Select walls at NASA’s Johnson Space Center have been transformed into works of art. Each piece reflects creativity, collaboration, and the spirit of discovery. Painted by Texas students, the murals honor the legacy of the International Space Station and 25 years of continuous human presence in space.
The International Space Station Program Mural Project began in 2022 as part of a broader effort to bring color and inspiration into the workplace while connecting classrooms to NASA’s mission.
“The mural collection is a reminder that today’s dreams can be tomorrow’s realities,” said Space Operations Mission Directorate Deputy Associate Administrator Joel Montalbano. “The future of space exploration depends on the imagination of our students.”
As NASA prepares for the next giant leap through Artemis, the art on the walls serves as a reminder that every mission begins with creativity and courage. This initiative continues to inspire the next generation to Dare | Unite | Explore. While art allows for interpretation, each mural required careful planning, communication, and problem-solving, just like the work behind human spaceflight.
The most recent mural, “Dream Big,” was installed in the hallway leading to the International Space Station Program suite on the fifth floor of building 1. Created by Texas City High School students with the International Space Station Program Mission Integration and Operations team, the artwork shows a grayscale child pulling back a curtain to reveal rockets, astronauts, and bright planetary landscapes.
The mural’s design draws from both classic and modern art influences. The students were inspired by Van Gogh’s impressionistic style and Banksy’s Behind the Curtain, combining movement and curiosity to reflect how imagination can open the door to exploration.
“The National Art Honor Society was honored to take on this inspiring project,” said Texas City High School art teacher Jennifer Massie. “They chose ‘Where Creativity Meets Reality’ to show how a child’s creative mind keeps moving and evolving—and that with big dreams and hard work, kids can follow in their heroes’ footsteps.”
What started as an idea between Gary Johnson, technical manager in the International Space Station Mission Integration and Operations Office, and Raul Tijerina, then the program’s building graphics lead, has grown into a gallery-sized initiative that bridges science and creativity.
“We want students to have the unique opportunity to contribute to NASA’s legacy through their artwork,” Johnson said. “These murals show that every mission begins with imagination and that the next generation of explorers is already helping paint humanity’s future among the stars.”
Two murals are now housed in the hallway of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory’s International Space Development Integration Laboratory, known as the SDIL. The first, “Dream Explore Discover,” created by Friendswood High School students, was originally displayed in building 4 south. Under the guidance of art teacher Mandy Harris, more than 30 students designed and painted the 8-by-18-foot mural, starting with sketches and brainstorming sessions that considered how art could reflect human space exploration. The students combined their ideas into a single design celebrating the beauty and excitement of discovery.
Elements of the mural include an astronaut’s visor reflecting the Houston skyline, zinnias symbolizing life and science connecting beyond Earth, and a small floating teddy bear representing both the dreams of children who look up to the stars and the generations of explorers who carried small tokens of home into space. It serves as a reminder of the human heart behind every mission.
The mural also features the launch of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with NASA’s Orion spacecraft riding on top, heading for the next giant leap in exploration. Beside the capsule, the Orion constellation appears in the sky, symbolizing how the stars continue to guide humanity’s journey to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
“The Moon Now,” created by students from La Marque High School, Blocker Middle School, and Giles Middle School, is also housed at the SDIL. The artwork depicts two astronauts on the lunar surface wearing Axiom spacesuits with mirrored visors that reflect the faces of the next generation who will carry humanity back to the Moon. Individual student artworks of the Milky Way and celestial objects were collaged into the final piece, creating a tapestry of imagination and exploration.
The remaining murals are installed in building 4 south at Johnson. In 2023, the program expanded to include Dickinson High School, whose students created “A Starry Night,” a blend of Renaissance-style painting and modern space imagery. “Everyone wanted to be involved,” said art teacher Jennifer Sumrall. “The kids loved it and did their own research on how each of NASA’s missions impacts the world.”
“Absolute Equality: Breaking Boundaries” by Houston artist Reginald C. Adams symbolizes unity and humanity’s shared future in space exploration. Two figures share a single helmet. Patterns inspired by circuitry surround the faces and suggest the role of technology in connecting people around the world and beyond it.
“Collaboration” was painted by La Marque High School students with art teacher Joan Finn and artist Cheryl Evans to depict the interconnected roles of visionaries, engineers, artists, and astronauts in exploration. Built from 10 stretched canvases bolted together — a nod to the station’s assembly across more than 40 missions — the mural includes the space station patch at the bottom to represent the collaboration of the 15 countries involved.
NASA Johnson thanks Joel Montalbano, who championed student engagement that connects classrooms to mission work during his tenure as International Space Station Program manager. The center also acknowledges Gary Johnson for conceiving the mural project and guiding its partnerships, Raul Tijerina for early design leadership that set the standard, Gordon Andrews for opening doors through behind-the-scenes tours, and art educators for mentoring the students who brought each mural to life.
