Carmel Monthly-May 2023

LATE NIGHT ON MAIN

Carmel Arts & Design District Facebook.com/CarmelPorchfest CarmelPorchfest.org

Starting at 7 p.m. on the Dates Below

Glamerica – June 17

The Indigos – July 15

Jai Baker 3 – August 19

FEINSTEIN’S

Hotel Carmichael Facebook.com/FeinsteinsHC FeinsteinsHC.com

Natalie Douglas: Back to the Garden Songs of the 60s – June 2 – 3

An Evening with Judy Kuhn – June 9 – 10

Jazz Brunch: Blair Clark Birthday Brunch – June 11

Anthony Nunziata: Romance from Italy to Broadway – June 16 – 17

Dueling Pianos – June 21

Deception: An Evening of Magic & Lies – June 22

Adam Pascal – June 30 – July 1

Frank Sinatra: The Tribute – July 6

An Evening with Samantha Pauly – July 7 – 8

Liberace & Liza: A Tribute – July 14 – 15

The Piano Man: A Billy Joel Tribute – July 20

Wayne Powers – July 22

Carmel Jazz Fest: Rossano Sportiello & Harry Allen – August 11

Carmel Jazz Fest: Denise Thimes – August 12

Nicolas King & Seth Sikes – August 19

Adam B. Shapiro – August 26

For more information about Jazz Fest, visit CarmelJazzFest.org

CARMEL GAZEBO CONCERT SERIES

Wednesdays, May 31 – September 27; 7 p.m.

Carmel City Hall Gazebo Facebook.com/CarmelGazeboConcerts

CarmelGazeboConcerts.org

The Flying Toasters – May 31

The Fun Factor Band – June 7

Living Proof – June 14

Toy Factory – June 21

Rick K & The Allnighters – June 28

45 RPM – July 12

My Yellow Rickshaw – July 19

The Bishops – July 26

The Doo – August 2

Country Summer – August 9

The Woomblies Rock Orchestra – August 16

GrooveSmash – August 23

Stella Luna & the Satellites – August 30

Blue River Band – September 6

The Nauti Yachtys – September 13

Jai Baker 3 – September 20

Endless Summer Band – September 27

&

&

Scan for a chance to win 2 tickets to a July show at Feinstein's!

Indulge in upscale dining and cocktails at Feinstein's, an intimate entertainment venue delivering a unique experience unlike any other in the Midwest!

Zack Zadek: In Concert featuring BEETLEJUICE STAR Elizabeth Teeter | Broadway

Natalie Douglas-Back To The Garden: Songs Of The 60's | Tribute To Iconic Artists of This Decade

Enchante | Burlesque

An Evening With Judy Kuhn | Grammy & Tony Nominee — Singing Voice Of Pocahontas

Jazz Bru nch: Blair Clark Birthday Brunch

Anthony Nunziata: Romance From Italy To Broadway | Signiture Take On Classic Love Songs

Drag Me To Brunch | 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. Show

Baby Grand Entertainment Presents: Dueling Pianos | Live Human Jukebox Experience

DECEPTION: An Evening of Magic & Lies | Magic Show

Adam Pascal | Original Roger Davis in RENT The Musical On Broadway & 2005 Movie

Frank Sinatra: The Tri bute | Don Farrell & Terry Woods Jazz Quartet Celebrate Sinatra's Life

An Evening With Samantha Pauly | Originated role of Katherine Howard in SIX the Musical

Liberace & Liza: A Tribute | An Exhilarating Night Of Musical & Comical Fireworks

The Piano Man: A Billy Joel Tribute | Highlighting The Hits Of The Piano Man

A Look at the Impact of Eli Lilly’s Investment in Boone County

There have been several media releases and announcements made about Eli Lilly’s $3.7-billion investment in Boone County. For that reason, Zionsville Monthly thought it prudent to interview David Rosenberg, Indiana Economic Development Corporation COO and Chief of Staff David Rosenberg, and a few Boone County officials to get a more comprehensive look at how this investment into the Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) Lebanon Innovation District will impact the residents of Boone County.

Cover Story Writer // Janelle Morrison

Photo // Courtesy of IEDC

Make It a Morning at The Carmel Farmers Market

As the sun rises over Carter Green, the delightful scent of fresh produce, flowers and baked goods awakens the senses. The Carmel Farmers Market vendors and volunteers wait with anticipation to open the summer market to locals and visitors alike. The colorful booths line Carter Green, each offering a unique treasure trove of locally sourced goods.

ENTICE ALL FIVE SENSES

Cater Green comes alive with activity every Saturday morning throughout the summer market season, as farmers and artisans proudly display their harvests and specialty goods. A symphony of color greets the eye, and fresh herbs like basil release their enticing fragrances that intertwine with the mouthwatering aromas of freshly prepared food and beverages.

The sounds of cheerful chatter, laughter and music fill the atmosphere, blending harmoniously with the sounds of vendors preparing fresh and delectable ready-togo meals that can be consumed and en-

joyed while visiting the market. Children walk alongside their parents, wide-eyed and eager to explore the wonders of the market. Families and friends gather around the green to enjoy their delicious treats, adding a festive and memorable touch to the scene.

The sizzle of grilling sausages, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sweet scent of pastries fill the air while hungry marketgoers line up for piping hot breakfast sandwiches, arepas, flaky croissants or steaming cups of artisanal coffee.

Adding to the ambiance are talented musicians that provide a melodic back-

encourages marketgoers to slow their pace and enjoy all that CFM offers its visitors. Make a morning out of the market experience while building endearing memories that your family and friends will reminisce on over the years to come.

CFM President Ron Carter shared his thoughts on the CFM experience and how attendance has continued to grow since its inception 25 years ago.

