Images Arizona January 2018 by Images Arizona Magazine

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January 2018

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January 2018

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PASSION COMES TO LIFE AT ARIZONA FINE ART EXPO

Writer Shannon Severson

INSTINCT & INGENUITY: THE ART OF JASON ADKINS

Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer

DESERT STARS SHINE BRIGHTLY Photographer Jen Wilbur

COMMUNITY EVENTS

THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF SCOTT BAXTER

Writer Amanda Christmann

CHEWY ORANGE DATE COOKIES Writer Kyndra Kelly

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PUBLISHER Shelly Spence

MANAGING EDITOR Amanda Christmann

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meaghan Mitchell Ana Petrovic

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Effie Bouras Amanda Christmann Sue Kern-Fleischer Gregory Granillo Kyndra Kelly Kenneth LaFave Lara Piu Shannon Severson

PHOTOGRAPHERS Scott Baxter Bryan Black Kyndra Kelly Loralei Lazurek

ADVERTISING SALES Tatum Williams 480-280-9490 tatum@imagesaz.com

Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221 imagesarizona.com

Every January marks the start of a new year, full of anticipation and hope for what is to come. For nearly two decades, January has also been a time to reflect and a time to celebrate. It was in January 1999 that a small newsletter began that would become Images Arizona. My hope was to build something that would help to connect the people of our community. I wanted to tell stories and share beautiful photography because I knew that, despite any differences we may have, we have far more that unites us. In 2003, that newsletter turned into a small magazine. I can still remember my pride at that first issue that printed. Even though there weren’t many pages, businesses and neighbors began to embrace the idea that we could create something that was only ours—unique to our neighborhood, about us and for us. The quality of what we are creating together has changed and improved by leaps and bounds through the years, and I am incredibly honored to call our talented team of photo and editorial contributors my colleagues and friends. I am also immensely grateful for the businesses and organizations who have stood by Images Arizona through the years. As you read through the stories, be sure to take note of their advertisements because they are the ones who make our work possible.

Submission of news for community section should be in to shelly@imagesaz.com by the 5th of the month prior to publication. Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc. Copyright © 2018 by ImagesAZ, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited material.

Local First A R I Z O NA

Finally, thank you! If it were not for your kind words and encouragement, and your willingness to allow us into your homes and into your lives each month, there would be no reason to share the stories that we do. Our readers have given all of us at Images Arizona purpose and passion. Happy New Year! Here’s to many more! Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221

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January 2018

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Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer Photography by Jeremy Bot and Pat Stacy

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Glassblowing demonstrations and classes, chef demonstrations, live music and a roster of both new and acclaimed artists are returning to Phoenix for another year of camaraderie and creation of fine art. These are just some of the reasons to visit the Arizona Fine Art Expo, the popular 10-week fine art show that takes place January 12 through March 25. Known as one of Arizona’s best venues for collecting fine art, the Arizona Fine Art Expo runs daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. under the festive white tents at the southwest corner of Scottsdale and Jomax Roads, next to MacDonald’s Ranch. For seasoned and new art collectors, the event offers the chance to visit 115 patron-friendly studios within a 44,000 square-foot space. Creativity flows daily as the artists sketch passionately in pencil, charcoal and pastels; sculpt and fire clay; chisel and shape stone; and saw and carve wood sculptures. Artists also paint in all media; stain and etch gourds; design lost wax casting; solder and weld jewelry; assemble mosaics, blow glass, plus fuse and kiln form glass sculptures. Art is for sale and commissions are welcomed. “Many of our artists come from different parts of the country, and we even have some traveling from Ireland, Mexico, Peru, Ukraine and Canada to participate in the show. The expo provides a rare chance to meet them, watch them in action and learn about their passion, inspiration and techniques,” said Judith Combs, founding partner of the Arizona Fine Art Expo. Combs is particularly excited about some of the new events planned during the show. “We’re honored to be collaborating with Chef Giancarlo Stefanutto and owner Glenn Wagner of Sogno Toscano vineyard of Italy. Chef Giancarlo will demonstrate and share samples of delicious edibles from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. January 20 and February 10,” she said.

NEW GLASSBLOWER TO DEMONSTRATE AND TEACH Combs is also looking forward to welcoming contemporary glass artist Gregory Tomb to the show. Tomb, who arrived from California in December, has been working on building a hot shop on the expo grounds, where he will conduct glassblowing demonstrations and offer glassblowing and glass fusing classes. More information about the classes can be found at gregorytglass.com. Tomb’s passion for glass art dates back to his childhood in upstate New York when he and his family would visit the Corning Museum of Glass on their way to seeing relatives in Pennsylvania and Ohio. January 2018

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“That was the foundation for my love of glass,” Tomb said. “On each trip, I would beg my parents to stop at the museum so we could watch the glassblowers. It was so exciting and mystifying. I was captivated by it.” He studied art at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York and spent the summer of 1997 teaching art in Boulder, Colorado. It was there that he did his first apprentice torch work for Mystic Family Glassworks. A year later, he took a workshop from Emilio Santini at Urban Glass, which opened the door to assist other glass artists there. Several years later, he honed his precision skills working as a production glassblower in Simon Pearce’s factories in the Northeast. “My experience at Simon Pearce taught me that I needed to learn the craft before I could make glass art. The discipline of production helped me transition from a hobbyist to an artist,” he said. But glass was not his only passion. His spirit of adventure and love of the outdoors led him to explore other career paths as a whitewater rafting guide, ski instructor, sea kayaking guide, zip lining instructor and a team-building facilitator. He also played bass guitar for a band in Lake Tahoe for a few years. “Glass was the one thing I kept coming back to,” Tomb said. “I was drawn to the fire and I felt most alive while making glass. Whether kiln-formed, hot-poured, fused, etched or blown, the possibilities are endless. You can spend a lifetime in any of the disciplines of glass and still have something to learn.” While he thrives on the excitement of working with hot molten glass, it’s the process that captivates him the most. “There’s a delicate balance of humility and ego. If you lose focus, the glass can shatter right before you. If you panic, it gets worse—it’s a lot like life,” he said. “In many ways, it’s like meditation. When you really feel in tune with it, anything is possible.” He is equally passionate about sharing his knowledge with others, and he hopes people will take advantage of the classes he will teach at expo. “Like any adventure, preparation is the key to safety,” Tomb said, joking that he has burned himself more times cooking at home than in his studio. “I spend a lot of time covering safety before letting students work with hot glass. It’s an exhilarating experience, and the best part is that you’ll be able to go home with a piece of glass art that you created.”

During the Arizona Fine Art Expo, Tomb will exhibit and sell a variety of vibrant bowls, vessels, flat glass wall sculptures and his signature glass pumpkins. “Pumpkins are always magical—there is something fun and whimsical and almost inspiring about the way their stems curl, their ridges, texture and color,” he said. His prices will range from under $100 to $700 for craft, decorative and functional pieces. Installation pieces may range from $1,000 to more than $10,000 depending on the complexity of each customized project.

PAINTER PUTS SOUL INTO HER WORK Scottsdale artist Pat Stacy has had people tell her that there is an energy to her work and in her booth at the expo—so much so that she has seen patrons stare at one of her paintings and be moved to tears. While she never knows who will be affected by her work, she believes there is a spiritual connection as she paints, and she is always honored when others see the soul she puts into her work. Like Tomb, she views her process of creating art much like meditation, only she’s working with acrylic paint and textures to create colorful, intense, abstract art on canvas, paper and wood. While she has always been creative, life took her on a long, winding road to becoming a fine artist. A licensed professional counselor, she retired in 1994 to care for her ill husband who died later that year. Grief struck her, but it also empowered her to help others. “After my husband died, I decided I wasn’t rich, but I had enough to give my time away as a Red Cross mental health volunteer,” Stacy said.

