Peter Giles

by John Blodgett

St. Louis has its arch, San Francisco its Golden Gate Bridge. Soon Salt Lake City will have The Leonardo. The latter might seem outmatched, but there is a tie that binds: all three are products of downtrodden economies. “A lot of things happen when people are pressed against the wall,” says Peter Giles. “We’ve got an opportunity to make something very special happen, and some of the most interesting things that have happened have happened during tough times.”

Formerly an onsite advisor for The Leonardo — a museum that melds science, technology and the arts — Giles was made executive director in August 2008. After years of haggling and some controversy as to its financial viability, the city finally released a $10.2 million bond in June to fund modifications to the old Salt Lake City Public Library building, home to the museum. Also after years of planning, the Utah Science Center and The Leonardo recently merged, which will provide strong, hands-on science exhibits and activities to heighten the overall visitor experience.

Right now The Leonardo is an empty space filled with plans and potential. Though its doors won’t officially open until the first half of 2011 — presuming bond-funded construction modifications go according to plan — it has hosted, and will continue to host, a handful of temporary exhibits. The best known and most popular was Body Worlds 3, a traveling exhibit that attracted an unprecedented 290,000 people from Sept. 19, 2008, to Jan. 11, 2009. The Leonardo also has hosted an exhibit from acclaimed documentary photographer Sebastiao Salgado and a few presentations during the 2009 Utah Arts Festival. In addition, The Leonardo on Wheels–Science travels Utah, bringing activities to thousands of students throughout the state, and the Lunch with Leonardo series brings together leading scientists with the community.

With the bond released and the merger completed, Giles and his staff are riding the momentum in preparation for The Leonardo’s anticipated opening date in 2011. Corporate donors and sponsors are being sought, and meetings held with local universities to discuss ways in which they can contribute.

Giles likens the process of preparing for opening day and beyond to driving, where detours are confronted and solutions found. He says, “Getting something like this is a journey because it’s a new concept bringing in art with science and technology … and integrating it in a way that’s very exciting,” and adds, “There’s a hunger for this kind of thing in Salt Lake.”