“We were up over 5,000 for attendance on opening day,” Carter stated. “It was a really good vibe, and the vendors were excited. They did very well, and [opening day] was especially nice because Island Breeze was there to play, and whenever they play at the market, it’s always very upbeat. There are a lot of options at the market, including 26 vendors who have prepared food and beverages for consumption on the premises while you’re shopping and enjoying the market.”

Carter added, “The Carmel Farmers

Writer // Janelle Morrison

• Photography // Courtesy of CFM and Jennifer Hershberger

CFM President Ron Carter recounted an enjoyable market experience during which CFM participated in a national promotion for Maytag designed specifically for select farmers markets.

“We were contacted by a national ad agency from Chicago along with two other markets, one in New York City and one in Portland,” Carter shared. “They were the agency for Maytag. The company was introduc ing a new line of refrigerators that were supposed to keep fruits and vegetables much fresher for longer.

One of the tactics was to utilize farmers markets to introduce the product. For our participation, we received three of the new refrigerators. One was for us to raffle off to our guests during the market. The next two were for our firehouses to have in their kitchens.”

Carter noted that CFM guests, vendors, volunteers and the “Maytag Man” had an exciting day at the market that morning, and the promotional event put the Carmel Farmers Market on the national map as a notable farmers market.

CFM PREPARED FOOD VENDORS

Booth #403 in 1 RestaurantEl Salvadoran and Mexican Food

Booth #57 Arepas Venezulean Arepas

Booth #10 Bobbie Q Egg Noodles, Barbeque Sauce

Booth #32 Circle City Sweets Bakery French

Booth #19 Gomez BBQ Sandwiches

Booth #20 Groomsville Popcorn Popcorn

Booth #49 Guacamole & MoreMexican Foods

Booth #56 Indie Coffee RoastersSpecialty Coffees

Booth #8 Jason Michael Thomas Sandwiches, Breads

Booth #3 Jo Jo’s Dough Breads

Booth #46 LIVE ProjectVegetable Juices

Booth #68 Lyd the BakerBaked Goods

Booth #1 Ma Creperie Crepes

Booth #27 Mission CoffeeSpecialty Coffees

Booth #45 My Sugar Pie Pies

Booth #39 No Label at the TableGluten-free Baked Goods

Booth #53 Olde Tyme Poppin Korn Popcorn, Donuts

Booth #44 Polish CottagePolish Foods

Booth #16Pots & Pan Pie CoPies and Pot Pies

Booth #51 Rosie’s Riblets Barbeque

Booth #60 Second Act Sweets (1st/3rd) Baked Goods, Cookies

Booth #22 Skillington FarmsBreakfast Sandwiches

Booth #13 St. Athanasius Church Baked Goods, Eastern European

Booth #62 Vietnamese Eggroll Bar Egg Rolls

Booth #24 Walking Waffle Company Liege Waffles

Booth #12 Xchocol’Art Gourmet Chocolate

The Center for Performing Arts Is

Getting Amped in 2023–2024

The Center for the Performing Arts’ 2023–24 Center Presents Season is poised to provide a wide range of offerings to meet every taste! The Center’s aim to make its events and programs as inclusive and welcoming as possible is evident in this coming season’s lineup of entertainment and events.

GET AMPED THIS SEASON!

The action kicks off with performances in August by Chris Daughtry and Ben Harper, both making their debut appearances at the Center. Other first-timers on the upcoming schedule include New Orleans sax great Branford Marsalis, Police drummer Stewart Copeland, singer-songwriters Meshell Ndegeocello and Bruce Cockburn, and Indiana’s own singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer. Returning to the Center are many favorites from seasons past, including Spyro Gyra, jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, pianist Jim Brickman, the Righteous Brothers, and singer-songwriter Bruce Hornsby.

For fans of classic rock and pop, we have tributes to Aretha Franklin, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, Harry Chapin and Jim Croce. There’s blues from Robert Cray, country from Easton Corbin and comedy

from “Polyester Princess” Etta May. Classical highlights include mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter with the progressive string quartet Brooklyn Rider.

For intercultural flavor, check out Tres Souls, Mariachi Herencia de México, the Irish Tenors, and the globe-spanning trio of banjoist Béla Fleck, tabla master Zakir Hussain, and bassist Edgar Meyer with Indian flutist Rakesh Chaurasia.

The Center’s family performances draw from the worlds of stage and screen, with Animaniacs: In Concert, Disney tribute The Little Mermen, and the Imagination Movers of TV fame.

This year’s Holiday Series celebrates the season from many angles, including traditional music from the Vienna Boys Choir, the return of perennial favorite Dave Koz, and special holiday programs from Jon

McLaughlin, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Special events include a free community performance by the United States Marine Band and talks with TV ghost hunter Amy Bruni and “Sex and the City” author Candace Bushnell.

The Center also offers a variety of education and enrichment opportunities for people of all ages, from children’s music to book clubs to comedy lessons. We spoke with the Center for the Performing Arts CEO/President Jeff McDermott about continuing the momentum from this past season into the coming one. McDermott also shared his thoughts on the continued growth and purpose of one of the Center’s core missions: community outreach.

“I am very excited about what’s coming up [in the new season],” McDermott ex-

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of the Center

pressed. “We just finished up our [2022–23] season, and we set a record this past [season] with the most sellout performances — 22 — we’ve ever had in a season, which is tremendous. I expect to do even better this coming season. We have about 52 dynamic shows already booked, and we will continue to announce more shows throughout the season.”

SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY

In his own thoughtful words, McDermott shared how it has always been a core mission of the Center to not only curate exciting and alluring acts but to be ever mindful of ensuring that the Center, its shows, and its events are diverse and inclusive.

“It all starts with the product, and the product for us is great shows and educational programs,” McDermott stated. “We’re fortunate to have a tremendous programming team led by Dan Kemer, along with nine staff members with diverse musical interests who curate our seasons. And as I look at this [season], I continue to see us creating diversity of programming — using that term in every sense of the word — that is diverse in terms of genres, age and artists of color and nationality. We’ve got a very significant DEI initiative going on here, which has been a focus since our inception.”

