Taliesin

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 2 /PR Newswire/ -- More than 300 people, including 50 former apprentices to Frank Lloyd Wright and many graduates of the architecture school that bears his name, will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the educational program founded by Wright, Nov. 8-12 at Taliesin West, his winter home and studio situated in this 500-acre desert preserve in north Scottsdale.

Those gathered will have even more reason to celebrate, according to Foundation President & CEO Phil Allsopp, who applauded the nomination of Taliesin, Taliesin West, and ten other Wright-designed buildings as Tentative World Heritage Sites by the National Park Service.

Said Allsopp, "It is a fortuitous convergence of events that on the eve of the 75th reunion of the Taliesin Apprenticeship Program that Taliesin, Wright's home and studio in Wisconsin, and Taliesin West are being considered for designation as World Heritage Sites, given that many of the celebrants actually built them with Frank Lloyd Wright. We congratulate the many individuals-the private owners as well as staff and volunteers at other Wright sites who are working tirelessly to conserve these architectural treasures, and acknowledge the work of our friends at the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy for their role in nominating these buildings."

The 75th anniversary reunion, hosted and sponsored by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and chaired by noted Taliesin alumnae Effi Casey and Susan Jacobs Lockhart, combines educational programs with opportunities for Taliesin alumni, as well as current student apprentices, to celebrate the unique fraternity that links each to one of the most storied individuals in American architectural history.

The event officially opens Friday, November 9, with a Symposium that will explore the topic, "What should the nature of architectural education be today?" The Symposium, which is open to other professionals, will feature a panel of international guests, including lead presenter Matthias Schuler, founder and technical director of the German climate-engineering firm Transsolar KlimaEngineering?. Other panelists include:

-- Dr. Robert Fishman, the Emil Lorch Professor at the Taubman College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Michigan -- Reed Kroloff, architect and director of Cranbrook Academy of Art -- David Mohney, former dean of the College of Design, University of Kentucky and member, Board of Trustees of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation -- Donna Robertson, the dean of the College of Architecture, Illinois Institute of Technology -- Michael Rotondi, principal of RoTo? Architects, Inc., Los Angeles Other notables expected to attend the Reunion include: -- Cornelia Brierly, architect, joined apprenticeship program in 1934; worked directly with Wright -- Heloise Crista, Taliesin alumna and sculptor -- Wallace Cunningham, Taliesin alumnus, architect -- Pedro Guerrero, famed photographer -- Gerald Lee Morosco, Taliesin alumnus, architect, published author, chair of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Board of Trustees -- Paoli Soleri, Taliesin alumnus, founder of Arcosanti -- Kimbal Thompson, architect, president of Taliesin alumni -- Eric Lloyd Wright, Taliesin alumnus, architect, grandson of Frank Lloyd Wright Other highlights include: -- An exhibit titled "Taliesin Timeline" that lists, by decade, the name of everyone who has lived and/or worked at Taliesin in any capacity over the past 75 years. The exhibit, designed by Taliesin alumnus Val M. Cox, is 64' in length, consists of eight 3' x 8' panels each representing one decade. -- A book signing featuring nearly a dozen Taliesin alumni authors -- Guided tours of the desert shelters, a symbol of the "learn by doing" philosophy that has infused the learning experience at Taliesin West since its inception -- A gala Saturday evening, titled "Celebrating Past, Present and Future"

Additional event sponsors are Jennings, Strouss, & Salmon, PLC; Scottsdale Insurance Company; Wachovia Securities; and A.L. Brourman Associates, Inc.

"The event celebrates the remarkable creation of Frank Lloyd Wright and Olgivanna Lloyd Wright, integrating life, learning, art and architecture. Participants, many of whom helped build the now 70 year old historic structures at Taliesin West, come together from all over the world not only in recognition of the impact of Wright's legacy but also seeking to help shape the future of Taliesin as a cultural center and model for architectural education," commented Casey.

Susan Jacobs Lockhart agreed. "While this occasion is a celebration, it also has immensely important ramifications for the future of architectural education-not just here at Taliesin, but around the world. We will explore how present day curricula are preparing architects to address the significant challenges of sustainability and the built environment," commented Lockhart, "and how Wright's design innovation and environmental sensitivity are relevant to solving problems associated with the 21st century built environment."

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