We continue our report about the installation of a set of solar panels that will provide power for lighting in the visitors parking lot and for the visitors path from the parking lot to the entrance of the visitors center.
The support structure is in place and has been painted.

The steel frames for the solar panels are mounted onto the cylindrical girder in such a way that the frame can be adjusted to the angle of the sun.

Here we can see the heavy brackets in place [see the welding process in report from 2/27/08].
This work was made possible by a Rural Tourism Development Grant of $50,000, received from the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT), to enhance the Visitors' Parking and Access area of the site.
We continue this series of reports on 3/3/08.

We continue our series of reports on the installation of a new set of solar panels at the Visitors' Parking and Access area. [see reports from 2/18 - 2/25/08].
Construction and metal shop volunteer, Darina Trendafilova, has cut the individual pieces for the steel frame on which the solar panels will be mounted. Now she welds heavy brackets to the frame pieces.

Arcosanti is built on marginal land, on the south edge of a mesa. Intense winds whistle and sometimes roar through the high desert that surrounds the site. [see 7/24/06 report of the actual mini tornado, that heavily damaged the visitors entrance]
... to explain the very heavy gage of steel for the solar panel frame.

Visiting alumni Adam Nordfors and Angus Gluck assemble the outer frame of a storage shed that will house the control unit and batteries for the solar panels, on a concrete slab at the south-west corner of the recycling area, right next to the visitors parkinglot.
As we mentioned, the panels will power path lighting in the visitors parking lot and along the path from the parking area to the Crafts III entrance.
Next report of this series will be posted on 2/29/08.

We continue our report from 2/22/08 on the AOT grant construction work.
The concrete, anchoring the A frames, has set and now it's time to relocate the cylindrical girder from the top of the scaffolding up into the groove at the very top of the A frames.
Preparing for the big lift (l-r): Ron Chandler, Tomiaki Tamura, Dave Tollas, Darina Trendafilova, Michael Bittman, Scott Riley, Brendan Scott, and Jenn Epstein arrange the scaffolding so that ...

.... they can heft the heavy girder into place. In slightly adjusted order, here (l-r), Michael Bittman, Adam Nordfors, Jenn Epstein, Darina Trendafilova, Brendan Scott, Dave Tollas, Scott Riley, and Tomiaki Tamura use their collective strength.

Ron Chandler welds metal straps around the girder to hold it in place.
Stay tuned to this site to watch the next installment of "AOT: Solar Lighting for the Visitors Parking Lot Project". Next up: the Arcosanti team mounts the framework for the solar panels. Report will be posted on 2/27/08.

This continues our report from 2/20/08.
[from left] The two A-frames have been set into the prepared forms and surrounded by rebar reinforcement in anticipation of the concrete pour.
[from left] Construction staff Melissa Soluski and site electrician Dr. Sparks distribute concrete into the forms.

Crew members from other departments help with the concrete pour and finishing work.

Utilities manager Scott Riley uses a trowel to finish the surface of the concrete.
This report continues on 2/25/08.

We continue our report from 2/18/08 on construction made possible by a grant of $50,000 from the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) awarded to us in October 2007.
The solar panels and control units will be located to the East of Visitor Parking on a concrete slab in the south-east corner of the existing recycling area.

A trench has been dug to bury wiring from the anticipated solar panels to existing utility lines. Shown here are site electricians Dr. Sparks and Brendan Scott [right photo].

Adjacent to an existing concrete slab, two rectangular trenches have been formed up. They will hold the A-frame anchors.

The crew erected scaffolding on the concrete slab and lifted the heavy cylindrical swivel girder to the top of the scaffolding.
This report continues on 2/22/08.

In October of 2007, the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT), awarded a Rural Tourism Development Grant to Arcosanti. The grant, worth $50,000, will be used to enhance the Visitors' Parking and Access area of the site.

We reported on 12/12, 12/17, 12/19, 12/21 and 12/26 about the first stage of work, installation of new concrete walk-ways on the east side of the parking lot and an upgrade of the visitors parking area.
Work has continued all along, with the installation of path-lighting and a set of solar panels. We will report this week and all next week on the stages of installation.