McDermott shared that in the 12 years since the Center for the Performing Arts

officially opened, it has welcomed 1.3 million patrons from all 92 counties in Indiana, all 50 states, and more than 30 countries.

“I’m just as thrilled about this lineup as I’ve ever been, and it will get even better because we know that we will add other great artists throughout the season. Natalie Merchant was an ‘add-on’ this past season, as was Chelsea Handler and many others. We know that there are artists that book out on shorter schedules, while others will book out a year to 18 months in advance. So, we keep our eyes on all of that.”

IMPACTFUL COMMUNITY OUTREACH

The Prism Project at the Center is a performing arts program developed by Ball State University and designed to be physically, developmentally and cognitively appropriate for youth with disabilities. The program is a four-week camp culminating in a final performance that will take place on Sunday, June 25, in the Studio Theater located on the Center’s campus.

McDermott added, “We’re always looking at outreach opportunities and ways to enhance our educational opportunities. We’re offering the Prism Project to another community that has been underserved, and we know that music has so many healing and interactive powers. We know from our Perfect Harmony program for

seniors living with dementia that music enhances lives and triggers parts of the brain, both of which have such a positive impact. I think the [Prism] Project gives children with disabilities an opportunity to experience music, play, and create in ways that maybe are not offered in other aspects of their lives.”

A COMMITTED COMMUNITY

The success that the Center for the Performing Arts continues to realize is in large part due to its loyal patrons, generous sponsors, talented staff members and committed volunteer corps.

“People who work in the nonprofit world aren’t doing it for glory or monetary impact,” McDermott said. “They’re doing it because they love what they do and because the mission is meaningful to them. It’s an opportunity to make a difference and leave a legacy. We’ve got a corps of 300 community volunteers who serve as ushers and docents, and they do this because they love [the center]. We couldn’t do what we do without them. They are certainly part of what makes it

all work so well. Our sponsorships help us bring in great artists from all over the world, including lesser-known artists who are often of equal or higher ability, world-class performers who may not have the same commercial recognition. We do this because it aligns with our mission, is the right thing to do, and is made possible by our individual donors and corporate partnerships.”

Buy early and buy often! Visit thecenter presents.org to purchase your season sub scriptions and tickets and for more informa tion on programs and upcoming events.

Carmel Jazz Fest Presents: Tim Cunningham

Writer

FRI, AUGUST 11TH, 2023: TARKINGTON STAGE:

9 PM – 10:30 PM: Tim Cunningham

SAT, AUGUST 12TH, 2023:  TARKINGTON STAGE:

11 AM – 12:30 PM: Tim Cunningham

For decades, the words “smooth,” “sultry”, “cool,” and “funky” have been used to describe Cunningham’s high-energy and emotional stage show, as his sexy blend of smooth jazz and soulful R&B connects with people of all ages, races and genres of music. This unique and versatile style has earned Cunningham the pleasure of opening for such jazz greats as Dave Koz, Norman Brown, Brian Culbertson and George Benson. On the flip side, his bumpin’ R&B flavor has on occasion paired him with Earth, Wind & Fire; Cameo; Boyz II Men; Patti Labelle; Frankie Beverly; Jeffrey Osborne and the late Luther Vandross.

Signed to Atlantic Records in 1996, his first major label release, “Right Turn Only,” featured the efforts of Will Downing, Brian Culbertson, Kevin Whalum and Bobby Lyle. Its featured single, “This is the Life,” hit #19 on the Smooth Jazz Chart and received much international airplay. Cunningham’s additional CD credits include “Sax Change Operation,” “A Change in Altotude,” “Waiting For Love,” “Inner Peace”

and “Manchester Road,” which was picked up by Nite Breeze Music/Universal in 2008. His 2011 release, entitled “Reflection,” features a cool collection of original tracks packed with smooth grooves and emotional ballads. The “Tim Cunningham Live” album, where he covers some of his favorite songs, was released in 2012.

Cunningham’s latest exceptional CD, entitled “Freedom,” was released in October 2022.

Janelle Morrison: You’re from the same area that Carmel Jazz Fest Executive Director/Founder Blair Clark is from, right?

Tim Cunningham: Blair and I grew up in the same city: Lansing, Michigan. And being musicians, we’ve known each other from working on various gigs and that kind of thing.

JM: I read that you played football at Michigan State, but luckily for us, you chose your passion for music over a professional career in the NFL.

TC: In junior high school, I started playing saxophone in the 7th grade. And when I got to high school, fortunately, there was a jazz band, which a lot of schools didn’t have. I was able to perform in the jazz and concert bands while I was playing football [and] basketball and running track. I was very fortunate to get a football scholarship to Michigan State. I never really thought that I [would], because there were 120 plus guys on the team and only 22 positions. But I ended up starting my freshman year.

My junior year, I switched my major from music to telecommunications, which was something else that I loved. My scholarship was only good for five years, and since I was really involved with playing football, it would have taken six years to finish up a music major. I had the opportunity to sign with the [Dallas] Cowboys as a free agent. They came to the table and offered me a $1,000 signing bonus and $40,000. A lot of people asked why I didn’t do that, and even though this was 40 years ago, that wasn’t a lot of money to play football. My roommate was a first-round pick — Carl Banks — who got picked by the New York Giants, and he was making like $600,000. So, I turned down the contract and finished my degree in telecommunications.

// Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of CJF

Don’t miss out on Tim Cunningham’s set and grab your Carmel Jazz Fest tickets at carmeljazzfest.org!

JM: At what point did you decide to focus more on your music and start recording?

