Mark K.
Yelp
During a recent visit to Scottsdale, I ended up here quite by accident as I entered a museum in the GPS, and this was the recommended heading - happy I went off course, as this is an amazing place! The outside of the building itself is beautiful, with a building that's modern yet oozes dessert, and the landscaping includes statues, artwork, and gardens. I did a thorough walk around before heading inside, and I was already hooked. The interior is just as amazing, with a large bronze casting greeting visitors, and wagon wheels overhead showing the way to the galleries. Off the entrance way, large tapestries hang (reproductions of paintings) and a fascinating horse sculpture adorn the wall. There are galleries dedicated to many topics and themes. Some of these galleries are: the Maynard Dixon's American West (through Oct 2020); Paul Calle's Life of Exploration: From the Mountains to the Moon; Of Spirit and Flame: John Coleman Bronzes from the Collection of Frankie and Howard Alper; Canvas of Clay: Hopi Pottery Masterworks from The Allan and Judith Cooke Collection; Courage and Crossroads: A Visual Journey through the Early American West; and The Abe Hays Family Spirit of the West Collection. Other galleries include paintings, sculptures, historical and cultural displays and so much more! The quality of the exhibits is amazing, the displays numerous and beautiful. An interior courtyard displays more sculptures, many of them life-sized. When you are down thoroughly exploring both floors of exhibits, there is a good sized and well stocked gift shop which offers some momentos of your visit. On the way out from the gift shop toward the entrance, I found yet another great display - the photographs by Barry M. Goldwater: The Arizona Highways Collection. This collection of photographs showcase an amazing photographer, and glimpses of his personal and public life. An unexpected pleasure, I was delayed leaving so I could soak in this wonderful history. This place is amazing on so many levels. Don't let a happenstance error be the reason you visit - put it on your "must-do" list for your next visit to Scottsdale.