Experience Arizona Fine Art Expo

January 12 through March 25 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily 26540 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale $10 season passes; $8 seniors and military; free for children under 12 480-837-7163 arizonafineartexpo.com January 2018

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For the next 13 years, she did disaster work across the nation, teaching classes and becoming the state and chapter lead for mental health. A two-time survivor of breast cancer, she turned to painting first in 2008, after enduring several surgeries. “I learned that if I painted, I didn’t hurt,” she said. “I painted eight to 12 hours a day, every day.” Painting not only helped Stacy heal, it catapulted her toward a new career as a fine artist. Today, her subject matter draws from or is inspired by ancient and native cultures. Symbols in her work reflect her belief in life beyond what she sees and her gratitude for life itself. Some of the symbols come directly from native art, while others are her own creations.

SU R P R I S E

Using bright colors and metallic paint, she prefers to paint with acrylics, often choosing those containing metals that change with patinas.

FINE ART & WINE FESTIVAL JAN 12-14 15940 N Bullard Ave, Surprise

“Color makes my heart sing, and I think it does for other people too,” she said. “I love working with acrylic paints because they are so versatile.”

FINE ART & WINE FESTIVAL JAN 19-21 101 Easy St, Carefree

Much of her work is done on four wooden panels held together with dowels. “My ‘Quadruvium’ pieces are named from the Roman use of the term to represent a crossroads where four roads meet, and I have four wooden cradles that are connected,” she said, adding that she creates the heavily textured paintings by building up layers of acrylic paint. She also employs crackling techniques to give the surfaces depth, and she is known for her fine line work on the sides and edges of her pieces.

CAREFREE Meet renowned artists, stroll throughout juried fine arts, enjoy sipping fine wines and listening to live music.

$3 Admission • Held Outdoors • 10am-5pm

F E S T I V A L S WATERFRONT FEB 9-11 GILBERT FEB 16-18 CAREFREE MAR 16-18 FOUNTAIN HILLS MAR 23-25

ThunderbirdArtists.com • 480-837-5637

This is Stacy’s eighth year participating in the Arizona Fine Art Expo. “I love the warmth and the sense of family we have among the artists,” she said. “I really enjoy interacting with patrons and helping them to discover my hidden symbols and messages. Sometimes they help me see things in my art that I did not realize were there.” Her evocative, contemporary pieces range from $250 to several thousand dollars, depending on the size and scope of each piece. arizonafineartexpo.com

Meet Artists Working in Studios 480-837-7163 ArizonaFineArtEXPO.com 26540 N Scottsdale Rd January 12- March 25 10-week Season Pass $10; Military/Seniors $8 • Open Daily 10am-6pm

January 2018

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COMMUNITY arts // announcements // culture Writer Amanda Christmann

JAN. 4 ATTENTION TEACHERS! The Heard Museum has an event just for K-12 educators: Flavors of the Past & Present. Learn how to prepare a delicious dish with ancestral ingredients and taste the flavors of culinary wisdom. Educators will receive curriculum resources and a certificate for tracking professional development hours. Free. 2301 N. Central Ave.,

Music JAN. 11

WINTER SALON MUSICALE Enjoy beautiful chorale music in the shadows of Sedonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s red rocks. Part of the Sedona Winter Music Festival. $125. Private Sedona residence, TBA. 5:30 p.m. 928-204-2415; chambermusicsedona.org

Phoenix. 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

RSVP required. education@heard.

*Photo Courtesy Sedona Winter

org; 602-252-8840; heard.org

Festival

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JAN. 8 PROMUSICA ARIZONA CHORALE AND ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS ProMusica Arizona will be holding auditions for both the chorale and orchestra. All voices and instruments are welcome. Email Patti Graetz at pgraetz@pmaz. org for an audition appointment. Crosswinds Presbyterian Church, 20125 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix. 7:45–

TRANSFORMING LIVES

CHANGING THE WORLD

9 p.m. 623-326-5172; pmaz.org

JAN. 9–14

Our PreK-12 students are provided a variety of fine arts classes to explore and develop their mind, body and spirit. NVCA’s athletic programs support and guide athletes in their walk with Christ.

FIFTH ANNUAL SEDONA WINTER MUSIC FESTIVAL Chamber Music Sedona will

host its dynamic annual six-day celebration of the performing arts. The festival will culminate Jan. 14 with a concert at the Sedona Performing Arts Center.

2018 SUMMER CAMPS

FINE ARTS & ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE ATHLETICS

To schedule your Campus Tour: Call NVCA today at (623)551-3454 or visit www.GoNVCA.org

Enrolling now for the 2018-2019 academic year!

See website for performance and class schedules and ticket info. chambermusicsedona.org

JAN. 12–14

33655 North 27th Drive www.NorthValleyCA.org Phoenix, AZ 85085 info@NorthValleyCA.org

Tel: 623.551.3454 Fax: 623.551.4067

ROCK AND ROLL MARATHON SERIES Running is fun when it comes with live music and excitement! The Rock ‘N’ Marathon is a relatively flat course that runs through Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. Road closure information, routes, fees and schedule are available online. runrocknroll.com

JAN. 13–21 BARRETT-JACKSON CLASSIC CAR AUCTION Hundreds of the world’s finest collector automobiles and thousands of spectators will assemble for this year’s Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction. See website for ticket prices and schedule. WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima., Scottsdale. barrett-jackson.com

January 2018

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JAN. 17–21

RUSSO AND STEELE AUTOMOBILE AUCTION With more than 800 cars crossing the block, Russo and Steele is excited to announce the addition of the rare and elusive ASA 1100 C.C. Spider to its roster. $200 for admission for two for preview day and four days of Auction in the Round. Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale. 602-252-2697; russoandsteele.com

On Stage

JAN. 19 MARTY STUART AND HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES Five-time Grammy winner, Grand Ole Opry star and platinum recording artist Marty Stuart takes the stage at the MIM during his Way Out West tour. $43.50–$53.50. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. 7:30 p.m. 480-4786000; mim.org *Photo Courtesy MIM

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Join us for Kindergarten Preview Night! Thursday, February 1, 2018 5:30 - 7 p.m. at all DVUSD K-6 and K-8 schools

SUCCESS STARTS EARLY. www.dvusd.org/kindergarten www.facebook.com/dvusd January 2018

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Golf

JAN. 29–FEB. 4 WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN Find out why the Waste Management Phoenix Open has earned the nickname “The Greatest Show on Grass.” Free and discounted admission available. See website for details and schedule. Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale, 17020 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale. wmphoenixopen.com *Photo Courtesy Waste Management Phoenix Open

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JAN. 19

FROM UNDER THE RUSSIAN SNOW Author Michelle Carter brings her book, “From Under the Russian Snow,” to Anthem for discussion about the remarkable year she served as journalist-in-residence in Russia through the birth of an independent press in the post-Soviet, pre-Putin bubble of freedom. Free. Books available for purchase. North Valley Library, 40410 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy., Anthem. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Space is limited. 602-652-3306; mcldaz.org

FEB. 2

SYMMETRY IN STONE: THE JEWELRY OF RICHARD I. CHAVEZ The Heard Museum presents work of Richard Chavez, one of the Southwest’s leading jewelers. For the first time in his more than 40-year career, his jewelry will be featured in a retrospective exhibition. Free with museum admission. 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Mon. through Sat. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 602-252-8840; heard.org