TC: First of all, I had to practice. I was a decent player but not to the point of David Sanborn and all these great players. And not that I am now; I’m just saying I really needed to practice to get to the next level. When I got to the point that I thought it was good enough to go out and search for a record deal, nobody would even respond. I sent my demo to several companies. The one company that had the decency to send me a letter saying, “We listened to your music, but it’s just not for us,” ended up signing me two years later. I got that deal with Atlantic Records in 1994, and the album came out in 1996.

JM: What a transformation of the smooth jazz industry as a whole, but of the whole cutting of an album process in the last 20 years, right?

TC: Sadly, a couple of years after the album came out, Atlantic totally shut down the jazz label, and the smooth jazz [radio] stations started to drop, and they all went by the wayside. Then I began producing my own CDs, and fortunately, I got my first computer in 1997 and recording software

just 3–4 years later. That’s basically what I’ve been doing: emailing tracks back and forth, and this whole project that I just did was done in the basement, not in a studio. When I got all the tracks together, I emailed them to the guy who mixed it in Detroit, and I sent the final mix over to a guy in Oregon who did the mastering for me, and there was no studio money [spent] at all.

JM: You’ve performed at various events and festivals in Indianapolis, but this will be your debut here in Carmel.

TC: I’ve been here in St. Louis since 1994, and I play a couple of local spots, but I’m doing my own shows and promoting my own shows. I ran into Blair last year, and he told me he was doing this festival, and I was like, “That would be cool.” I’ve played in Indianapolis a couple of times. I did the Circle City Classic a couple of times, but it’s been so long since I’ve played there. It’s going to be nice to come back [to Indiana], and I’ll

be coming back in February for the NBA All-Star Game, which will be fun.

JM: I think the stories and emotions told through a saxophone are some of the most soulful sounds on the planet. I think people coming out and supporting jazz festivals is cathartic for the soul. Why do you think it’s important for folks to come out and experience live music and jazz festivals?

TC: The saxophone is the closest thing to the human voice; it makes you feel good. I think it’s important for them to go out and see [musicians] and listen to music. Quite honestly, a lot of people like instrumental music because it doesn’t interfere when they’re listening. What I do, specifically, when I release a CD, is focus on the melody. I believe the melody is the most important part of a song that people can remember. They always remember the chorus of a song but might not remember the verses. That’s why they call it the “hook,” because it’s basically hooking you to the song.

FRI. AUG 11TH & SAT. AUG 12TH, 2023

SPYRO GYRA

EVELYN CHAMPAGNE KING

JOSH KAUFMAN | JENNIE DEVOE

THE BOTTOM 40 BAND | FREDDIE FOX

30 JAZZ, BLUES + R&B ACTS | 8 STAGES

ART MARKET | FOOD VENDORS | BEER & WINE

THE DAVE BENNETT QUARTET | BRENDA WILLIAMS

PREMIUM BLEND | TAD ROBINSON BAND

BLAIR CLARK | PAVEL & DIRECT CONTACT

DYSFUNKTION BRASS | TOMMY BALDWIN

STEVE ALLEE BIG BAND | TIM CUNNINGHAM

BOTH SIDES OF JONI PROJECT FT. ALEXIS COLE

SARAH

&

HURRICANE & THE GANG | UNIVERSITY JAZZ

JOE FILIPOW | SUE WICKLIFF | THE DANNY LERMAN BAND

SCHARBROUGH

BETHANY ROBINSON

BANDS

CARMELJAZZFEST.ORG

THE PALLADIUM | CARTER GREEN | CARMEL GAZEBO

THE STUDIO THEATER |THE TARKINGTON | POP-UP SHOWS

FEINSTEIN'S AT HOTEL CARMICHAEL | JAZZ ON THE MONON

Capturing the Essence of

Artomobilia With Photography

In the central core of Carmel, 20,000+ car enthusiasts congregate throughout the Carmel Arts & Design District every summer for Artomobilia. This annual first-class automotive event combines art and automobiles. This year, Artomobilia will take place on Saturday, September 9, 2023.

A LOOK BEHIND THE LENS

Photography plays a crucial role in documenting the Artomobilia event. Photographers capture images of the showcased cars, the venue, the crowd, and other elements that highlight the atmosphere and essence of the event. These photos serve as a visual record of the event, preserving the memories and allowing people who couldn’t attend to experience it vicariously.

Photographing Artomobilia allows attendees to capture personal memories of the event. People often take their own photos of the cars, the venue, and their experiences during Artomobilia. These images are shared on social media, fostering engagement and creating a sense of community among participants.

Overall, photography at Artomobilia serves to capture and promote the beauty, creativity, and passion associated with automotive art. The photographs play a vital role

in documenting the event, attracting attendees, promoting artists’ work, and sharing the experience with a broader audience.

Artomobilia Event Director John Leonard shared his thoughts on the impact that photography has, especially post-event.

“My sense is, for instance, that the Indianapolis 500 race is inextricably connected to the track, but the track is there all year round, and it kind of gets celebrated all the time,” Leonard said. “But the Artomobilia events are a moment in time, and then it goes back to its regular thing. So, my view is that without these guys taking photos, a lot of the action is lost or simply left to everybody’s recollections. The thing that I love about having these photographers, as well as everybody else that contributes photos, is that it keeps the event alive long after it happens, and the images really help rekindle those memories about what happened, and without those, it’s difficult to describe.”

Meet the Photographers Behind Some Iconic Shots

and his team have really created something very special within the Midwest region, where they place an emphasis on the art of the cars. As a photographer, the [fundraising events] are even more fun because the venues, like Lucas Estate, have allowed better access to the cars — not having to fight the crowds—and having a beautiful environment to shoot makes it a different opportunity to be even more artistic and to take a more elegant approach to it.”

View more of Grove’s work at seangrove.myportfolio.com.

