Public Programs and Events

PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

Adult and Family Workshops
After School Explorers Club
Family Fun Days
Fun Lab!
In the Community
Lunchtime Lectures
Milton's Marvels
Reading Art Book Club
Sunday Matinees
Wee Wednesdays
Whizbang Workshops

Experience extraordinary science shows in the Cavern of Time located in Earth City. Milton's Marvels of Science gives visitors an opportunity to see LIVE science demonstrations! These demos cover a variety of topics ranging from physics and chemistry to earth science and biology.

All activities are included in gallery admission which is FREE for Museum members or just $7 for adults and $5.50 for children.

Schedule of Science Demos
Shows Wednesday - Sunday at 1, 2 & 3 pm in Earth City’s Cavern of Time

August: Dinosaur Discoveries! – Become a paleontologist for a day as we explore the life and times of those amazing beasts from the pre-historic past - dinosaurs!

September: Stuffee’s Kitchen – Come see what’s cooking with our resident health expert, Stuffee, as we explore the human body, health, nutrition and much more!

October: Milton's Mad Science Lab – Milton's done it now! From cooking up spooky potions to exploring ghoulish magic tricks, this show is sure to get you in the spirit for All Hallow's Eve.

November: Amazing Apes – Explore the primates we call apes! Can you tell the difference between orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees? Learn this and more in this fun show!

December: Shivering Science – It's getting cold out there! Join us as we explore the science behind winter's many mysteries, like just how DO polar bears keep warm?

Join us in the classrooms on the second Saturday of each month from 12 – 4 pm for a series of fun-filled, hands-on art and science experiences. This all-new program will feature a wide variety of topics ranging from animals to jewelry! All activities are included in gallery admission which is FREE for Museum members or just $7 for adults and $5.50 for children.

September 13: Mini Zoo – Check out our animal friends with this wildlife meet and greet!

October 11: Making Music – Use simple materials to create your own one-of-a-kind musical instruments.

November 8: Collage Fun! – It’s recycling at its most creative as you use scrap materials to create artwork.

December 13: Mini Zoo – This special holiday treat is your chance to meet our animal friends including our latest additions!

After School Explorers Club

Step out of the classroom and into a world of fun with our After School Explorers Club. Designed for students in grades 2 through 6, workshops take place on Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm and include a science demonstration, hands on experiments and activities for just $15/session; only $12 for Museum members. Payment is due at the time of registration. Pre-registration is required. Call (304) 561–3529 for more information!

Upcoming Fall After School Explorer topics include:

September 25: Science of Magic – What does science have to do with magic? Find out as you experiment and put on a magic show for your class!

October 9: Acids and Bases – Explore one end of the pH scale to the other as we experiment with cabbage and chemicals.

October 23: Water, Water, Everywhere – The Earth's surface is covered with the stuff, our bodies are mostly made of it, but how much do we really know about it? Find out when we look into this one resource we ALL use every day!

November 6: Relative Science – What makes me ME? We'll take a look at some fun and easy to explore inherited traits as we explore what genes really are (NOT the denim pants, of course!)

November 20: Dinosaurs Uncovered – Investigate dinos throughout time, discover new dinosaurs and be a contestant on the ultimate dino game show!

December 4: Optics and Lasers – Vision blurry? Get some glasses! Lenses, prisms and more will be explored as we take a look at how we humans bend and use light to do amazing things!

Discover new educational opportunities for adults at the Clay Center! Call (304) 561-3517 for more information to register today!

Keyboard with Ethel Caffie-Austin
9 week session; starts September 10
Wednesdays, 6 – 8 p.m.
$175 per student
Advance your piano improvisation skills with Charleston’s first lady of gospel, Ethel Caffie-Austin. We have openings for five intermediate or advanced keyboard students. Scholarships are available through Clay Community Arts.

About the instructor: Acclaimed as West Virginia's "First Lady of Gospel Music," she has been the recipient of the Jefferson Award for Humanity, West Virginia's Brotherhood Award, and many other prestigious honors.

A great music theory class with noted musician, Bob Thompson. This class is open to students playing any instrument. Scholarships are available though Clay Community Arts.

About the instructor: With appearances on BET, Mountain Stage and several tours abroad, Bob Thompson has been a visible presence in the jazz world for more than 30 years.

Joyce Clark will present this exciting workshop for knitters, focusing on how to blend color and texture into knitting projects. This is your chance to use up that “special” ball of yarn you love, but haven’t been able to use! Joyce will also bring a trunk show of yarns for experimenting with different colors and textures.

About the instructor: Joyce Clark is a gifted fiber artist, instructor and owner of the Knit ‘n’ Hook yarn store in Huntington.

Join instructor Robert Frostick for an out-of-this-world experience as you learn about the constellations of the fall skies and Winter Circle. Participants will also receive a resource book as part of the class. Perfect for those new to astronomy or those who attended our spring session! Special extra session included at Breezy Point Observatory – date based on weather and Observatory schedule.

About the instructor: Robert Frostick is an Astronomy educator who has taught courses at George Washington High School and WV State University. He is also a member of the Kanawha Valley Astronomical Society and a popular past instructor at the Clay Center.

Join instructor Susan Petryszak for a class centering on a “responsive” freehand approach to drawing. Students will work on using the art of perception over the practice of simply looking. Participants will utilize a variety of artistic media during the session. All skill levels are invited – from the beginner to the more advanced hoping to brush up on their skills. All materials provided.

About the instructor: Susan Petryszak is a noted West Virginia artist and instructor. She has been featured in several regional art exhibitions and group shows including the 1999 WV Juried Exhibition for which she received the Award of Excellence.

October 11: Pop Art Explosion! (Grades K – 5) – Learn about pop art and create works in the image of great artists of the past.

