Smithsonian’s New Book Reaches for the Stars

Washington, meet your next coffee-table conversation starter. The Art of Air and Space, the first book devoted to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s remarkable art collection, is ready for takeoff October 27th.

Spanning more than two centuries, from the late 18th century to today, this visually dazzling volume showcases 275 works exploring the captivating crossroads of art, aviation, science, and the human desire to fly.

Expect cosmic color, celestial concepts, and sky-high creativity. Alma Thomas brings vibrant abstraction inspired by the Moon missions; Morris Graves ventures into cosmic conceptual sculpture; and Georgia O’Keeffe captures the thrill of flight in an aerial painting inspired by her first commercial flights.

A starred Library Journal review calls the book a guided tour of humanity’s fascination with flight and space… and a revealing lens on our inner worlds and national psyche.

The takeaway? This is more than a museum book. It’s a bold, beautiful journey through the art of looking up, reaching out, and imagining what’s next.

The Art of Air and Space lands October 27th from Smithsonian Books.