Andrew Pielage
Audio By Carbonatix
Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and studio, is an architectural gem and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It’s also a pretty pricey spot to visit (usually about $40 for a tour), but this weekend, you can explore the iconic site for just $5. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s semiannual Discovery Day event offers the public a full day of events for next to nothing.
“Discovery Day is essentially our … open house, where we invite the community to experience Taliesin West as a living laboratory of art, architecture and nature,” Aija Cave, manager of events and hospitality for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, said in the announcement. “It’s a self-guided celebration of creativity, innovation and community where every corner of the site offers something new to discover.”
Activities include:
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- Film screenings: Head to the Cabaret Theater for “Bears in Hot Tubs,” a short documentary about how black bears adapt to suburban life and our connection with the wild creatures in our midst.
- Live music: Scheduled artists include The Sunpunchers band and singer-songwriter AJ Odneal performing on the Prow and Sunset Terrace.
- Arts and crafts: Color a piece of a giant saguaro mural, then watch it transform into a collaborative creation or create a faux stained-glass design to bring home.
- Hands-on activities: Pick up a site-wide search-and-find worksheet and uncover Taliesin West’s hidden details, then collect a prize at the store. Young architects can test their skills with bridge-building and fort construction on the Pavilion Terrace.
- Interactive stations: In the Garden Room, explore a special zine with Taliesin West preservationists, ask big questions at the “Ask Me” station in the Drafting Studio and learn all about Arizona wildlife at the Garden Squares.
- Educational exhibits: Step into the archives to see dance and drama costumes of the Taliesin Fellowship, then witness artisans from Mountain Sculptures transform raw desert rock into works of art.
- Food and drinks: Refuel with sandwiches, campfire-style s’mores and Italian ice from Lulu’s, available for purchase throughout the day.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children 12 and under are free. Walk-up tickets are available, but buying tickets in advance is strongly encouraged. Secure your spot on the Taliesin West website.
