The Pinwheel Project Adds Vivid and Unique Focal Point to Scottsdale Quarter

Now on display, the project is a collaborative partnership, highlighting local creative community

In late Spring of 2018, the Arizona Business Committee for the Arts (AZBCA), the School of Architecture at Taliesin (formerly the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture), and Scottsdale Quarter forged a dynamic partnership with the goal of creating an experiential, community-based, temporary art installation to display onsite at Scottsdale Quarter retail center.

The Pinwheel Project made its debut at Scottsdale Quarter on August 22, 2018. Twelve 5-foot pinwheels were created to be suspended on high above the Scottsdale Quarter splash pad. Each of the eye-catching pinwheels were envisioned in partnership with Scottsdale Quarter, and handcrafted by students from the School of Architecture at Taliesin.

The large-scale art installation frames the splash pad space and provides an interactive, stunning visual arts element to the Center. The project is a custom arts and business partnership, demonstrating that when arts and business partner, communities benefit.

“Our collaboration with AZBCA is an invaluable opportunity for the School and our students to engage with the local community through arts based creative placemaking,” said Chris Lasch, Dean of the School of Architecture at Taliesen. “Projects like these help to enhance our overall academic experience through hands-on learning, taking key principles outside of the classroom into real world experience, they give us a better understanding of the local communities we serve and contributes to the goal that we share with AZBCA -- to illustrate the transformative potential of art and design in our public places.”

“We wanted to create a suspended art installation that was fun, eye-catching and completely unique to any other installation we’d ever come across,” said Alison Goodman, Marketing Director of Scottsdale Quarter. “The idea of installing pinwheels was simply that – an idea that our team thought of and that Chris Lasch and his team flawlessly executed. The Quarter is committed to the art community; we always look for new ways to incorporate installations and The Pinwheel Project took us to a new level of creativity. The bright colors in the moving pinwheels suspended over our beloved splash pad were just the refresh we wanted as we go into the last months of summer.”

“Our vision for arts and business partnerships like The Pinwheel Project, is to inspire Arizona’s business community to partner with the arts to ensure innovation, opportunity, and development in our creative sectors,” said Executive Director and Founder of AZBCA, Kate Marquez. “The arts are a powerful way to build sustainable communities where people want to live, work, and thrive.”

The installation is currently on display through October 2018.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available

About Arizona Business Committee for the Arts
The Arizona Business Committee for the Arts is a program is administered by Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation and advancement of the arts. AZBCA is a program partner with Americans for the Arts and the National Partnership Movement, which David Rockefeller founded in 1967. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, SAACA presents large-scale festivals, events and other programs. The Alliance also promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for all ages.

About Scottsdale Quarter
Scottsdale Quarter caters to one of the country’s wealthiest communities with luxury retail and one-of-a-kind eateries set within a beautiful backdrop that has won both local and national design awards. The town center is home to more than 70 national and local retail, dining and entertainment options, as well as numerous events and activities throughout the year. A dynamic offering of things to do along with things to buy keeps guests engaged and returning often. Scottsdale Quarter is open seven days a week: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday noon – 6 p.m. (summer hours vary). For more information, please call (480) 270-8123 or visit scottsdalequarter.com. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ScottsdaleQuarter and follow us on Twitter @ScottsdaleQrtr and Instagram @ScottsdaleQuarter.

About the School of Architecture at Taliesien
Established by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1940, the Foundation is deeply committed to the preservation of Taliesin West in Scottsdale, AZ and Taliesin near Spring Green, WI. The Foundation uses the principles of organic architecture to create dynamic STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) education programming. By preserving Wright’s legacy, The Foundation is dedicated to pursuing new innovations and inspiring innovators.