Images Arizona November 2020 by Images Arizona Magazine Carefee/Cave Creek Edition

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N ovember 2020

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THE ARIZONA REAL ESTATE MARKET IS HOT

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S SA AN ND DE ER RS SO ON N L L II N NC CO OL LN N

N ovember 2020

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N ovember 2020

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J O I N U S F O R F I R S T T H U R S D AY A R T WA L K MEET TREVOR SWANSON ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 FROM 4 TO 7PM

Trevor Swanson >> Triptych “Royalty” 20 by 56 in “Sonoran Softness” 20 by 56 in “Star in the Thrones” 20 by 56 in Oil on Oxidized Metal

“Quail Lamp” Bryce Pettit, bronze, 31 in tall

“Carefree Backyard” Amy Lay, 40 x 60 in

INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES, HOME FURNISHINGS & ART GALLERY

36889 N. Tom Darlington Dr. Suite B1, Carefree | 480-595-0171 | suebickerdyke.com Hours: Mon. thru Sat. 9am - 5pm AlliedN ovember ASID 2020 imagesar iz ona .c om 9

JOHN BELL Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Tobias Nolan

COMMUNITY EVENTS Writer Joseph J. Airdo

LOCAL FACES Writer Joseph J. Airdo

JASON NAPIER Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer Photography Courtesy of Mark Gardner

SONORAN SQUIRRELS Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Peggy Coleman

COSMIC BROWNIES Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

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N ovember 2020

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PUBLISHER Shelly Spence

MANAGING EDITOR Joseph J. Airdo

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meaghan Hanie

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joseph J. Airdo Sue Kern-Fleischer Kyndra Kelly Shannon Severson

PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Black Brandon Dunham Kyndra Kelly Loralei Lazurek Carl Schultz

ADVERTISING SALES Cooper Langston 480-544-8721 cooper@imagesaz.com

Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221 imagesarizona.com 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 © 2020 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 12

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It is finally that time of the year again when gratitude is at its absolute highest. Autumn wraps around us like a cozy blanket, fueled by various signs of the season that invite happiness and joy into our lives. Simply step outside and bear witness to the stunningly gorgeous yellow, orange, red, purple and brown foliage. Keep a keen ear out for the crunch of those fallen leaves during a morning stroll or the crackle of the bonfire during the evening hours. The scents of cinnamon, cider and sage fill our kitchens and our tastebuds are tantalized by tart cranberry sauce, candied sweet potatoes and pumpkin spice lattes. One of the other sensational signs of the season is the return of the Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour. Now in its 24th year, Arizona’s largest and longest-running artist studio tour takes place during the last two weekends of this month and features 140 exceptionally talented artists — including skilled sculptor and brilliant alchemist Jason Napier, whose whimsical bronze jackrabbit, “Weedeater,” graces the cover of this year’s four-color artist directory. A chronicle of Napier’s fervent life and expressive work can be found in the pages of this month’s issue of Images Arizona, along with a number of other inspirational and uplifting stories about our community’s extraordinary individuals and organizations. We also continue to introduce you to the many bright business owners who not only make our publication possible but also define our community. I am eternally grateful to all of the people who make our community so colorful, vibrant and cohesive — especially this time of the year. The sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the autumn season remind me to be thankful to live among such unsurpassable splendor. They also remind me to be thankful to you, our remarkable readers. I hope that that this month’s issue invites just a little more happiness and joy into your life for which you, too, can be thankful. Cheers! Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221

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CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY + ART

– AARON HENRY JEWELRY– The hallmarks to Aaron Henry jewelry are design integrity, gemstone quality, fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. Each brilliant piece is hand-crafted bringing classical Old World quality to modern design.

[

November 6 - 7

Call for private appointment or come by to meet the designer of Aaron Henry Jewelry.

Grace Renee Gallery 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 85377 Open Daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Open Late Thur.–Sat.until 7 p.m. 480.575.8080

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]

Aaron Henry Designs 18-karat gold with diamonds and fine gemstones. N ovember 2020

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Artist John Bellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest chapter will bring him to Grace Renee Gallery in Carefree for a showing of his paintings that are representations of natural forms with colorful style and midcentury modern influence.

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Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Tobias Nolan

What began with a passion for drawing hot rods as a kid in northern New Jersey eventually led artist John Bell to gigs in some of the most iconic movies of the late 20th and early 21st centuries and jobs at the forefront of video game design.