November 8: Science Mania! (Grades K – 5) – Science takes over as we explore chemistry, physics, biology and more, with fun, hands-on experiments.

December 6: Holidays Gone Global (Grades K – 5) – Learn about other holidays from around the globe and make some tasty treats as part of the fun!

Second Saturdays at Capitol Market
Join the Clay Center at the Capitol Market on the second Saturday of each month between 10 am and 12 noon for a fun-filled art or science activity! Second Saturdays are a great chance to have fun with the whole family and see all that Capitol Market has to offer. Activities are ongoing and free to the general public.

Bring the Museum to You!
If your school or organization wants a fun on–site activity for your next event, check out our outreach programs. We can tailor a program to fit any audience and budget! Call (304) 561-3508 to find out how to bring the excitement to you!

Join us for this monthly lecture series featuring community presenters and a wide variety of topics. Programs usually last 40 - 45 minutes.
An Artist Interview
with Ethel Caffie-Austin
Wednesday, September 10, 12:15 pm
Known as West Virginia's "First Lady of Gospel Music," Ethel Caffie-Austin has carried a rich tradition of African-American Gospel singing and piano playing. Hear stories of her life in music as she is interviewed by local writer Colleen Anderson.

Join us for our fun-filled special event days throughout the year. Each day is full of family entertainment with themed science and art activities taking place throughout the day in addition to our three floors of art and science exhibits. All special family event day activities, unless otherwise noted, are included in the price of gallery admission which is FREE for members or just $7 for adults and $5.50 for children.

Spooktacular
Saturday, October 18, 11 am - 4 pm
Get ready for some fun with our annual Halloween event! Join us for spooky stories, pumpkin bowling with real pumpkins, mad science shows and much more! Wear your costume, take part in our parade and get a bag of goodies on the Trick or Treat Trail. Special Jack-o-Lantern carving workshops take place at 12, 1, 2, & 3 pm, $2 per pumpkin. Pumpkin supplies are limited. All other activities are free for members!

Ask about our special Wizard’s Pass and get in on the fun and savings of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s performance of The Music of Harry Potter! Enjoy the show and then come on over to our Spooktacular event.

Watershed Celebration
Saturday, November 1, 11 am – 4 pm
Go green and learn how you can help take care of our water supply and environment with interactive displays and special programs provided by the West Virginia Watershed Network. All activities are free for members!

Holly Day
Friday, November 28, 11 am - 4 pm
It’s the kick off of our new holiday exhibit as a family favorite returns to the day after Thanksgiving! Celebrate the season as you create your own ornaments, enjoy science shows, hear holiday stories and meet our special guest for the day – Santa Claus! Ornament-making workshop takes place 12 – 4 p.m. and is only $2 per ornament. All other activities are free for members!

Join us for Wee Wednesdays, a special day every week when your preschooler can enjoy story time and related art activities designed with their interests and abilities in mind. Wee Wednesdays take place every Wednesday at 11 am and 1 pm and is included in Museum gallery admission which is FREE for members or just $7 for adults and $5.50 for children.

Wee Wednesdays are sponsored by Heiner’s Bakery and Don E. Skaff, D.D.S., Inc. - Pediatric Dentistry.

Join us for stories and crafts based on these great books:

Summer/Fall 2008 Schedule:

August 20
Special PBS Kids guest character SUPER WHY!
Storytimes at 11 am, noon, and 1 pm in lower level classrooms.
Support provided by West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

August 27
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
Craft: Pasta rain clouds

September 3 and 10
Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
Craft: Paper safety pendants

September 17 and 24
Norma Jean, Jumping Bean by Joanna Cole
Craft: Blue ribbons

October 1 and 8
Are You My Mother by P.D. Eastman
Craft: Birds in nests

October 15 and 22
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems
Craft: Paper stop signs

October 29
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
Craft: Bat hats

November 5 and 12
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
Craft: Cardstock hermit crabs

November 19 and 26
Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs by William Joyce
Craft: Garden flowers

Do you love books and art? If so, join us for our new book club that focuses on the exciting world of art. In the first week there will be an art lecture, two weeks later a discussion about the book and the third week allows for an inside view of our permanent collection. $12 for members, $15 for non-members. Registration required, call (304) 561-3517. Fee includes all three sessions per month, but does not include book.

Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland
Thursday, August 7, 21 & 28, 1:30-3 pm
Join us as we follow Impressionist painter, Auguste Renoir through his first conception, to his last brushstroke of the painting Luncheon of the Boating Party. Meet the people represented in the painting and experience France and art in the time of the French Impressionists.

The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier
Thursday, October 2, 16 & 23, 1:30-3 pm
Nicholas des Innocents is commissioned to design a cycle of tapestries in 15th century France. The women he meets during the creative process, particularly Claude, his patron’s daughter, inspire the young, rakish artist in his choice of subject and the end result is the famous Lady and the Unicorn cycle.

The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland
Thursday, December 4, 11 & 18, 1:30-3 pm
Canadian artist, Emily Carr, defied societal conventions and the wishes of her father to forge her own artistic destiny. Venture with Emily from the coast of British Columbia and the indigenous people she depicted to the Salon d’Automne in Paris as she insures her place among the great modern artists.

The Clay Center presents a classic film fest on Sunday afternoons in August! To complement the Eastman House photography exhibition, you can enjoy these classic Hollywood films starring the movie icons represented in the celebrity portraits in the exhibit. Films will begin at 2 p.m. All films are free and open to the public. Films licensed through Swank Motion Pictures, Inc. May be subject to change.

Father of the Bride (1950)
Sunday, August 24
A witty commentary on the American family, this film features a matchless performance by Spencer Tracy as the father reluctant to lose daughter Elizabeth Taylor to marriage. Directed by Vincente Minelli; Running time: 93 minutes