posted 12-09-2004 03:15 PM               

Out-of-this-world art needs a down-to-earth home

Famed space artist Robert McCall, who celebrates his 85th birthday in just two weeks, is shopping for a home for his life's work.

McCall's personal collection of more than 400 paintings, illustrations and artifacts, most of which relate to space and its exploration, was supposed to be housed in its own museum next to the Challenger Space Center in Peoria.

But the disclosure of the center's $2.5 million debt earlier this year put a hasty end to the McCall Museum of Art.

"We spent five years working to make that happen," McCall said of the plans for the $15 million, 80,000-square-foot facility.

McCall and his wife, Louise, remain devoted to the Peoria space center and have even written a public letter of support for the troubled non-profit.

Nonetheless, McCall is left with the pressing mission of finding a new place for his work, most of which is now stored at his Paradise Valley home. He estimates the collection is worth $3 million.