Discover the beauty of the night sky through Webb telescope imagery and celestial paintings that blur the line between art and science.
Prepare to explore colorful images and join discussions about skywatching, astronomy-inspired creativity, the enduring human curiosity about nature and the infinite universe beyond planet Earth.
Catherine will share photos of her fieldwork in Talbot County, Delaware, and near Assateague, MD. Her research culminates in celestial oil paintings exploring color, atmosphere, astronomy, and the emotional experience of looking upward.
The moon, stars and planets are difficult to observe in detail with the naked eye, but NASA’s Webb telescope images reveal rainbow‑colored, crystalline, atmospheric phenomena that inspire her paintings.
These artworks offer a glimpse of infinity in accessible formats and invite inquiry: Are these colors found in daylight? Are stars forming in these moments? Could life exist beyond Earth? The paintings intentionally blur the boundaries between art and science, and encourage viewers to ponder existential questions about the universe.
“Looking Up” draws inspiration from NASA’s Interdisciplinary Art and the Cosmic Connection Program, created to encourage artists to interpret astronomical data and cosmic structures through visual art that deepens public engagement with space science. Its core idea—that art can make the universe emotionally accessible— aligns with Catherine’s presentation.
What to expect:
We’ll follow Catherine Renzi’s Looking Up 2026 creative project based on celestial research and sky watching. Explore her process for oil paintings completed during the year. Learn about the night sky, astronomy-inspired creativity, and the James Webb Telescope images. Consider big questions about the universe beyond plant Earth.
Feedback from Catherine’s last course:
“Fantastic lecture- please offer more like this!”
“The presentation was well prepared and delivered. The presenters shared both business and personal experiences and had great visuals. They answered questions thoroughly with interesting anecdotes. I really enjoyed this session!
“Fascinating – I greatly enjoyed hearing their lovely story!”
Wednesday | Nov 11 | 10:30-noon | HYBRID (attend in person at our classroom at the Easton Family YMCA, join through Zoom, or wait for the recording) | $30
