Out of This World: Landscapes of our Solar System

This visually dazzling exhibition chronicles the relationship between space science and art, bringing together the explorers and the artists who have illustrated their discoveries.   This is a traveling exhibition, developed by the Hearst Art Gallery and the Saint Mary's College Astronomy and Physics Department.  Contact Carrie Brewster by phone (925) 631-4643 or email at cbrewste@stmarys-ca.edu for information on available dates between 2010 and 2013, content and fees.

Read feature article in the Lamorinda Weekly titled "Hearst Gallery Exhibit is Really-Out of This World" by Andrea A. Firth.

Opening Event Oct. 11:

"Top Tourist Attractions in Our Solar System!" with astronomer Andrew Fraknoi, Ph.D.

When: Oct. 11, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Where: LeFevre Theatre

An illustrated tour of the 4,000 mile lava channel on Venus, the towering Mt.Olympus volcano on Mars and the awesome Verona Cliffs on the moon Miranda.

Andrew Fraknoi, Ph.D., is the Chair of the Astronomy Department at Foothill College and the former Executive Director of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. He was selected as the 2007 California Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Endowment. Fraknoi’s popular children's book, Disney's Wonderful World of Space, came out in paperback in July 2009. Asteroid 4859 has been named Asteroid Fraknoi to recognize his contributions to the public understanding of science

Moderated by exhibition curators Carrie Brewster, M.F.A., Hearst Art Gallery director, and Ronald P. Olowin, Ph.D., professor of Physics and Astronomy, Saint Mary’s College.

Reception to follow
When: 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Where: Gallery & Art Patio

November 17 Event

"Exploring the Cosmos by Spacecraft and Paint Brush" with astronomer, artist & author William K. Hartmann, Ph.D.

When: Nov. 17, 7:00 PM

Hartmann is the senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson and was an investigator on the Mariner 9 Mars probe which mapped the Red Planet in 1972. An asteroid (#3341) is named for him. He has written and illustrated several astronomy textbooks, and also co-authored and co-illustrated five pictoral books of space art. He has recently written his first critically-acclaimed science fiction novel Mars Underground. His paintings are on display in collections in the U.S, Russia, France, and Italy, and have been on exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum.

Stargazing & Meteor Shower Watch Follows, 8:30 PM Free Admission
Gallery open 6:30 – 7:00 PM
(Stargazing subject to weather condition cancellation; email hdonner@stmarys-ca.edu or check www.hearstartgallery.org to confirm & RSVP before Nov. 17)

Exhibit Admission: $3; on view until Dec. 13; free parking