posted 07-11-2023 12:07 AM               

'Ohioans in Space' mural to recognize state's astronauts in capitol

The U.S. state that has produced the fourth largest number of astronauts is set to honor four of its most accomplished space explorers with the addition of a new mural in its capitol.

The Ohio Statehouse in Columbus will soon permanently exhibit an oil painting honoring the achievements of Ohioans in space travel and exploration. The 9-foot-tall by 12-foot-wide (2.7-by-3.7-meter) mural is set to be installed inside the east stairway of the Rotunda next year.

posted 01-18-2024 11:11 PM               

Unveiling Large-Scale Painting 'Ohioans in Space'

The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board and Capitol Square Foundation will unveil the 9-foot by 12-foot painting, "Ohioans in Space" by artist Bill Hinsch at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday, January 24 at 8:30 p.m. in the Rotunda. The painting features John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, Judith Resnik and Gene Kranz, and recognizes the accomplishments of Ohioans in space travel and exploration. Names of the 25 astronauts born in Ohio and others will be listed on a permanent plaque near the painting.

On January 24, the celebrations include a student program, panel discussions, poster signing, a ticketed dinner and the unveiling. Events begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Atrium, where there will be student programs in partnership with COSI and other Ohio science centers from all over Ohio. Ohio astronauts will also be in attendance, participating in experiments and meeting the students.

Two panel discussions are open to the public in the Senate Finance Room. At 2:00 p.m., a discussion about Aviation and Aerospace will be moderated by Dr. Frederic Bertley, President & CEO of COSI. The panel includes former astronauts Michael Good, Carl Walz and Don Thomas, and also Representative Adam Holmes; Dr. John Horack, Neil Armstrong Chair at the John Glenn College, The Ohio State University; Amanda Wright Lane, relative of the Wright brothers; and Casey Swails, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator.

A panel discussion about Art and its Lasting Impact on Ohio will be moderated by Nannette Maciejunes, Former Executive Director, Columbus Museum of Art at 3:30 p.m. The public will hear from the artist of "Ohioans in Space," Bill Hinsch, as well as Dayna Jalkanen, Deputy Director of Museum and Education, Ohio Statehouse; Rebekah Beaulieu, President CEO, Taft Museum of Art; Dr. Hyacinth Paul, Artist in Residence, Trotwood Schools, Dayton; and Jim Keny, Keny Galleries, Columbus.

All the events will be livestreamed by The Ohio Channel.

The Statehouse Museum Shop will have unique merchandise including patches, challenge coins, lapel pins, COSI activity kits, t-shirts, and books on space.

For those interested in attending the dinner and receptions at 5:30 p.m., tickets are available on the Capitol Square Foundation website. Proceeds will fund the painting and future art projects at the Ohio Statehouse. There will be remarks from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine; Casey Swails, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator; and family members of Ohio astronauts.

The painting will be unveiled in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda at 8:30 p.m. "Ohioans in Space" is the first commissioned large-scale painting to be installed permanently in the Ohio Statehouse in 66 years.

posted 01-24-2024 01:02 PM               

The three highlighted icons are Friendship 7 orbiting the Earth, the Eagle from Apollo 11 and the horses from Apollo 13. The launches (L-R) are the Saturn V for Neil Armstrong and Jim Lovell. The Mercury Atlas for John Glenn and the space shuttle for Judy Resnik, John Glenn and the other Ohio astronauts.

I added small stars for the other 19 astronauts from Ohio. Two smaller twinkling stars honor Charles Bassett and Donn Eisele.

Finally I added an orbital element to the Moon to illustrate that Jim Lovell was a member of the first crew to do so 55 years ago.

posted 01-25-2024 01:39 AM               

Ohio capitol unveils painting of state's 'Mount Rushmore of astronauts'

The first American to orbit Earth, the first human to step foot on the lunar surface, one of the first people to circle the moon and one of the first American women to fly into space have more in common than just flying on some of NASA's most historic missions — they also all hailed from the same home state.

Ohio on Wednesday (Jan. 24) paid tribute to its citizens' achievements in space travel and exploration by unveiling a large-scale painting to adorn the rotunda of the capitol building in Columbus. "Ohioans in Space" by artist Bill Hinsch depicts astronauts John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, James Lovell and Judith Resnik, as well as Toledo-born Eugene Kranz, NASA's second flight director in Mission Control.