MUKILTEO — The Future of Flight Aviation Center at Paine Field invites Snohomish County residents to view a touring exhibit from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and related paintings by Everett artist Chris Hopkins.
The subjects of the exhibit are black pilots in America, and locals with proof of residency get in free to see the exhibit this weekend, April 3 through 5.
Hopkins will be on hand for the opening, Friday through Sunday of “Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight,” between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at Future of Flight, 8415 Paine Field Blvd.
The artist plans to talk about what inspired his Tuskegee Airmen project. Six signed and numbered prints from the Hopkins’ series will be available for view and purchase during the opening weekend, and at the gift shop through June 14, when the touring exhibit moves on.
“Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight,” presented by the National Air and Space Museum examines the contributions of some of the most important African American aviators who helped make the dream of careers in flight and space exploration possible.
“Black Wings” includes the story of Bessie Coleman, who Hopkins also has painted. Coleman was the first black American woman to obtain her pilot’s license.
Also featured in the Smithsonian touring exhibit are the Tuskegee Airmen, a division of black pilots who fought in World War II.
Hopkins, who has shown his work at the Schack Art Center, began work on his Tuskegee Airmen series as part of his work for the Northwest chapter of the Air Force Art program. Over the years, the series has moved beyond the Air Force Art program to become a personal mission and passion for Hopkins, he said.
The Tuskegee Airmen project is a tribute of more than 40 paintings. With the help of surviving Tuskegee Airmen, Pentagon personnel and noted historians, Hopkins’ body of work has great attention to detail and accuracy.
After opening weekend, admission to “Black Wings” is free for members of Future of Flight and included in Future of Flight Aviation Center &Boeing Tour admission with advance purchase, $18 adult, $12 youth (age 15 and under; children must be at least four feet tall to take the Boeing Tour). Admission for the exhibit also is included in Gallery/Strato Deck only admission (no Boeing Tour), $10 adult, $5 ages 6- 15, and free for ages 5 and under. For tickets and information visit www.futureofflight.org/black-wings or call 425-438-8100, ext. 240.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @galefiege.
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