Spacefest VII, June 2016
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Spacefest - What is it all about..
Well...Our campaign is unusual, because we already have a product in place. For the last 6 years, we have managed, set up and run an annual event called Spacefest, which we rightly feel proud to call the greatest gathering of space people on Earth.
Everyone that attends our events see it as a “life-changer” or “the most important event that they "have ever been to.” In short, the very highest praise, unsolicited, and unprompted.
It is to that end that we are reaching out not only to people who have already been, but to those who hope to come in future, to keep this remarkable event alive.
Spacefest is an annual reunion of NASA and world science's finest people. From the Apollo astronauts, Nobel prize winning and world famous space scientists, award winning authors, the planets' finest astronomers, world reknowned space artists, and most importantly, you, the fans.
It is produced by Novaspace, a Tucson space art gallery & memorabilia dealer with a six-person crew. Two of those six are ‘Mom & Pop’ owners Kim and Sally Poor, who opened their gallery in 1978. The couple takes on the arrangements of the monumental Spacefest event effort themselves, with help at the actual event from family, crew, friends, and an army of volunteers.
Kim was a successful space artist, and did well in the free-lance and retail world. Travelling often to do regional art shows, he made a number of strategic friends along the way one of whom was Apollo 12's Alan Bean, himself an accomplished artist, former NASA astronaut and most famously one of only 12 people to have walked on the surface of the Moon
Alan was so impressed by Kim’s vision and integrity, that he introduced Kim to other Apollo astronauts. A space artist must maintain a cadre of scientific advisor's to keep paintings accurate being his remit. The University of Arizona here in Tucson has one of the finest astronomy and planetary science schools on Earth, and they also embraced Kim with open arms. Kim already knew most of the other top artists in this specialized field, and it was from this that the idea for Spacefest was born, one with an impressive lineup of potential guests, to lecture, exhibit, or give presentations. Owning a space art gallery offers other advantages, such as sign-making equipment, display equipment, and a ready-made contact base.
“They all laughed when I said what I wanted to do,” said Kim. “It would be like a four-ring circus. Something for everyone.” Kindly old astronauts from Apollo days; top space artists, working; scientists and astronomers; and vendors of meteorites, telescopes, and such.
Yes, there were existing shows, but none so varied and ambitious; especially with the inclusion of dozens of pioneer astronauts. AND we’ll do it in Phoenix. In August... and boy did it take off!
Spacefest 1 took place in East Phoenix, mid-August, 2007. With 7 of 9 moonwalkers, 23 astronauts...The speaker list read like a who’s who of astrophysics... a HUGE (4000 sq.ft) space art show featuring NASA artists Robert McCall and the legendary Paul Calle. On the convention floor were vendors of space merchandise as well as information. Attendees had never seen anything like it. They were able to not only meet their heroes, but talk to them at length at their booth, over dinner or in the bar. The biggest complaint we got (and still get) is that there is too much to do. Not enough time... for a few dollars entry fee, people could sit and talk with legends... and that's still the case today.
There have been five Spacefests since that first one. Two in California, three more in Arizona. Doing such a huge show, with all the events, guests and programming though has been made more difficult by Kim’s deteriorating condition.
Kim has a progressive neurological disease, MJD Ataxia, not too dissimilar to what the world reknowned Professor Stephen Hawking suffers from in its physical manifestation. This confines Kim to a wheelchair.
He is unable to speak, drive, eat unadided, nor write. Most arrangements with Spacefest’s venue, guests, and attendees are handled through Kim’s email account, but as with Professor Hawking, his cognitive faculties remain intact. Ataxia is a genetically inherited disease, Kim and Sally's two children had a 50-50 chance of getting it, and fate dealt them the bad hand. Kelsey now 31 years old, and Kim's daughter has inherited the condition.
Nevertheless, and despite all the odds, Kim remains reasonably well-adjusted. There is no pain, and he notes: “There are a lot of folks worse off. I don’t care about leaving a Spacefest legacy. My body of art will speak to that. I just want to make things (financially) easier for my family.” However, we all care so much about that legacy that we're willing to fight for it.
After a grueling Spacefest VI in Pasadena, which again brought together an outstanding line-up and with blanket advertising, but sadly not much local attendance (though we sell out our tickets for the main events in little over an hour to people as far away as Australia, Germany etc), Kim and Sally said “No more!”
Not surprising, given Kim’s daily battle with MJD Ataxia, Sally’s caretaking of him, and their regular work at Novaspace, for a marginally profitable event that usurped most of their time. It was then that the rest of the team, decided "no way..." We would not see this event die.. it's just too precious, and gives so much joy to so many people, from 8 to 80..
