By Andrew Granger, CGC ’26

From the deck of an aircraft carrier to the silence of space, the Navy has played an essential role in the history of American spaceflight. This fall, The Citadel’s Moore Art Gallery presents that story through a new exhibition, “From Space to Sea: The Navy’s Role in Manned Space Flight.”

The exhibition opened on Sept. 4 and will remain on view through Dec. 10. It is free and open to the public, with gallery hours Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Capers Hall.

“Made by artists on the scene of thrilling, historic moments, these works of art bring the early days of space travel to life and highlight the collaborative spirit of the Navy in a new frontier,” said Tiffany Silverman, director of fine arts at The Citadel. “From Randy Bresnik, a retired Marine colonel and member of the Class of 1989 who was the first graduate of The Citadel to fly in space, to the current cadets contracted with the U.S. Space Force, space continues to ignite the aspirations of our future leaders and is the perfect topic to celebrate in our gallery.”

The artworks, on loan from the Navy Art Collection — Naval History and Heritage Command in Washington, D.C. — depict pivotal scenes from the 1960s and 70s, when America’s space program was in its earliest stages. Created by both combat and professional artists, the paintings and sketches document astronauts, recovery crews and the technology that carried them to space and back.

“The Navy’s contributions to spaceflight go beyond transporting astronauts,” said Silverman. “These works of art capture the extraordinary teamwork between pilots, sailors, scientists and engineers. Without that teamwork, space history as we know it could not have been written.”

A visual history of exploration

Among the highlights of the exhibition are portraits of pioneering astronauts Alan Shepard and John Glenn. Shepard, a Navy test pilot, became the first American in space in 1961 and was later on Apollo 14, walking on the moon and famously hitting a golf ball across its surface. Glenn, a Marine pilot, was the first American to orbit Earth in 1962, cementing the nation’s leadership in space exploration.

Other works show moments of spacecraft recovery, when astronauts splashed down in the ocean after their missions. Paintings such as “Back to Earth, USS Guam” capture the Navy’s role in bringing astronauts safely home, with sailors lining the decks to welcome them aboard. Watercolors like “Capsule on Flotation Collar with Frogmen” illustrate the precision teamwork of recovery divers who secured floating capsules and assisted astronauts in the open sea.

“These images take you behind the scenes,” said Silverman. “We often remember the rocket launches and moonwalks, but the recoveries at sea were just as crucial. The Navy provided the safety net that allowed astronauts to push boundaries with confidence in their return.”

Honoring a legacy on the Navy’s 250th birthday

The exhibition also serves as a tribute to the Navy itself, which celebrates its 250th birthday this year. Since the dawn of the space age, the service has contributed pilots, engineers and support crews to NASA missions. Many of the earliest astronauts, including Shepard, Gordon Cooper and Jim Lovell, were Navy aviators before joining the space program.

“The Navy’s tradition of exploration made it a natural partner in spaceflight,” said Silverman. “This anniversary is the perfect time to reflect on how that legacy of service and discovery continues today.”

Connecting with The Citadel’s mission

For The Citadel, hosting the exhibition also connects directly to the college’s military heritage and its mission of developing principled leaders.

“Many of our cadets go on to serve in the Navy, Marine Corps and other branches of the armed forces,” Silverman explained. “This exhibition not only honors the service of those who came before them, but also inspires the next generation to think about the possibilities of leadership, exploration and innovation.”

The Moore Art Gallery has hosted a range of exhibitions in recent years, from contemporary installations to historical collections. Bringing in the Navy Art Collection reinforces the gallery’s role as both an educational resource and a cultural hub.

Exhibition details

“From Space to Sea: The Navy’s Role in Manned Space Flight” is running Sept. 4 – Dec. 10 in the Moore Art Gallery, located inside Capers Hall on The Citadel’s campus. Admission is free, and the gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. During the semester, free cadet-led tours are available for groups of up to 25 guests during gallery hours of Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. To schedule your tour, email Tiffany Silverman at silvermant@citadel.edu

Andrew Granger of Atlanta, Georgia earned his bachelor’s degree from The Virginia Military Institute in English, Rhetoric and Humanistic Studies. He is currently working as a graduate assistant in the Office of Communications and Marketing while pursuing a master’s degree in Project Management.