FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Livermore Valley Arts
Contact:
Ruth Egherman (925) 583-2306
Anne Giancola (978) 852-6333
A Limitless New Exhibit, Complementing a Bankhead Immersive Experience Premiere, Both on Display and to Experience This Fall at Livermore Valley Arts
Livermore, CA – (October 7, 2024) – An out-of-this-world new exhibit, “Back to the Moon and the Stars Beyond,” will be on display this fall at the UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery from October 10, 2024 to January 5, 2025. This inspiring exhibit will invite viewers to witness captivating images of the universe, complementing the ticketed immersive experience of Cosmic Odyssey, onstage at The Bankhead, with explorations of deep space discoveries and stunning visuals captured by the Hubble and James Webb telescopes. Free and open to the public, “Back to the Moon and the Stars Beyond” is a captivating and educational art exhibit that merges space exploration history with modern advancements in astronomy. It takes visitors on a visual journey through time, with the iconic Apollo missions, highlighting the awe-inspiring moments of humanity’s first steps on the moon. Additionally, detailed infographics showcase NASA’s Artemis II program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface, marking the next chapter in lunar exploration. If the inspiration at the Gallery needs something more, on select evenings visitors can take the next leap and step into the extraordinary with Cosmic Odyssey, an outer space immersive experience on stage—a breathtaking journey beyond our planet’s bounds—surrounding patrons with a vast 360° projection of the universe, with iconic NASA images coming to life with unprecedented realism. Much like many of the other immersive traveling museum experiences of the decade, this will be a premiere Tri-Valley experience where one can witness the majestic swirls of distant galaxies, the fiery birth of stars, and the serene beauty of our own Earth from orbit. Experience this exhibit in person at the UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery at the Bankhead Theater in Downtown Livermore Thursdays through Sundays, 1 pm—5 pm, in addition to before Cosmic Odyssey showtimes for ticketed patrons, on select weekdays from October 14 through November 27.
A stellar exhibit celebrating our global achievements as well, a section of “Back to the Moon and the Stars Beyond” is devoted to the achievements of other nations in their moon landings, featuring India’s Chandrayaan missions, China’s Chang’e program, Japan’s space endeavors, South Korea’s recent lunar initiatives, and Russia’s long-standing space contributions. These displays offer a global perspective on
lunar exploration, underscoring the collaborative and competitive spirit of space travel. In addition, visitors are treated to dazzling images from nebulae and galaxies and even some teases of the images that can be seen onstage in the Cosmic Odyssey immersive experience. An infographic breaks down the advanced capabilities of modern telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope and Hubble, explaining how they capture such stunning detail. One of the photographs is of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located in South America which is known as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). LSST, worked on by scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, will deliver a 500-petabyte set of images and data products that will address some of the most pressing questions about the structure and evolution of the universe and the objects in it. Another educational piece clarifies the origin of the star spikes—artifacts caused by the diffraction of light around a telescope’s structure—and the use of false colors in astronomical photographs to reveal features that the human eye cannot see in visible light.
One wall of the exhibit is dedicated to a magnificent photograph of the glowing sun, radiating warmth and life. Nearby, a “tour” of the planets offers vivid imagery of each planet in our solar system, from the stormy clouds of Jupiter to the icy rings of Saturn. The moon is showcased in exquisite detail, its surface showing the marks of ancient impacts. There is even a breathtaking depiction of a black hole, emphasizing the incredible breakthroughs in astrophysics. This exhibit is a celebration of both our historical achievements in space exploration and our ongoing quest to understand the universe. It balances the beauty of the cosmos with the scientific ingenuity that allows us to explore it. Our local Quest Science Center has even sponsored a display, Walk Among Stars, an interactive exhibit where participants become constellations in the sky above Earth. Strike a pose solo or create a larger constellation with friends, this exciting experience is a collaboration between Maker Daycare and Quest Science Center and will bring even more excitement to the Gallery. Viewers will not want to miss this astronomical exhibit and all its excitement and inspiration, something for viewers to explore and discover this fall at the UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery.
Complementing this galactic exhibit, at the breathtaking Cosmic Odyssey, the Bankhead Stage will become the portal to the cosmos, immersing one in the wonders of space exploration. Narrated by Tamara “Tammy” Jernigan, an American astrophysicist and former NASA astronaut, this unparalleled Livermore-premiere experience will ignite one’s curiosity and leave one with a profound appreciation for the boundless mysteries of space, thanks to a vast 360° projection of the universe. Following the immersive space experience, attendees are invited to engage in a 15-minute post-tour discussion led by scientists in the Founders Room. Audience members will have the opportunity to express their feelings about the immersive art experience as well as ask questions and gain deeper insights into the scientific concepts and technological advancements that shape our understanding of the cosmos. Cosmic Odyssey is a 45-minute ticketed experience, running select weekdays from October 14 through November 27 from 4 pm to 8 pm, with showtimes starting on the hour. Sponsored in part by Jean King, Dona Crawford, Alan and Mary Burnham, Lori Souza, David and Kim Weinmeister, Kevin and Kimberly Gruidl, Phil and Julie Wente, Las Positas Vineyard, Anne Bergmann, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, GGS Consulting, and Quest Science Center; event sponsorship opportunities are still available.
The UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery is in the lobby of the beautiful Bankhead Theater at 2400 First Street, Livermore. “Back to the Moon and the Stars Beyond” is free and open to enjoy by ticketed patrons during performances and by the general public, Thursdays through Sundays, 1 pm—5 pm, October 10, 2024, to January 5, 2025. Cosmic Odyssey is a 45-minute ticketed experience, running select weekdays from October 14 through November 27 from 4 pm to 8 pm. The public is invited to share in this celestial exhibit and paired immersive experience, right at the UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery and onstage at the Bankhead Theater, to not only learn about the vast universe that surrounds us but also about ourselves as humans on this home we call Earth. Tickets for shows and performances in the 2024-2025 Bankhead Presents season are available online, by calling 925-373-6800, or at the box office windows. For a complete list of events, visit livermorearts.org.
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Livermore Valley Arts is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit offering wide-ranging programs that provide access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. The Bankhead Theater and Bothwell
Arts Center are home to eight resident performing arts companies and over 40 studio artists and cultural arts instructors. LivermoreArts.org
Exhibit: Back to the Moon and the Stars Beyond
Dates/Times: Thursdays—Sundays, 1 pm—5 pm, October 10, 2024—January 5, 2025 Tickets: Free and open to the public
Experience: Cosmic Odyssey: Immersive Encounters with the Universe
Dates/Times: Select Mondays—Thursdays, 4 pm—8 pm on the hour, October 14—November 27, 2024 Tickets: $30 Adult Admission Tickets, $15 Youth Admission Tickets
Dates, times, and ticket prices for other events available at www.LivermoreArts.org
