Ed Dwight’s Astronomical Legacy and Black History Sculptures Shine in New Exhibition

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PRESS CONTACTS:
Angelika Albaladejo, History Colorado Communications and Public Relations Manager
720-541-2334 | [email protected]

Christopher Dwight, EJD Enterprises LLC
949-232-4629 | [email protected]

July 7, 2026

DENVER — Ed Dwight is a living legend whose artwork makes history come alive. A new exhibition opening soon at the History Colorado Center celebrates Dwight’s extraordinary life and career, and his lasting impacts as a Denver artist.

Ed Dwight: Casting a Legacy traces the story of the multifaceted man who has dedicated his artistic career to sharing African American history – while he himself continues to shape history as a trailblazer with astronomical accomplishments.

Working from his Denver studio since 1977, Dwight’s renowned sculptures preserve the stories of Black cowboys and homesteaders, jazz greats, and civil rights leaders. Through these cast creations, Dwight combines historical research, technical innovation, and imagination. More than a dozen of his artworks shine in this exhibition exploring his life and contributions as a sculptor, historian, and innovator.

“Denver has been my home for more than sixty years and has given me the space and inspiration to pursue my dreams as an artist. The city provided me with my start during my transition from the NASA Space Program, while giving me some of the greatest opportunities to bring the untold and inspirational stories of African American history to the public,” said Ed Dwight. “I am truly honored by the Ed Dwight: Casting a Legacy exhibit by History Colorado, and my deepest hope is that visitors will see something that encourages them to pursue their own dreams and create their own lasting impact.”

As Colorado marks its 150th year of statehood, Ed Dwight: Casting a Legacy visualizes and contextualizes the significant role Black Coloradans play in the state’s story. Among the astonishing artworks on display are sculptures from Dwight’s earliest series, Black Frontier Spirit in the American West, which he created during the country’s Bicentennial in 1976.

Dwight was then studying and honing his craft as a Master of Fine Arts student at the University of Denver. Dwight learned Black history alongside the art of sculpture. He first heard of Harriet Tubman, the woman who helped dozens escape slavery on the Underground Railroad, in a conversation with Lieutenant Governor George Brown in the 1970s. Like many African Americans growing up in the 1940s and ’50s, especially those who integrated previously all-white schools, Dwight did not learn Black history until later in life. Ed has since dedicated himself to preserving and sharing African American history for future generations.

“Through his own pursuit of knowledge, Ed Dwight came to understand that Black people were not absent from the history of the American West. They had been omitted from the way that history was traditionally taught. Through his Black Frontier Spirit in the American West series, he gave permanence to the stories of Black explorers, cowboys, soldiers, laborers, and homesteaders. His sculptures allow Black Americans to see themselves as part of the Western story and affirm that Black history is not a footnote. It is foundational to our understanding of the West,” said Acoma Burns, History Colorado Curator of Black History.

One of Dwight’s most iconic works in this exhibition is Dirt Farmers, a highly personal piece honoring his grandparents, Lobe and Sara Dwight, and the many Black sharecroppers who persevered in the post-emancipation rural South. Their worn clothing, weathered faces, and close embrace speak to their enduring commitment to each other and their hard work through difficult times.

Expressive and experimental sculptures from Dwight’s Jazz series capture the movement and style of performers who transformed American culture and carried Black musical innovation across the world – from Charlie Parker and Bessie Smith, to Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Charles Mingus, and Miles Davis.

Dwight’s later series of Historical Figures brought forth bronze busts of Rosa Parks, Sojourner Truth, and Frederick Douglass, and inspired his more than 130 nationwide monuments and memorials, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Denver’s City Park.

Dwight’s striking and poignant work is also a testament to his accomplishments as a pilot, engineer, and the first Black astronaut candidate in the United States. Dwight has broken down barriers throughout his life, from integrating his Catholic school to an outstanding career in the US Air Force as an accomplished pilot, from his entrepreneurship in the greater Denver community to his groundbreaking work as a bronze artist. At 90 years young, Dwight achieved his dream of being an astronaut, becoming the oldest person to go to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket in 2024.

“Ed Dwight’s story is unlike any other. Not only has he made history as the first Black astronaut candidate, but he is also a historian in his own right, ensuring people everywhere learn African American history through his memorials and art,” said Dr. Gwendolyn Lockman, History Colorado’s Senior Historian who developed this exhibition. “It is humbling and inspiring to get to know a living legend and help create this exhibition so that more community members can learn his story. I hope seeing his artwork changes how people perceive the past and the possibilities for the future.”

Ed Dwight: Casting a Legacy is on display from July 17, 2026 through Feb 28, 2027. The exhibition is included with General Admission tickets.

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