Karen Nyberg: From space to stitches, astronaut-turned-artist finds new heights in Park City

Photo: by Karen Nyberg

PARK CITY, Utah—Karen Nyberg has traveled to the far reaches of space, but her artistry and life in the mountains of Park City ground her today. The former NASA astronaut, celebrated for her missions aboard Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station (ISS), is embracing her artistic roots and preparing to share her passion for quilting on PBS’s Craft in America: Science episode, airing December 15.

Nyberg’s story intertwines an extraordinary career in aerospace with a lifelong devotion to sewing and creativity. Growing up in Minnesota, she learned to sew from her mother and nurtured a fascination with making things by hand. “Sewing and art were a passion of mine when I was little, as was space,” Nyberg said.

Her career as an astronaut began in 2000 after earning advanced degrees in mechanical engineering. In 2008, she embarked on her first spaceflight aboard Space Shuttle Discovery as part of STS-124. “It was an incredibly busy mission,” Nyberg said. “We were delivering the Japanese laboratory module, Kibo, to the International Space Station as part of its assembly.”

The 14-day mission was meticulously choreographed, with each crew member trained for specific tasks. For Nyberg, the experience was both exhilarating and deeply meaningful. “The pace was intense, but the view from space made it all worth it,” she said. “Looking down at Earth is a humbling and awe-inspiring experience.”

Her second mission, a long-duration stay aboard the ISS in 2013, allowed Nyberg to delve deeper into life and work in microgravity. During this mission, she hand-sewed a star-themed quilt block, sparking the Astronomical Quilt Block Challenge. The project invited quilters worldwide to create blocks inspired by space, resulting in 28 quilts from more than 2,400 submissions from more than 30 countries.

The Astronomical Quilts! Block Challenge became a global phenomenon, connecting art enthusiasts with the wonders of space exploration. “It was incredible to see how many people participated,” Nyberg said. “We received blocks from lifelong quilters inspired by space for the first time and from space enthusiasts who had never quilted before. There were so many touching stories.”

Some blocks were dedicated to loved ones, others to historical achievements in space exploration, like the Apollo program. The finished quilts debuted at the International Quilt Festival in Houston in 2014, just one year after Nyberg returned from her mission. “Seeing those quilts on display was emotional,” she recalled. “Each block carried a story, and together, they represented a global community connected through creativity and space.”

Nyberg’s sewing in space was not without its challenges. Cutting fabric in zero gravity proved difficult without a stable surface, and the scissors aboard the ISS were ill-suited for the task. “I didn’t plan ahead well enough,” she said with a laugh. “If I were to do it again, I’d have everything pre-cut and bring better tools. But it was a fun experiment.”

The PBS special highlights this initiative, exploring the intersection of art and science. “It’s amazing to see how art and science can coexist and inspire each other,” Nyberg said.

Since retiring from NASA in 2020, Nyberg has focused on her passion for textile arts. She has collaborated with Robert Kaufman Fabrics on three fabric collections, including Earth Views, inspired by photographs of Earth she took from space, and Orbital Sunrise, a batik fabric collection reflecting the colors of a sunrise from Earth orbit. Her upcoming collection, Earth Views: Oceans, will debut in 2025, capturing the glints and hues of Earth’s oceans as seen from orbit.

Her artistic journey continued this year with the Lunar Quilt Block Challenge, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Astronomical Quilts! Block Challenge. The new project, spearheaded in partnership with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, invites participants from across the United States to create blocks representing all 50 states and territories. “It’s been exciting to see the creativity from students and quilting groups nationwide,” Nyberg said. The completed quilt will debut at the Kennedy Center’s Earth to Space Festival in March.

Nyberg also celebrated a milestone with her first solo art exhibit earlier this year at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky. The display featured her space-themed art quilts and several of the Astronomical Quilts, including the star block she hand-sewed in space. “That exhibit was a dream come true,” she said. “It brought together my love of quilting and my connection to space in a meaningful way.”

Despite her international fame, Nyberg cherishes her life in Park City, where she moved in 2022 with her husband, Doug Hurley, also a retired astronaut, and their son. The family chose Park City for its small-town charm and outdoor opportunities. “I’ve always been a runner, and moving here has been heaven,” Nyberg said, noting that she completed her first 50K trail ultramarathon last summer.

Although she’s not a skier, Nyberg enjoys snowshoeing and is learning cross-country skiing. But her heart remains in her studio, where she’s experimenting with fabric portraits and other projects. “I wish I could work on this stuff 24/7,” she joked.

As Nyberg reflects on her journey, she’s struck by how her two worlds—space and art—have intertwined. “I’m in my happy place now,” she said. “I’m living in a place I love, doing the art that I love.”

For more information on Karen Nyberg’s PBS appearance, quilting projects, and upcoming exhibits, visit PBS Craft inAmerica and Karen Nyberg’s website.