Clear Lake Infiniti, 14705 Gulf Freeway, hosted the official unveiling of artist Richard Wood’s Portrait of STS-107 Commander Richard Husband on October 23, 2003. The portrait is in conjunction with Clear Creek Independent School District’s Memorial Mural to the fallen astronauts of space shuttle Columbia’s STS-107 crew.

Elegant guitar music by Bill Bennett played in the background as V.I.P. visitors mingled. Four of seven astronaut portrait paintings were on display at Clear Lake Infiniti’s main showroom for visitors to observe. Artist, Richard Wood, was on hand to answer any questions they had.

Local dignitaries and business leaders gathered around as Al Prendergast, General Manager of Clear Lake Infiniti, ceremoniously presented a sponsorship check to CCISD representative, Richard Williams, for the portrait painting of Richard Husband.

“We are honored to support these kids and the painting of Richard Husband,” Prendergast said. “The seven astronauts of STS-107 are heroes, and we wanted to support their memory.”

CCISD, Clear Lake Infiniti, Baycomber Magazine, United Space Alliance have come together to embark on a project to memorialize the seven astronauts lost in the shuttle disaster.

The process involves professional volunteers helping children of the community to produce a mural honoring the astronauts and their families. The mural, Painting an Empty Sky, will be an assortment of “sky” pieces assembled with the image of the Columbia lift off. Quotes from the astronauts and the children will then be written in the sky. Wood was commissioned to paint the portraits of the seven astronauts that will be placed permanently over the top of the children’s mural to fill sections of the “Empty Sky”

Wood dedicated his time, expertise and energy to produce the oil paintings.

“The finished paintings are very life like,” Wood said. “I began each painting with a Photoshop manipulated photograph. I sketched the portrait onto canvas, and then applied the oil paint over the sketch.”

The mural, as well as the children’s individual art and writings will be displayed at the Alfred C. Glassell Junior School of Art at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston during February 2004. Bowne Printers will produce one of the children’s art pieces in a limited edition print that will be available for purchase in the near future.

Sponsorships are still available for the astronaut portrait paintings. Corporate sponsors, with a $1000 contribution, will receive a signed Giclee by artist Richard Wood. Individuals may donate $100 or more, and they will have their names inscribed on a plaque that will hang beside the mural. These sponsors will also receive a limited edition print of the children’s art. All donations should be written CCISD-PES Fund, and they are tax deductible.

For more information, contact Richard Williams at Clear Lake High School at (281) 488-6670, or call 281-474-5875.