Most of the Novaspace core team in Arizona is 60+years of age, so you can imagine that this is getting harder all the time. The work required from planning, setup etc down to loading/unloading big trucks takes its toll, and all the work and time that these events require. They feel could teach a college course in event planning with the things.
Novaspace has been in business for over 34 years in a narrow niche market during mostly hard times. They have not only reinvested gallery profits and personal credit (cards) to grow the gallery business, but also in to funding spacefest, just for the people who come, for as we say, it's a life changing event.
They have never had a business loan, angel, VC, CF or parental loan and Spacefest has always been a break-even proposition, but one that keeps on growing. Our crowds who fly thousands of miles are increasing each year, but it’s mainly through word-of-mouth, so not only are we reaching out here for your support, but also your support via social media and any way you can to get the message out there.
Years ago, Comic Con was a few tables set up in a mall, now look at that. With your help we can bring in more and more major talent, to give us a leg up and to make Spacefest a truly self-sustaining event. Specifically, with proper financing we can bring in keynote speakers, legendary figures in the world of space and science. People like Neil DeGrasse Tyson, or Bill Nye, (who has Ataxia in his family, also)... Tom Hanks...Elon Musk. Celebrities like these would boost attendance and are some of the most respected individuals who cross over the bridge between art and science, which is what Spacefest is all about...
We are an international committee of colleagues, contemporaries, fans and customers who appreciate Spacefest and feel it MUST continue. We intend to support and assist Kim and Sally in producing Spacefest because its unique, important, inspiring, and fun. We’ll need their experience and rapport with the astronauts, speakers, artists, the venue, vendors, and personnel.
Spacefest is also a major supporter of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in our schools. Not only do we count among our patrons several STEM journalists, but we also personally invite schools and students to come meet the astronauts and speakers, and to compete in our space art contest for prizes. Spacefest has all the inspirational tools for adults and young alike. Like NASA we truly try to "Dare Mighty Things" and with your help, we know we can make that happen.
Thank you for your support.. and we truly hope to see you at Spacefest 7 in June 2016 in Tucson
Websites:
www.spacefest.info
www.novaspace.com
Facebook:
facebook.com/spacefest
facebook.com/novaspace
Smugmug (photos and video)
spacefest.smugmug.com
Well...Our campaign is unusual, because we already have a product in place. For the last 6 years, we have managed, set up and run an annual event called Spacefest, which we rightly feel proud to call the greatest gathering of space people on Earth.
Everyone that attends our events see it as a “life-changer” or “the most important event that they "have ever been to.” In short, the very highest praise, unsolicited, and unprompted.
It is to that end that we are reaching out not only to people who have already been, but to those who hope to come in future, to keep this remarkable event alive.
Spacefest is an annual reunion of NASA and world science's finest people. From the Apollo astronauts, Nobel prize winning and world famous space scientists, award winning authors, the planets' finest astronomers, world reknowned space artists, and most importantly, you, the fans.
It is produced by Novaspace, a Tucson space art gallery & memorabilia dealer with a six-person crew. Two of those six are ‘Mom & Pop’ owners Kim and Sally Poor, who opened their gallery in 1978. The couple takes on the arrangements of the monumental Spacefest event effort themselves, with help at the actual event from family, crew, friends, and an army of volunteers.
Kim was a successful space artist, and did well in the free-lance and retail world. Travelling often to do regional art shows, he made a number of strategic friends along the way one of whom was Apollo 12's Alan Bean, himself an accomplished artist, former NASA astronaut and most famously one of only 12 people to have walked on the surface of the Moon
Alan was so impressed by Kim’s vision and integrity, that he introduced Kim to other Apollo astronauts. A space artist must maintain a cadre of scientific advisor's to keep paintings accurate being his remit. The University of Arizona here in Tucson has one of the finest astronomy and planetary science schools on Earth, and they also embraced Kim with open arms. Kim already knew most of the other top artists in this specialized field, and it was from this that the idea for Spacefest was born, one with an impressive lineup of potential guests, to lecture, exhibit, or give presentations. Owning a space art gallery offers other advantages, such as sign-making equipment, display equipment, and a ready-made contact base.
“They all laughed when I said what I wanted to do,” said Kim. “It would be like a four-ring circus. Something for everyone.” Kindly old astronauts from Apollo days; top space artists, working; scientists and astronomers; and vendors of meteorites, telescopes, and such.
Yes, there were existing shows, but none so varied and ambitious; especially with the inclusion of dozens of pioneer astronauts. AND we’ll do it in Phoenix. In August... and boy did it take off!
