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Dinos coming to Clay Center

July 06, 2008 @ 04:38 PM

BETH HENDRICKS

Herald-Dispatch.com

CHARLESTON — Dinosaurs have overrun Charleston.

The Clay Center is hosting the giant creatures this summer with all new activities, exhibits and a giant screen film called “Dinosaurs Alive!” The film opened Saturday and runs through Nov. 7.

“We have lots of requests from our patrons about dinosaurs, but we’re not a natural history museum. We don’t have bones. So, we thought this might meet the needs and requests of our guests, as well as give us some different programming opportunities,” said R. Lewis Ferguson, director of art and science education at the Clay Center.

“Dinosaurs have fascinated people for hundreds of years, and this is a chance to learn more about them. Paleontologists guess we’ve only found about two percent of the dinosaurs species and there’s so much more to learn, so we’re inviting people to come learn with us.”

The 40-minute educational film is shown on the Clay Center’s 61-foot dome, which wraps around the 175-seat auditorium to immerse audiences in larger-than-life images and incredible sound.

“You feel like you’re a part of the movie,” Ferguson said. “It’s much different than a flat screen movie. You could get a DVD and watch it at home, but you’re not going to get the experience that you’ll have here.”

A special gallery area called the “Dino Lab” has been created in collaboration with the movie where families can check out real fossils, replicas of dinosaur claws and teeth and dinosaur artifacts.

“This really rounds out the fun experience while you’re here,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said the movie is appropriate for kids of all ages, though a couple of dinosaur battles might be too much for very young viewers.

“We’re leaving it up to parents. If your kids are interested in dinosaurs, they’ll love this,” he said. “We had some kids as young as 3- or 4-years-old in the preview screening and they were cheering during the battle scenes, but it’s totally up to parents.”

On Aug. 16, the Clay Center will host an entire “Dino Day.”

Ticket prices for “Dinosaurs Alive!” only are $7 for adults and $6 for children, students, teachers and seniors. Combination packages for planetarium showings and museum tours are available as well.

For more information, call 304-561-3570 or visit www.theclaycenter.org.