After a year plagued by leadership changes and uncertainty, the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum has an interim executive director and a new board president.
Executive Director Chris Slaughter and President Diane Adam are both trustees of the Santa Barbara Foundation and longtime museum supporters, having served as Capital Campaign co-chairs for the 13,000-square-foot interactive educational facility 10 years ago.
“The Discovery Museum is a magical place and a critical resource for our community,” Slaughter said in a press release. “We are grateful to the Santa Barbara Foundation and Hutton Parker Foundation for sharing their nonprofit expertise and financial support in order to make some positive changes that will ensure the long-term sustainability of the museum.”
The Discovery Museum also recently received a gift of $5,000 from the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
The Discovery Museum’s new Board of Directors includes Kim Davis, CASA of Santa Barbara County executive director; Colette Hadley, Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara executive director; Todd Edwards, president of Vernon Edwards Constructors; Sara Edwards, retail and online advertising manager for the Santa Maria Times; Mark Huerth, retired federal law enforcement; and community volunteer Lori Bormes.
“We have a powerful group of community leaders who are committed to bringing new exhibits, programs, and marketing support to the museum, and we are looking for a few more great individuals,” Adam said in the press release. “We hope the community will do what they can to support the Discovery Museum, whether it is board or committee service, sharing your special talents, making a financial contribution, or becoming an annual member.”
On Oct. 17, the Wishes of Peace Parade will begin at the Discovery Museum at 5:30 p.m., in partnership with the Santa Maria Valley Natural History Museum and Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley. Kids and their families will create wishes for peace and march up McClelland Street to the Natural History Museum to hang their messages on the Peace Tree.
For more information, call 928-8414 or visit smvdiscoverymuseum.org.
This article appears in Oct 10-17, 2013.