Arizona State University, under the leadership of Program Manager William Shisler, has awarded Arcosanti a gift of solar panels from their Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory.
Our site electrician Dr. Sparks, in an interview with BigBug Canyon Country News reporter Bruce Colbert:
"The real coup was getting the eight solar panels. Arizona State University Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory donated the solar panels to us. The ASU PTL tests the paenls for their wattage capacity, heat and humidity durability and basically put the panels through the wringer to see how they stand up, then they gave them to us."

We send a very big THANK YOU to William Shisler and the ASU Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory.

First step: preparing for and subsequently welding the steel frame, which will hold the solar panels in place. After establishing the necessary angle (note the curved shape, which will hold the cylindrical girder), Ron Chandler welds the A-frames into shape, and they are ready to go to the installation-site ...

To be continued on 2/20/08.

The residents of Arcosanti will exhibit their art in the Cafe and other locations at Arcosanti from February 14th through April 1st, 2008. A wide range of arts and crafts will be for sale. Visitor hours are every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
A special reception will be held to mark the opening of the event on Saturday, Feb. 16th from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.. Refreshments will be served. The artists will be present for questions or comments.

Titled “Breaking the Mold,” the exhibit will feature sculptures, paintings, glasswork, beadwork, ceramics, photography, household crafts, needlework, and more, created by 16 artists and craftspeople from diverse backgrounds.

For more information, please contact: Cliff Hersted at 928-632-6200.

Michael Melendrez, a renowned soil scientist, plant research specialist, and inventor is touring Arizona with his research this February. He will be at Prescott College on February 15th, and will visit Arcosanti on Sunday, February 17th. The free lecture here will be at 3pm in the Red Room, with a discussion to follow.

More can be learned about Dr. Melendrez from his website at: www.soilsecrets.com. His Arboretum Tome in New Mexico is home to one of two official Oak Genus Living Collections (over 80 species plus all 30 native to Chihuahuan desert) as well as the largest Native Tree Collection in the 4-corners region. He might be best known for his work in China, in saving the Metasequoia or Dam Redwood by setting up 6 collections . . . there is more and we will surely hear about it on February 17.

On Friday, February 8, The Andreas Kapsalis Trio (AKT) performed at The Cafe at Arcosanti. Melodica, xylophone, cymbals, drums, and guitars in tow, the trio prepared the stage for a delightful delivery of sounds.

DJ P-Step in 'da houuuse! The Arcosantian audiocrafter offered late afternoon beats to an assembling audience, as AKT's opener.

Night fell and there was wonderful music. Facing the southerly stage, the crowd leans in (and later jumps up) to the masterful fusion of melodies.

Following the performance of these very fine musicians, Arcosanti and AKT look forward to connecting again, possibly during the Juneteenth Festival later this year.

Last week five TUNDRA SWANS graced Arcosanti's seasonal lake, resting for a few days on their way north.

This wonderful photo was taken by archive volunteer Darina Trendafilova.

Report on the awesome performance of Andreas Kapsalis Trio will be posted on 2/13/08.

The 2008 Arcosanti concert series begins this evening, with a performance by the Andreas Kapsalis Trio. Setting up stage in the Cafe of the Crafts III building, AKT will open at 7pm, after a light Mediterranean spread is served.
In 2002, Kapsalis (centre) assembled this Chicago-based trio with Percussionist Jamie Gallagher (l) and Instrumentalist Darren Garvey (r). A unique guitarist, Kapsalis severed a tendon in his left hand while apprenticing with a luthier, thus making it possible for him to produce sound with only eight fingers on strings.

On the music they create, Kapsalis says: "we enjoy arranging intellectual compositions - music that you have to think about, but at the same time, we love the intensity of a simple piece of bubble-gum music."

Come check out the trio and their blends of jazz, acoustic, and Middle Eastern sounds. Tickets are $20 for the 6pm dinner and 7pm show.

Call Carri Krueger at 928.533.8295 for more information.
Menu: Potato Leek Soup, Butternut Squash Soup, Tabouli, Pita/Hummus, Cheese/Crackers, Chips/Salsa, Veggies/Dip, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Vegan Options, and Desserts!

Aurélien Froment participated in the Arcosanti seminar week in July 2002 and returned to Arcosanti for the rest of his workshop in 2005.
He returned to Arcosanti this week for a short visit after the opening of an exhibition in Tucson, a colloboration of French artists "Zones Arides" at the MOCA.
On Monday night Aurélien presented the first screening of 'The Apse, the Bell and the Antelope' to residents and workshop participants here at Arcosanti. The film was shot in Arcosanti in July 2005. The narration is by Roger Tomalty and the cinematography is by Vanessa Colombel. It has been produced by Les Laboratoires d'Aubervilliers.

