In the Gallery
January 29 – February 28, 2020
Reception February 5 @ 5-7pm
Free to See & Open to All

During her second mission on the International Space Station in 2013, astronaut and Vining native Karen Nyberg took dozens of photos of earth from her unusual vantage point, posting the images on her Facebook page.

Photographer Dan Broten selected over 20 pictures to mount on canvas to create a dazzling exhibit, which will be on display at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center and the New York Mills Public Library from January 29 – February 27, 2020.

A Reception will be held at the Cultural Center on Wednesday, February 5th, 2020 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., with a Curator Talk by Dan Broten at 5:30 pm. In his Curator Talk, Broten discusses the making of the exhibit, from photo selection to production process—as well as his enthusiasm for the history of space exploration.

During the month-long exhibition, there are two additional related events scheduled at the Cultural Center:

  • Movie Night: Space Station: Thursday, February 20 @ 7-8:30 p.m. Free movie night! The NYM Public Library will present the movie Space Station at the NYM Cultural Center. Pre-registration requested but not required; call 218-385-2436.
  • Workshop: “A Starry Minnesota Night” Paint & Sip: Saturday, February 22 @ 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
    In this fun and easy class you will use acrylic paints to create a beautiful night sky painting, while sipping tea or coffee of different flavors. All materials will be supplied. No experience needed, just a desire to have a good time! $15 per person, Minimum of 5, max of 12. Pre-registration requested by calling 218-385-3339.

The New York Mills Public Library and Cultural Center are also partnering on hosting classroom visits. If you have a group interested in visiting, give us a call! The Library will also be holding related events; call 218-385-2436 for details.

Astronaut Karen Nyberg, an accomplished woman who holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering, grew up in the small town of Vining, MN, where she was the fifth of six children. There, she grew up learning a lot of practical skills. “My mom and dad are both very creative people and made a lot for all of us kids – everything from snowmobile suits to prom dresses.” said Nyberg. “My mom taught me to sew when I was about five or six years old.”

Now as an adult, Karen still enjoys those creative crafts including sewing and quilting. “I love it. I would sew all day every day if I could, I love it that much,” Karen said. She especially enjoys quilting and appliqué work. On her six-month-long expedition to space, Nyberg packed sewing and quilting supplies as well as a sketch book and pencils.

Just one example of the varied backgrounds and interests for NASA people whose career is dedicated to science and technology, Nyberg says she loves the creative side of these art forms. “I love to create,” said Nyberg. “I would really like people to see you can have a job like this, which is very technical, and still have hobbies that are not.”

Karen’s father Ken Nyberg is the creator of the huge, whimsical sculptures found throughout Vining and Otter Tail County, including the world’s largest tractor sculpture in the New York Mills Sculpture Park, which is the logo of the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center.

This exhibit is on loan from the Henning Landmark Center.

Sponsored by New York Mills Public Library, New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, and Viking Library System.

This project was funded in part or in whole with monies from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.

 

NOTE: Karen Nyberg quotes from “The Softer Side of Space: A Profile of Astronaut Karen Nyberg