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Taking over By AMBER FOSSEN Ashland Daily Tidings ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum has tapped Christy Wallace Hostetler as its first professional executive director. The museum, which officially opened Dec. 7 2002, was brought to life by more than 100 volunteers, including co-founders John and Sharon Javna. Hostetler will replace Sharon Javna as executive director - a move that has center organizers pleased. Christy Wallace Hostetler balances a tricky make-your-own mobile at ScienceWorks, where she is the new executive director. Ashland Daily Tidings/ DENISE BARATTA "It is a very healthy move for the museum's founders to step aside and for the community to take ownership of the museum," Javna said, noting their family will leave for Italy Thursday. The Javna's will remain in Europe throughout the academic year. After volunteering at ScienceWorks for more than two years, the Javna's couldn't be more pleased at the museum's progress, particularly in the organization's ability to hire a salaried director. "We're very thrilled to see it grow up," Javna said. Javna said Hostetler is the ideal candidate for the museum's first executive director. "Christy came to the first volunteer meeting at my house when ScienceWorks was just a dream and she's been by my side for two years now," Javna said. "I've really come to rely on her." And now, the museum will rely on her. Hostetler, a Talent resident, moved to the region three years ago as a freelance marketing consultant. Her previous professional experiences include overseeing marketing departments at the Pittsburgh Zoo and the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. She also engaged in collaborations with the Carnegie Science Center, the Pittsburgh Children's Museum and the Carnegie Museum of Art. Hostetler said she is ready for the new challenges and responsibilities that come with the position. "This is a good assessment time to look back and see how we're serving our community," Hostetler said. ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum hosts more than 60 different scientific exhibits. The museum, open to the public Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Sept. 1, had more than 25,000 visitors in just the first seven months. Nearly 3,500 students have participated in school programs and summer camps offered by the museum and there are currently 2,000 member families representing almost 8,000 individuals. Hostetler said she plans to improve upon a good thing. "We'll be looking at being open for some holidays," she said, noting that Thanksgiving weekend and the week between Christmas and New Year's are being considered. "We're also going to be premiering a new exhibit in November that coincides with the 100 year anniversary of the Wright brother's flight." Hostetler also plans to modify exhibits, make sure the museum serves the larger regional community and possibly implement a bilingual task force to help serve the non-English speaking community. However, her first step is to ensure students have access to the exhibits. "We're committed to making those school programs affordable so we are looking for support to help defray the expenses of transportation," she said. For more information about ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum, log on to www.scienceworksmuseum.org or call 482-6767. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -