Jerry Garcia is well-known for being the legendary lead singer of the Grateful Dead, his experimentation with drugs and inspiring a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor. But few know that he was a trained artist who studied at the San Francisco Art Institute and that his work is currently on tour. This weekend, one of the largest collections of his work ever assembled for public view will be on display in Binghamton’s Holiday Inn Arena.

The Jerry Garcia ‘A Visual Journey’ art exhibit, which is being held by Image Makers Art Inc., will feature approximately 50 pieces created by the late guitarist. Garcia, who toured almost constantly with the Grateful Dead from 1965 to 1995, found time to create more than 500 pieces during his lifetime and held several art shows before his death in 1995.

‘It’s not necessarily common knowledge,’ said Gary Engel, exhibit coordinator for Image Makers Art Inc., of Garcia’s art. ‘Fans might not realize ‘ how versatile his art is and how many different mediums he covered.’

Engels added that some of the different works that will be seen at the exhibit include etchings, water colors, and pen and ink drawings in many different genres.

Image Makers Art Inc. began dealing with Garcia’s art in 1992.

‘We were offered his complete collection after his death in 1995,’ Engels said.

Image Makers Art Inc. specializes in celebrity art, handling works by musicians and actors such as David Bowie, Sylvester Stallone and John Lennon. The company has been touring the collection of Jerry Garcia in over 50 U.S. cities for the last eight years.

‘We know that there was a big following [of Jerry Garcia] in Binghamton and we’ve received tremendous interest so far,’ Engel said. ‘We expect to have a very nice crowd this weekend.’

The exhibit will feature approximately 50 pieces of art by Garcia as well as a piece by songwriter Bob Dylan. The exhibit will be open to the public on Saturday, April 28, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Arena, 2-8 Hawley St., in Downtown Binghamton. Admission is free.