This month’s episode of the Thought Leader Series, presented by UTMB Health, takes us on an inspiring journey through space with “Space for Art.”
Discover how the Space for Art team blends the wonders of space exploration with the transformative power of art to unite the world and foster healing.
Don’t miss this passionate panel discussion as the Space for Art team shares their mission of hope and unity!
Artist and NASA Astronaut
Founding Director, Space for Art Foundation
Nicole is an astronaut, aquanaut, artist, author of “Back to Earth ~ What Life in Space Taught Me About Our Home Planet – And Our Mission To Protect It”, and most importantly a mom. She creatively combines the awe and wonder of her spaceflight experience with her artwork to inspire everyone’s appreciation of our role as crewmates here on Spaceship Earth.
Nicole is a veteran NASA Astronaut with two spaceflights and 104 days living and working in space as a crewmember on both the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle. Personal highlights of her time in space include being the 10th woman to perform a spacewalk, first person to operate the ISS robotic arm to capture a free-flying cargo vehicle, painting the first watercolor in space, working with her international crew for the benefit of all life on Earth, and of course the life-changing view of our home planet. Nicole is also a NASA Aquanaut. In preparation for spaceflight, she was a crewmember on an 18-day saturation dive mission at the Aquarius undersea laboratory.
Nicole joined in purpose with the Spacesuit Art Project when it first began in 2015 & since then it has been an amazing journey of space, art, & healing. She knows that the time she spent in space has led her to the work she’s blessed to do now as a founding director with the Space for Art Foundation.
Technical Fellow, ILC Dover LP
Founding Director, Space for Art Foundation
David Graziosi is an ILC Dover Technical Fellow located at their Houston operation. He holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and Minor in Mathematics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He has more than 32 years of experience in the development of spacesuits and spacesuit components including Phase VI EVA spacesuit gloves, Mark3 Suit Enhancements, all versions of the I-Suit Advanced Planetary EVA suits, several recent launch and entry (LEA) spacesuits, StratEx Space Dive suit, NASA’s Z-1 and Z-2 spacesuits, and the ILC Dover Commercial EVA spacesuit Astro™. David holds three US patents for spacesuit and inflatable wing technology. He has authored more than 20 peer reviewed technical papers on spacesuit development. He has also received the NASA Silver Snoopy Award, numerous NASA Group Achievement awards and was a 2007 NASA Space Flight Achievement Honoree and NASA Stellar Award finalist. David introduced the Spacesuit Art project to ILC Dover who has been bringing the children’s artwork to life since the very beginning. He is a founding director of the Space for Art Foundation.
Artist, Founder “Projekt Postcard”
Founding Director, Space for Art Foundation
Maria holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design in Washington, D.C., and brings over 20 years of experience as both an artist and an executive in the telecom industry. Her multifaceted career, combining artistic passion with executive leadership, underscores her dedication to fostering global unity through creativity and exploration.
Her artwork has been showcased in international exhibitions in the United States, Germany, Ecuador, Bosnia, and Croatia, and is included in several private and public collections. As the founder of Projekt Postcard, Maria has pioneered a global art and culture initiative aimed at broadening children’s perspectives beyond their cultural boundaries and promoting unity through the transformative power of art. She is also a founding director of the Space for Art Foundation.
Ignite your curiosity and grow your passion for space and science at our monthly Thought Leader Series. The best and brightest minds examine the significance of historic missions, share the latest news in space exploration and look ahead to the future of space travel. This immersive series takes guests beyond our walls to provide inspiring, engaging and educational learning experiences.
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The All-American Rejects are throwing Space Center Houston’s Moon 2 Mars Festival into hyperdrive. Amp up your Space City Spring Break with us!
Access to this all-ages festival is included in general admission.