In Malcolm Gladwell’s landmark book, “Outliers,” the author describes the paths of people who rose to incredible career heights through a combination of dedication to their sphere of expertise and being in the right place at the right time. “Success is not a random act,” Gladwell writes. “It arises out of a predictable and powerful set of circumstances and opportunities.” The career trajectory of artist John Bell fits Gladwell’s theory perfectly. What began with a passion for drawing hot rods as a kid in northern New Jersey eventually led to gigs in some of the most iconic movies of the late 20th and early 21st centuries — earning him an Academy Award nomination and a British Academy of Film and Television Arts award — and jobs at the forefront of video game design. With a wealth of artistic ability, creativity and willingness to venture into new frontiers, Bell’s latest chapter will bring him to Grace Renee Gallery in Carefree for a showing of his paintings that are representations of natural forms with colorful style and midcentury modern influence.

ENJOYMENT AND EXPLORATION

Although Bell lives in Bend, Oregon, his latest artistic endeavor was inspired by an Arizona artist. “I read Ed Mell’s book [‘Beyond the Visible Terrain: The Art of Ed Mell’],” Bell says. “I got inspired to paint by first doing plant drawings. I really love the forms in succulents and cactuses. The lines were architectural and almost automotive. I was doodling line drawings and over three to four years they evolved. The forms just began taking on a life of their own. I decided to try painting them in the spring of 2019.”

Bell took his collection of 2-inch doodles on notebook paper and began enlarging them and experimenting with oil paint — a new medium for him. “I started small — just 10-by-10 inches — and decided I will paint small until I feel more confident,” Bell explains. “Now I have works as large as 20-by-20 inches and will grow from there.” This art was primarily for his own enjoyment and exploration, but Bell has always made a habit of reaching out to those whose work he admires. In this case, he wrote to Mell and was surprised when a call from the legendary Arizona artist turned into a long conversation about all of the things that the two men had in common. When Mell extended an offer for Bell to be part of a show at Ed Mell Gallery in November 2019, the artist could hardly believe it. “For him to invite me to be part of that show just floored me,” Bell says. “It was amazing. I brought two to be hung and two additional paintings. I sold all four the first day. When I returned home, it just started pinging. I was so encouraged that people were responding to my art.”

ARCHITECTURAL AND AUTOMOTIVE

The public appeal of Bell’s talents stretches all the way back to those New Jersey days of his youth when he and his two brothers would beg their dad, a Columbia Records marketing executive, to drive them to the nearest drag racing strip — 45 minutes away. “We fell in love with the cars, the colors and the noise,” Bell says. “I started drawing these cars all the time.”

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Bell began corresponding with Kenny Youngblood, whose artwork was in all of the hot rod magazines at the time. He’d ask questions about design details and techniques and Youngblood would handwrite 5- to 6-page letters back with tips and advice. Soon, Bell and his photography-loving brother were traveling to tracks every weekend to sell his drawings and his brother’s photos — often to the drivers themselves. Bell’s father, Bill, who became a well-known artist himself after retirement from Columbia, had a chance encounter on a business trip to Los Angeles in 1975 that would change his son’s life forever. Bill loved to strike up conversations with just about anyone and was soon telling a fellow bar patron of his young son’s talent for drawing cars. The man suggested that Bill encourage his son to apply for the Transportation Design program at Pasadena’s renowned Art Center College. Bell did just that and was accepted, not quite realizing what a rarefied opportunity he had secured. “On the first day, all the students sat in a big room and we were asked to raise our hands if we were from the U.S., Asia, Europe, Latin America, etc.,” Bell says. “I watched all the hands go up and I’m just some kid from New Jersey while people have come from all over the world to study here.”

DESERT SUN ACADEMY

+ an A STEAM School

FILM AND FREEDOM

After graduation and a couple of years at the General Motors Advanced Concept Studio in Detroit, a conversation with a fellow Art Center College graduate led him back to the West Coast for a job in advanced concepts at Atari in San Jose, California. That move — and more of Bell’s smart letter-writing, which included work samples — eventually led him to jobs at George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic in San Rafael, where he worked on storyboards for “Star Trek IV.” “The Industrial Light and Magic art department at the time was me and three other guys,” he says. “We were concept artists and there were maybe 15–20 people doing the job for the whole industry. The effects were brand new. I got lucky and got into it and stayed for 15 years.”

INSPIRING EXCELLENCE

through engagement, critical thinking & collaboration At Desert Sun Academy, students are inspired to become global leaders. In addition to an A+ STEAM program, all DSA students receive Spanish classes while the internationally recognized French immersion program develops trilingual language skills! Science Wing - Makerspace - STEAM Lab French Immersion K-5 • Spanish Pre-K-6 • Preschool

480.575.2000 www.CCUSD93.org N ovember 2020

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Although John Bell lives in Bend, Oregon, his latest artistic endeavor was inspired by Arizona artist Ed Mell.

Artist John Bellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work on a number of major motion pictures has earned him an Academy Award nomination and a British Academy of Film and Television Arts award for visual effects. Artist John Bellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work on a number of major motion pictures has earned him an Academy Award nomination and a British Academy of Film and Television Arts award for visual effects.

EXPERIENCE

The Art of John Bell

Grace | e7212 im a g e s a rRenee i z o n a . cGallery o m Nov m b e rE.2Ho 02 0Hum

Road #7 | Carefree | 480-575-8080 | gracereneegallery.com

It takes years from concept design to finished film. It’s an art that takes patience, creativity, flexibility and teamwork.

“

The colors I use in my paintings have adapted to the colors I’m living around — the Ponderosa pine and sagebrush. It’s a different thing and it will be exciting to see where it goes. John Bell

One of the highlights of his time at Industrial Light and Magic was working on Robert Zemeckis’ “Back to the Future II” and “Back to the Future III,” on which Bell had quite a bit of freedom to design his futuristic vision that became cultural icons — the hoverboards, street architecture of the fictional town of Hill Valley. “The production designer, Rick Carter, and I hit it off,” Bell says. “My trip to Los Angeles for a couple of weeks’ work turned into several months. Rick told me to give them my take on whatever I found interesting or wanted to focus on, then they would come back to me with specifics for items and elements of the concepts. The chemistry in the studio was just great. We got along famously.” That work earned him an Academy Award nomination and a British Academy of Film and Television Arts award for visual effects. It cemented his role in film history. “To this day, I get letters and emails asking, ‘Do you have any ‘Back to the Future’ artwork you can sell?’” Bell says. “There are fan clubs across the globe. If only I had a little forward vision, I would have gone into the dumpster to grab some of the hoverboards they threw away from the set.” Bell went on to work on the first line of visuals for “The Rocketeer.” He worked on “Jurassic Park” with Carter and Stephen Spielberg, then on “Contact” and “Willow” with George Lucas. He had gigs with Dreamworks for “Antz” and “The Penguins of Madagascar,” did freelance work on “Cars” and Cars 2,” had a stint designing shoes for Nike and

was behind the visual artistry of “Rango” and “Pirates of the Caribbean IV.” His storyboards were even the source of the most dramatic scenes in the Academy Award-winning film “The Revenant.” It’s almost as if Bell has lived a charmed existence, never missing out on being in exactly the right place for the right opportunity — or so it seems. Bell recalls the time he passed up a job working for Pixar on a new type of animation for a movie called “Toy Story.” “I went to visit and was shown around Pixar,” Bell says. “It was all brand new computer graphics and I wasn’t so sure about it. I said, ‘I don’t think I’m interested.’ I shot three toes off my foot with that one mistake. I wish I’d had some forethought.”

LIFE AND LEISURE

After several lifetimes’ worth of great movie industry work experiences, Bell was ready for a more low-key lifestyle. His home in Bend, Oregon provides that. He’s working as a senior concept artist for Sony on a top-secret AAA video game while enjoying the slower pace of life and finding new inspirations for his paintings. He’s also been thinking about partnering with a woodworker to create wall reliefs of his works. “Since we moved up here, the color palette has changed,” Bell says. “The colors I use in my paintings have adapted to the colors I’m living around — the Ponderosa pine and sagebrush. It’s a different thing and it will be exciting to see where it goes.” If the past is any indication of the future, Bell will continue to bring his vibrant ideas to life, rendering the familiar on canvas in colorful new ways. johnbell.studio

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F R O M

D AY

O N

T H E

L I N K S

—

T O

N I G H T

O U T

CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY + ART

All the FOPE collections share an incredible attention to detail and high quality, while the original designs represent an ever-evolving interpretation of Italian style. The Flex’it collections in particular have become a trademark of this brand, with flexible bracelets entirely made of gold thanks to dozens of tiny gold springs.

[

November 20 & 21

Call for private appointment or come by to see this beautiful Italian jewelry.

Grace Renee Gallery 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 85377 Open Daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Open Late Thur.–Sat.until 7 p.m. 480.575.8080

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GraceReneeGallery.com

]

Flexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;it Bracelet with Diamonds 18 karat gold and diamond N ovember 2020

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COMMUNITY

2020 NOVEMBER

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Nov. 6 and 7

AARON HENRY JEWELRY Grace Renee Gallery will welcome the designer of Aaron Henry Jewelry during an event that showcases the brand's brilliant pieces — each of which is hand-crafted, bringing classical Old World quality to modern design. The hallmarks of Aaron Henry Jewelry's lines are design integrity, gemstone quality, fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. Call for a private appointment or come by to meet the designer. Free. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Suite 7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Keep in mind Although Images Arizona magazine has made every effort to publish

Sept. 19–Dec. 5

Oct. 3–Jan. 17

Cision Gallery is hosting a series of

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary

art classes taught by professional

Art shines a light on aspects of the

artists for youth. Made possible

Iranian experience normally hidden

through the support of the Chandler

from the outside world by focusing on

VISION KIDS CLASSES

URBAN MAPPING EXHIBITION

Cultural Foundation, Vision Kids

public and private spaces. Comprised

the most up-to-date information

classes are streamed online via Zoom

of 40 photographs and four video

at press time, some events may be

each Saturday and provide children

installations, the exhibition features

canceled or rescheduled to comply

with the opportunity to create art

the work of 10 essential voices

that represents their own creativity.

in contemporary Iranian art who

with social distancing measures and

Participants develop important

explore the notion of urban space as

other factors associated with the

avenues for self-expression and

a nexus of social communication and

COVID-19 pandemic. Please use

an understanding of the creative

political transformation. $10; youth,

the contact information provided to

process as they learn techniques in a

student and senior discounts available.

variety of media — including pencil,

Wednesday–Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

watercolor, ceramics, photography

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary

and more. Free. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Art, 7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale.

visiongallery.org/vision-kids

480-874-4666; smoca.org

confirm dated details.

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Oct. 3–Jan. 31

BEYOND EXHIBITION

while helping to support local businesses and local creativity — which makes our Arizona culture a better place to live,

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary

work and visit. Begin at any gallery, then

Art presents mother and daughter artists

continue on to other participating galleries.

Barbara Stauffacher Solomon and

Enjoy a diverse display of artistic styles

Nellie King Solomon in their first joint

and mediums, meet the artists, enjoy

exhibition. Both artists were trained as

refreshments and engage in conversation

architects but were never licensed, which

about art and architecture. Free. 4–8 p.m.

might explain the way they establish

See website for participating galleries.

rules, grids or frameworks only to

visitcarefree.com

challenge their very existence. At the heart of the pair’s artistic practice lies the confident ability to think and explore beyond the norm — or beyond the frame. $10; youth, student and senior discounts available. Wednesday–Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Scottsdale Museum of

Nov. 6–10

SCOTTSDALE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL The Scottsdale International Film

Contemporary Art, 7374 E. Second St.,

Festival will pivot to a virtual format

Scottsdale. 480-874-4666; smoca.org

for its 20th annual event, giving moviegoers the opportunity to travel

Oct. 5–Dec. 31

ARTISTS’ BREAKFAST CLUB EXHIBITION In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Valley-based Artists’ Breakfast Club will be featured in a new exhibition by Scottsdale Public Art. The group will celebrate a spirit of community and support among a collection of professional Arizona artists who meet regularly to exchange ideas, learn about the art world and become friends. Participating Artists’ Breakfast Club members created artworks in a variety of mediums — including painting, photography, glass, ceramics, encaustic,

the world and enjoy cinema from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Using innovative technologies, the virtual festival will allow participants to easily build a customized schedule. With a selection of comedies, dramas, documentaries, thrillers and more, audiences are certain to find their niche watching one, several or all of the films in the festival schedule. scottsdalefilmfestival.com

Nov. 6–22

SAY GOODNIGHT, GRACIE Fountain Hills Theater will present its

metal, mixed media and printmaking.

production of “Say Goodnight, Gracie”

