Lunar Legacy

This year is the 50th anniversary of man's first steps on the moon. Unknown to many current residents, back in the 1960s Flagstaff played important roles in the journey to the moon; it was a training site for astronauts, equipment for the lunar landing was built in Flagstaff, and detailed maps of the moon were created here by artists using images viewed through the telescopes at Lowell Observatory!

All year long Lowell Observatory and other local organizations are celebrating the legacy of Flagstaff's contributions to the first moon landing and continued space exploration efforts. Nature provides many places for science and art to intersect, but the moon in its mystery has always been a subject of particular interest to scientists and artists alike. Even though humankind has visited the moon many times since 1969, that is no less true now than it was fifty years ago. ​ 

One of George's blown glass Moon Balls in front of Serena Supplee's oil painting "River in the Sky"

To help celebrate the continued significance of studying the moon and the anniversary of the lunar landing, we have invited our artists to share their own perception of the moon for the June ArtWalk!​​

We'll have lunar-focused work from many of our artists...including a new reduction woodcut that Julie Williams made this spring called "Moonrise", graphite pieces by Linda Shearer-Whiting, fused glass moon art by Judi Hartman, celestial paintings by Frederica Hall, lunar photography by Angela Yamauchi...and of course lots of George's moon balls! And during the ArtWalk The Local Group will be playing music all inspired by man's fascination with the moon and stars!

We hope you'll come join us on June 7th from 6-9pm for the celebration during ArtWalk, but if you miss it, we'll have our lunar show up during the whole month of June. Be sure to check out the NAZ Today interview with George about his limited run of moon balls, and visit the Lunar Legacy page for information about other moon landing anniversary events!