Shared Skies was an exhibit by Kim Abeles of digital prints of sky photographs displayed in collaboration with and at the Art-Science Gallery in the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The photographs were taken by Abeles during her own journeys and by artists who participated as they traveled, international friends through social media, NCAR scientists, and some purchased from photographers through stock photo sites – all brought together to show “the connected parts of our place on this Earth.”

“As people look toward the sky each morning, through the day or each night, the sky speaks to their personal and local concerns. In a global sense, we observe the effects of our environmental decisions and find community through a seamless sky,” said Abeles.

Abeles is an internationally recognized Los Angeles-based visual artist whose work has been exhibited in 22 countries. She is known for her extraordinary ability to make the invisible visible and what we take for granted to appear freshly before our eyes. Abeles created Shared Skies to showcase “the connections between the global, local, and personal.”

Each 17×22” archival print has 13 skies from places around the world such as the Salt Flats of Bolivia; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Maasai Mara, Kenya; and Pine Ridge, Oglala Sioux Tribe.

The project included a panel presentation and conversation with artist Kim Abeles and NCAR atmospheric scientist Dr. Peggy LeMone, facilitated by gallery curator Dr. Lisa Gardiner. It focused on the intersection of the art and science of the sky — how the atmosphere is connected worldwide, and how our view of the atmosphere changes from place to place and over time.

The Art-Science Gallery at NCAR showcases artwork related to sciences relevant to NCAR research and seeks to foster conversations about connections between art and science. Said gallery curator Dr. Lisa Gardiner, “both art and science provide ways of seeing the world around us. We hope the Shared Skies exhibit and our resources for educators provided more avenues for people to learn about and appreciate our atmosphere.”