SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., September 17, 2024 – Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West announced today a vibrant lineup of Fall and Winter 2024 programs. The Museum invites visitors of all ages to explore an eclectic mix of film screenings, artist spotlights, lectures, and live performances celebrating the art, culture, and history of the American West.
Upcoming Programs:
- September 18 | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Artist Spotlight: "Lillian Wilhelm Smith: Adventures in Arizona". Explore the life of Lillian Wilhelm Smith, an early female painter who journeyed through Arizona in 1913 to illustrate Zane Grey’s novels. Presented by Harvey Leake, a family friend.
- September 25 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Bio Drama Series: "Wyatt Earp: Life on the Frontier". The great-grandnephew of Wyatt Earp portrays the legendary lawman in this captivating one-man play, offering insights into Earp’s true life beyond Hollywood depictions.
- October 3 | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Artist Spotlight: "Wild at Art – The Adventures and Art of Dyana Hesson". Botanical artist Dyana Hesson shares stories of her artistic journey capturing Arizona’s plants, with a sneak peek at her upcoming exhibition.
- October 5 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Artist Spotlight: "Conversations in Clay". Ceramic artist Daniel Begay discusses his unique blend of Santa Clara Pueblo and Diné traditions in his pottery, presented in partnership with Charles King Galleries.
- October 11 | 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Author Spotlight: “Bill Tilghman and the Woman Who Inspired Him”. This program celebrates the new book by Howard Kazanjian and Chris Enss. It is the story of a man and the colorful history of the last days of the Western frontier. It’s also the story of a woman, desperate to hold onto her family and honor the life of the man she loved so dearly.
- October 16 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Music Series: "The OK Chorale Cowboy Trio". Enjoy the lively sounds of traditional cowboy music intertwined with fascinating tales from Arizona’s history.
- October 17 | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Open Series: "The Art of Appraisal and Collecting Western American Art". Art consultant Kat Thatcher offers expert advice on appraising and collecting Western American art.
- October 22 | 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Author Spotlight: “The Cowboy’s Place in America’s Self-Image”. Mark Warren, a 2022 Georgia Author of the Year, discusses the history of cowboys in the West and the grooming of their image as an American icon.
- October 23 | 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Author Spotlight: “Nate Champion and the Johnson County War, 1892”. Mark Warren will speak about the Wyoming Range War and how the government’s free-range policy inspired chaos and lawlessness among ranchers all over the West.
- October 25 | 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. Film Series: "Tombstone: Lecture and Screening". Join film historian Michael F. Blake for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of "Tombstone", followed by a screening and discussion.
- October 30 | 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Artist Spotlight: “Jerry Salinas. The Art of Realism Painting”. An instructor at Scottsdale Artists’ School, Artist Jerry Salinas will give a painting demonstration based on the foundations of strong realism in Western American subject matter.
- November 2 | 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Artist Spotlight: “Conversations in Clay: Sergio Lugo and Joseph Youngblood Lugo”. Santa Clara Pueblo artist Sergio Lugo is the middle son of noted potter Nancy Youngblood. Joseph Youngblood Lugo is the youngest son of noted potter Nancy Youngblood and the brother of Sergio Lugo and Christopher Youngblood. See how they are carrying on their mother’s legacy.
- November 6 | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Artist Spotlight: "The Fantastic Grand Canyon". Photographer Mike Bucheit takes you on an extraordinary visual journey exploring the Grand Canyon’s beauty through whitewater rafting and rim-to-rim hikes.
- November 14 | 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. The Making of the Documentary: Awakening In Taos: The Mabel Dodge Luhan Story: by Director Mark Gordon. The film tells the story of Mabel Dodge Luhan’s personal evolution as a writer, salon hostess, art patroness, social activist and a resident of New Mexico. This 1-hour documentary will be screened followed by a live Q&A about how the film was made. We will also screen a 10-minute sneak preview of Man of Many Colors, the sequel to Awakening in Taos
- December 12 | 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. Open Series: "The Battle of Adobe Walls - June 1874 in Texas". Join forensic consultant Luke Haag as he delves into Billy Dixon’s legendary long shot at the Battle of Adobe Walls, exploring this key moment in frontier history.
- December 19 | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Author Series: "Saguaro: A Photographic Journey". Photographer Steve Enyeart presents a stunning visual exploration of the iconic Saguaro cactus, sharing his experiences capturing the natural beauty of the desert.
All programs are FREE for Museum Members. Non-members FREE with Museum Admission or $8 for program attendance only (does not include further admittance to the museum/galleries).
This season of Fall 2024 programming has something for everyone, with experiences designed to inspire, inform, and entertain. Join us at Western Spirit as we celebrate the history and culture of the American West.
Western Spirit features regularly changing exhibits of Western and Native American art and artifacts, entertaining events, and informative programs that bring the West’s heritage, culture, and community to life. The newest exhibition opening on October 8 is People, Places, Predicaments: John Clymer’s West, celebrating the life and work of renowned artist John Ford Clymer and honoring the legacy of art collector and Arizona philanthropist Eddie Basha. Current exhibitions include Veryl Goodnight: Sled Dogs in America, through April 27, 2025: Alaska & Beyond; Rob Hammer: American Backcourts, through April 13, 2025; Women of the Southwest: A Legacy of Painting, through August 24, 2025; William Matthews: Decades, through October 2024.
Permanent exhibitions on display include Canvas of Clay: Hopi Pottery Masterworks from The Allan and Judith Cooke Collection, featuring 65 of the finest examples of Hopi pottery spanning six centuries; the Frankie and Howard Alper Collection of John Coleman Bronzes; Dazzling Array: The Richard A. Gates Collection of Native American Jewelry; and The Abe Hays Family Spirit of the West Collection, a showcase of more than 1,400 saddles, spurs, cowboy gear and other Old West objects.
About Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
Western Spirit, located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, has quickly become a distinguished cultural destination since its opening in January 2015. Within months, it qualified as a Smithsonian Affiliate. The museum boasts a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and maintains an impressive 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor and Yelp. True West magazine consistently recognizes Western Spirit as one of the “Nation’s Best Western Museums”, naming it the #1 Best Western Museum in the United States. Also, celebrated locally in the following publications: Arizona Foothill’s Best of Our Valley: 2024, “Best Museum”, 2023 “Best Museum” & “Best Annual Charity Event: Saddle Up”, Scottsdale Progress’ “Reader Recommended Museum”, Phoenix Magazine’s 2022 Best of The Valley Readers' Choice: “Best Museum You Probably Don’t Know About”, and the winner of Your Valley’s “East Valley Favorites” for the museum category.
In October 2023, the Basha family announced a generous gift to Western Spirit: the majority of the Eddie Basha Collection of American Indian and Western American fine art. Additionally, Western Spirit recently received a $12 million charitable gift from Louis "Buzz" Sands IV, facilitating the construction of nearly 12,000 square feet of new space - named the Louis Sands IV Center which will include two galleries. As Western Spirit approaches its 10th anniversary in January 2025, it continues to enrich the cultural landscape with its dynamic exhibitions and community events. For more information, visit westernspirit.org.
Connect with Us:
Instagram: @smowest
Facebook: @westernspiritmuseum
