Western Spirit emerges as darling amid spectacles of Old Town Scottsdale
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A sense of heritage is oftentimes the foundation of a community, admired by visitors and neighbors alike for a sense of pride that can be felt walking amidst local landmarks. It is even more rare nowadays for a community to come together in celebration of not only its local landmark but also the history of a nation illustrated by visions of the American Old West.
One such enterprise is Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. And one such place is Old Town Scottsdale.
“For some of our international travelers, Western films and television shows may have been among their first introduction to American culture, and they are still interested in experiencing the ‘Wild West’ during their U.S. travels,” said Experience Scottsdale Government Affairs Director Stephanie Pressler.
“In our new television commercial streaming nationwide, our protagonist experiences all the qualities that make our destination unique, including golf, spa, dining, and Western culture. She horseback rides through the Sonoran Desert, creates a custom cowboy hat at Rancher Hat Bar, and dances the night away at Rusty Spur Saloon.”
All of these uniquely American things have drawn inspiration from the emerging darling of Old Town Scottsdale, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, which is nationally recognized for its breathtaking, one-of-a-kind exhibitions celebrating the Old West.
Since its opening in January 2015, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West — a Smithsonian affiliate — has played a critical role in preserving the rich history and cultural heritage of the American West, and community of Scottsdale. Also, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West has been named the Best Western Museum by True West Magazine for a staggering 10 consecutive years.
“Western Spirit is an award-winning cultural attraction that can’t be missed, and it is featured across Experience Scottsdale’s website and publications, including our Old Town Scottsdale Guide, which is among our most popular guides,” Ms. Pressler said of the Best Western Museum in the United States. “Throughout the year, we feature the museum’s programs and exhibitions on our calendar of events.”
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West offers a slice of Americana
Todd Bankofier serves as chief executive officer at Western Spirit — a responsibility he does not take lightly but rather with an impeccable sense of humility and honor for western heritage.
“Western Spirit strongly believes in honoring, preserving, and respecting the dignity of all cultures across the west: Native Americans, early explorers, women artists of the west, mountain men, and the many creatures that roam the American West, but nothing is more natural for the museum than profiling the American west lifestyle and the rich history of those who live and wear the western label,” he said.
“Western Spirit captures the commitment, energy, determination, vitality, drive and passion of all those who lived, explored and settled the west, through different artists and mediums.”
Connecting to the true spirit of the Old West is something Mr. Bankofier holds dear — and Old Town Scottsdale offers the perfect backdrop for the mission of Western Spirit to unfold.
“Western Spirit captures the commitment, energy, determination, vitality, drive and passion of all those who lived, explored and settled the west, through different artists and mediums,” he said. “Western Spirit adds to the overall experience for visitors and locals alike. Western Spirit’s contribution includes some of the nation’s most celebrated painters and sculptors represented in its award-winning architectural building. Being a Smithsonian Affiliate since the doors opened 10 years ago gives this museum immediate and distinctive international credibility. That credibility helps shine the light across the Arts District.”
A perfect afternoon in Old Town Scottsdale could be a visit to the Arts Districts then walk over to Western Spirit, stop in at the Canopy Hotel for lunch, and then continue to Main Street to visit with members of the Scottsdale Gallery Association.
“Old Town Scottsdale is special to a multitude of audiences: international visitors looking to explore the American west, meeting attendees hoping to grab a few minutes away from their busy agendas, spousal programs designed to introduce the region, fellow Arizonans shopping and enjoying the leisurely walk through the streets,” Mr. Bankofier said of the brand of Scottsdale. “With such a broad audience, Old Town needs choices and options. The Arts District and specifically Western Spirit, provide a glance at the western region’s history through art, sculptures, and artifacts from across the 19 western United States , into Sonora, Mexico and up into Canada’s western provinces.”
Western Spirit: A labor of love of the community of Scottsdale
Leadership at Scottsdale City Hall embraced a vision put forth by Western Spirit’s foundational leaders about 30 years ago and moved to create the funding for the local landmark.
“The quest to establish Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West spans three decades and had to overcome several challenges,” Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega pointed recalling the inception of the museum.
“I was on City Council from 2000 to 2004 when we considered moving forward, but the terrorist attacks of 9/11 shelved funding. The Great Recession created the next delay, but the dedicated efforts of the foundational members and City Council allowed Western Spirit broke ground in 2012.”
Mayor Ortega contends Western Spirit is his No. 1 recommendation during his daily duties serving as mayor of the community.
“Old Town is the epicenter of hospitality, arts, and entertainment, many award-winning restaurants and one-of-a-kind shopping experiences,” he said. “But for me, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, is my top recommendation for an authentic western cultural destination.”
Earlier this year, Western Spirit broke ground on a highly anticipated expansion made possible by Louis “Buzz” Sands IV, who is a respected entrepreneur and owner of several car dealerships across the Valley of the Sun. The 11,360-square-foot extension of Western Spirit will include the construction of new galleries, to be named the Louis Sands IV Center. These galleries will become home to a diverse collection of artworks, artifacts, and stories that further illuminate the American west.
The Scottsdale City Council unanimously approved the expansion of Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West in September 2023. The expansion project is undertaken by Studio Ma in collaboration with CORE Construction.
“As mayor in January 2024, I was thrilled to break ground thanks to the Sands family $12M donation funding the major expansion, which will house The Eddie Basha Collection,” Mayor Ortega said. “Visionary leadership with both private and city funds combined with private sector dedication has shaped the allure and reputation of Scottsdale.”
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