MIM WINTER/SPRING CONCERT SERIES Tickets are on sale now for Musical Instrument Museum’s exciting 2018 winter and spring concert series, which includes more than 50 concerts from January through April, spanning across generations and genres. Featured artists include Lyle Lovett, Al Jardine and Booker T. Jones, among other notable talent. Check website for schedule and ticket information. Additional artists will be added

NVCA TAPS NEW PRINCIPAL Lisa Upper has been named North Valley Christian Academy K-12 principal and lead academic administrator. Lisa transferred to the Valley from North Carolina to join NVCA in August 2017, and holds a master's in school administration and bachelor of arts in elementary education. She held administrative leadership positions with Caldwell Academy and North Carolina Public Schools and is

throughout the season. mim.org

the creator and administrator

LIFE ON THE RANGE

history-focused program for

The breathtaking photography of Scott T. Baxter will be on display at Fiat Lux Gallery through Jan. 11. Scott’s awardwinning photographs have

of livinghistorykids.com, a after-school clubs and summer programs. Welcome, Lisa, to the North Valley! NVCA, 33655 N. 27th Dr., Phoenix. 623-5513454; northvalleyca.org

been featured in American Cowboy, Arizona Highways, Cowboys & Indians, Western Horseman, Men’s Journal and Images Arizona. Some are part of a permanent collections at the Phoenix Art Museum and more. He recently completed a captivating 10-year legacy project for the Arizona Centennial called “100 Years, 100 Ranchers” depicting a disappearing way of life. Free. 6919 E. 1st Ave., Scottsdale. Thursdays 7 to 9 p.m. 480280-8000; fiatluxgallery.com

January 2018

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Writer Lara Piu Photography Courtesy of Sedona International Film Festival

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As a Tony Award, Emmy Award and Academy Award winner and Oscar nominee, Jane Alexander is well-recognized for her artistic achievements. Next month, her career will come full circle because the actress, who once helped the independent film movement find its legs, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sedona International Film Festival. “We really loved her, not only for her work but for her contribution to the film industry and film festivals in their early starts,” Sedona International Film Festival creative and development director Pat Schweiss says. “She’s committed to the art. She’s a stage actress as well, and her career has just been phenomenal.” In the mid-'80s Jane stared in an independent film called “Square Dance.” The $4 million low-budget film starred Winona Rider, who was 14 at the time; a teen-aged Rob Lowe; and Jason Robart, who played Jane’s husband. Not only was the film the start of several larger-than-life careers, its debut, which kicked off the first Sundance Film Festival, would affect all independent films to follow. “It was the first time I went to a film festival. It was way back in … don’t even ask me when,” Jane jokes. Jane’s current project is an independent film called “A Man in the Woods.”

INJURY SCREENING

“It’s by a really fine young director named Noah Bushel,” she explains. “He’s made several films and they’re really fine pieces. They don’t get widespread distribution, but what they do get are accolades and audience participation at film festivals, which means that a film can get picked up by Amazon or Netflix or a service, and get streamed.

January 2018

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Film festivals are vital for the audience to get to see things that they probably wouldn't see. Jane Alexander “The movie won’t necessarily make a ton of money, but it will have a life, and that’s why film festivals are so vital today.” Jane recalls a time when independent films were not a thing. “Square Dance,” for example, was entirely financed by Mike Nesmith of The Monkeys, “… and that’s how things were. It was hit or miss,” she adds. “Film festivals are vital for the audience to get to see things that they probably wouldn't see, and I think it’s exciting. It’s exciting for Sedona to be able to come out and see these things, and for the filmmakers to come and talk about their films.”

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It’s all part of a new era. “The industry is booming. This is the golden age,” she says. “It’s mainly television these days, but it’s booming and that’s where all the small films have migrated. The film festival is the starting point, so it’s really exciting.” Two of Jane’s three sons, Anthony Sherin and Jace Alexander, are filmmakers. At the time of the interview, they were still waiting to hear if Anthony’s film submission would be accepted into the Sedona festival. “That will be fun if he joins me,” she hopes. “It’s been decades since I’ve been there. I’m a birder, so going to Arizona is like going to heaven.” Intentionally held during Sedona’s down season, the festival attracts a niche of people like Jane, who might otherwise not visit this time of year. According to a recent report prepared by Northern Arizona University W.A. Franke College of Business, the Sedona International Film Festival contributed nearly $4 million to the local economy in 2017. Of the estimated 10,000 patrons attending the 10-day festival, more than 41 percent

were from outside Sedona. Nine out of 10 Sedona residents said the festival was either a somewhat important reason or the most important reason for being in Sedona. The festival’s impact goes above and beyond dollars and cents, notes Pat. When he joined the non-profit organization in July 2004, it was a three-day event. Since then, it has evolved to nine days and the Mary D. Fisher Theatre has been added. This 112-seat venue brings in films and fine arts simulcast events from all over the world for the festival and throughout the year. “It really expanded everything because we’re not just an annual event any longer,” Pat says. “We now contribute to the local economy on a regular basis and offer cultural things that weren't necessarily exposed here in Sedona.” The festival is a stellar tourism incentive, elevating the worthy plight of the independent film. Each year, several mainstream movies are also selected make it to the screen. This year, those movies will include “Django,” “Back to Burgundy,” and naturally, Jane’s “Kramer vs. Kramer,” “Great White Hope,” and “Testament.” “I’m very excited,” Jane says. “It’s a very fine festival and I’m looking forward to being there.”

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D L Jones & Associates Real Estate 3668 W Anthem Way, Suite B-158 Anthem, AZ 85086 Jill: 480-203-9066 jtetsell@gmail.com Dick: 480-227-6578 dick@tetsellaz.com www.phoenixhomesusa.com

sedonafilmfestival.org

About the Festival Films will run all day beginning Saturday, Feb. 24 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, 2030 W. Highway 89A; Sedona Performing Arts Center at Sedona Red Rock High School, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Rd.; and Sedona Harkins 6, 2081 W. Highway 89A. Platinum Priority Passes are $1,150; Gold Priority Passes are $550; 20-ticket packages are $255; 10-ticket packages are $130; and full-time students can get the 10-ticket package for $100. Single tickets are $15 and go on sale mid-February. Priority Pass holders may select the films they want to view beginning at 9 a.m. Feb. 5. Ten- and 20-ticket pass holders can select films beginning 9 a.m. Feb. 12. Individual film tickets go on sale to the general public Feb. 19. Packages, other than for full-time students, are available through the website or the festival box office at 928-282-1177. sedonafilmfestival.org

Artist Paulette Galop

The Gallery 480.575.6658 at el Pedregal sonoranartsleague.org Join us for our Monthly Art Party with artists’ demonstrations, refreshments, and music on Saturday, Jan. 20, from 1 - 4 p.m. 34505 N. Scottsdale Rd., 2nd floor • Open Wednesday - Sunday January 2018

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Welcome to Carefree—the town with a name that says it all! With exemplary art galleries and delectable fine dining, you’ll want to shop and play with wild abandon in Carefree!

FINE ART, FINE WINE

IT’S AN ART PARTY!

THE STORY OF A MIRACLE

Experience some of the state’s best

Enjoy shopping at el Pedregal, then stop

The Living Music Performance Series

offerings in art and wine!

in to The Gallery for an afternoon of fine

presents the Gian Carlos Menotti

When: Jan. 19–21, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

art, delicious food and evocative musical

one-act opera, “Amahl and the Night

Where: 101 Easy St. in downtown

performances.

Visitors.”

