If you’re interested in learning more about the famous rocks at the Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa, the Walk the Rock adventure is perfect for you. The 60-minute experience takes you on a guided walk with guide Rico Riley through the prehistoric Sonoran Desert and provides fascinating background on the area’s topography, flora, fauna, and the 12-million-year-old boulders that provide the resort’s namesake.

Continue your exploration at the Hotel Valley Ho with an Architectural Walking Tour. This twice-weekly tour is led by Ace Bailey of Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours and explores the classic design elements of the hotel while sharing the history and legends associated with its famous Hollywood guests.

Once a month, the Artist in Residence Dinner Series at Hermosa Inn allows you to mingle with accomplished local artists over an intimate dinner at signature restaurant LON’s. The series celebrates Hermosa Inn’s creative origins as the original home of cowboy and artist Lon Megargee. The one-on-one experience is followed by a tantalizing three-course meal of artful American cuisine.

Turn your attention to the desert sky and experience a spectacular stargazing program led by Astronomer Richard Allen. Locate Jupiter, Saturn, the Orion Nebula, Mars and other stellar sights by using state-of-the-art telescopes and star charts as you listen to Allen’s awe-inspiring stories about the night sky. Experience these at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, The Boulders Resort and Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort and Spa.

• a local historic artists compound;
• the country’s best example of preserved mid-century architecture in a hotel” at Hotel Valley Ho;
• the exciting/renowned Downtown Arts District; Tours include an expert guide, information on your destination, historic and color commentary and deluxe transportation for small groups or larger parties.
• The menu of tour options will be expanded in future months to include some of Scottsdale’s most incredible gems such as:
• Downtown’s Restaurant Row with a delicious, progressive dining experience; a 120-year old former bunkhouse that serves up “wicked” burgers;
• Cosanti the historic home of Paolo Solari where his world famous Solari Windbells are made;
• the Scottsdale Contemporary Art Museum and public art program;
• hikes through stunning, ancient petroglyphs with a native American guide;
• SkySong – the ASU/Scottsdale Innovation Center, a new model for this century’s workplace environment, and other offerings specifically tailored for clients.

For more information call (480) 634-6850 or go to www.ultimatearttours.com

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The [almost] week-long celebration of glass art kicks off with a lecture on world-renowned glass artist Lino Tagliapietra at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) on Wednesday, March 18 at 7:00pm.  Art historian and independent curator Susanne K. Frantz will give a comprehensive overview of Tagliapietra’s life and career and will showcase his evolution as artist, designer, craftsperson and educator, as well as his influence on international studio glass.  Tickets are $7 for SMoCA and Arizona Glass Alliance Members and $10 for non-members.  Click here for more information or call 480-994-ARTS to purchase tickets.

After you are armed with information on one of best-known glass artists of all time, continue to indulge your love of glass with Glass Act: A Festival ArtWalk and Tour on Thursday, March 19.  The Glass Act event begins with a private behind-the-scenes tour of the jaw-dropping Dale Chihuly exhibit at Desert Botanical Garden.  Total tour time is 1:00 – 7:00pm and tickets are priced at $65 each.  The tour will be conducted by Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours and includes transportation to and from the garden, admittance into the garden, and private glass-art receptions at three prominent Scottsdale galleries. 

After the private tour, the Glass Act event will continue with a Festival ArtWalk in the Downtown Scottsdale Arts District.  This special ArtWalk features exhibits by more than 30 renowned glass artists at participating galleries. There will also be live entertainment and flame working demonstrations along the streets that will add to the festival atmosphere.  This part of the Glass Act event is free and runs from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.  Click here for a list of participating galleries, artists and demonstrations.

You do not have to attend one part of the Glass Act event to participate in the other but, if you are a true glass lover (or aspire to be one), my recommendation is that you simply cannot miss either.

Segway into the weekend with the 39th Annual Scottsdale Arts Festival, which is consistently ranked as one of the top arts festivals in the country.  The festival takes place Friday, March 20 – Sunday, March 22 at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall and showcases 200 artists selected by jury from a pool of nearly 1,000 applicants. Participating artists come from throughout the United States and Canada and work in all media, from ceramic, glass (your new favorite, right???), jewelry, metals and textiles to painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking and drawing. Visitors have the opportunity to meet and talk to each artist and buy works of art directly from them.  Click here for more information about the Scottsdale Arts Festival.

With all of the great glass and art events taking place in Scottsdale in the next week (never mind the fantastic weather we should be experiencing!), there’s no reason to not get out and experience the thriving Scottsdale Arts District.  Enjoy!

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1. Experience Scottsdale Like a Pro