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John Peirce
The Steel & Copper Guy
Artist and longtime F.Q. Story resident John “Jack” Peirce left his mark on the neighborhood in copper and steel. After retiring from a successful painting and wall-covering business, Peirce devoted himself to metalwork, creating imaginative chimney caps, window surrounds, rain spouts, sculptures and other architectural details. His best-known creation—a five-foot copper dragon with glowing red eyes—still clings to the porch of his former Tudor Revival home, earning it the nickname “The Dragon House.” His distinctive work can be spotted on homes throughout F.Q. Story.
Peirce also quietly helped expand the neighborhood’s artistic landscape. In 2002, he anonymously purchased a collection of sculptures from emerging Phoenix artist Peter Deise and offered them free to F.Q. Story homeowners, provided the pieces remained visible from the street. Peirce kept his involvement secret during his lifetime, but the sculptures remain scattered throughout the neighborhood—a lasting reflection of his creativity, generosity and belief that art should be shared.