Arcosanti has recently announced new 2025 dates for its popular one-day bell-making experience. Four upcoming experiences are now available to reserve, including: Saturday, March 8, Saturday, April 12, Saturday, May 3 and Saturday, May 17. Each day-long class invites participants to explore the one-of-a-kind silt-cast bell-making process developed by The Cosanti Foundation. This process is still used daily by the creative artisans of Cosanti Originals to make Cosanti’s world-famous windbells. During the experience, participants will have the unique opportunity to cast and carve their own one-of-a-kind ceramic bell using clay and dirt. Attendees should come prepared to get their hands dirty as they enjoy this unforgettable tactile experience. The schedule for each course is as follows: 8 a.m.: Introductory Tour Experience a guided tour of Arcosanti, a prototype micro-city practicing arcology, which is a design philosophy incorporating architecture and ecology. Guests will view the different spaces and arts at Arcosanti while their guide illustrates the history and theory behind the community. 9 a.m.: Forming Bells Participants will be guided through the process of creating earthen bell molds using a bed of silt, and instructors will describe the unique plaster mold process. Once the silt molds are formed, participants will pour a slip, a mixture of water and clay, into the cavity, which then forms a clay vessel around the surface of the mold as the water evaporates over time. Noon: Lunch (included) Guests will be treated to a homemade meal provided by the Arcosanti Café. 1 p.m.: Carving Bells Considered to be the centerpiece of the day, at this time, the Arcosanti ceramics artisans will show participants the main tools and techniques they use to carve designs into a clay wind bell. The artisans will elaborate on their distinct styles of artwork, both within the Cosanti family of design and through individual expression. 3 p.m. Group Photo and Salutation As this shared process experience comes to a close, attendees will have an opportunity to see each other’s works before finishing and individual photos as well as a group photo will be taken. After the class is finished, the clay bells will be fired and then shipped to each person. The cost for each one-day bell-making experience is $195 per person. Finished bells will be shipped directly to participants for a flat fee of $20. To learn more and register for an upcoming experience, visit arcosanti.org/bell-making-experience/. For more about Arcosanti, visit arcosanti.org.
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Arcosanti Debuts Darkosanti Music Festival APRIL 19
Arcosanti and The Cosanti Foundation are pleased to present Darkosanti, the region’s first-ever music festival showcasing people of color, indigenous and black musicians. Darkosanti debuts Saturday, April 19 and features established and emerging artists within the Arizona music scene spanning genres of R&B, jazz, afrobeat, hip hop, folk and soul. Earth Surface People serves as the festival’s headliner. During the event, the band will be debut its sophomore album, “Yáágo Dootlizh.” Doors open for Darkosanti at 4 p.m. Set times take place at the Arcosanti Amphitheater from 5-11 p.m.; a DJ will be spinning tunes at The Octagon from midnight to 2 a.m. Musical acts include: Earth Surface People Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra Ang Sirena Prime Society AJ Odneal K Jade Uptown Sundown Food and beverage will be available for purchase from indigenous-owned Skoden Coffee and Diné/Honduran fusion newcomer Anda’s Kitchen. Tickets are now available. Admission is $40 per person; day of tickets are $50. Limited camping and lodging opportunities are available starting at $20. To purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com/e/darkosanti-tickets-1235136830509?aff=oddtdtcreator. For more information about this event, visit: arcosanti.org/upcoming-events/. For more about Arcosanti, visit arcosanti.org.