CORVALLIS, Ore. – “Totality,” a cosmos-themed art exhibit saluting the rare total solar eclipse occurring in August, will run Aug. 14 through Sept. 28 in Oregon State University’s Fairbanks Gallery, 220 S.W. 26^th St., Corvallis.

 “Totality” brings together a group of artists who make work about people’s relationship with the Cosmos in some manner. The emphasis is on lyrical, conceptual, scientific, fantasy and historic responses to the universe or to humankind’s space exploration.

Selected artists and their artworks include photographer Eric William Carroll’s project “Standard Stars,” which documents the deterioration of emulsion peeling off astronomical glass plate negatives. Artist Penelope Umbrico samples images of the most-photographed subject matter – sunsets – in her single-channel video “Sun/Screen.” Corvallis-based astrophotographer Tom Carrico exhibits his photographs of nebulae, which are clouds of dust, hydrogen, helium and plasma in space and can be challenging to photograph.

The exhibition was curated by Julia Bradshaw, assistant professor of photography and new media at OSU. Bradshaw also has assembled a host of arts-related special events for visitors coming to Corvallis and the OSU campus during the weekend prior to the eclipse, which will occur Aug. 21.

“I relish the range of imaginative and fact-based artistic responses to the Cosmos,” Bradshaw said of the exhibit. “Making and viewing artwork that explores philosophies of space puts us in touch with our humanity in ways that are particularly thought-provoking.”

Additional arts programming the weekend prior to the eclipse will include photography workshops and performances in the gallery. Activities are free and take place at Fairbanks Hall. For a complete schedule of events, visit: http://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/school-arts-and-communication/art/fairbanks-gallery-art/upcoming-exhibitions/totality.

Fairbanks Gallery is open weekdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 17 and Sept. 21 for the Corvallis Art Walk. The gallery will also be open Aug. 19 and 20 leading up to the eclipse. A closing reception for “Totality” will take place Sept. 21 in conjunction with the Corvallis Art Walk.

“Totality” is part of the OSU150 Space Grant Festival: A Total Eclipse Experience, and SPARK, a year-long celebration of the arts and science.

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Note to editors: Digital images of artwork from the exhibit are available for use with this article:

About the OSU College of Liberal Arts: The College of Liberal Arts includes fine and performing arts, humanities and social sciences, making it one of the largest and most diverse colleges at OSU. The college’s research and instructional faculty members contribute to the education of all university students and provide national and international leadership, creativity and scholarship in their academic disciplines.