Spacefest 1 took place in East Phoenix, mid-August, 2007. With 7 of 9 moonwalkers, 23 astronauts...The speaker list read like a who’s who of astrophysics... a HUGE (4000 sq.ft) space art show featuring NASA artists Robert McCall and the legendary Paul Calle. On the convention floor were vendors of space merchandise as well as information. Attendees had never seen anything like it. They were able to not only meet their heroes, but talk to them at length at their booth, over dinner or in the bar. The biggest complaint we got (and still get) is that there is too much to do. Not enough time... for a few dollars entry fee, people could sit and talk with legends... and that's still the case today.
There have been five Spacefests since that first one. Two in California, three more in Arizona. Doing such a huge show, with all the events, guests and programming though has been made more difficult by Kim’s deteriorating condition.
Kim has a progressive neurological disease, MJD Ataxia, not too dissimilar to what the world reknowned Professor Stephen Hawking suffers from in its physical manifestation. This confines Kim to a wheelchair.
He is unable to speak, drive, eat unadided, nor write. Most arrangements with Spacefest’s venue, guests, and attendees are handled through Kim’s email account, but as with Professor Hawking, his cognitive faculties remain intact. Ataxia is a genetically inherited disease, Kim and Sally's two children had a 50-50 chance of getting it, and fate dealt them the bad hand. Kelsey now 31 years old, and Kim's daughter has inherited the condition.
Nevertheless, and despite all the odds, Kim remains reasonably well-adjusted. There is no pain, and he notes: “There are a lot of folks worse off. I don’t care about leaving a Spacefest legacy. My body of art will speak to that. I just want to make things (financially) easier for my family.” However, we all care so much about that legacy that we're willing to fight for it.
After a grueling Spacefest VI in Pasadena, which again brought together an outstanding line-up and with blanket advertising, but sadly not much local attendance (though we sell out our tickets for the main events in little over an hour to people as far away as Australia, Germany etc), Kim and Sally said “No more!”
Not surprising, given Kim’s daily battle with MJD Ataxia, Sally’s caretaking of him, and their regular work at Novaspace, for a marginally profitable event that usurped most of their time. It was then that the rest of the team, decided "no way..." We would not see this event die.. it's just too precious, and gives so much joy to so many people, from 8 to 80..
Most of the Novaspace core team in Arizona is 60+years of age, so you can imagine that this is getting harder all the time. The work required from planning, setup etc down to loading/unloading big trucks takes its toll, and all the work and time that these events require. They feel could teach a college course in event planning with the things.
Novaspace has been in business for over 34 years in a narrow niche market during mostly hard times. They have not only reinvested gallery profits and personal credit (cards) to grow the gallery business, but also in to funding spacefest, just for the people who come, for as we say, it's a life changing event.
They have never had a business loan, angel, VC, CF or parental loan and Spacefest has always been a break-even proposition, but one that keeps on growing. Our crowds who fly thousands of miles are increasing each year, but it’s mainly through word-of-mouth, so not only are we reaching out here for your support, but also your support via social media and any way you can to get the message out there.
Years ago, Comic Con was a few tables set up in a mall, now look at that. With your help we can bring in more and more major talent, to give us a leg up and to make Spacefest a truly self-sustaining event. Specifically, with proper financing we can bring in keynote speakers, legendary figures in the world of space and science. People like Neil DeGrasse Tyson, or Bill Nye, (who has Ataxia in his family, also)... Tom Hanks...Elon Musk. Celebrities like these would boost attendance and are some of the most respected individuals who cross over the bridge between art and science, which is what Spacefest is all about...
We are an international committee of colleagues, contemporaries, fans and customers who appreciate Spacefest and feel it MUST continue. We intend to support and assist Kim and Sally in producing Spacefest because its unique, important, inspiring, and fun. We’ll need their experience and rapport with the astronauts, speakers, artists, the venue, vendors, and personnel.
Spacefest is also a major supporter of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in our schools. Not only do we count among our patrons several STEM journalists, but we also personally invite schools and students to come meet the astronauts and speakers, and to compete in our space art contest for prizes. Spacefest has all the inspirational tools for adults and young alike. Like NASA we truly try to "Dare Mighty Things" and with your help, we know we can make that happen.
Thank you for your support.. and we truly hope to see you at Spacefest 7 in June 2016 in Tucson
Websites:
www.spacefest.info
www.novaspace.com
Facebook:
facebook.com/spacefest
facebook.com/novaspace
Smugmug (photos and video)
spacefest.smugmug.com
Organizer
Kim Poor
Organizer
Tucson, AZ
