Frank Lloyd Wright — arguably America’s greatest architect, who spent many years in Arizona — would have turned 152 on Saturday, June 8. Wright died in Phoenix in 1959 at age 91.
Wright was a complex man whose personality and designs drew sharp reactions and inspired generations of architects. It’s impossible to study art, design or architecture without studying Wright, whose work endures. Here are 4 ways to celebrate his birthday:
1. Discovery Day at Taliesin West. Visit Taliesin West in Scottsdale on Saturday, June 8, for an Open House celebrating Wright’s Birthday. During the free, all-ages event, guests can explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and desert laboratory with a variety of hands-on activities and demonstrations. Registration is required.
2. Take a guided tour. Wright’s winter home houses the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Tours — including the popular Night Lights Tour (for ages 13 and up) — are available all summer at 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-860-2700 or franklloydwright.org.
3. Sign up for summer camp. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation offers several summer art and architecture camps for kids in grades 2-10 such as Architectural Discovery Camp, Photographing Wright, Designing Your Dream Space and Wright for the Future (designing cities of the future).
4. Read about the history of one of FLW’s defining works in your backyard — the David and Gladys Wright House in Arcadia. Wright built the home for his son during the time he also was designing the Guggenheim Museum in New York.
5. Take a journey with your kids (virtual or real) to explore the many local designs by Wright, including the Arizona Biltmore resort (Wright was not the primary architect but did consult on the iconic “Biltmore Block” design), First Christian Church or even ASU’s Gammage auditorium. And learn more about Wright and the architects he inspired at modernphoenix.net.