Carefree.

When: Jan. 20, 1–4 p.m.

When: Jan. 6, 7 p.m.

Cost: $3 for adults; additional for wine

Where: el Pedregal, 34505 N. Scottsdale

Where: Christ the Lord Lutheran

tasting; children under 17 free.

Rd., Carefree.

Church, 9205 E. Cave Creek Rd.,

thunderbirdartists.com

Cost: Free.

Carefree.

480-575-6624

Cost: $25. 480-488-2081; ctlcarefree.org

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Contact Tatum Williams at 480-280-9490 or tatum@imagesaz.com to talk about joining our Images Arizona Carefree destination pages.

January 2018

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Writer Shannon Severson Photography by Bryan Black

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The greatest piece of advice that artist and set designer Jason Adkins ever received was from his high school art teacher back in his native Tennessee: “Don’t overthink it.” Frustrated with her 17 year-old student’s consistently slow work pace, she tasked him with completing paintings in 20 minutes, something he first considered impossible. Nevertheless, with practice, it became a freeing mantra. “That advice was the start of my style and my career,” says Adkins, sitting in the light-filled front room of his North Mountain home. He’s surrounded by large canvases and a few stray boxes that remain after his recent move from San Diego. “It helped me earn a college scholarship to Eckerd College in Florida and cemented my desire to make art my primary pursuit, no matter what it took. I like to work quickly now and I like to paint as often as I can.” Adkins’ mother often reminds him of what he told her about his dedication to painting as he was finishing graduate school at Claremont Graduate University. “I told her that if I live in a cardboard box, painting on cardboard with a stick, using wet cat food, it is by choice,” says Adkins. “I don’t remember saying it, but it speaks to what I will do in order to keep painting.” Adkins has definitely lived the starving artist life at times, but when Los Angeles Times art critic David Pagel took note of his talent, he gained his first big break with a solo show at LA’s Western Project Gallery in 2008. It opened the day after President George W. Bush publicly announced that the United States was officially experiencing a recession. “It was a great experience, but the worst possible time,” says Adkins. “Everything crashed in 2008. Galleries were closing everywhere and Los Angeles was an expensive town to rent—even my cheap studio in a rough area of town. I worked in a friend’s studio for awhile, did odd jobs to pay the rent, and even switched to making charcoal drawings on paper for awhile when I couldn’t afford paint.” His tenacity for finding work also led to a very Hollywood moment when one of his sculptures was used in director David Finch’s 2010 movie, “The Social Network.” Ultimately, Adkins made the decision to leave Los Angeles for Las Vegas that year, where he had several gallery shows and an unusual residency at P3 Studio in the Cosmopolitan Hotel. “Rapture,” a behemoth 96-inch by 72-inch oil and spray paint on canvas teems with color. He continually rotated the canvas throughout the process to avoid repeating patterns. January 2018

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The feel of these pieces is often dystopian, like something nefarious teems just below the surface.

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“It felt odd at first to paint large canvases while drunk people dressed in flashy outfits wandered through and filmed me on their phones,” says Adkins. “But, after awhile, you forget and just go with it.” He and his wife, Dhyana, a high school theatre teacher, moved to San Diego in 2013 where he was a professor at Mira Costa Community College and ran an art events business on the side. Here in Phoenix, a similar concept, called Paint-A-Holics, will bring wine and paint nights to individual homes, as well as to bars and restaurants around the city. The family’s departure from California this year brings them closer to Dhyana’s family, and Arizona’s lower cost of living gives Adkins more freedom to create on his own terms, without the requirements that being with a gallery might entail. “I don’t want to be told to paint only what will sell,” says Adkins. “When we had our son, Xander, in 2014 I thought I might not have time to paint as much, but that hasn’t been the case. I spent four months creating my mandala-inspired Element series representing water and earth while he was napping. It motivated me to get back to painting more often. Not being with a gallery, I’m able to experiment and paint in the way I want to.” That independent streak is also apparent in the tools and methods Adkins uses to create primarily large-scale pieces with unusual methods and materials. His preferred tools lean more hardware store than art supply emporium. Inexpensive, multi-pack paintbrushes and foam paint rollers accompany palate knives to create the broad, bold brush-like strokes on pieces such as “Mint Split” and “Stickle.” “Over decades spent painting, I’ve found that you need to look around at everything in your studio and see what can be used as a tool,” says Adkins. “You get wide strokes with a palate knife, but you can’t get it to look like a brush. Using a glove to hold the foam roller steady creates the look of a brush. I’d rather spend on paint and canvases than on expensive brushes.” He creates thick layers in oil paint, and spray paint, which he terms “the poor man’s paintbrush,” to create abstract landscapes like “Beast” and “Sloop Loop” that are full of movement and mystery. The aerosol cans that most associate with graffiti or backyard projects become something different in Adkin’s January 2018

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hands. He uses different quality levels, spray distances, direct application onto palate knives and even varying studio temperatures to create a range of effects. The feel of these pieces is often dystopian, like something nefarious teems just below the surface. The Morphing series, exemplified in “Goldfinger,” is inspired by the sculptures of John Chamberlain, and includes more structured abstracts composed of oil paint, applied with palate knives, and spray paint, layered at different angles and distances. “I want to depict something that is living in the landscape, but isn’t necessarily comfortable in the landscape,” says Adkins. His heavily textural series, including “Alien” and “Gold,” is created with Bondo, an automotive repair resin that, at high temperatures can be drizzled a la Jackson Pollack. After curing time, he utilizes spray paint from different angles to layer color over pieces that evoke the unusual topography of a strange landscape. “Blue Pendant” is made with a random, pick-up sticks pattern of cheap paintbrushes, rocks, plastic lids, and layers of Bondo and glitter. The recent move meant a break from painting, but he’s ready to get back to it and will continue to explore themes of rebellion and identity with the development of an alter-ego that will allow for him to experiment with total departure from his past work. “I’ve never felt more inspired by what I need to do artistically,” says Adkins. “This is the longest I’ve gone without painting in the past 24 years, and my head is full of fresh and vibrant ideas.” paint-a-holics.com jason-adkins.com

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40423 N. Capra Way, Anthem Offered at $649,000

RE/MAX Pro fe s s i o n al s | L i n da Re h w a l t | 6 0 2 -4 0 2 -1 1 3 6 | l in d a r e h w a l t @ a z r e a l t y. c o m

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Enchantment Has an Address Dreams do come true with this Anthem 6-bedroom, 4.5 bath home! The fairy tale begins with your own private view from an outdoor kitchen and bar, and an inviting Pebble Tec pool perfect for watching spectacular summer sunsets. Custom exterior stone and patio finishes compliment the gorgeous beauty of Daisy Mountain, just outside your door! Step inside to 4,700+ square feet of luxurious comfort, including beautiful high-end carpet and custom finishes, travertine medallioned floors, a kitchen fit for a master chef, two master suites, marble master bath, bonus media room and office, and a garage fit for a king. This home has been exquisitely maintained and has tens of thousands of dollars in upgrades. It is located in the award-winning master-planned community of Anthem Parkside. This dynamic community also offers acres of softball and baseball fields; an in-line hockey rink; kid-sized railroad; and a 60-acre community park with covered picnic areas, adventure playground, skate park, multiple lighted tennis courts, lighted pathway system, and a 4-acre catch-and-release fishing lake.

Please call Linda for your private showing. Linda Rehwalt RE/MAX Professionals 602-402-1136 lindarehwalt@azrealty.com

January 2018

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Experience the allure of Cave Creek! From incredible vistas to real Western fun, you’ll find out why Cave Creek is one of the most exciting places in the West!