ANTHONY ROSS TYLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Anthony Ross Tyler is a commercial and fine art automotive photographer/graphic designer based out of Nashville, Tennessee.

An incredible and historic opportunity to capture the iconic image of three generations of the Ford GT in both road and road trim. With the assistance of the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Team, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, members of the Artomobilia Alumni, and renowned photographer Anthony Ross Tyler, these images were captured, representing more than 60 years of Ford Performance. This extraordinary image was featured on the cover of Carmel Monthly as part of the publication’s coverage of Artomobilia that year.

“It was definitely one of those shots in my portfolio that even if I hadn’t shot it, I would still like to look at it,” Tyler expressed. “It was a really cool experience. This was a ‘John Leonard’ project where he cooked it up with the Artomobilia team and landed on that theme.”

The issue was getting all five cars in one controlled spot for the iconic photo shoot.

SEAN GROVE

A lifelong car enthusiast, Sean is an Indianapolis-based automotive artist with interests in both photography and industrial design.

“I met John [Leonard] at the second Artomobilia Show, and I was in middle school at

the time,” Grove shared. I was very fresh into photography, and I’ve been officially involved with [Artomobilia] for about ten years now. Between Artomobilia and the associated events that John and his team put together, these are the main channels that I’ve used to generate a wide variety of images. From my perspective, it’s all about the art and personality of the cars, and getting to see the cars displayed as art is really nice, especially in a region where that’s not typically what you see with car shows. John

“What we were trying to accomplish was every single car being lit like it was the hero in the shot,” Tyler recalled. “We needed a controlled location and a place where I could have a camera 20 or so odd feet off the ground because we weren’t going to show all five cars from ground level in a way where they would all translate as being epic and important.”

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Jason Lavengood, Sean Grove and Anthony Ross Tyler

With the assistance of his young son and five Hot Wheels cars, Tyler arranged all five Ford GT models in different layouts to take back to Leonard and his team for approval.

“I took a macro lens on my camera, and basically using armchair math, I figured out how high the camera needed to be and arranged the Hot Wheels [models] into different layouts that I thought would work. We landed on the one with the new Ford GT [that year] in the middle with all of the other generations pointing towards it, providing an excellent view of all five vehicles in the shot.”

View more of Tyler’s work at photo.arosstyler.com.

JASON LAVENGOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

Jason Lavengood is an internationally recognized fine art and commercial photographer based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Lavengood’s epic shots of the 2022 Ferrari SF90 are a sampling of his exceptional collection of works.

“For me, it’s very much about art,” Lavengood shared. “I’ve been a photographer since I started developing film at [age 13]. Artomobilia is a day-long festival in Carmel that’s just cool, and it’s done so top-notch. It’s much more than just cars with the people, food, and music. It’s an amazing event. It was pretty cool rolling up to a brand new SF90.

It was the first time I had seen it in person. John presented the shots to everyone at Artomobilia, and they really liked the head on shot, so that’s the one we ended up using on the cover. I was so proud about that. It was really cool.”

Lavengood shared that intricate shots like these are not as easy as just pointing and shooting. There are many factors that determine the outcome of a shoot, in particular outdoor shoots in an urban environment.

“It had been an early morning shoot, and I had scouted the location the day before, but I had not anticipated the shadows of the building and the way that the sun was reflecting off of some of the windows that created some shadows,” Lavengood explained. “We had to wait for the sun to move before we could shoot. So, lighting, especially natural lighting, and waiting on the sun, the clouds, or whatever, are huge factors in

any shoot like this. And then there’s being able to put a large object in a place where there aren’t’ too many distractions. Whether that’s street signs, people, or traffic; you want the focus to be on the car, and you have to have or create an environment that allows that.”

View more of Lavengood’s work at lavengoodphotography.com.

Stay tuned for more Artomobilia coverage over the next few months! Carmel Monthly is proud to be a longtime media sponsor!

Hosted in the CARMEL ARTS & DESIGN DISTRICT 100% of the entry fee proceeds will go to support Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana.

Hosted at Rick’s Boatyard Cafe www.artomobilia.org/popsicle

Live With Color

Captures Energy and Emotions Through Art

Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Anastasiya “Ana” Combs grew up surrounded by art, culture and history. Since her early childhood, Combs has been honing her craft and developing as an artist. Presently, Combs is an accomplished artist here in Indiana whose commissioned work is highly respected and sought after.

Combs’ collection, created out of her studio in Greenfield, boasts extraordinary pieces that cannot be simply categorized into just one artistic style. What is noticeably consistent in her collection is her ability to transport one directly into the scene, where the energy and emotions of the piece are profoundly felt by the person staring into it.

INSPIRED BY HISTORICAL BEAUTY AND ART

Combs was about six or seven years old when she began drawing. Her mother had enrolled her in music school as a child, but Combs’ passion lay in a different artistic discipline, and at around age 12, she, along with a childhood friend, secretly took the entrance exam to the neighboring art school, where she was accepted.

During the 1990s, when Combs was in college, the competition among artists in Russia was fierce. She spoke about

how much more competitive the creative industries were than any others in her native country at that time.

“I wanted to go into the art direction [in college], but the competition to be a [successful] artist was really high,” Combs explained. “Now, it’s a little bit different, but back then, it was super hard. There are a lot of talented people but not so many colleges.”

Combs continued to paint throughout college to make extra money and sold paintings and portraits to friends and acquaintances.

“In that time space, I started painting with oil,” Combs said. “Before, I had been doing more graphics, watercolors and pastels. In college, I started painting with oils, and because of my dad’s friends who restored a lot of the museum and palace paintings, they would give me oils and materials to paint with. Buying art supplies in Russia during ‘perestroika’ was hard if you did

not belong to the ‘artist society.’ They gave me an easel, paints and brushes, and I started experimenting.”

