At The Museum of Flight, Seattle, the final public weekend for The MiG-21 Project will take place on January 24 and 25, 2026, marking the closing days of the exhibition’s debut run. The exhibit centers on South African artist Ralph Ziman’s five-year project, which turns a MiG-21 fighter jet into a striking work of art covered in 45 million colorful glass beads. Alongside the aircraft are Afrofuturistic flight crew regalia, original photographs, and detailed beadwork created as part of the project. “Now is your chance to witness a work of art that soars with visual and emotional impact,” praised the Seattle Times.
Visitors during the closing weekend will have the chance to meet the artists involved, tour the cockpit of the MiG-21, and take part in hands-on activities. Live hand drumming, beading workshops, and family art sessions are also part of the program. All related activities are free for museum members and included with general admission. Since its premiere, The MiG-21 Project has received attention across art, travel, and aerospace publications. The exhibition closes on January 26, 2026.
The closing weekend will feature a full lineup of programs tied to The MiG-21 Project. On January 24 at 2 p.m., visitors can attend a short film screening about the project, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with Ralph Ziman and members of the creative team. The MiG-21 cockpit will also be open to the public on January 24 and 25, giving visitors a rare chance to step inside the aircraft for the first time since the exhibition opened. Throughout the day on January 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests can take part in beading workshops led by Blue Dot Beadwork while supplies last. Live drumming and an open drum circle by the Seattle Hand Drummers will run both days from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Family activities will be available as well, with hands-on projects inspired by the MiG-21’s African beadwork and a final opportunity for visitors to design their own colorful jets using the interactive screens in the gallery. For more information and to support The Museum of Flight, click on the link here: www.museumofflight.org.
