Enjoy a Starry Night of Space Art and Photography at “Scenes from a Spacewalk”

In its newest exhibition, “Outside the Spacecraft: 50 Years of Extra-Vehicular Activity,” the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum tells the story of how astronauts accomplished the seemingly impossible—conquering the unknown and voyaging outside the spacecraft. The museum takes the telling of this story one step further at “Scenes from a Spacewalk—A Starry Night at the National Air and Space Museum” in an after-hours event Friday, Feb. 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Focusing on art and photography, this exclusive event allows visitors to immerse themselves in the gallery’s artifacts and artwork through creative activities. They will also have the opportunity to speak with exhibition curator Jennifer Levasseur; art photographer Michael Soluri, author of Infinite Worlds: The People and Places of Space Exploration; and NASA associate administrator for science and former astronaut John Grunsfeld. The cost of admission is $35 ($30 for National Air and Space Society members) and includes a light food and beverage reception.

“This new type of evening program offers a different way for local visitors to experience the museum, one that appeals to space enthusiasts as well as members of the community who may have never attended one of our programs,” said Jean DeStefano, program manager for lectures and seminars at the museum.

For more information about this event or to purchase tickets, the public can visit airandspace.si.edu/starrynight. All participants must be 21 or older; a valid ID is required for entry. Because this program will occur after public hours, museum exhibits other than “Outside the Spacecraft” will not be open and entry after 8 p.m. is not permitted. See Smithsonian Security and Policies for more information.

 The National Air and Space Museum building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is located at Sixth Street and Independence Avenue S.W. The museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Va., near Washington Dulles International Airport. Both facilities are open daily from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free, but there is a $15 fee for parking at the Udvar-Hazy Center.

# # #

SI-49-2015