TAKE A RIDE ON THE STAGECOACH

The horses are hitched and ready to go! Harold’s Stage Lines authentic stagecoach rides make round trips through downtown Cave Creek all winter. When: Every Wed. through Sun.; 1–5:30 p.m. Where: Harold’s and Frontier Town, Downtown Cave Creek. Cost: $10–$20. 970-946-8066; dkwagonrides.com

TAKE A RIDE ON THE TROLLEY

Traverse some of the town’s most popular spots and scenic views with a ride on the Foothills Trolley! When: Every weekend through April; 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Where: Stops at Big Earl’s, Buffalo Chip, Frontier Town, The Grotto, The Horny Toad, Las Tiendas, Local Jonny’s, Mountain View Pub, Stagecoach Village an the Town of Cave Creek public parking lot before making its way into Carefree. Cost: Free. carefreecavecreek.org

NORTHERN ITALY’S CULINARY GIFTS Join Cartwright’s for a festa Italiana as Chef Brett Vibber welcomes a guest chef into the kitchen for their monthly collaboration dinner. When: Jan. 24; RSVP for time. Where: Cartwright’s Modern Cuisine, 6710 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek. Cost: See website for details. 480-488-8031; cartwrightsmoderncuisine.com

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January 2018

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Writer Amanda Christmann // Photography by Scott Baxter

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Scott Baxter

It wouldn’t make any sense to do this if I couldn’t connect with people. If that were the case, I’d like to think I’d see it and say, ‘I think I should go shoot buildings.’

I first noticed Scott Baxter’s work in 2012 as I made my way through the halls of Sky Harbor Airport. Homesick and weary from a long trip abroad, I looked up to see black and white portraits and scenery he’d captured for his Centennial Legacy Project, “100 Years 100 Ranchers.” He’d managed to depict Arizona ranch life so vividly and provocatively that I wanted to grab the nearest person by the shoulders and exclaim, “This is my home! These are my people!” Of course, I’d heard of him in other circles, too. Through the years, his award-winning work appeared in some of my favorite magazines—American Cowboy, Arizona Highways, Cowboys & Indians, and Western Horseman to name a few. His name was also familiar from permanent collections found in the Phoenix Art Museum and Desert Caballeros Western Museum long before he began contributing regularly to Images Arizona.

Dr. Sam Luce, in his office at the headquarters of The Luce Ranch, Campbell Blue, Arizona

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Left Clockwise: Joel, Maricopa County, Arizona; Survivor; Sy Westbrook, Apache County, Arizona;

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Dr. Sam Luce, Campbell Blue, Arizona

As I walked into Local Jonny’s in Cave Creek, I scanned the crowd and landed on an affable smile framed by eyes weathered by sunshine and a two-day-old beard. Wearing a blue and white flannel plaid shirt and comfortable jeans, he could have easily passed for one of the ranchers whose images have earned him his reputation. Sizing him up, I ordered my coffee black. We sat down and talked photography, writing and life.

THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE PULL OF THE SOUTHWEST Scott was born in Hartford, Connecticut and grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, the son of an oil engineer and a teacher. It’s difficult to imagine this near-native Arizonan as a prep school lacrosse player, but he was; he even earned a college scholarship to The College of Wooster and was co-captain of the team in 1979. He completed his degree in history, never dreaming he’d end up documenting it. “I took classes in art history and painting, but I was a terrible artist,” he laughs. “I couldn’t draw worth anything.” It wasn’t until he graduated and took a job in education that he learned about photography—from the most unlikely of teachers. One of his ninth grade students taught him how to develop film in the school’s dark room. As the images emerged on photo paper beneath the red lights, something awoke in Scott. He began to snap photos in his spare time and realized he might be on to something. Not everyone was enthused. “Much to the chagrin of my school teacher mother, I decided to become a photographer,” Scott says sardonically. He came to Phoenix in the spring 1982 to go to grad school at Arizona State University. “It was nothing but hot,” he said. “I just remember thinking, ‘I hate this place!’ I had $180 to my name, and I decided I wasn’t going to stay. Then I got offered a job in commercial photography, and that changed those plans.”

Event Schedule Thunderbird Artists Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival JANUARY 19 - 21 Thunderbird Artists Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival MARCH 16 - 18 Music in the Gardens APRIL - MAY Amidst the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion at the Carefree Desert Gardens. Open 365 days a year. Life as it should be! Carefree.

Connect

Scott Baxter “Top Hand” Exhibit Through Jan. 11 Thursday Evenings, 7–9 p.m. Fiat Lux Gallery 6919 E. 1st Ave., Scottsdale 480-280-8000 fiatluxgallery.com

101 Easy Street, Carefree, AZ 85377 | 480.488.3686

VisitCarefree.com January 2018

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Top: Cowboys Cody and Antonie Cunningham gather the remuda at the X Diamond Ranch, Apache County, Arizona. Below: K.T. Thompson, Schoolhouse section, MLY Ranch. Right top: Isaak, Marr Flat Cattle Company. Joseph, Oregon. Right bottom: Cowboy Rachel Lohof Larsen, Idaho.

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FINDING THE MAGIC Scott spent years honing his craft, and he did so through an era of change in photography. He still enjoys using film cameras and keeps a cache of them handy—a Linhof Technikardan 4x5, Calumet 8x10, Pentax 6x7, Hasselblad 500CM, and 1955 twin-lens Rolleiflex—but he has also joined the rest of the world in the switch to digital, albeit reluctantly. “When digital first came, I hated it,” he recalls. “I remember saying, ‘I’m never doing this,’ but here I am. I’ve learned that it’s not the camera or the equipment that matters. If you’re really passionate about what you do, it works itself out.” And he was passionate about what he did. Early on, Scott realized had the intuitive ability to differentiate between taking a picture and shooting a photo that told a story. “I came from kind of a stoic upbringing, but somehow I feel like I’m more connected emotionally to people,” he says with a quizzical look in his eyes, as if he is waiting to see if I understand. “It wouldn’t make any sense to do this if I couldn’t connect with people. If that were the case, I’d like to think I’d see it and say, ‘I think I should go shoot buildings.” He built his career in commercial photography on that skill, shooting provocative images that audiences could relate to through his eyes. Eventually he figured out that people also wanted to put his work up on their walls. Looking at Scott’s work, he doesn’t photograph subjects so much as he documents them. Every one of his pictures draws the viewer in and insists on sharing something more. Sometimes he makes us wonder, “What happens next?” Other times, through penetrating eyes or through an expression, he makes us feel the very soul of the person he is portraying. What’s incredible about it is that he doesn’t try to do it. A shoulder drops or hands relax. Snap.

The magic for me is in the experience itself. The photographs are just the end of the story.

A stiff pose turns into a calm exhale. Snap. Awkwardness turns into a comfortable smile. Snap. He doesn’t see it; he feels it. “The magic for me is in the experience itself,” he says. “The photographs are just the end of the story.” January 2018

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“KIND OF WESTERN FOR A YANKEE” Among his most notable work, Scott completed “100 Years 100 Ranchers,” an official Legacy Project for the Arizona Centennial that has been featured in corporate and museum exhibits and presentations across the state. It took 10 years for Scott to complete, part of which his daughter Lily assisted with. Scott’s criterion was tough. “There were several things these families had to do to qualify,” he explains. “For example, they had to have ranched in Arizona for 100 years. If they had only been ranching for 97 years, they didn’t make the cut. It was tough!”

