Contest For Artwork Inspired By NASA And Its Programs

Normally, when you hear the words "NASA" and "Spacecraft" in the same sentence, it conjures up visions of travel and science far from the friendly confines of our blue marble. That may be exactly what NASA and Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade arts and crafts, had in mind when they got together to launch "Space Craft," a contest where entrants share an original handmade item or work of art inspired by NASA and NASA's programs, such as the Space Shuttle Program and human spaceflight, aeronautics, science and exploration of the universe. Contestants can enter two-dimensional original art (painting, drawing, prints, mixed media, photographic, and computer generated prints). Three-dimensional entries, including wearable art and soft sculptures, also may be entered.

The contestants will compete for one grand prize and three best-in-category prizes. The contest's grand prizewinner will receive a $500 Etsy-funded shopping spree. Etsy also will pay the winner's way to attend the space shuttle launch targeted for February 2011.

NASA's goal is to help inform Etsy's 5.5 million members, 96 percent of whom are women, most under age 35, about the agency's present and future exploration plans. 

"The contest reaches an important audience NASA would like to better engage to help share the excitement that is America's space program," said Doug Comstock, director of Partnerships, Innovation and Commercial Space in NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "These craftspeople will bring new perspectives that can help communicate NASA's mission and inspire our next generation of explorers in new ways."   

Space Craft runs through November 2. Entries will be judged online by viewers of the Etsy website. A panel of crafters and designers identified by Etsy and NASA will narrow the selection and select the winners. The winning entries will be selected February 1, 2011.

FMI: www.etsy.com/nasa