Hands-On Experiences
Be a part of our story
Hands-on experiences are a great way to connect with the long tradition of artisan craftwork at the heart of Cosanti. Taking inspiration from our name, a combination of the Italian cosa + anti, we pursue a philosophy "before things": everything we make, from bells to tiles to the buildings themselves, is made by hand by individuals all contributing to a larger artistic expression. Join one of our exciting programs to experience for yourself the traditions of Cosanti!
To organize a private group activity, a visiting workshop, or for more information, contact: tours@cosanti.com
Current Programs
Casting Cosanti: an Interactive Silt-Casting Experience
Join us at Cosanti in Paradise Valley for a unique hands-on opportunity which combines artistic expression informed by the desert with an exploration of our innovative and experimental historic site, precursor to the well-known urban laboratory of Arcosanti.
Participants will be guided through the process of carving and shaping a mold made from desert earth, and will create a cast plaster tile using the same techniques which enabled the construction of Cosanti itself. We will discuss the composition, decoration, and utility of silt molds, the interface between positive and negative form, and the artistic possibilities of working in three dimensions. Each participant will have the chance to design, pigment, and excavate their own plaster tile which reflects their unique interaction with these earthen materials.
Our guide will also lead you on an hour-long tour of Cosanti’s structures and history. During this tour you may see the casting of new bronze windbells in the foundry, gain a deeper understanding of our relationship with architecture, art, and craft, and learn how the ideology of Arcology was born from the cooperation of the built environment with the natural landscape.
This experience is suitable for all ages 10 and up, and for any skill level - materials and techniques will be demonstrated over the course of the activity. Due to the outdoor nature of Cosanti and the possibility of messy hands we recommend walking shoes and comfortable, washable clothing.
Schedule
- 10:00am-10:15am - Sign-in and orientation
- 10:15am-11:00am - Guided tour of Cosanti
- 11:00am-12:30pm - Silt designing, pigmenting, and casting
- 12:30pm-1:00pm - Short break, feel free to bring a boxed lunch!
- 1:00pm-1:30pm - Excavation, photos, conclusion
Reservation Details
This activity is $125 per participant, and is limited to 15 participants. To make a reservation or browse open dates, click the "Activity Calendar" button near the top of this page.
Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian. Each guest must fill out our consent and release form prior to participating. Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours beforehand to be eligible for a refund.
Information and dates coming soon!
Information and dates coming soon!
We're working on exciting new experiences for 2025 and beyond!
To be informed of these as soon as they're announced, sign up to our mailing list:
Meet your instructor
Dakota Petersen first joined the Cosanti team in 2015, and has spent several years as a member of the foundry. He now serves as Cosanti's Outreach and Development Ambassador to encourage new and exciting educational programs based on our traditions of architecture and handmade artisan crafts. He studied photography at Northern Arizona University, and continues to find inspiration for his work in the desert around Cosanti.
What to know before you go
CONSENT AND RELEASE WAIVER
Participants are required to complete a Consent and Release Waiver prior to their activity. Our easy-to-use online form makes completing a waiver for a single guest, a large group, or for parents/guardians of minors quick and efficient. Once you've reserved your tour, a link to the online form is sent in your confirmation email.
ACCESSIBILITY
Participants who use a walker, wheelchair, or other mobility aids may find themselves limited by narrow pathways, uneven pavement, steps, or other challenges. Please contact us at tours@cosanti.com to discuss possible accommodations. ADA-accessible restroom facilities are not available.
OUTDOOR CONDITIONS
While there will be strategic stopping and resting points during the indoor/outdoor one-hour tour of Cosanti, guests should be aware that the experience involves a good deal of walking and standing, sometimes in the sun. Please be sure to plan accordingly with sun protection, water, and comfortable shoes.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY
Guests are welcome to take photos and videos of Cosanti and its grounds for personal purposes, though we ask that you are respectful of this active worksite, its employees, and other guests.
Professional photography or videography and/or any footage intended for commercial use must have prior approval. Please reach out to info@cosanti.com prior to conducting professional or commercial shoots at Cosanti.
Our ongoing mission of education
Cosanti, a cultural site on the Arizona Registry of Historic Places, is proud to take part in the legacy of education and outreach integral to The Cosanti Foundation from its beginning.
Activity fees are collected to benefit The Cosanti Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to influencing the balance between the built environment and the natural world, the well-being of the planet and of humankind.
Since 1965, The Cosanti Foundation has been an important voice in the global conversation about adapting the way humankind consumes resources on a planet already stressed by explosive population growth, a dramatically changing climate, and limited natural resources.
Your visit will contribute both to furthering the mission of The Cosanti Foundation, and to spreading awareness of the philosophy and possibility of living in a way both radically different, and urgently necessary.
