Experience The Wind At Cosanti Originals

As visitors enter Cosanti Originals, they are met by the sounds of hammers and metal saws. Famed architect, artist and philosopher Paolo Soleri and his students built the Cosanti gallery in the 1950s. Soleri, who retired from the Cosanti Foundation last year, has created notable destinations around Arizona, including Arcosanti, which is a series of buildings built in the desert that work to study the connection and people living harmoniously with the environment. He also designed “Soleri Bridge” in Old Town Scottsdale, which highlights the sun by casting different shadows depending on the time of year and day.

At Cosanti, which means “against” or “before things,” visitors get a chance to tour the gallery where Paolo Soleri Windbells are created and sold. While Soleri has retired, his students continue his work, and visitors are able to watch the creation of the different types of sculptures, pots, bowls, tiles and Windbells. After watching the process, visitors are even able to purchase one of their own.

Visitors can either stroll through the gallery at their own pace, as long as they stay on the red brick path; or they can call ahead to reserve a guided tour where visitors will be educated about the history of Cosanti and the creation of the different types of Windbells.