Left to right: "Legends of the Fall" author Jim Harrison, Sonoita Creek, Santa Cruz County, Arizona

He camped out. He shared meals with ranch hands. He rode along on cattle drives. Along the way he met people, some now gone, whose stories became part of his own.

Sam in his scotch cap, Y Cross Ranch, Apache County, Arizona Sheila Carlson, Flying M Ranch, Coconino County, Arizona "Eagle People," Navajo County, Arizona Doc Sam, "Amazing Grace," Luce Ranch, The Blue, Greenlee County, Arizona "Hands & Honda" O'Haca Cattle Company, Coconino County, Arizona

One of his proudest moments came in the way of a backhanded compliment from his friend and Ranch Cook, Frank Drew. “You’re kind of Western for a Yankee,” Drew told him. And it’s true. Scott’s stark image of rancher, Sam Udall entitled “First Snow” was featured on the December, 2011 cover of Arizona Highways’ 50 Greatest Photos edition. That photograph remains one of the most iconic of the collection, but it’s not something Scott looks back on. It was the camaraderie he built with Udall that left a lasting impression. Udall, from Springerville, welcomed Scott and his daughters into his home time and again. At the age of 70, he had become unable to ranch and moved into town. This summer, during a dark, stormy evening, Udall stepped out into traffic on the town’s Main Street. He was struck and killed. His memory lives on through Scott’s photographs, but bits of his wisdom and wit have planted themselves deep inside Scott. “I spent many hours and traveled many miles with Sam,” Scott says, leaning back into a weathered leather chair. “Whenever we were riding, or traveling and I would ask how long or far our destination was, he would always say, ‘Scotsman, it's just a quick lope and a cigarette.’ “He always made me feel like I would make it, and that it would work out in the end.”

Scotsman, it's just a quick lope and a cigarette.

For Scott, it will most certainly work out in the end, but more importantly, it has been a memorable, artful journey. scottbaxterphotography.com January 2018

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Writer Shannon Severson Photography by Jen Wilbur

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Hollywood might be just a day’s drive from Phoenix, but as the center of the TV and film industries, it may as well be another planet. For aspiring actors, the chances of “making it” are roughly equivalent to being struck by lightning—twice. Despite the odds, with talent, perseverance and abundant family support, two local teens have made it to the big time. They just happen to be co-stars on "Andi Mack," Disney Channel’s top performing show among children 6 to 14 years old, with a second season premier that ranked #1 among cable TV telecast viewers. I met up with Asher Angel and Sofia Wylie at the Angel family’s Paradise Valley home. At 15 and 13 respectively, the pair is down-to-earth, well-spoken and full of energy, despite extremely busy schedules. While they didn’t know each other before the show, it’s clear they’re good friends now. Neither will speak too long of their own accomplishments before pointing out something fantastic that the other is doing. They may be big stars, with over 1.1 million Instagram followers between them, but they couldn’t be nicer. "Andi Mack" follows the story of its title character, portrayed by Peyton Elizabeth Lee, and her middle school friends as they navigate friendship, crushes, school and family dynamics. Sofia has the role of Buffy Driscoll who, along with Joshua Rush as

Cyrus Goodman, play Andi’s best friends, while Asher plays Jonah Beck, Andi’s crush. The show has been praised for its realistic storylines, diversity and heartwarming relationships. Shot on location in Utah, Sofia and Asher were enjoying a rare break back in the Arizona sunshine. Both young actors got their start in local theater and dance. Asher caught the bug after seeing a production of “Wicked” at Desert Stages Theatre when he was just 8 years old. He went on to perform at theater companies all over the Valley, but still considered Desert Stages his home. Sofia’s first local theater role was as an Oompa-Loompa in “Willy Wonka, Jr.” at Musical Theatre of Anthem, though a bout of food poisoning prevented her from completing the production run. By the time each was 12, they were pursuing their dreams on a much larger stage, auditioning for roles in Los Angeles. “My first guest starring role was on 'Criminal Minds,'” says Asher. “I didn’t get the first role I auditioned for, but they called me for another role a few weeks later. "Andi Mack" was my first Disney job. I had five callbacks. I first auditioned for the role of Cyrus, but they decided I’d be better as Jonah. Pretty soon, we were moving to Utah. My whole family lives there while we’re filming.”

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Sofia first came to Los Angeles with a different dream: to be a professional dancer, with a primary focus on hip-hop. Her big break in Arizona came when, from among thousands of audition videos, she was chosen to be a backup dancer for Justin Bieber’s “Purpose” world tour. “It was my first concert ever,” says Sofia. “It was so loud and everyone was screaming. To calm my nerves, I imagined that everyone was screaming for me. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Everyone told me I needed to go to L.A. and get an agent. My parents always supported me. They were the ones who knew I could do it, even when I didn’t think I could.” Sofia began to make important connections in Los Angeles and gained recognition when she rose up through multiple levels of auditions for "So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation." “I had a broken toe throughout the auditions and no one knew,” says Sofia. “I just danced through the pain. I think the adrenaline helped me block it out.” When she was a back-up dancer for Nickelodeon’s "School of Rock," Sofia noticed the actors rehearsing and realized that she’d rather be acting up front than in the background. Soon, she had her first acting role in Nickelodeon’s "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn." She was just 12 years old. Then she was cast as Buffy January 2018

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in "Andi Mack." All of this has happened in the past two and a half years. “I love being able to work and see what happens on set,” says Sofia, “but then to see the finished product with editing and music added … it’s really exciting.” Both admitted to mild superstitions before big auditions. Asher listens to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” and both said they each wore the same outfits to every callback for "Andi Mack." Sofia still has that lucky jacket. Another lucky charm they share is that their dads accompany them during filming, as do the fathers of most other actors they work with. It’s been a positive for the kids and the dads. “We call the dads on set the ‘Mack Daddies,’” says Asher. “They even have t-shirts! It’s great to have all of them on set.” Having the support of family clearly gives both confidence to keep going after their dreams, no matter where it might take them. Neither seems to mind being busy, and both have additional talents and interests they’re successfully pursuing. Asher will soon be coming to a multiplex near you. He was recently cast as Billy Batson in his first major January 2018

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motion picture, “Shazam!” As Billy, he’ll play a teenage boy who transforms into the adult superhero, played by Zachary Levi. Expected to be the next DC Comics blockbuster, filming will begin in late 2018.

video has been steadily climbing the iTunes charts. He said that Sofia helped him a bit with learning the choreography for the video. Sofia is quick to point out that he’s got some good dance moves — and she would know.

“I couldn’t be more excited for this incredible opportunity to bring the role of Billy Batson to life and join the DC Universe,” says Asher. “I feel lucky and honored to join this amazing franchise and all of the talented people that bring it to life.”

Sofia is focused primarily on dancing and acting right now, and recently hosted auditions for her own dance video at Millenium Dance Company in Salt Lake City, where she trains regularly.

Beyond acting, Asher is a singer and songwriter and released his first single, “Snow Globe Wonderland,” in November, 2017. The

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“In the future I’d love to start singing and improve vocally,” she says.

