![Clayworks was commissioned by astronaut Nicole Stott to create Time. [Photo: Judd Weil]](https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677601699994.jpeg)
BY JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Artist and astronaut Nicole Stott will be at The Clayworks at Disability Supports in Hutchinson on March 14, to pick up some soon-to-be out-of-this-world pieces of artwork born of a new collaboration between Clayworks, the Cosmosphere, and the Space for Art Foundation.
The Cosmosphere introduced Stott to Clayworks’ during her 2022 visit to Hutchinson. She was inspired to ask the Clayworks' artists to contribute to an “Art Spacesuit” creation called Time.
Collaborators from all over the world painted pieces of fabric suitable for spaceflight. The pieces were then stitched together into a whole spacesuit-shaped garment.
“A type of fabric we've working on is a very special piece of fabric that the Cosmosphere gave to us to use,” Grace Price, a Clayworks artist and designer, said. “It will be on a spacesuit so we had to use very specific paint in order to make it safe when it is actually in space.”
According to Price, Cosmosphere scientists did rigorous testing to make sure Clayworks was using the right paint and fabric.
The Space for Art Foundation sent Clayworks artists the special fabric and the specific acrylic paints needed to work on their Art Spacesuit pieces.
Stott provided guidance for artists as they painted to think about the awesomeness of the universe and humanity’s special place in it here on Earth. Cosmosphere staff members assisted with the painting project.
“They really wanted to show the significance of our place in the universe, and how us Earthlings all have to work together as “crewmates” and work together on Earth for Earth to be successful and how that relates to space,” Price said “They wanted us to show the difference between space and Earth and how they interact with each other, and the concept of time.”
A big part of the artwork, is the concept of time. A particular pattern showcasing the phases of Earth’s moon is meant to reflect that.
Stott, a 27-year NASA veteran, served 104 days in space as a crewmember on both the International Space Station (ISS) and the Space Shuttle. Stott performed many typical duties in space, including a spacewalk, and she was the first astronaut to paint a watercolor in space.
Stott founded the Space for Art Foundation to bring space and art together for children around the world–helping them overcome challenges through the wonder of space exploration, the inspiration of Spaceship Earth, and the healing power of art.
Stott will arrive at Clayworks, located at 1125 N. Main St. in Hutchinson, at 1 p.m. on March 14 to pick up the finished pieces and to meet the Clayworks client artists who worked on them.
Stott is also in Hutchinson that week for a Cosmosphere space camp.
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