ELI WHITNEY MUSEUM'S LEONARDO CHALLENGE TAKES FLIGHT ON MAY 18

Every year for more than a quarter century, the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop on the border of Hamden and New Haven has orchestrated a unique fundraising event in the spring: the Leonardo Challenge. This year on Thursday, May 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., their inviting site at 915 Whitney Avenue will be aflutter with their newest conception: Leonardo In Flight, number 27 to date. In past years, artists from across the country have been inspired to create objets d’arts with such unusual items as playing cards, wooden ice cream spoons, pencils, mirrors, clothespins, matches, buttons and more. In tribute to Leonardo who was clearly Mr. Invention, the designers and architects create mobiles, furniture, clothing, paintings, jewelry, games and so much more, giving free rein to their imaginations. These contributions are then auctioned off to the highest bidder. In this year’s flight of fancy, you may see items at the auction that can be bid on in person or by phone, either remotely or onsite. You might see entries of the flight of a bumble bee, an eagle, an airplane, Superman, a rocket, a cloud formation or any number of things. To date the museum has received entries such as Tianna Rome Kurek’s framed trio of butterflies, a set of fifteen greeting cards with a theme of flight by Martha Savage and a Freida Collage Portrait by Susan Clinard. Most items will start with a bid of $65. While the auction is indoors, the food, drinks and music will be outdoors and feature tasty presentations by the Big Green Truck Pizza, Small Kitchen BIG TASTE, Whole G Bakery, Sanctuary Kitchen, Bloom, Olmo, Black Hog Brewing Company and The Wine Thief. Live music will be offered by Jonathan Moore on cello, telling stories through his song. According to museum director Ryan Paxton, “Leonardo was an exquisite observer of the world and all his achievements came from those observations of the natural world.” The funds raised by donors and artists will support efforts to continue Leonardo’s imaginative soul to children, apprentices, and the entire New Haven community. For tickets, $75 for a single one, with levels that include Mechanical Flight (Dragonfly) $250; Wing Design (Bat) $500; Aeronautic Acrobat (Swift) $1250; Thermal Soaring (Kite) $2500; Dynamic Soaring (Albatross) $5000. Each level includes event tickets, tote bags and project sponsorship. Call the museum at 203-777-1833 or online at eliwhitney.org. On Thursday, May 11, from 7-8 p.m., a special talk by Dr. Sean Bradshaw from Pratt and Whitney and Dr. Philip L. Richardson from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute will speak on “What is the future of flight?” They will address how Leonardo da Vinci’s observations of flight have influenced modern aviation. Remember he dreamed of flying machines long before they became a reality. Ready for a delightful flight with no need for luggage or passport…take an inspirational trip to the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop on May 18. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. Fasten your seatbelts.