A number of aspects of LIGO convey artistic overtones such as the imagery associated with astrophysical events, the striking designs of interferometer components and the expansive views of land and sky that surround the Hanford Observatory. For the second year, art students from Southridge High School in Kennewick have sought to capture these and other aspects of LIGO by creating paintings and drawings that will remain on display at LHO through the fall of 2008.

SHS Art instructor Anne Wendt offers the LIGO field trip as a way for her students to experience a new and perhaps unexpected source of ideas. Students visit the Observatory and undertake a typical field trip agenda -- a walking tour, a control room stop, hands-on time with exhibits -- but they focus on the nature and texture of the images that they encounter while moving through the visit. Back at school, the students will spend several weeks crafting representations of their experience. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the display is to notice the variety of subjects, styles and techniques that the students generate.

Photographs of the 2008 Southridge display appear below, however the actual pieces communicate in ways that the images can't replicate. Ms. Wendt will return with students again in 2009. Community members are warmly invited to take a first-hand look at the 2009 display while enjoying a LIGO tour, event or public activity.