INTERNATIONAL Space Art & Poetry Contest
Presented by Axiom-2 Pilot John Shoffner LIVE from the International Space Station
In partnership with:
We asked students around the world,
What would it look like if we lived in space?”
900+
SUBMISSIONS
26
COUNTRIES
ENDLESS
IMAGINATION
THE SPACE ART & POETRY CONTEST HAS CONCLUDED
THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!
FAQ • ABOUT THE AX-2 LAUNCH • CONTEST RULES
Dear Artists and Poets,
I am so very happy and grateful for your time and effort in participating in our first International Space Art and Poetry Contest. Looking at all of the truly amazing art and poems from each of you has brought such a huge smile to me and to all of those who have looked at your wonderful pictures and read your touching poems. Thank you, thank you!
Soon, I will go to space for the first time. I have literally dreamed of this my entire life and I am so very excited and grateful for this opportunity.
Although we have been sending people to space for many years, I have often wondered what it will look like when many of us live and work in space full time. Your art and your words have helped us imagine this just a bit more clearly.
I promise to share your amazing work with everyone so that we may continue to inspire and delight the imagination of life in space.
And remember, many of you may actually have the chance to live and work in space one day. All you need is the desire and the imagination to make it happen.
ad astra.
John Shoffner
Pilot Ax-2
More art & poetry to come. Stay tuned and follow along with the Axiom-2 mission!
Meet the Judges
John Shoffner
Axiom-2 Pilot and Contest Visionary
Peggy Whitson
Axiom-2 Commander, former NASA Chief Astronaut
Kaci Heins
Director of Education at Limitless Space Institute
Monique Lorden
Visual Artist, Poet and Published Author
About the Astronaut
Axiom-2 Pilot John Shoffner
STE(A)M advocate and business pioneer John Shoffner is a life-long space enthusiast. At 8-years-old, he formed a young astronauts club with his friends in his hometown of Middlesboro, Kentucky. While space was his first passion, it didn’t make for a widely accepted career, so he took a more traditional route.
Despite finding success in the fiber optic telecommunications industry in its earliest stages, John’s wild ambition to become an astronaut never escaped him. In fact, he held onto a painting he created at 10-years-old of an astronaut floating in space. Little did he know that painting would later accompany him to the International Space Station (ISS) and inspire a global art contest.
Now, John will serve as Pilot for Axiom’s Ax-2 mission to the International Space Station on the SpaceX Dragon in May. His goal is to return from space with the tools to form a STE(A)M-based curriculum that connects the classroom to the real world through collaboration, problem solving, and creativity.
As John likes to say, “If you are not doing what you are, then you are just doing what you do.” A lifetime athlete with many years as a veteran pilot and a competitor in cycling, whitewater kayaking, waterskiing, hang gliding, skydiving, base jumping and motorsports, John will take his passion for science and education to new heights.
John’s story is one that proves dreams never really fade and creativity knows no limits.
Connect with John on Twitter and Instagram at @johnpshoffner
For press inquiries, education and speaking engagements, contact: [email protected]
Space Art & Poetry Contest
Frequently Asked Questions
Send us pictures of your out-of-this-world paintings and drawings! Sorry, no photography, sculpture, or AI.
You bet! We are thrilled that you will send us your vision for living in space! A digital certificate of participation will be emailed to all registered participants after the contest concludes.
Absolutely! As long as a student is in grades K-12 in the United States, along with primary or secondary schools internationally.
One piece of art or poetry per student. Go above and beyond and try one of each!
Of course! However, if it is written in a language other than English, we will need an English translation of the poetry within the same document.
Artwork
- A photo of 2-Dimensional artwork (painting or drawing)
- Relates to the theme
- Imagination and Creativity
- Composition/Design
- Quality/Technical Skills
- Overall impression
Poetry
- Relates to the theme
- Originality
- Conventions of poetry
- Word usage
- Grammar, mechanics, and spelling
- Sensory details
The age-level representatives that have been selected will be notified via the information submitted at registration.
Visit Contest Rules for additional information.
Contest inquiries can be sent to [email protected]. Press inquiries, education engagements, and speaking engagements can be sent to nicole@