Asher chimes in that she’s got a great voice and he’s certain that fans will be hearing more of it in the future. There’s just no stopping the enthusiasm of these two. Zipping back and forth between Arizona, Utah, Los Angeles and wherever else is required is hard work, but Arizona always feels like home. “I like being with my family,” says Asher. “I cherish the time that I have with them and I love it when we have a break here in Arizona. The people are really nice and it’s not as busy as Los Angeles. I also get to give back to the community when I’m here. I’m a co-ambassador with Taylor Swift for The Ronan Foundation to fund new treatments for childhood cancer. I love being able to go to the hospital and give the kids candy and to see smiles light their faces. Not long ago, I went and actually made one kid walk for the first time to come get some candy. It was super incredible. I’ll never forget it.” The entire cast has worked with charities to deliver gifts to underprivileged children in Utah, and Sofia has her heart set on someday founding a charity to help animals. She also treasures her time here in Arizona, noting the slower pace and nice people. “I like the chill vibes here,” she says. “I love places like New York or Los Angeles because there are so many opportunities, but everything is happening at once. When I’m back here, I can just see my friends and family and appreciate the time I have.” Andi Mack continues to draw larger viewership each week, and, whenever they’re home, Arizona fans always turn out in droves at appearances by Sofia and Asher. There’s just something about local kids making it big that makes everyone feel proud. disneynow.com Instagram: @sofia_wylie Instagram: @asherdovangel

January 2018

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Writer Effie Bouras Photographer Bryan Black

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He stood as an imposing figure in front of the lecture hall, pacing the stage with furrowed brow as he observed the new faces of an incoming freshman class of architecture. A studied historian of architecture, this professor, who was also a child of the 1950s beat movement, a student of 1960s ethical liberation, and an ardent admirer of Frank Lloyd Wright, would later become one of my most treasured educators. On our first day of class he would make a remark that become an unforgettable sentiment, which well over a decade later I still can recall with lingering clarity, he said, “I wanted to be an architect, but soon realized that I could never be as good as Frank Lloyd Wright.” His words rang deep and sharp, permeating confusion throughout the auditorium, as the students, lost and adrift at the beginning of their own journeys, were unable to grasp any subtext in a seemingly candid declaration. Frank Lloyd Wright was never an imitator. In fact, in a 1953 Interview with journalist Hugh Downs on the subject concerning his greatest disappointment, Wright lamented his distaste for imitation, of which he had been the victim of during his long and storied career. Wright, as did my dear professor, wanted his students to further his process of architectural philosophy, not blindly recreate the expression that evolved from it. The common cliché of imitation being the sincerest form of flattery is also lost on Aaron Betsky, who, as a distinguished architect, critic and educator, and very much an individualist in his own right, has been so drawn to Wright’s legacy. His formative experiences as a child, particularly his first visit at architect Gerrit Rietveld’s colorful, open-plan Schroeder house in Utrecht, Netherlands led him on a life-long path to seek and create instances of expression worthy of the moniker of architecture. Celebrated in his own right, Betsky is a treasured fixture in the architectural community, having worked as an architect himself with several prolific design offices, as an ardent supporter of formerly littleknown and now renowned architects such as Rem Koolhaas, and presently to Taliesin, one of its pertinent saviors.

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While Betsky is an ardent admirer and guardian of Wright’s legacy, he does not want that very legacy to be hermetically or preciously preserved. He perceives the buildings at Taliesin in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Spring Green, Wisconsin as learning laboratories with the potential to not only form student experiences on campus, but also serve as a platform to initiate tangible change in the world. Betsky adds, “We use the buildings … and what we learn from Frank Lloyd Wright’s work … the way in which he thought of architecture as evolving from inside-out, ways in which we build with the land, of breaking the box, of being organic, fusing both private and social [functions] together, rather than separating them—all of those themes that run throughout his buildings, we want to take and move them forward to see how we can apply them to a contemporary situation.” The recent acquirement of the famed David and Gladys Wright House in Phoenix, a gift from a local patron, and originally built as a homestead for Wright’s son and daughterin-law will undoubtedly expand upon this tradition and has

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given the school a very real touchstone in Phoenix. Situated in the Arcadia district, the house once faced bleak prospects as the target of an overzealous campaign to demolish the historic structure. Luckily that ill-fated day never arrived, as the bulldozer operator, upon arrival at the site, flatly refused the order and notified authorities at the City of Phoenix. Betsky elects that precise moment as an example of how strongly Wright’s work communicates on a personal level, through the strength of its image and inherent charisma. Betsky understands why someone with a bulldozer would look at the home and think, “Wait a second. This is not some teardown; there is something going on here.” He feels the house gives the school a chance to come off the hill, so to speak, and although the reception in the neighborhood has not always been affable, the community is now pleased to see the house being used in a responsible and respectful manner. As he looks forward to building strong ties with the Arcadia neighborhood, plans have been moving forward to restore

the main structure and neighboring guesthouse, with a landscape architect and designer looking at the master planning of the site. Once the renovation is completed, a fortunate student will be provided the opportunity to live in the on-site guesthouse. Betsky’s penchant for experiment has also compelled him to expand the long-running, student-constructed desert shelters program in which students design or redesign existing shelters, then inhabit them for their tenure at the school. For this coming year, he has introduced a new format that requires students to include their shelter concepts within their thesis project, urging them to investigate how their ideas can be scaled up, or transformed for suitability in other locales. Further, he has allied the school with a number of outside interests, including revitalization work with the boom-and-bust Arizona mining communities of Globe and Miami; revamping the site of a Unitarian church in Tucson; continuing work at the David and Gladys Wright House; and community projects in Spring Green. Betsky wants to stay away from the common impression of the “ivy tower” architect, instead bringing back the sense that, while Taliesin students do engage in rigorous theoretical precepts, it is also a place where you can “get your hands dirty, become a part of the community and contribute to it.” Aside from an otherworldly ability to speak through the inanimate materials, which compose the reams of remarkable examples of architectural form in his incredibly long career, the question does still remain: Why is Wright so very popular to this day? Betsky notes that Wright’s autobiography remains one of the most widely read architecturally related books, but also notes that not all students attend Taliesin because of Wright—although some do. He recounts a story of woman who was frustrated by her career path and, after reading Wright’s autobiography, felt compelled to “drop everything” and move to Taliesin. This occurrence is not uncommon, he adds. Wright was a showman, yes, but more endearingly to Betsky, and perhaps more compelling than his penchant for dramatic architectural form was his ability to make intrinsic and extrinsic connections so apparent, and most importantly, so elegantly. Within a work of art,

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the art of organization

literature, music or architecture, he explains, there are very real qualities that can be defined and described. Subjectivity, in a sense, does not exist. The ability to create good architecture is fundamentally important in our society today, as is making good art and literature, but it does not happen by accident. Betsky can show you exactly why Wright was a great architect, as his thoughtful and responsive compositional choices make good architecture, as it does art. “People can say whatever they want [about art],” he says, “but if you look long and hard, it has qualities that you can define, describe and judge; this idea that everything is okay and everything can be art is bullshit.” Betsky leans back in his chair, his concentrated gaze reviewing the room in which we are sitting at Taliesin West. He notes the stretch of proportions and the contrast between the robustness of the structure punctured by delicate glazing, which offers very powerful connection to the desert landscape and valley below. Taliesin is a very active response to the mountain range, and exposes an endearing mode of communication that Betsky and many others connect with to this very day. Wright still communicates with us all, while never uttering a single word. taliesin.edu franklloydwright.org

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Soulful and Sophisticated in Sedona

Adam Golka

Winter Music Festival brings Chamber Music to the Red Rocks

Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Chamber Music Sedona

There’s something mystically wonderful about the euphonious sound of chamber music resounding from the walls of Sedona’s majestic red rocks. It’s indescribable, and a magic that is bringing casual music lovers and serious students alike to Red Rock Country for the Fifth Annual Sedona Winter Music Festival. For six days, Chamber Music Sedona will showcase special events that feature some of the world’s most talented musicians. Participants can attend a gala held at a private home, while students from Sedona and NAU are invited to master classes. The festival will culminate with a concert at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. Among the quartet of fine musicians is Julliard School graduate and Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein, whose performances have intrigued audiences worldwide. He is currently clarinet professor at University of Minnesota.

