Martian-themed event planned to celebrate Fall Arts Celebration Mars exhibit

The Grand Valley Art Gallery will experience a Martian invasion during an upcoming event that will celebrate the university’s Fall Arts Celebration Mars-themed art exhibit.

The “Mars: Astronomy and Culture” exhibit brings together more than 40 photographs, drawings, movie posters, book covers and video projections spotlighting Mars. The exhibit also features a showcase of Martian-themed toys and collectibles from a private collection based in Chicago. 

The exhibit will be on display in Grand Valley’s Art Gallery, located in the Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts, through November 9.

The Martian Party event will take place on October 31 beginning at 5 p.m. in the Art Gallery. During the event, guests will be able to view the “Mars: Astronomy and Culture” exhibit, create their own Martian antenna, enjoy a performance of Gustav Holst’s “Mars: Bringer of War” by the GVSU Orchestra, and experience a virtual reality simulator for an immersive experience on the surface of Mars. Attendees will then march in an invasion-style parade from the Haas Center to the Calder Fine Arts Center at 7 p.m. to continue the festivities.

The Art Gallery and Housing and Residence Life are sponsoring the event in collaboration with the Department of Visual and Media Arts, Atomic Object Technology Showcase, and the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance.

The “Mars: Astronomy and Culture” exhibition was curated by the Pasadena Arts Council for the Williamson Gallery, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California. It is a project of the Pasadena Arts Council’s EMERGE Fiscal Sponsorship Program.

For more information about this event, visit the Art Gallery website, or call (616) 331-2563.