In addition to the physical exhibition,

— a hilarious and heart-warming show

all artworks will be included in a

about comedian George Burns who, in

virtual exhibition. Free. See website

limbo, is unable to join his beloved

for hours. Civic Center Public Gallery,

wife Gracie until he gives the

3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale.

performance of his life for God. See

scottsdalepublicart.org

website for prices and times. Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd.,

Nov. 5

Fountain Hills. 480-837-9661; fhtaz.org

CAREFREE ART WALK Stroll, shop, dine and enjoy an evening celebrating the arts in downtown Carefree

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Nov. 6–15

CANAL CONVERGENCE Scottsdale Public Art will expand this year’s Canal Convergence — an event that showcases enchanting, light-based artworks from around the world — beyond the Arizona Canal at the Scottsdale Waterfront to include locations throughout Old Town Scottsdale. Additionally, Scottsdale Arts Learning and Innovation will use augmented reality technology to enhance the experience with a smartphone app, allowing activities like entertainment, workshops, artist talks and public art tours to still be part of this year’s event albeit in a safe, socially distanced way. Free. See website for installation information and locations. canalconvergence.com

Nov. 7

THE STELLA ARTOIS POLO CLASSIC

Nov. 8

MAVIS STAPLES CONCERT

at Fountain Hills Theater since the COVID-19 pandemic closed its doors in March. If indoor seating is still

The Bentley Scottsdale Polo

Grammy Award-winning musician

difficult or prohibited, the show will

Championships will produce a polo

Mavis Staples will perform an

move to the outdoor stage and will be

event with a new focus on social

outdoor concert under the stars.

presented as part of the theater’s drive-

distancing and a key focus to help

Staples is an alchemist of American

in programming. See website for prices

schools, nonprofit organizations

music, having continuously crossed

and times. Fountain Hills Theater,

and charities hit hard by the

genre lines from gospel to soul to rock

11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain

COVID-19 pandemic. The event

'n' roll. $60. 7 p.m. Scottsdale Civic

Hills. 480-837-9661; fhtaz.org

will begin with Arizona Polo Club

Center Amphitheater Stage, 7380 E.

taking on the Brooklands Polo

Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587;

Team. EPR Polo will then introduce

scottsdaleperformingarts.org

the Celebrity Cruises Match Up, supporting Arizona Equine Rescue and Southwest Wildlife. In the final

will be the first indoor production

Nov. 8–22

Nov. 10–12

THE MUSIC MAN Scottsdale Musical Theater Company will present its production of “The

match, Morehouse College Polo Club

FOUR ON THE FLOOR

will take on the Women’s All-Stars

Fountain Hills Theater will present

most beloved musicals that is as

in a “Battle of the Sexes.” $20+.

its production of “Four on the Flour,”

American as apple pie. $42+; student

10:45 a.m.–6 p.m. WestWorld of

the story of four auto mechanics in

and senior discounts available. See

Scottsdale’s Polo Field, 16601 N.

1969 who want to become a rock

website for times. Scottsdale Center

Pima Road, Scottsdale. 480-423-

‘n’ roll band. The high-energy tribute

for the Performing Arts, 7380 Second

1414; thepoloparty.com

musical, which features some of the

St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587;

best rock ‘n’ roll car songs of all time,

scottsdalemusicaltheater.com

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Music Man,” one of Broadway’s

Nov. 12–14

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD CONCERT Arizona Broadway Theatre will pay homage to the most beloved melodies of Hollywood in a concert that features the extraordinary vocal talent of its esteemed stars of the past, present and future. $99.98+. See website for times. Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. 623-776-8400; azbroadway.org

Nov. 12–15

JUNIE B. JONES: THE MUSICAL, JR. Musical Theatre of Anthem will present its production of “Junie B. Jones: The Musical, Jr.,” the story of a young girl’s first day of first grade. $13+. See website for times. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Anthem. 623-336-6001; musicaltheatreofanthem.org

Nov. 12–21

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Desert Foothills Theater will present its production of “The Sound of Music,” a play based on the true story of the Von Trapp Family Singers that captures a personal tale of growth and hope amidst the horrors of World War II. Adults $40; children $25. See website for times. Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, 101 Easy St., Carefree. 480-488-1981; dftheater.org

Nov. 13

LIFE FILLED WITH (STEVIE) WONDER CONCERT Musicians Sandra Bassett, Steven Powell, Beth Lederman, Jon Murray and Alonzo Powell will perform a heartfelt tribute to the music of one of the world’s most beloved songwriters and performers. The group will put its own spin on some of the incredible music that has captivated audiences for decades. $24+. 8 p.m. Virginia G. Piper Theater, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Nov. 13 and 14

