COLUMBUS, Ohio — A large painting showcasing four astronauts from Ohio was displayed at the Statehouse Wednesday night.
The 9-by-12 painting called "Ohioans In Space" features John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, and Judith Resnik. Flight Director Gene Kranz made it into the painting and represents the engineers and scientists without whom space travel would not have been possible.
The artwork recognizes the accomplishments of Ohioans in space travel and exploration. Names of the 26 astronauts born in Ohio and others are listed on a permanent plaque near the painting.
This is the first time since 1957 that a painting was commissioned for the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda.
The artist, Bill Hinsch, said it took him seven months to paint and cost about $3,500 for all the material. Hinsch said he was ecstatic when he learned his mural was selected out of hundreds of applicants to go into the Statehouse.
"I was actually astounded because I didn't think there was any way I would be able to win it, to be honest. Anyway, it was a big day in my life," Hinsch said.
There are 26 astronauts that were born in Ohio, but Hinsch couldn't find all of them on one painting so he had some choices to make. Ultimately, he believes the five people he selected tell the whole story of NASA.
Hinsch said that he took an informal poll and was surprised at how many people younger than don't recognize the people in his mural or even know their names. He hopes the painting will keep their memory alive.
"That's kind of a horror because it's part of our history. It's an important part of Ohio's history," Hinsch said. "I hope that it allows people to see what they look like and see that they are just normal people like the rest of us."
To read more about the painting, click here.