Aurélien is a French artist who makes films, books and exhibitions. He has recently shown in Zones Arides (Moca, Tucson, 2008), Calling the Elephant (Project Arts Centre, Dublin, 2007), Twice Told Tales (Galerie Michel Rein, Paris, 2007), In the Stream of Life (Betonsalon, Paris, 2007) and continues to work and show with Store Gallery in London.

This photo was taken today. Some staff members were not able to participate.

[upper row from left]:
Román Salas [workshop participant], Gabriel Hendrix [foundry crew], Mario Andres Botero Giraldo [workshop], John Mahoney [workshop], Ron Chandler [landscaping coordinator], Scott Riley [utilities manager], Murray Natkie [bakery crew], Cliff Hersted [foundry crew and tourist office], Jim Hornberger [foundry manager], Nelson DeLa Rosa [construction crew], Kathyann Natkie [seminar week], Sean Leigh [visiting alumnus], Angus Gluck [visiting alumnus], Aurelian Froment [visiting alumnus], Tomiaki Tamura [Cosanti Foundation Director].

[middle row from left]:
Peter Lindgren [cafe staff], Dean Thomas [workshop], Camilla Mørk Røstvik [workshop], Geo Natkie, David De Gomez [maintenance department], Joelle McTeague [ceramics and archives crew], David Ledbetter [construction crew], Amber Klatt [archives crew], Jeffrey Michael [graphics department].

[front row from left]:
Joseph Croce [construction and maintenance crew], Mary Hoadley [Cosanti Foundation Director and Treasurer], Lisa Willott [agriculture manager], Melissa Soluskie [construction crew], Anna Greenberg [workshop], Andy Chao [foundry crew], Erika Sotelo [workshop], Colleen Reckow [workshop] and Bernadette O'Neill [landscaping crew].
Also on staff, not in the photo:
Sue Anaya [archives], Virginia Bateman [visitors center], Nadia Begin [ceramics], Michael Bittman aka Dr. Sparks [utilities], Palma Burdick [visitors center], Thomas Crowe [resident], Matteo Di Michele [workshop coordinator and HR], Cabiria Dourte [foundry], Jenn Epstein [planning], Linda Fournier [ceramics and accounting], Amarillis Fuentes [cafe], Will Holman [construction], Melanie Husband [accounting and cafe], Carri Krueger [guest services and cafe], Maggie Lamb [construction and agriculture], Caterina Loy [cafe], Rebecca Manning [ceramics], Rose Orleans [agriculture], Kelly Pai [foundry], Katie Schroeder [agriculture], Randall Schultz [maintenance manager], Brendan Scott [utilities], David Tollas [construction manager], Darina Trendafilova [archives and bakery], Errin Turner [cafe], Paul Vigne [purchasing], Ed Werman [ceramics manager] and Tucker Zenskie [foundry].

Also missing in the photo are the kids:
Sasha and Tristan Tollas, Zeb, Jasper and Cyrus Hornberger, and Charlie Wicker.

Welcome to the first workshop for the 2008 season:
[from left]
John Knutson, John Mahoney, Camilla Mørk Røstvik, Kathyann Natkie, Colleen Reckow, Román Salas, Jeong Beomjin, Erika Sotelo, Hyeong Seok Jeong, Dean Thomas.

Absent for the group shot were Mario Andres Botero Giraldo [at left], and the anticipated Anna Greenberg, who completed her seminar week in July 2006 and will arrive soon to complete her workshop.

[from left] Colleen, Camilla, Erika, Mario, John K, Roman, and Dean diggin'. The inaugural workshop trench-digging session occurred at the new solar site, near the Visitors' Parking Lot. (The Arizona Office of Tourism has awarded a grant for this project, which will be further detailed on Daily Progress in the near future.)

The Nature Walk with Roger Tomalty is one of the highlights of the seminar week. Workshop participants gather around for an animated story as they embark on the 3-mile hike of the Arcosanti property. Under the guidance of Anthropologist/Archaeologist/Arcosanti Foundation Staff, the dynamic Tomalty, the new workshop learns about native species, historical ruins, and memorable Arcosanti events.