. Proud Charitable Trust.

Support is also provided by Anonymous (2); the Avangrid Foundation, in partnership with Berkshire Gas Company; the Robert Lehman Foundation; Berkshire Bank; Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation; and MountainOne.