The love of world exploration and art are blasting off thanks to a foundation launched by a NASA astronaut, aquanaut, and artist.

SEATTLE — Nicole Stott, a retired NASA astronaut, thought she was going to do one visit at a children’s hospital to talk about art and space, but its impact inspired her to make it her new mission.

Stott took her love of art and space and launched the Space for Art Foundation as a founding director in 2018. The outreach began a few years before the official launch.

According to the astronaut and aquanaut, astronauts have “brought their humanity with them to space.” Stott had a 27-year career with the space agency before retiring in 2015.

She was the 10th woman to perform a spacewalk and the first person to operate the ISS robotic arm to capture a free-flying cargo vehicle.

Stott is in Western Washington on Jan. 25 to bring the program to Seattle Children’s Hospital and host a special event at the Museum of Flight.

“The art and space coming together with the kids…I’ve never seen something so powerful,” Stott said.

The museum event is from 2 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 25. It will include a special screening of the award-winning film, Space For Art, and a live Q&A.

Space for Art is a documentary film on the power of hope, courage, and healing. The film follows Stott on what’s become her latest mission.

After the screening, Stott will join founding directors of Space for Art, Maria Lanas and Ian Cion, and the producers, director, and editor of the documentary, Michael and Margaret Potter, Maclovia Martel, and Todd Jones, for a panel discussion and Q&A.

For more information about the Museum of Flight event – click here.

To learn more about Stott – click here.