Spring Break Camp - The Hero in Me

Spring Break Camp is underway at Leonardo's! It's a blast watching the kids interact with Enid local heroes. So far they have discovered what it's like to fly airplanes, put out fires, and keep the peace. Tomorrow we will be designing our own t-shirts and making them into hero costumes. I can't wait! I think I'll put a computer and camera on my shirt and call myself "Marketing Mama." :)

In need of auction items!

Leonardo’s Annual Awards Dinner and Auction is scheduled for March 27 at the museum. The event will feature a silent and live auction, food catered by Cathy Frantz of La Cuisine, and recognition of all 2008 members, donors and volunteers. The event will start at 6:30 p.m.
The Leonardo’s team is working hard at gathering quality auction items for all guests to bid on, but they still need more. Since Leonardo’s is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization operating on a small budget, the silent and live auction are an integral part of their fundraising campaign and any donated items are appreciated. If an item is donated, Leonardo’s will gladly send the donator a form stating the numerical amount given for tax purposes.
Anyone interested in donating a service or item can call Ashley Murphy at 233-2787.
“This is our time to honor friends of Leonardo’s and raise funds for our scholarship program,” said Julie Baird, Executive Director. All proceeds from the event are invested in scholarships and programs for underprivileged families in the community.
“We look forward to seeing everyone at Leonardo’s for this exciting banquet,” said Baird.
For anyone who does not have an item to donate, they can still attend the banquet and bid on an auction item. It is a great way to shop, while still helping out a local organization. Tickets are on sale now.

3-2-1-Blast! off to Leonardo's

Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse will receive a new exhibit next week that is sure to explode children’s curiosity of rockets, space travel and science.
The current Weather Works exhibit at Leonardo’s will be whirling away, making way for the new exhibit, titled “3 - 2 – 1 – Blast,” as a part of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation Oklahoma Museum Network rotating exhibits.
3-2-1 Blast allows visitors to investigate moving air and its interaction with objects in motion while discovering how aircraft design, center of gravity and forces of flight affect stability. While exploring the laws of physics, visitors break the boundaries of atmosphere as they dock with the International Space Station using specialized simulators contained within the exhibit. Visitors’ time management and navigational skills are also tested as they are tasked with locating a missing Martian rover before a dust storm terminates the mission.
“We are so excited to get the new exhibit,” said Julie Baird, Leonardo’s Executive Director. “Every exhibit within the Oklahoma Museum Network is tailored to ignite children’s imagination.”
The exhibit includes activities such as a paper airplane launcher, the Bernoulli Blast, Airheads, and Rocket Launch, all which the younger kids flock to. The older kids, and adults seem to really enjoy the Mars Flyer, said Kim Jones, Tulsa Air and Space Museum Curator.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, the rotating exhibit groups join the many other activities of the Oklahoma Museum Network featured at each of the museum partners. For more details, visit the Web site www.oklahomamuseumnetwork.org.
Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse and Adventure Quest provides innovative educational opportunities and is dedicated to the idea that children of all ages learn best when having fun through hands-on exhibits and programs.

Scouts take on a Pirate’s Adventure

Stuart Barnes, Continental Resources Intern, teaches a rocks and mineral workshop to Cub Scouts during Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse’s 2009 Scout Sleepover. More than 100 scouts participated in an overnight Pirate’s Adventure on Jan. 30, where they were involved in a variety of workshops which earned them pins and badges. Photo by Ashley Murphy, Leonardo’s Marketing Coordinator.

Science Matters rolling in to Leonardo’s

A “science museum on wheels” will arrive at Leonardo’s Discovery Warehouse January 16, offering Enid-area students a chance to explore the world of science in a way they never have before.
Science Matters, a new discovery-based mobile museum funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, encourages students to explore science as they engage in numerous activities found within its walls.
The Science Matters truck will be open to the public on Friday, Jan. 16 from 3-5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17 from 1-5 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 18 from 1-5 p.m. Exploration is free with paid admission to Leonardo’s.
The mobile museum includes 10 different hands-on exhibits and activities. The participatory nature of the exhibits also challenges students, creating a fun, playful environment. Students can match wits in a challenge of speed and ingenuity, orchestrate a symphony of sound with bubbling flasks, and dodge lasers while attempting to decipher a secret computer code.
“Science Matters immerses students in a sensory science environment, that will propel their desire to experiment and learn,” said Julie Baird, Leonardo’s Executive Director. “We hope all Enid students take advantage of the mobile museum while it is stopped in our town.”
“It is our feeling that every child benefits from dynamic hands-on learning experiences especially in the sciences,” says Steven Anderson, President of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. “And, it is our hope that when this amazing mobile laboratory rolls into a small town, the experience will help spark a child’s desire to learn for a lifetime.”
Thanks to a generous grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, Science Matters joins the many other activities of the Oklahoma Museum Network that include rotating exhibit groups featured at each of the museum partners and numerous teacher professional development opportunities. For more information visit the Web site http://www.oklahomamuseumnetwork.org/.
Leonardo’s members can become a part of the Oklahoma Museum Network, and gain admission to the four other Oklahoma museum partners. Call 233-2787 to for details.

