1955: An Airstream was used for atomic bomb testing in the Nevada desert
A 1960 Airstream Bambi is in New York's Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) for excellence in style and design.
1969: Neil Armstrong and Apollo 11 members were quarantined for three weeks after their first voyage to the moon. The fear? They might be carrying 'lunar pathogens.'
1986 - 1991: A new "Squarestream" was added to the iconic Airstream design; fans were not amused.
Present day: And finally, if you truly love Airstreams, visit France. There is a BelRepayre Airstream and Retro Trailer Park where you can rent Airstreams as rooms. With a nod to the third Fun Fact, there's even an bar there called The Apollo Lounge, where patrons can belly up their own person Airstream window.
WANT TO GO?
What: First Annual Airstream Fine Art Invitational
Where: Airstream factory, 419 West Pike St., Jackson Center, OH
When: May 31 - June 4
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Cost: Free
More info: 877-596-6111
Did you know that there are 7.5 Airstreams buried nose down off I-4 near Dover, 15 miles northeast of Tampa, Florida? Frank Bates created the Airstream Ranch in honor of the company’s 75th anniversary. A 10,000-signature petition was circulated after local businesses claimed it was an eyesore in 2008.
Is it a homage/eyesore/art installation? Airstream fans who annually visit “Alumapalooza” in Jackson Center would most likely say the latter.
“Because so many of our customers are artists, it’s important for us to show support for the arts,” said Airstream president Bob Wheeler. “For all artisans, any Airstream gathering invariably is a chance to demonstrate and inspire creative energy.”
Those who consider Airstreams as fine art have carried the idea even further.
This year marks the First Annual Airstream Fine Art Invitational, with 26 artists across the country showing their Airstream, or travel-related art, in the Service Center lobby. Airstream Life cover artist Elizabeth Jose will demonstrate painting a landscape with, of course, an Airstream in it. Antonio Masi of Garden City, N.Y. is represented; his works start at $40,000 and can be found on display near Picasso’s pieces in major museums.
Regional artists in the show include Dan Knepper of Jackson Center.
“I initiated the art show. I have a lot of friends all across the country who are top artists. They are in top galleries and top museums,” said Knepper, who’s retired from teaching and has been a full-time artist for the past two years. “James Toogood — his entry into the show is on cover of this month’s Watercolor Magazine.”
Knepper himself is showing “Romancing the Light,” a 16” x 20” oil painting from a local farm that he often paints because of the high vantage point. He’s represented at The Greenwich House in Cincinnati, Atelier Gallery in Charleston, S.C., and Cartaret Gallery in Morehead City, N.C.
The tentative Alumapalooza program includes a scavenger hunt, Aluminum Gong Show, water balloon baseball, human-powered towing contest, a morning yoga class, a music festival, an Elder Theater Movie Night and a silent auction for Charity.
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