Guest Editorial: Scottsdale’s White Rabbit

By Scottsdale Pinetop
The first thing many of us think of is the iconic white rabbit from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.  It’s surprising, bold and serves as a channel for imagination. That’s exactly the kind of character Scottsdale’s art district has and needs more of.
And it’s thanks to the efforts of councilwoman Linda Milhaven and the Scottsdale City Council that “One-Eyed Jack”, at the southwest corner of Marshall Way and Indian School, has now joined Scottsdale’s unique collection of public art.

The arts have always been a significant part of the Scottsdale community. The expansion of art is a quality Milhaven values and encourages frequently. She previously served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Scottsdale Arts and has been a strong advocate for preserving the historic art’s district. She has helped ensure that Scottsdale’s culture and art remains inventive, creative, and economically sustainable for the city.
It’s been a long, hard road from idea to this installation. And it would wouldn’t have happened without Milhaven who championed for the project several years ago as a way to draw attention to the electric businesses on Marshall Way. Now, One-Eyed Jack is sure to become a symbol for Marshall Way, similar to the iconic LOVE sculpture located in the Scottsdale Civic Center. This white rabbit will encourage visitors and residents alike to explore the numerous galleries and businesses along Marshall Way, some of whom have struggled in recent years.
While we disagree with Milhaven on some issues, such as Desert Edge, we admire what she brings to the Council. Her dedication to the city, her pro-business attitude and love for the arts is admirable and important.
A dedicatory celebration will be held on Oct. 25 at Blue Clover Distillery in conjunction with the opening of the Local Light initiative. We, along with many other Scottsdalians, enthusiastically welcome One-Eyed Jack into one of Scottsdale’s best neighborhoods and we applaud Milhaven for her efforts to make it so.