Noon Year's party a hit!

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Noon Year’s Eve party a success.
We were excited to see the second floor of Leonardo’s fill quickly with families on Dec. 31, and were overjoyed with the positive response from the children. Having been the first try at a New Year’s party, we were unsure of the outcome; but thanks to organizations such as McDonalds, Bucks Party Shop, Mid-America, and Pee Wee Mobile Music, it was a hit! I would also like to thank all the organizations that provided games for the kids: Play Therapy, Park Avenue Thrift, Enid 4-H, Garriott Road Church of Christ, Vance Officers’ Spouses Club, and Enid Kiwanis. Also thank you to Stephen O’Neill for sponsoring for the event!
We know that Leonardo’s would not be here if it were not for the help and support of the local community. So, thanks again for making Leonardo’s the place to be in Enid for children of all ages.

Cheers,
Ashley Murphy
Marketing and Membership Coordinator

In honor of the season, I wanted to share a recent letter from the director which thanks local supporters of Leonardo's and Oklahoma Arts. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

From the Director…by Julie Baird

“We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light.” Mary Dunbar

Did you see that bright light shining on Enid? It was truly incredible and ONLY made possible by a dedicated army of public servants who love Enid, not only for what is has been and now is, but for what it could be in the future.
The Oklahoma Arts Council recently held their statewide conference in Enid. It was called “Arts at the Crossroads: Telling Our Own Story,” and many of your local arts entities, including Leonardo’s, did just that. It was a wonderful three days, bringing more than 200 artists and arts enthusiasts from forty-two Oklahoma communities here to see what makes Enid so special.
I had the privilege of serving as local conference chair, but I certainly cannot take all the credit for its success. The process actually started eighteen months ago when Maestro Douglas Newell of Enid Symphony Orchestra submitted the proposal. His was one of twelve received by OAC, and Enid was selected based on his promise that the entire arts community could pull together to host. He was right!
There are so many individuals and organizations to whom I owe my sincere appreciation: Thank you to Senator Patrick Anderson for taking time to welcome the conference to Enid. I really appreciate President Donna Rogers, and the entire Greater Enid Arts & Humanities Council who were with me every step of the way. From filling goody bags, to staffing the registration table for three full days, you all made work feel like fun. Thanks also to Shane & Sara Scribner and H. & Edna Mae Holden for outstanding opening night receptions in their galleries. On Thursday evening, GEAHC joined forces with the Chautauqua Council of Enid to provide food for a reception at Leonardo’s. Thank you to Dr. Eve Switzer and the Groovin’ G’s, who were our wonderful entertainment. Gaslight Theatre and Enid Symphony Orchestra also performed “vignettes” on Thursday evening, and Enid Public Schools provided bus transportation between venues both evenings. Some local restaurants also offered live local music both nights. I especially appreciate local businesses who donated items for “goody bags,” including NWOSU, Continental Resources, Enid Community Foundation, Autry Technology Center, and TPI Staffing.
More than Enid’s arts were showcased during the conference. Dr. Ron Duggins of the James Strate Business Development Center at Autry Technology led a breakout session on being an entrepreneur, and Lew Ward of Ward Petroleum shared why he is so supportive of local arts efforts during a general session entitled, “The Arts and Corporate Citizenship.” Mollie Babb and I also presented a marketing session called “Matching Your Organization’s Creativity to Fill a Community Need, ” and the Scribners served on a panel about revitalizing downtown spaces. Enid has so much to be proud of and now everyone knows it!
What will the future bring to Enid? Now that we have all worked together to host a successful conference, I hope all local artists and arts patrons will continue to seek ways to support each others’ efforts. Maybe someday, we will even have a recognized arts district which will improve economic development. Now that’s something we can all get behind! Let’s all share in the privilege and adventure of discovering Enid’s special light.