The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation will welcome visitors to Taliesin West on November 1, for the return of Discovery Day: a full day of immersive experiences, interactive exhibits, and family-friendly fun, all for just $5. Children 12 and under enjoy free admission.
Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Discovery Day offers the opportunity to explore the famed World Heritage site at your own pace. With creative activities around every corner and the dramatic Sonoran Desert as a backdrop, Taliesin West becomes an open playground for the imagination.
“Discovery Day is essentially our biannual open house, where we invite the community to experience Taliesin West as a living laboratory of art, architecture and nature,” said Aija Cave, manager of events and hospitality. “It’s a self-guided celebration of creativity, innovation and community.”
Visitors can take in the sounds of live music throughout the day, including performances by The Sunpunchers and singer-songwriter AJ Odneal. Film lovers can head to the Cabaret Theater for a screening of Bears in Hot Tubs, a compelling short documentary that explores how black bears are adapting to suburban life and challenges us to consider our own relationship with the natural world.
For budding artists and creators, a variety of hands-on crafts and collaborative projects will be available. Attendees can contribute to a giant saguaro mural or make their own faux stained-glass artwork to take home. Kids and families can embark on a site-wide scavenger hunt, build forts and bridges on the Pavilion Terrace, and test their observational skills for a chance to win prizes.
In the Garden Room, guests can meet the preservationists who protect and restore Taliesin West’s historic structures and explore a custom-made zine dedicated to the site’s living history. Visitors can also engage with experts at the “Ask Me” station in the Drafting Studio, and discover more about Arizona’s diverse wildlife at the Garden Squares exhibit.
In the Archives, a special exhibition showcases original costumes from the Taliesin Fellowship’s dance and theater productions. Nearby, artisans from Mountain Sculptures will demonstrate how they turn raw desert rock into intricate works of art, echoing Wright’s deep respect for organic architecture and materials. Lulu’s will be on-site, offering gourmet sandwiches, classic campfire s’mores, and Italian ice.
With its combination of art, architecture, music, and nature, Discovery Day remains one of the most anticipated events at Taliesin West. Learn more at franklloydwright.org.
