Leonardo to open on namesake's birthday in 2011

The Leonardo, a downtown science, technology and arts center, will open April 15, 2011 — Leonardo da Vinci's 557th birthday, Mayor Ralph Becker announced Tuesday.

"We all have a lot to accomplish before then," Becker said in addressing a group of donors and dignitaries Tuesday. "The city team has a building to renovate, and Team Leonardo has a fundraising campaign to wrap up, partnerships to forge, exhibits to build and a massive installation process to complete."

Leonardo officials, meanwhile, said Mario Capecchi, the University of Utah geneticist who won a Nobel Prize in 2007, will serve as a senior adviser. Cappechi will counsel on content and programming for the facility.

"The Leonardo will be an important element in the future education of our community, state and region," he said in a news release. "I am honored to have been asked to serve in this position."

Leonardo officials Tuesday also showed off a prototype exhibit, a 20-foot "bubble wall" designed to teach visitors about the molecular structure of water, surface tension and light refraction.

— Aaron Falk