Mt Wilson’s Arts@theObservatory Exhibition from Russell Crotty (Photo – www.mtwilson.edu)
The iconic Mt. Wilson Observatory is continuing its commitment to blending art and science with its newest Arts@theObservatory exhibition, Nocturnal Landscapes from the Arid West, featuring California artist Russell Crotty.
By Melanie Hooks
The public is invited to attend the exhibition’s opening reception on Saturday, June 27, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. inside the Observatory’s historic 100-inch telescope dome. The free event will include a walkthrough by the artist beginning at 1:30 p.m.
The exhibition, which runs through October 17, showcases works from Crotty’s ongoing Landscape Works series. The collection explores the relationship between the terrestrial and the celestial through detailed ballpoint pen drawings of land and sky, accompanied by anecdotal text and personal reflections on the infinite and the sublime.
Known for his intricate drawings that merge scientific observation with artistic expression, Crotty’s work is held in permanent collections around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). He has also exhibited at the Hammer Museum, SFMoMA, and completed a notable residency at Lick Observatory.
The exhibition, located within the dome housing Mt. Wilson’s famed 100-inch telescope, is organized by Observatory artist-in-residence Stephen Nowlin.
Arts@theObservatory presents exhibitions and immersive programs designed to connect creativity, science, and place at Mount Wilson Observatory, continuing the vision of founder George Ellery Hale.
Admission to the exhibition and opening reception is free, though RSVPs are encouraged online.
Visitors should note that access to the exhibition level inside the telescope dome requires climbing a 53-step staircase. Mount Wilson Observatory sits at an elevation of one mile, where the air is noticeably thinner, and there is no ADA-compliant access to the exhibition level.
Opening Reception: Nocturnal Landscapes from the Arid West Saturday, June 27, 2026 Reception: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Artist Walkthrough: 1:30 pm Location Mt. Wilson Observatory Dome 100 Mt Wilson Circle Road Mt. Wilson, CA 91023 Recommended Map available online here. Free with RSVP here.
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