The Art of Leisure at the Mattatuck Museum

The Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury presents The Art of Leisure, on view in the Noonan Gallery from April 12 through June 15, 2025. This wide-ranging exhibition spans more than 125 years of American history, highlighting how artists and the public have captured and celebrated the themes of travel, relaxation, and recreation.

Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, advances in transportation and growing access to public spaces transformed how Americans spent their free time. The exhibition reflects these cultural shifts through a variety of works in different media. Featured artists include James Augustus Van Der Zee, Jane Peterson, Edward Henry Potthast, and Emma Amos, along with works by local artisans and craftspeople from Waterbury.

The Art of Leisure invites visitors to explore how the concept of downtime evolved through the decades and the ways in which it has shaped American life and creativity.

The Mattatuck Museum is located at 144 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702. The exhibition is open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays through May). Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm.

Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for college students with ID, and $8 for children ages 5–18. Admission is free for members, military personnel, children under 5, and Waterbury students. For additional discounts and visitor information, visit mattmuseum.org.