Having lived abroad and in the U.S., this talented wife, mother, computer programmer and artist has accumulated many life experiences and portrays many of these in her paintings.

“I did a lot of experimenting and learned a lot on my own when I came here to the U.S. when I was 22,” Combs said. “I married John [Combs], and when my son was about 10 or 11, I got a little studio [before acquiring her current and larger studio]. That’s when I started to get more serious and got involved in art shows, and began getting commissioned work.”

Combs’ work has been featured in local art shows, including the Carmel International Arts Festival, and her requests for commissioned work keep her content and busy. She also offers private and group art lessons for adults in her spare time.

EVOKING EMOTIONS AND MEMORIES

“I paint in a few different directions,” Combs shared. “I am passionate about cityscapes, and what I want to bring out of the cityscape is not just the architecture and details, but I am also focused on the energy that you feel in the place. I’m focused on what the person will feel — do they feel the hustle and bustle of the place or do they feel a kind of serenity? I’m always trying to bring that emotion into a piece.”

If you are considering commissioning a portrait or painting and would like to work with Combs, contact her on her website and be sure to follow her on her social media accounts.

To see a sampling of Combs’ exquisite collection and for more information, visit livewithcolor.net. Be sure to follow Combs on Facebook at: AnastasiyaCombsArtist or her personal FB page at: anastasiya.combs/ and on Instagram at: anacombs75. Read Combs’ story in its entirety online by clicking on the QR code!

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted

A FEW NOTABLE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THE MUSE

Reimagining Range Line Road

For nearly three decades, the city of Carmel, under Mayor Brainard’s leadership, has been actively involved in various development and redevelopment projects to enhance its infrastructure and promote economic growth. Range Line Road is one of the major thoroughfares in Carmel, and the city has been focused on improving its transportation network.

In addition to other significant road improvement projects, including roundabouts, widening roads, adding bike lanes, and improving pedestrian walkways to make Carmel an even more walkable city, Carmel Monthly is pleased to feature some of the most notable improvements and redevelopment projects that have and continue to transform Range Line Rd.

THE RANGE LINE DIET

We sat down with Carmel Redevelopment Commission Executive Director Henry Mestetsky, who discussed the variety of projects that are redesigning these specific gateways that lead to the city’s central core.

“I think it’s worth prefacing this by saying that without the mayor [Jim Brainard]

doing the Range Line Rd. diet, none of this would have been possible. Before that, Range Line Rd. was seen as just another way to get from North to South, and it had a very suburban, outlot retail feel. It wasn’t a place that people could imagine as a walkable, vibrant environment.”

Mestetsky continued, “As part of doing redevelopment projects and creating these redevelopment districts up and down Range Line, I think slimming it down with the road diet and with the roundabouts is what allows people to imagine this is a place they can live and walk safely. And though Range Line still moves traffic efficiently, it is safer for people driving and walking along it because cars aren’t going 50 miles per hour anymore, trying to race to get to the next [traffic] light.”

$69-million mixed-use project consisting of approximately 285 luxury apartments, 25,000 square feet of office/retail space and a free 364-space public parking garage. Future commercial taxes from the project (TIF) are being used to construct the public parking garage, utility relocations and streetscape improvements.

The CRC is partnering with Kite Realty Group on the development of this project. > Location: SW corner of 116th Street and S Range Line Rd.

“What’s now called the Muse project is creating another gateway from the South and is under construction,” Mestetsky said. “You can already see changes happening there. This project will provide free public parking and trailhead access to our Central Park. If you don’t want to drive all the way to Central Park, you can park in that garage and start your Central Park journey from there. It’s another benefit that the public gets from having these kinds of projects.”

Mestetsky mentioned that another non-CRC redevelopment project will be coming to the southeast corner, where the gas station used to be. Details on that specific project will come at a later time.

PROSCENIUM AND PROSCENIUM II

“Going northbound from this reimagined gateway, there are a lot of things

Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Courtesy of CRC

Proscenium Courtyard

happening around the Proscenium,” Mestetsky shared. “The Proscenium is almost complete, and there’s actually a new restaurant concept coming to the Proscenium Green — pending final city approval. The concept is for it to be an [upscale] steakhouse and ice cream shop. And moving diagonally from Proscenium to the old Walgreen’s site is another exciting project called Proscenium II. The seven owner-occupied condos are

sides are bare. It’s going to be wrapped by 24 for-sale condos that are going to wrap the garage. The construction should start on those later this year.”

The garage offers electric vehicle charging stations, a solar canopy interconnected to offset the power consumption in the garage, and security cameras. Further, it has integrated LED lighting and camera technology that shows drivers where spots are open and exterior signs that indicate the number of available spots. The garage includes a covered public bike storage and service area.

Construction commenced in January 2022, and the garage opened in July 2022.

THE WREN AND THE WINDSOR

MAGNOLIA AND MÉLANGE PROJECTS

use development that includes seven owner-occupied flats/condos, 48 luxury apartments, 15,000 square feet of office/ retail and a 120-space free public parking garage.

The Carmel Redevelopment Commission is partnering with Novo Development on the development of this project. > Location: 1215 S. Range Line Rd.

Pedcor’s City Center’s last two remaining buildings are under construction and will complete the 10-plus-year plan. The Wren and Windsor buildings are part of Phase Two of work on Carmel City Center, which includes apartments, shops, restaurants and the Veterans Way Garage.

The Windsor building will be located just east of Carter Green and south of Hotel Carmichael, with the Wren building to the east of the hotel.

Carmel Monthly has previously featured the Magnolia and the Melange projects in previous issues, but both are contributing to the overall redevelopment of Range Line Rd.

Magnolia is a multi-phase development that will include six condominium buildings with five units per building, for a total of 30 for-sale condos, and multi-family residential.

The CRC contributed the land for the development of this project and is partnering with Old Town Companies on this project.

