by Michelle Rouch and John W. Clark
(Article Published in American Society of Aviation Artists AeroBrush Magazine Fall 2009)

Kitt Peak Vista taken from 4-meter Observatory

The IAAA workshops started in 1982 and are held at various unusual locations to imagine formations on other planetary worlds. Much like ASAA, they offer a way for the artists to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and develop long lasting friendships. The uniqueness of the IAAA workshop from the ASAA Forum is that the workshop provides a marathon mechanism in producing a lot of art in a short period of time. Eight artists: John Clark, April Faires, Dr. Bill Hartmann, Tim Malles, Jon Ramer, Michelle Rouch, Betsy Smith, and Kara Szathmary attended the workshop and brought a few of their own existing paintings to share with one another and with the observatory employees.

IAAA Workshop painting at the base of the Kitt Peak Mountain

The IAAA Workshop was kicked off by enjoying the morning air and painting at the base of the mountain. By midday, they traveled 20 minutes to reach the top and were greeted by the Assistant to the KPNO Director, Elizabeth M. Alvarez del Castillo, who planned and organized the 26^th IAAA Workshop with Kara Szathmary. She offered a tour for the artists on the 200-acre facility and treated them with insights and views to places not accessible during normal tours. The first visit behind the scenes was at the 2.1-meter telescope and included a panoramic overview of the observatory from the 360-degree catwalk outside the dome. The group then hiked up to the WIYN (Wisconsin, Indiana, Yale, NOAO) 3.5-meter Observatory, which is the newest and second largest telescope at Kitt Peak.

IAAA at the Tohono O’odham Nation Indian Reservation
Credits: Bernard Siquieros, Curator of Eductation, Museum

Dr. William Hartmann and John W. Clark painting the strip panel at the Tohono O’odham Nation Cultural Center & Museum

The following day, the group traveled to the Tohono O’odham Nation Cultural Center & Museum, which in their language is called "Himdag Ki: Hekihu, Hemu, Im B I-Ha'ap." This translates to "Way of Life House, Past, Present, and Future." Allison Francisco, an artist who is developing a registry of Tohono O'odham artists, welcomed the IAAA artists to paint at the new cultural center. Mr. Keith Norris and 30 of his art students from Baboquivari High School participated in the outreach program and provided an opportunity to build new relations between artists. The artist group developed a strip painting, comprised of a multi-panel painting for every artist to contribute, of the panoramic mountainous range. The strip painting will be donated to the Tohono O’odham Nation Cultural Center & Museum as a sign of appreciation for the invitation to create artwork on their homeland.

Mountain Art Studio at Kitt Peak

Michelle Rouch painting the 4-Meter Observatory

One evening the group attended a lecture by the Public Program Specialist I, Robert Martino. His topic was "The Origins of the Orionids Meteor Shower." Included in the presentation was a demonstration on "How to make a comet."

After the lecture, guests were assembled outside where several telescopes had been set-up allowing visitors to view the heavens. It should be noted that it is very, very dark on Kitt Peak at night. So much so that one cannot see one’s hand in front of their face. No lights were allowed on. We were given tiny flashlights with a red cover filter to see with (always pointed down at the ground) when walking about. This total darkness results in a spectacular display of stars in the night sky. You were simply stunned to see the number and brightness of the heavenly bodies.

When viewing through the telescopes, we were able to see the planet Jupiter, the Dumbbell nebula, the globular cluster Omega Centauri, the blue super giant star Deneb, (whose estimated luminosity is 60,000 times that of our Sun), and other interesting objects.

Finally, we sat back snuggled in our blankets, gloves, hats and scarves and began to watch the meteor shower which lasted approximately three hours. Despite the chilly temperatures, it was a wonderful night.

Kitt Peak by Rouch

The IAAA Art Show, "Visions of the Cosmos," was the grand finale of the group’s workshop. Arizona Illustrated, Southern Arizona’s newsmagazine hosted by Tony Paniagua (filling in for regular host Bill Buckmaster) interviewed Dr. Steve Pompea, NOAO Education and Public Outreach Manager and IYA2009 Project Director. While discussing the 50th anniversary of the National Observatory, Pompea described the weeklong IAAA workshop and announced the art exhibit at the University of Arizona (UofA). IAAA artists had spent the entire week at Kitt Peak, creating new pieces of artwork for the art show to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Observatory and the 50th anniversary of the UofA Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL). During the course of one week, the eight artists frenziedly produced 32 new paintings with mediums consisting of oil, graphite, pastels, acrylic, colored pencils, ink, and watercolor. The art exhibit displayed over 60 pieces, including the 32 mentioned above. The exhibition was attended by a great variety of Tucsonians and out of staters ranging from UofA students to local astronomers, scientists, and art enthusiasts.

There are similarities and differences between IAAA and ASAA art societies. Much like ASAA, IAAA’s goal is to raise public awareness about space and education. Currently in Arizona there are eight IAAA artists: Kim Poor, Robert McCall, John W. Clark, Jim Scotti, Dr. William Hartmann, Matthew Philip Stricker, C.F. Yankovich, and Michelle Rouch. More information on the organization is available at www.iaaa.org. With artists having dual memberships with both organizations, ASAA and IAAA benefit with cross pollination, and open doors into future events.

John Clark and Michelle Rouch would like to thank Elizabeth Alvarez del Castillo and the many KPNO staff who worked to assure that the IAAA Workshop was conducted smoothly and efficiently. Such large event orchestrated across cultures on a tight budget takes courage to undertake. They went the extra mile to cover all bases. We would like to thank Kara Szathmary, who chaired the IAAA Workshop and his hard work and enthusiasm for bringing it all together. He proved to be an excellent administrator, accomplishing all of the various tasks required. He kept an even temper with the group and provided a sense of humor that was appreciated by everyone. We would also like to thank Pat Eliason (NSO) who chaired the committee that explored the idea of this IAAA Workshop. We would like to thank the UofA LPL and Dr. Michael Drake, Director, for offering IAAA the use of the Kuiper Space Sciences building to hold the art show and Mary Guerrieri, Senior Program Coordinator, for coordinating UofA/LPL interaction and support of the show. Aletha Kalish for her dedication and hard work in making the art exhibit a success. Julie Jones, who help in the fabulous rendition of the new IAAA banner for the art exhibit and delivered it just-in-time. We would like to thank the Exhibitions/Artistic Services Tohono O'odham Cultural Center & Museum liaison, Allison Francisco for her kindness and hospitality in allowing painting on their homeland. Last but not least, we would like to recognize the countless scientists, engineers, and personnel at Kitt Peak for their warm hospitality and for making the place feel like home, and KPNO, NOAO, NSO, UofA LPL, Planetary Science Institute (PSI), KUAZ, and KUAT for their support.