
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 13, 1993                   TAG: 9306110025
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: JOANNE ANDERSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                 LENGTH: Medium

SO WHO'S DISCOVERING?

With a mission, a vision and a keen interest in the arts and children, a dedicated Radford group is promoting art, music, drama and creative thinking in the public schools and parking lots of housing projects, at community festivals and events and now, in its own quarters at 1115 Norwood St.

DiscoveryWorks . . . . . a children's museum is a concept in the process of becoming reality.

Founded more than five years ago as the Council for Community Enrichment, the organization started with little more than dreams and the boundless energy of about a dozen parents.

"We were concerned about the budget cuts in the schools that were forcing the reduction or elimination of art, music and drama programs," said Carolee Bondurant, one of the founders. The original mission was "to encourage children to develop a better sense of self-worth by strengthening creative skills and talents, and to provide enrichment opportunities in the community."

The council operated its first year, 1987-88, with a $5,000 grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts for its "Art on the Road" program. This program brings art and hands-on artistic activities to the public schools and to children who live in the Fairfax Village and Willow Woods housing projects.

At first, the council instructors set up in the housing project parking lots. Later, they were allowed to use the community rooms for meeting, drawing and painting. Now the activities are publicized in the Willow Woods newsletter, and it's common to have several dozen kids waiting at the appointed hour.

The art classes at the projects are usually the same as those at the museum or in the schools. This gives continuity to the programs.

The program also tries to have the same instructors on site each week so the children will be comfortable with familiar faces. Next year, this program will encompass drama, music and science.

About two years ago, the name of the organization was changed to DiscoveryWorks . . . . . a children's museum. Director of Education Lane Ducker said the name change was "to better reflect the mission and long-term goals which are now becoming realizable" with the donation of about 3,000 square feet of prime downtown space.

If you go to the museum today, you will find the Radford City Schools art exhibit.

"The name is temporarily misleading," admitted Ducker. "But by the 1994-95 school year, our space will be a regional, interactive children's museum with unique hands-on exhibits that emphasize the interrelationships of the arts, sciences and humanities."

DiscoveryWorks offers an interesting mix of activities in winter and spring for children as young as 3 in classes such as Preschool Art Fun and Sparkles. Other classes include interactive lessons in microbiology, snakes, archaeology, silk painting, photography, creating a play, becoming a clown, dancing and watercolor stained glass.

One of the most creative classes was Recycled Raz Ma Taz. Children from the first to eighth grades grouped together and went on a treasure hunt, picking up discarded litter and objects that were then assembled into contemporary sculptures. A musical play and creative writing exercise were part of the program.

Fees for classes range from $6 to $26. Scholarships are available, although not very many applications are made for them. Each summer, a weeklong theme day camp is held. The theme for this year's camp is outer space; it will be June 28-July 2 at Belle Heth Elementary School, 810 Second Ave. Some scholarship funds are available for day camp, which is taking names on a waiting list.

DiscoveryWorks is operating with an annual budget of about $70,000. There are two part-time staff members: Elizabeth Altieri, executive director, and Lane Ducker. Volunteers play an important role.

Art programs have been expanded into Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski counties. About two-thirds of the support comes from memberships, contributions, grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, Radford and the Thurman Foundation. Most of the rest is a result of intensive fund-raising efforts.

To find out more about the programs, scholarships and membership or to offer volunteer services, call 633-2233 or write 1115 Norwood Center, Radford, Va. 24141.

by CNB