Photo Courtesy of Western Spirit

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is pleased to announce and host the second annual “The Cool Frontier,” a summer schedule of events that offers something for everyone — all in air-conditioned comfort in the Valley’s first museum to honor Actor Kevin Costner with the 2025 Western Spirit Award.

To celebrate the theme “It’s Cool in Here,” Western Spirit, which is located at 3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ, 85251 is offering a Buy One, Get One Free special. Guests who purchase one adult or senior admission ticket at the regular price will receive a second one of equal value free. The free tickets are valid until September 30, 2025.

This summer, Western Spirit is featuring a number of eye-catching and educational exhibits. These include A Decade of Western Spirit, a large-scale timeline on display in the lobby that highlights the groundbreaking exhibitions and achievements that have helped make Western Spirit a Smithsonian Affiliate museum that is regularly named the No. 1 Western Museum in the United States, as well as a 2025 Inductee to the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce Scottsdale History Hall of Fame.

Women of the Southwest: A Legacy of Painting is on view through August 24, 2025. The exhibit is comprised of almost 200 works by 25 pioneering women artists gifted to Western Spirit by Fran and Edward Elliott.

As a group, the female artists have achieved an impressive list of “firsts.” For example, Lillian Wilhelm Smith was the first woman to paint the Rainbow Bridge, and she was the only woman illustrator of Zane Grey’s novels. Painter Jessie Benton Evans was one of the catalysts behind the first art show at the Arizona State Fair that began in 1915.

Other exhibits that museum goers can experience this summer include:
• Collecting Stories: John Coleman Bronzes from the Collection of Frankie and Howard Alper. The exhibit features a selection of bronzes from the Alper Family’s collection, including the 10-piece Explorer Artist Series, inspired by the 19th century paintings of George Catlin and Karl Bodmer.
• Canvas of Clay: Hopi Pottery Masterworks from The Allan and Judith Cooke Collection. This exhibit is on display for the first time and includes more than 65 of the finest examples of Hopi pottery.
• Courage & Crossroads: A Visual Journey through the American West. Meriwether Lewis’ presentation style pipe tomahawk and other rare Native American objects serve as the centerpiece of this story of America’s West in the 19th and early 20th centuries; in all, the exhibit includes more than 100 paintings and sculptures.
• The A.P. Hays Spirit of the West Collection. The exhibit offers a collection of 1,400 Old West items from Scottsdale gallerist Abe Hay; these include revolvers, rifles, saddles, knives, holsters, spurs, chaps, badges and more.
• People, Places, Predicaments: John Clymer’s West. Clymer was an extraordinary artist whose work vividly captured the spirit of exploration and adventure of the American West. The exhibit features over 50 paintings by John Ford Clymer from the Eddie Basha Collection.

For those who have always wanted to see artists in action firsthand as they are creating and honing their crafts, Artist Tuesdays will give visitors the chance to do exactly that.

Every Tuesday from approximately 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in June, July and August, artists — including Lindsay Green, Ira Grin, Paul Steele, Milly Guthrie, Kathy Howard — will be at the museum painting their artwork in person.

“Artist Tuesdays will allow our visitors to watch some of our local western artists at work — or maybe discover a new favorite,” said Todd Bankofier, CEO and Executive Director of Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. “This series offers a special and unique chance to literally watch the creative process in action as some of our most talented and local artists create art in front of your eyes!”

Finally, when the mercury rises and temperatures are determined to stay in the triple digits, watching a movie in an air-conditioned theater is a fun and effective way to keep cool.

Western Spirit has a full schedule of classic Spaghetti Western-themed movies planned for June starring well-known actors from the genre like Clint Eastwood, Jack Palance and Lee Van Cleef. Ticket prices and more information can be found at westernspirit.org/programs.

“We know that the relentless summer heat can be challenging for many people. We are excited to give everyone the opportunity to come in, cool off and enjoy our summer schedule — all while saving some money on tickets, and hopefully becoming fans of all the West has to offer,” said Bankofier. “We welcome everyone to round up their family, come join us and see how at Western Spirit, it’s cool in here!”

For more information about The Cool Frontier summer schedule, visit westernspirit.org.

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is a premier cultural institution situated in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona. Established in January 2015, the museum resides on the historic grounds of the Loloma Transit Station (N Marshall Way and E 1st St). With a sprawling two-story layout currently encompassing 43,000 square feet — and adding 12,000 square feet in 2025 — the museum showcases the art, culture, and rich history spanning 19 states in the American West, Western Canada, and Mexico. For more information, call (480) 686-9539 or visit westernspirit.org