New sculpture dedication slated for Scottsdale Artists’ School

Independent Newsmedia

Scottsdale Artists’ School, Scottsdale Arts and the City of Scottsdale will dedicate a newly donated sculpture at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Scottsdale Artists’ School, 3720 N. Marshall Way.

The sculpture, called “Ziggy’s Sister” 2000, was designed by the late Alfred Newman (Al) Beadle and donated to Scottsdale as an anonymous gift in honor of the Beadle Family. “Ziggy’s Sister” is a blue painted-steel sculpture standing 8 feet high.

It was installed in September in front of Scottsdale Artists’ School, which is housed in the historic Loloma School in Old Town Scottsdale, according to a press release.

“’Ziggy’s Sister’ is a cool, blue, modern piece that has the added benefit of being locally historic,” Wendy Raisanen, curator of collections and exhibitions for Scottsdale Public Art, said in a prepared statement.

“Al Beadle is well loved for his midcentury-modern buildings in the Valley. It’s an eye-catching addition to the Scottsdale Arts District.”

Mr. Beadle (1927–98) was a renowned architects of the post-World War II generation in the Valley. He began his career as a designer and builder in 1950 with an approach to his projects that included simple modernism. His architectural projects typically included one of his sculptures, usually in red, yellow or rusting steel.

“Ziggy’s Sister” is based on plans and a maquette Beadle created before his death in 1998. It was fabricated posthumously, two years later. Mr. Beadle created three “Sister” sculptures: one at Scottsdale Artists’ School, the second Sister is painted red and resides in Prescott and the third Sister is at a private residence in Phoenix.

Scottsdale Public Art and the City of Scottsdale expressed gratitude to the anonymous donor of “Ziggy’s Sister” for this donation to the city’s collection, which is on view for all Scottsdale residents and visitors to enjoy, a release states.

“In particular, we are pleased to accept artwork, much like the Al Beadle sculpture, when there is a particular connection to Arizona’s art and culture,” Kim Boganey, director of Scottsdale Public Art, said in a prepared statement.

“Beadle is a well-noted architect and artist, known for his work throughout the Valley, and now we have a beautiful sculpture by him located here in Scottsdale.”