Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
On View Now
Upcoming Programs
Sedona, McCarthyism, and Nicholas Ray’s Johnny Guitar
Arizona State University Associate Professor Kevin Sandler will discuss moments in Western films that bring about the lighter side of the genre: One of the most innovative filmmakers of the post-WWII era of Hollywood, yet one with a relatively short career, Nicolas Ray managed to infuse his films (Lonely Place (1950), Rebel Without a Cause (1955) with a distinctive visual and thematic style. His unconventional “B”-movie sagebrush saga, Johnny Guitar (1954), is no different. Shot throughout Sedona with two feuding female leads (Joan Crawford and Mercedes McCambridge), Johnny Guitar reflects the paranoia, suspicion, betrayal and recrimination in the McCarthy era like few films of its time.
Program Info:
Wednesday, September 11 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
FREE for Museum Members (Members, click here to log-in and procure tickets)
FREE with Museum Admission
$8 for just the program
Click here for tickets!
Artist Spotlight: Lillian Wilhelm Smith – Adventures in Arizona
Presenter Harvey Leake, whose family were close friends of artist Lillian Wilhelm Smith, will highlight Lillian’s life as one of the earliest Women oil painters who traversed the Arizona landscape to paint the beauty of Arizona.
Program Info:
Wednesday, September 18 | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
FREE for Museum Members (Members, click here to log-in and procure tickets)
FREE with Museum Admission
$8 for just the program
Click here for tickets!
Wyatt Earp: Life on the Frontier – The Story Hollywood Didn’t Tell
A dramatic retelling of the life of Wyatt Earp. Wyatt Earp, the great grandnephew of the historical lawman Wyatt Earp, depicts his famous relative in the one-man play “Wyatt Earp: A Life on The Frontier.” Audience members learn about Earp’s participation in the infamous 1881 shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, AZ., as well as lesser known but nonetheless intriguing details about the life of the legendary lawman. Earp has done more than 1,000 performances of the historically based play throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Written by Terry Earp.
Program Info:
Wednesday, September 25 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
FREE for Museum Members (Members, click here to log-in and procure tickets)
FREE with Museum Admission
$8 for just the program
Click here for tickets!
Conversations in Clay: Daniel Begay
Daniel Begay learned to make pottery from his father, Harrison Begay Jr, and his mother, Marie Suazo. Daniel grew up in Santa Clara Pueblo and is Dine/Santa Clara – inspiring him to combine the two cultures and traditions in his pottery. Join this program to learn more about the artist, his work and technique.
Program Info:
Saturday, October 5 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
FREE for Museum Members (Members, click here to log-in and procure tickets)
FREE with Museum Admission
Click here for more information
Conversations in Clay: Sergio Lugo and Joseph Youngblood Lugo
Santa Clara Pueblo artist Sergio Lugo (b. 1994) is the middle son of noted potter Nancy Youngblood. Sergio brings his modern interpretation Santa Clara pottery Each piece is coil-built, stone polished, carved or painted, and traditionally fired. Joseph Youngblood Lugo is the youngest son of noted potter Nancy Youngblood and the brother of Sergio Lugo.He creates traditional pottery that is carved, stone polished, and traditionally fired.
Program Info:
Saturday, November 2 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
FREE for Museum Members (Members, click here to log-in and procure tickets)
FREE with Museum Admission
$8 for program attendance only (does not include further admittance to the museum/galleries)
Click here for more information
CURRENT HOURS
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday (September 16 – May)
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday (May – October)
9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Thursday (November – April)
11:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday
We suggest arriving early to allow approximately 2 hours to fully enjoy the museum prior to its closing at 5pm
