Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO), Southern California’s esteemed home to several of the most groundbreaking astronomical discoveries in history, welcomes the public to its first Arts@theObservatory exhibit of the 2026 season, “Nocturnal Landscapes From the Arid West,” by Russell Crotty.
Organized by MWO’s artist-in-residence Stephen Nowlin, the exhibit will be presented inside the magnificent vaulted dome of the historic 100-inch telescope.
Opening Reception
The public is invited to a free opening reception on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 1:30pm–5:00pm, with the artist giving a short walkthrough beginning at 1:30pm. For more information about the exhibit, and to RSVP for the opening reception visit: mtwilson.edu.
About the Exhibit
“Nocturnal Landscapes From the Arid West” will feature several drawings from Crotty’s ongoing “Landscape Works” series—delicate renderings of land and sky punctuated with anecdotal text and reflections on both the infinite and the sublime. Feet-on-the-earth and eyes-on-the-cosmos, the works merge direct observation with personal reflection, creating a dialogue between terrestrial experience and celestial wonder within one of astronomy’s most storied architectural spaces.
Exhibition Details
- Saturdays | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM from July 4 - October 17, 2026
- Admission: $10 (children under 12 are free)
- Additional viewing times available by appointment - contact arts@mtwilson.edu.
- Please note: Access to the dome exhibition level is via a 53-step staircase. Mount Wilson Observatory is a mile high in elevation, so the air is noticeably thinner. There is no ADA-compliant access.
