Bates College will be hosting an exhibition of astrophotography in The Bates Museum of Art, from June through December. CMAS has been asked to host “flash star parties,” meaning that we’d be on call to show patrons real stars during receptions in the gallery on clear nights. The curator is aware that unpredictable times are likely to yield unpredictable turnouts of CMAS members, so I pledged our unpredictable support. The Department of Astronomy at Bates figures it could always grab a few of its students who were already on campus; add that to any CMASers who show, and you’ve got one wild star party, likely complete with wine and cheese inside.
The work of CMAS’s own Jacob Gerritsen will be shown in the exhibition, so he’s officially an “artist” now. Congratulations, Jacob! Other astrophotographers, alas; the works to be shown have already been chosen by jury and invitation. Notably, the Web page shows only thumbnails of the astrophotographs to be displayed (no high-resolution images), so there will be good incentive to drive to Bates to see the show in person. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, June 9, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Let’s all show en masse to celebrate Jacob’s newfound celebrity!
Bates is sending CMAS posters advertising this event, to be distributed to members at the first star party after receipt. The curator says patrons regularly drive four hours for shows at The Bates Museum of Art, so he’s asking all of us, even those at the nether regions of CMAS’s vast geographical territory, to post posters at local hot spots: libraries, schools, community centers, cafes, churches, galleries, grocery stores, and the like.
As the show’s Web page describes, Bates will accompany the display with a wide array of “educational programming,” including lectures and discussions about “confronting light pollution’s dangers.” Potential speakers are invited to call the gallery.
http://www.bates.edu/museum/exhibitions/upcoming/starstruck/