> Location: SE corner of City Center Drive and S Range Line Rd.

“Continuing northbound along Range Line Rd. is the new courthouse and CPD extension project,” Mestetsky said. “The CRC has built a new Civic Square Parking Garage just behind the old Spaghetti Factory. We’ve transformed former city parking lots that didn’t pay any taxes, put those cars in parking garages, and built an urban neighborhood. We’ve also built the most high-tech parking garage that we’ve ever built. It also has incredible art murals on its east and south sides, done by local artist Nancy Keating. If you drive by there now, you’ll see that the north and west

The Wren Building will house 78 apartment units across 23 different unit types. The development includes a mail kiosk, a bicycle storage room and public lobbies. The lower level will be leased out to commercial retail tenants.

The Windsor project consists of approximately 10,000 square feet of leasable commercial space on the ground floor and 30 luxury apartment units on floors two through four. The Windsor will sit along the Monon Trail, providing easy access to all shops and restaurants around the Carmel City Center.

Mestetsky added, “We get to see the final two pieces complete the grand vision that has been very transformative for the city.”

Mélange is a $30-million residential project that includes 45 for-sale luxury townhomes and 12 for-sale flats along the Monon Greenway.

This project broke ground in the spring of 2021. The CRC is partnering with Onyx + East on the development of this project.

> Location: Veterans Way and Monon Green Boulevard

Proposed Restaurant for Proscenium

Mélange

The LOR/1933 project is a $30-million, three-story, mixed-use development that will include 43,000 square feet of office/ retail, including the 1933 Lounge, and a for-sale residential component. This mixed-use development further enhances the development along Range Line Rd. in the Arts & Design District.

The Carmel Redevelopment Commission is partnering with LOR Corporation on the development of this project.

> Location: 111 South Range Line Rd., at the southeast corner of S Range Line Rd. and 1st Street SE

“The 1933 Lounge will take up the majority of the first floor, and there’ll be other retail on the first floor,” Mestetsky said. “It will be under construction this year and is scheduled to be completed in 2025.”

1ST ON MAIN PROJECT

1st on Main is a 1.7-acre, mixed-use development located on the first historic lots, 1 to 4, of the original town of Bethlehem, located at the northeast corner of Main Street and Range Line Rd. This $40-million project will include 35 apartments;

eight two-story, for-sale condominiums; a 310-space public parking garage; and a four-story, 73,000-square-foot office building with first-floor restaurant space and a private rooftop terrace. This project will also include a community gathering plaza featuring the city’s Rotary Clock.

The Carmel Redevelopment Commission is partnering with Lauth Group, Inc. on the development of this project. 1st on Main broke ground in late 2021 and is expected to be complete by late summer 2023. > Location: NE corner of Main Street and Range Line Rd.

“This has been in the works for a long time, and it’s been a part of the mayor’s vision to transform that corner,” Mestetsky stated. “It is the heart of our historic Main Street. It was the town of Bethlehem’s first gathering point and commercial point, and it will continue to be a gath-

ering point for daytime employees and evening residents while supporting the small businesses all around Main Street. The completion of 1st on Main is expected to wrap up later this year.”

Another notable redevelopment project that the CRC is excited to get underway is the Monon Square project.

“The northern half of Monon Square will have [luxury] apartments and for-sale condos,” Mestetsky explained. “There will be several destination restaurants, and Salon 01 is moving their new location into that project. Essentially, if you can imagine diving Monon Square into four quadrants, the two northern quadrants will stretch from the Monon itself over to Range Line Rd.”

Mestetsky shared that while many details are still under development at this time, he projected that the northern half of the project is anticipated to have a two-year construction timeline, and the southern half is a few more years out.

For more details on CRC projects, past and present, visit choosecarmelin.com.

Member Wings

Is Indy’s Premier Private Flight Club

REIMAGINING THE AIR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

Member Wings is an exclusive private club that provides its members with access to hidden aviation services and facilities. Member Wings offers its many benefits and amenities only to its members, allowing them to enjoy the privileges of private flights without the costs and responsibilities of aircraft ownership.

Although commercial air travel can be a fast and efficient means of transportation, it also comes with many inconveniences. You probably have experienced some of these, such as flight

delays, missed connections, cancellations, intrusive security measures, and baggage issues. These unnecessarily add to your overall travel time, cause extra expenses and delays, and disrupt your travel plans. In-flight comfort or the lack thereof is almost always a problem, with small seats lacking legroom and too close to your neighbor. And don’t forget airline customer service ... enough said.

As a Member Wings Club Member, you can choose to enjoy the luxury and comfort of having the entire plane to yourself and your family or travel partners, or to share the plane and fly at bargain rates

with other members. Onboard beverages, customized snacks, meals and beverages, and Flight Attendant services are available upon request.

Our Corporate Members are able to work with their teams and/or clients while we fly them to their meetings, all while surfing the clouds in a First-Class, confidential, and secure boardroom-like setting. Our individual members can enjoy the comfort and convenience of flying First-Class with their family and friends without airport hassles, in-flight discomfort, and missed connections. With Member Wings, you just arrive at

Say farewell to the airlines! Your private jet awaits, with a Beyond First-Class experience provided by Indy’s premier private flight club, Member Wings. Avoid lengthy TSA and boarding lines and learn how Member Wings can make your entire flying experience fun again!

a beautiful private terminal, board your jet and fly. We park your car and handle your luggage. At your destination, we handle your baggage and work with your ground transportation provider to get you quickly on your way.

SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY

Member Wings prides itself on prioritizing the safety of its members and their guests. Member Wings flights are sourced and operated through an exclusive network of FAA Part 135 licensed charter operators and certified by Aviation Research Group US (ARGUS) and/ or Wyvern, a standard-setter in flight safety audits. We rely upon them to audit their compliance with Federal Aviation Administration Regulations for FAR Part 135 operations to ensure that properly maintained aircraft and qualified pilots and crews are utilized for our flights.

