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Art about space aliens?
That’s what you might find at the Las Cruces Space Festival, which will take place over different locations, including Las Cruces, in late September.
The juried art show will feature work contemplating the theme of The Nature of Space.
Established in 2018, the festival features activities for all ages, including STEM-focused events and an annual art show. This year, the art show will be featured at Gallery 925 from September 5 to 28, 2025. The gallery is at 925 N Mesquite St, Las Cruces, NM.
The show will feature 25 artists' works that range from astrophotography, mixed media, and figurative paintings of space phenomena. Local artists Jo-an Smith and Jim Rodgers, both known for their work that focuses on the skies, are participating. There will also be more whimsical work from Mark Woody and Chris Bardey, as well as composites from Diane Alire and others.
In addition to the Gallery 925 exhibition, there will be a Student Show at Duende Arte Gallery (located next door at 921 North Mesquite Street). This show will feature posters created for the annual Space Festival Poster Contest. This year's winner of the poster contest is Miguel Perez, a 5th grader from Columbia Elementary School.
"The committee received almost 100 submissions, and they were all amazing," said Karen Conley, the committee's art show coordinator. "We enjoy going through the submissions. It is tough to pick just one winner."
Conley told the Bulletin that the work is “pretty varied.”
She said many artists focus on aliens for the festival. Some paint the planets.
“I’m waiting with excitement,” Conley said about seeing the art.
Ronnie Bush, Space Festival organizer, said a NASA astronaut, Wendy Lawrence, will be at an open house hosted by the Spaceport outside of Truth or Consequences on Sunday, Sept. 21.
On September 27, there will be space-oriented booths at the Las Cruces Farmer’s Market. On September 26, a group will gather at New Mexico State University’s O’Donnell Hall for an astronomy night.
Bush said one really neat aspect will be the moon tree, which was planted at Farm and Ranch Museum this past spring.
“The seeds of the tree went around the moon,” she said.
The festival is family-friendly and there are STEM-related events for kids.
For more info: lcspacefestival.com