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Nicholas Canellakis Also featured is cellist Nicholas Canellakis, who has earned acclaim for his command and originality has led him to perform as both a soloist and alongside his duo partner, composer and pianist Michael Brown. The New York Times has described his work as “soulful” and “impassioned.” French violinist Arnaud Sussmann, also a recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, will be the third featured virtuoso. His performances have been described as “hypnotic” and “multi-faceted,” evoking the sounds of vintage recordings.

Arnaud Sussmann

Finally, the talent of award-winning chamber musician, recitalist and soloist Adam Golka will be showcased. His versatility and technique have charmed audiences across the globe. He currently serves as artist-inresidence at the College of the Holy Cross, and made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2010. Don’t miss the sure-to-be phenomenal concert at the Performing Arts Center. Beethoven’s Trio in B-flat Major for Clarinet, Cello and Piano, Opus 11 and Schoenfield’s Trio for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano will be on the program. Limited tickets are also available for the Winter Salon Musicale, to be hosted at a beautiful private home in Sedona, where light hors d’oeuvres and local wine will be served. The Sedona Winter Musical Festival master class schedule, available to northern Arizona students, is available online.

Experience Hear the Sounds Sedona Winter Music Festival January 14 2:30 p.m. Sedona Performing Arts Center 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona $15–$60 928-204-2415 chambermusicsedona.org

Winter Salon Musicale January 11 5:30 p.m. Private Sedona residence, TBA $125 928-204-2415 chambermusicsedona.org

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Writer Amanda Christmann

If classy chassis or sporty speedsters get your blood flowing, January is the month to be in the Valley of the Sun! Some of the nation’s most exciting auto auctions will be putting their finest cars on the blocks this month. The Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction comes to WestWorld Jan. 13 through 21. From rare collector cars to world-class lifestyle events, Barrett-Jackson offers fun on four wheels of every kind! Thousands of bidders will vie for custom trucks, high horsepower muscle cars, collectors and more. The action plays out in front of hundreds of thousands of visitors and more than six million television and digital viewers worldwide. Phoenix is one of four venues visited by this popular auction. Barrett-Jackson also wows crowds in Florida, Connecticut and Las Vegas. Before the roar of engines is silent at WestWorld, Russo and

Steele Automobile Auction begins at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Resort. This thrilling “for the enthusiast” event, held Jan. 17 through 21, will showcase more than 800 cars and trucks in European Sports, American Muscle, Hot Rods, and Customs categories. Russo and Steele is a hometown event. Launched in Scottsdale in 2001, founders Drew and Josephine Alcazar wanted to create a unique experience. They developed the now-famous concept of “Auction in the Round,” providing an all-access, high-energy experience with a ground level arena, and an elevated 360-degree seating platform around the auction stage. It’s fantastic for those looking to get upclose and personal with cars of their dreams. Though it is smaller, Scottsdale will host another thriving automotive marketplace that’s not to be missed Jan. 19 and 20. The Gooding & Company Automobile Auction has brought a refined approach to their show, offering classic

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collector cars from across the eras. The Scottsdale venue is one of three held annually by this Santa Monica-based company. Other markets include Amelia Island, FL and Pebble Beach, CA, and a favorite among classics collectors. Whether you’re in the mood to hit the open road or to tinker under the hood of an antique roadster, don’t miss these auto events!

Experience Russo and Steele Automobile Auction

Jan. 17–21 Talking Stick Resort 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale. See website for cost and schedule. 602-252-2697 russoandsteele.com

Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction Jan. 13–21 WestWorld 16601 N. Pima., Scottsdale. See website for cost and schedule. barrett-jackson.com

Gooding & Co. Classic Car Auction Jan. 17–20 4700 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale See website for cost and schedule. 310-899-1960 goodingco.com

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South of the Outlets next to Swankyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fashion Boutique

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SAM CRUMP

42104 N Venture Dr, Ste D126, Anthem, Arizona 85086 | 623.551.5457 | www.anthemlaw.com January 2018

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Chewy Orange Date Cookies Wintertime in Arizona means citrus trees bursting with fruits and an abundance of dates! Sugared oranges and sweet dates, combined with toasted pecans and oats, make for a perfectly chewy, unexpected cookie that everyone is sure to love!

Ingredients: 2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. sea salt 1 c. oats 1 c. softened grass-fed butter 1 1/2 c. brown sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla 1 tbsp. fresh orange juice 1 tbsp. orange zest 1 c. chopped dates 1 c. toasted pecans 1 c. candied oranges (optional but highly recommended!) Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl and whisk. Set aside. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar with electric mixer until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, juice and zest. Mix well. Add dry ingredients and mix until combined. Add chopped dates, toasted pecans and chopped candied orange. Stir in oats until ingredients are evenly distributed. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and let cool. Chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Notes: Candied orange slices are available at Trader Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, and are absolutely delicious! Drizzle with melted white or regular chocolate chips for a pretty design and extra flavor! kyndraclaire.com

Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

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JOIN US MARCH 8, 2018 FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

tastic

PVCC at Black Mountain 5-8 PM Hands-on Activities 7-10 PM Star Party 5:30-6 PM Presentation of Awards for the STEAMtastic Challenge

R.S.V.P. @

A celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, & Music

paradisevalley.edu/black-mountain/ steamtastic-attendees

PVCC at Black Mountain | 34250 N 60th Street | Scottsdale, AZ 85266 | 602.493.2600 | paradisevalley.edu/black-mountain

Award winning Arizona artist, Lucy Dickens, has created a unique, story-like approach to landscape painting. Dickens discovers the landscape, then transforms it into a narrative pictorial on canvas.

Gallery and Studio, in Carefree, open by appointment and for art events, schedule your visit now!

www.LucyDickensFineArt.com (602) 653-7002

Whileaway, Oil 36x48 $7400

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Her realism is not about reproducing a scene, but rather capturing magical moments. In this regard, she has a gift. She is able to reveal spirit and enable viewers to be parts of the experiences as she makes a special connection with her subject matter and honors its essence - and people respond.â&#x20AC;? Donna Kubiln

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When that craving hits for something chocolate-y, whip up these guilt-free skillets in a matter of minutes to satisfy Fire-grilled lime that sweetchili tooth. I love this recipe because it is glutenshrimp are cradled in a which makes it easier to keep your and refined sugar-free, bed of tangy red cabbage resolutions of eating healthy for the new year! slaw and wrapped in a warm tortilla for a light, yet super satisfying dinner. Make extra, because these mouthwatering shrimp tacos go quickly.

Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

Mini Chocolate Brownie Skillets Ingredients: 1 c. almond flour 1 egg 1/2 c. chocolate chips (I use sugar free) 1/3 c. maple syrup 1/4 c. grass-fed butter or coconut oil 1/2 tsp. baking soda dash salt

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two mini cast iron skillets and set aside. In a small bowl, melt the chocolate chips. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, syrup, and coconut oil or butter. Stir in almond flour, baking soda and salt to wet ingredients. Mix in melted chocolate and pour mixture evenly into two small cast iron skillets. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the edges begin to crack. Carefully serve, as the cast iron stays hot. Chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Notes: Cook for a few minutes less if you like your brownie skillet a little gooey (like me!). If you don't have cast iron skillets, bake in a greased glass custard cup or baking dish. Top with ice cream, whipped cream or whipped coconut cream. kyndraclaire.com

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January 2018

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