The West just got bigger.

Uncharted territory awaits.

On March 28, 2026, Western Spirit unveils the Louis Sands IV Center—a 12,000-square-foot expansion with four new galleries that deepen the story of the North American West through new voices and perspectives.

This is not a festival. It’s a cultural experience. A place where art, education, and creativity transport you and where coming face to face with the West changes how you see it.

Fill out the form below to reserve your free pass for the Opening Celebration.

 

Join us for the Opening Celebration.

Registration required. Free admission. Passes available online or at the door.

Free Admission

Saturday, March 28

9:30AM-5:00PM

Event Details

A celebration of art, education, and culture.

Opening Day is designed to bring the museum to life—active, inspiring, and Unmistakably West. Throughout the day, guests will encounter meaningful moments that connect the exhibitions to the living spirit of the West.

9:30 AM Doors open
10:00 AM–3:00 PM Express tours + pop-up talks (hourly)
All day Live music + art-making demonstrations
All day Hands-on creative experiences
5:00 PM Closing

Experiences:

  • Express tours through the four new galleries
  • Curator pop-up talks and exhibit spotlights
  • Artist demonstrations inspired by the exhibitions
  • Live music and cultural performances around the museum
  • Hands-on art experiences
  • Outdoor activations that extend the museum into Old Town

This day is a celebration. It’s also an invitation to step into the West as it truly is, and leave with a new perspective.

More than expansion. A new depth of story.

The North American West holds some of the most inspiring artifacts in the world. Bringing them together in one place has the power to transport us, to reveal stories, culture, and meaning across generations. With this expansion, Western Spirit is not only growing in space. We are expanding what we can hold, what we can share, and whose stories can be told. These new galleries invite the community into a broader, richer, more ambitious telling of the West—alive, evolving, and unmistakably powerful.

Four new galleries. Four powerful ways into the West.

The Louis Sands IV Center opens with four new exhibitions created to deepen the story of the West with greater range, ambition, and perspective.

Working Pardners: Masterworks from the Eddie Basha Collection

This inaugural exhibition celebrates the extraordinary legacy of Eddie Basha as a collector and champion of Western American and American Indian art. Showcasing the breadth and depth of one of the most significant collections of its kind, Working Pardners explores the American West not as a backdrop for rugged individualism but as a place shaped by deep and dynamic partnerships—between humans and animals, artists and patrons, labor and land, culture and spirit. 

Learn More

Visions in Bronze

From ancient battlefields to the American frontier, bronze has long been the medium of myth and memory. Visions in Bronze explores how generations of American sculptors have used this time-honored material to cast a modern mythology: the West.

Learn More

From Earth to the Stars: Gates Jewelry Collection

This immersive gallery traces the remarkable story of American Indian jewelry across decades of innovation and tradition. From Earth to the Stars highlights the deep relationships between land, materials, and artistry, showing how American Indian jewelers have transformed stones and metals into objects of beauty and cultural meaning.

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Fire of Ages

For more than six centuries, artists across the Hopi Mesas and the greater Southwest have shaped clay into vessels of uncommon beauty and enduring meaning. Fire of Ages traces this long arc of creativity through masterworks from the Allan and Judith Cooke Collection and the Arthur and Linda Pelberg Family Collection—works that reveal evolving forms, revived traditions, and lineages of artistry that span generations.

Learn More

Be part of the story.

Beyond a physical expansion, Western Spirit expands its stories and invites the community to be part of them. Come witness a bold new chapter of the Museum of the West. Come face to face with the North American West. Come experience what’s Unmistakably West.

FAQs

Is admission free?

Yes. Admission is free all weekend on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29.

Do I need to register?

Yes. Registration is required for free admission. You may register in advance online or at the door on event day. Registration helps us manage capacity and ensures you receive the latest schedule updates.

How do I get my free pass?

Fill out the form on this page. You’ll receive a confirmation email and event updates as we finalize the schedule. You may also register onsite at the door.

How long should I plan to spend at the museum?

Most guests will enjoy spending 1.5 to 3 hours exploring the new galleries and participating in event programming. You are welcome to come at any time during open hours.

Is the event appropriate for families?

Yes. The experience is designed to welcome all ages, with engaging activities for everyone to enjoy.

Will food and drinks be available?

We anticipate light offerings—more details will be shared as programming is confirmed. There are also Old Town Scottsdale dining options located nearby.

Where is the museum located?

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
At the crossroads of Marshall Way and 1st in Old Town Scottsdale

Where should I park?

There are several parking options throughout Old Town Scottsdale near the museum, including a free parking garage adjacent to the building.

Is the museum accessible?

Yes. Western Spirit is committed to providing an accessible experience for all guests. Our expansion and galleries are designed with accessibility in mind.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are welcome in accordance with ADA guidelines.

Can I take photos?

Flash photography is not allowed in any gallery spaces throughout the museum. Please follow signage and staff guidance inside the museum.

Can I become a member during the event?

Yes. Membership information will be available onsite, and members receive year-round benefits beyond the opening celebration.

How can I stay informed about updates and programs?

Register for your free pass to receive schedule updates, and follow us on social media for announcements, behind-the-scenes content, and what’s coming next.

Media Resources

Members of the media are invited to access official materials related to the Louis Sands IV Center Grand Opening.
For interview requests or additional information, please contact:

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