PRIVATE JET SHARING

Our Members are able to significantly reduce their flight costs by sharing their itinerary and aircraft with their families, associates, guests, and other members. For example, in winter months Florida is a popular destination. We avoid the usual larger Florida airports. Our members can choose to land at over 300 secondary airports in Florida. Usually, one is available close to your destination Member Wings’ future plans include member-shared flights from Indianapolis. Shared private jet aircraft seating from 4 to 20 passengers are available. Current plans are for members to share a seven- or eight-seat luxurious mid-sized jet, or a larger jet aircraft based on passenger count. For most Florida destinations, your flight time can be as little as two hours and fifteen minutes. Pricing for our member-shared flights will be determined by the trip length, aircraft type used for the flight, and the number of members and guests sharing the flight. Members can propose their own dates and destinations, and their own group of members and guests sharing their flights. Other shared flight opportunities are planned for sporting events, Las Vegas, Arizona, and popular snow skiing destinations, and members can travel to their personal favorites as well. Planned

sports trips include IU, Purdue, and Notre Dame college games, as well as IndyCar races, Indianapolis Colts games, PGA Tour events, and other major sporting events. Member Wings members also enjoy the benefits of reciprocal club memberships! Member Wings is affiliated with exclusive clubs such as The Columbia Club and SILO Auto Club and Conservancy, and these affiliations extend Member Wings’ offerings far beyond our member aviation services. Member Wings is also proud to be affiliated with and was the title sponsor of the Concours d’Elegance Car Show in support of The Columbia Club Foundation and is a supporter of Folds of Honor and Indy Concerts for a Cause.

A PASSION FOR THE INDUSTRY

Member Wings President Janet Fitzgerald Sipe is a former 30-year telecommunications executive with a passion for the aviation industry. “I was with AT&T for 30 years, and the last 10 years of my career, I worked exclusively with United Airlines,” Sipe shared. “I was responsible for all of their voice and data services, coast to coast, including Hawaii. The concept behind Member Wings came after viewing what was happening in the airline industry. We want to provide beyond First-Class service to our custom-

ers and avoid the hassles and pitfalls of commercial flying.”

Airline crew and pilot shortages, plus a decrease in the airline industry’s workforce, continue to plague the industry, post-COVID-19. Sipe spoke about how these issues and other pain points that are inherent to the commercial airline industry not only impact the quality of the flight itself but also dictate how many flights are available because of the workforce shortage.

“Just look at the news, and you can see the impacts that are happening in this industry, and the pilot shortage is a really big component,” Sipe stated. “As a result, we are seeing a lot of flight training schools in operation. But if you’re a private pilot for a charter company, you have more flexibility in your work-life balance, which I think is very important. If you have happy pilots, you’ll have a happy and safe flight.”

Additionally, reducing the chance of missed flights or missed connections is another major component of the Member Wings model.

“Yes, you may book a very cheap flight, but you get what you pay for,” Sipe said. “You may have one or two stops to get to your destination, or maybe you never get to your destination [missed connections]. Member Wings, for the most part, can get you to where you need to be nonstop and avoid the hassles of the larger airports and commercial airlines. Member Wings nonstop flights are determined by the size of the aircraft and are dependent on the factors of the members’ travel itineraries, but flights from the Indianapolis area to Florida are nonstop.”

Member Wings currently offers flight services to and from anywhere in the Continental U.S. and international destinations are planned to be available in 2024.

“Our members can book their flights via our mobile app for Google or iPhone, online via our website, or by email or phone,” Sipe said. “Our members pay a one-time membership fee and reasonable monthly dues thereafter. The cost of each flight is set according to the members’ preferences. It’s not a cookie-cutter situation. All flights are customized based on the person or people wanting to take the trip and what their needs are.”

Member Wings can fly out of many Indianapolis airports, including Indianapolis Executive Airport in Zionsville, Indiana, and Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport in Fishers, Indiana, as well as other Indiana airports and cities.

Sipe added, “We are in the process of onboarding our flight coordinator, to care for inquiries regarding our services. I get all of the support@Memberwings. vip emails along with our flight coordinator. We want to make certain we respond in a timely manner to our clients. We also have a unique URL for people to inquire about Membership online: MemberWings.vip/inquire.”

Don’t miss another connecting flight or endure another miserable air travel experience! Visit Memberwings.com and learn about our corporate and individual private flight club benefits today! Make flying fun again and experience beyond first-class luxury with a Member Wings membership!

Also, be sure to follow Member Wings on LinkedIn and Facebook.

CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP

nitial fee (one-time)$20,000

Monthly dues$1,000

MEMBER WINGS

LIGHT JET

Typically, 4 – 5 passengers

Up to two hours of comfortable flight.

Cessna Mustang

MID SIZED JET

Typically, 6 – 8 passengers.

Stand-up cabin.

Expanded baggage compartments.

Comfortably sized lavatory.

Coast-to-coast range possible (dependent on aircraft and passenger count).

Cessna Citation/Citation XL; Hawker 800/850 XP

SUPER MID SIZED JET

Typically, 8 – 10 passengers.

Larger overall dimensions.

Longer range (with full passenger count).

Embraer Phenom 300; Cessna Sovereign; Cessna Citation X

LARGE JET

Typically, 10 – 16 passengers

Separated seating areas.

International range.

Bombardier Challenger 300/350; Hawker 4000; Gulfstream GIII/GV

MANY OTHER AIRCRAFT ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO MATCH YOUR NEEDS

*Member’s spouse or plus 1 can use Member Wings services without the main person on the flight.

charges Based on aircraft, destination, type of flight

Smooth. Savory. Easy to drink. Taste award-winning avor with every sip. is is the way a Bloody Mary is supposed to taste.