The Space for Art Foundation: How Space and Art Unites Us All

Sometimes, the biggest ideas come from the simplest acts. Like an astronaut pausing between experiments to paint with the first set of watercolors in space. That astronaut is Nicole Stott, and that moment of creativity, paired with the life-changing view of Earth from her spaceship window, inspired something beautiful: The Space for Art Foundation.

The Space for Art Foundation is built on a powerful idea: that the wonder of space exploration and the healing power of art can help kids facing tough times feel connected, joyful, and brave. It brings together children from hospitals and communities all over the world, uniting them as "Artonauts" in a truly global project.

The heart of their work is the incredible Space Suits of Hope. In a special partnership, the talented team at ILC Dover, the same folks who make NASA's real spacesuits, help turn the children’s artwork into amazing wearable art. To date, they’ve created eight named suits:

Suits That Flew to Space:

· Courage: Worn by astronaut Kate Rubins during Expedition 49

· Unity: Worn by astronaut Jack Fischer aboard the ISS

· Dreamer: Displayed aboard the ISS and photographed with Expedition 65 crew

· Victory: Carried to the ISS during Expedition 53/54 in 2017

Earth-Based Ambassador Suits:

· Exploration: Used in exhibitions and educational programs

· Beyond: Created during the pandemic with art from children in all 192 countries, serving as an ambassador for Spaceship Earth that reminds us we're all Earthlings connected through personal and planetary health

· Infinity: Currently traveling to film festivals and exhibitions worldwide

· Hope: One of the original suits used in foundational outreach

These suits have created a full orbit of inspiration between Earth and space, having been worn and displayed by astronauts including Peggy Whitson, Kate Rubins, and Jack Fischer aboard the International Space Station.The foundation's work is featured in the award-winning documentary "Space for Art," which captures their mission of healing and hope. The trailer can be viewed on their website (and linked below in thumbnail), with the film screening at festivals globally.Behind this amazing effort are four founding visionaries: astronaut and artist Nicole Stott; artist Maria Lanas; spacesuit engineer David Graziosi; and artist Ian Cion, who first envisioned the art spacesuit project.You might have caught their recent exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa, which just wrapped up. The good news is, they’re already working on a new collaboration and exhibit right here in Florida that we can look forward to closer to the new year.But beyond the exhibits and the suits is a message that feels especially important right now. As Nicole Stott reminds us, we are all "crewmates, not passengers" on Spaceship Earth. She often says, "We are all crew here, on the greatest spaceship ever built, Spaceship Earth. We need to be working together to keep it, and us, healthy and happy."

It's a warm reminder that we're all in this together. In a world that can often feel divided, the work of Space for Art encourages us to pick up a brush, share a little hope, and remember that we are all crew on this amazing planetary journey.Check out their website below to learn more about their other beautiful projects like Postcards to Space, Earthrise, and SKY|SPACE.Sources: Space for Art Foundation, NASA.gov, Back to Earth by Nicole Stott.

Website: spaceforartfoundation.org