Life-size 'astronaut' statues in over two dozen Puget Sound locations
SEATTLE, June 24, 2014--
The Museum of Flight wrapped up deliveries today for its 50th anniversary public art project entitled "Astronauts on the Town," featuring 25 unique, life-size, space-suited "astronaut" statues. These are not your average astronauts. Each began as a white fiberglass statue, then transformed with paint, lasers, plaid shirts and other materials into a colorful new personality. Titles include "Basstronaut," "SpaceSquatch," and "Ambassador for Amity."
Each astronaut is created by a local artist and displayed in public locations and businesses within the Puget Sound region. EMP, Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, The Pacific Science Center, Emerald Downs and Ray's Boathouse are among the many host locations.
Julie Wilbert, Museum of Flight Graphic Designer and Project Manager for "Astronauts on the Town" comments, "I'm really proud of how the project came out; no two statues are alike."
The Museum invites everyone to celebrate its anniversary in a way that's fun and engaging. Selfies with the statues are encouraged, and they can be posted on Instagram using #astronautsonthetown. All eligible participants will be part of a prize drawing during the Museum's Sept.19 anniversary celebration. First-prize is a pair of tickets on Alaska Airlines, good to any Alaska Airlines destination.
An online auction for all 25 Astronaut statues opens on Aug. 1 and runs for a month. The statues will remain on the town until mid-September, returning just in time for their collective exhibition at the Museum's 50th anniversary celebration on Sept. 19.
Images of all 25 astronauts and more information about the statues, artists and host locations:
Museum of Flight Media Releases
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Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015, the independent, non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, serving more than 560,000 visitors annually. The Museum's collection includes more than 160 historically significant airplanes and spacecraft, from the first fighter plane (1914) to today's 787 Dreamliner. Attractions also include the original Boeing Company factory, and the world's only full-scale NASA Space Shuttle Trainer. The Museum's aviation and space library and archives are the largest on the West Coast. More than 150,000 individuals are served annually by the Museum's on-site and outreach educational programs. The Museum of Flight is accredited by the American Association of Museums, and is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field halfway between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors 65 and older, $17 for active military, $12 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. McCormick & Schmick's Wings Café is on site. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org
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