Stan Stokes' "Ascent of Atlantis" is a dramatic, highly realistic view of the shuttle orbiter, shown at the moment it is clearing the gantry, surrounded by billowing smoke and gases. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART)

SHARE Andy Warhol's "Moonwalk (Pink)," features an astronaut in a pink space suit standing proudly on the moon's surface beside an American flag in the artist's trademark style. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART) George Guzzi portrait of astronaut of George D. Nelson. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART) William Wegman, known for his photographs of Weimaraners, presents two canine models garbed as astronauts in "Chip and Batty Explore Space." (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART)

By Amanda Hicks of TCPalm

People on the Treasure Coast will appreciate a new exhibit coming to the Vero Beach Museum of Art this month.

"Out of this World: The Art and Artists of NASA," a collection from the NASA Art Program, will be on display starting June 25.

Chief preparator Matthew Mangold and museum curator Jay Williams chose 71 pieces from more than 300 works of art at the Kennedy Space Center.

The museum staff expects the exhibition to be appealing to Floridians since the Kennedy Space Center has made it possible for many to experience launches first hand.

"I think it will be extremely well received," Williams said. "Most Floridians feel a sense of connection with NASA's space program, I believe. I know it's true for me. The exhibition will appeal to a wide range of ages."

The NASA Art Program started in 1963 when NASA administrator James Webb suggested artists help tell the story of the agency's adventures.

"Important events can be interpreted by artists to give a unique insight into significant aspects of our history-making advances into space," Webb said. "An artistic record of this nation's program of space exploration will have great value for future generations and may make a significant contribution to the history of American art."

The exhibit features different art work from 1963 when the program started to Elizabeth McGrath's wall sculpture "Moon Mission" created in 2008, representing astronaut Alan Sheperd's golf shots on the moon during the Apollo 14 expedition.

Williams said a lot of Floridians feel a sense of pride in NASA's space program.

"We all knew about Cape Canaveral as the place where the Space Race was taking shape," he said.

Several Florida artists who participated in the art program will have their work on display in the upcoming exhibition.

Martin Joseph Hoffman (1935-2013), a Florida native who lived the last years of his life in Vero Beach, will have his painting, "Launch Window" (1981), on display.

Samuel Ward, who lives and works in Sarasota and observed several shuttle launches in the 1980s, will have his painting, "Cathedral" (1985), on display which depicts the inside of the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center.The art will be displayed in the Museum's Holmes Gallery for three months and is supported by a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts..

"The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to nurturing artists and the arts in communities across the country," said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. "Supporting projects from organizations like the Vero Beach Museum of Art represents a wise investment in Indian River County and the creative vitality of the nation."

IF YOU GO

What: "Out of this World: The Art and Artists of NASA"

When: June 25-Sept. 25; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday

Admission: Off-season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), adults $6; seniors $5; students $5 with valid ID; children 17 and younger free; military free with valid ID. Season rates, adults $10, seniors $9

Information: www.verobeachmuseum.org