PARKING LOT DANCE PROJECT Contemporary dancers from Movement Source Dance Company will explore structure, connection, freedom and celebration through expressive movement in an exhilarating performance. Thought-provoking, rousing movement will be created as dancers explore an outdoor urban setting to live, passionately performed music by Drew Bollmann. Audiences can enjoy viewing the innovative 30-minute performance safely from their car. $39. 7 p.m. Scottsdale Civic Center Parking Garage, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org

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Nov. 20–29

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS Arizona’s largest and longest-running artist studio tour will take place during the last two weekends of November. The Sonoran Arts League’s self-guided tour this year will feature 140 artists at 35 private studios throughout the scenic Desert Foothills communities of Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale. Scottsdale bronze artist Jason Napier’s whimsical jackrabbit “Weedeater” will grace the cover of this year’s popular four-color artist directory. 480-575-6624; hiddeninthehills.org

Nov. 13 and 14

OUR LADY OF JOY CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

Nov. 14

JAKE SHIMABUKURO CONCERT

stamps slam down in synchronized precision and hear the pounding echo against the desert foothills — just as it did more than 140 years

Our Lady’s Guild will host its

Known for his fast and complex

ago. Also on exhibit outdoors on

13th annual Christmas Bazaar.

finger work, ukulele virtuoso Jake

the museum campus are various

The shopping extravaganza will

Shimabukuro will perform music

pieces of equipment from the early

showcase jewelry, photography, a

that combines elements of jazz, blues,

mining days of Arizona and many

pet boutique, fused glass, purses,

funk, rock, bluegrass, classical, folk

agricultural tools used at local

quilts, rock art sculptures, gourd

and flamenco. $35+. 7 p.m. Virginia

farms and ranches. 1 p.m. Cave

art, holiday ornaments and wreaths,

G. Piper Theater, 7380 E. Second

Creek Museum, 6140 E. Skyline

children and doll apparel, imported

St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587;

Drive, Cave Creek. 480-488-2764;

olive oils, woodworking and cutting

scottsdaleperformingarts.org

cavecreekmuseum.org

Nov. 14

boards, beaded wrapped silverware, watercolor paintings, metal yard art, Native American crafts and more.

coffee from the Joyful Grounds Café.

GOLDEN REEF STAMP MILL DEMONSTRATION

Free. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Our Lady of

Arizona’s only fully operational

a virtual fundraiser to support the

Joy Catholic Parish, 36811 N. Pima

ten-stamp ore crushing mill will

nearly 1 million Americans who

Road, Carefree. oloj.org

run an outdoor demonstration at

live with Parkinson’s Disease. The

Cave Creek Museum. Watch history

event will also help educate, inform

come alive as the ten 1,000-pound

and raise spirits of those individuals

The event will also feature sweets and treats, a mini book-nook and

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MOVING DAY VIRTUAL WALK Parkinson’s Foundation will host

whose lives have been touched by the disease. Donate or register your team online to walk in your own community. The virtual fundraiser will also be posted on YouTube for viewing after the event. 10:30 a.m. movingdayphoenix.org

Nov. 15

WITH A SONG IN MY HEART CONCERT Professional entertainer Jan Sandwich will pay tribute to late actress, singer and animal welfare activist Doris Day. $24+. 7:30 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Nov. 20 and 21

FOPE ITALIAN FINE JEWELRY Grace Renee Gallery will showcase the incredible attention to detail and high quality of FOPE Italian Fine Jewelry, whose original designs represent an ever-evolving interpretation of Italian style. Flex’it collections — which have become a trademark of the FOPE brand — feature flexible bracelets entirely made of gold thanks to dozens of tiny gold springs. Call for a private appointment or come by to see these beautiful collections. Free. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Suite 7, Carefree. 480-5758080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 29

CHARLES LEWIS QUARTET CONCERT Pianist Charles Lewis and vocalist Alice Tatum will reunite with their old bandmates for a concert of old and new favorites. $25+. 2 p.m. Virginia G. Piper Theater, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org N ovember 2020

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Dec. 3–5

ANNE SYLVAIN HANDBAGS Fashion designer Patricia Raskin will debut her oneof-a-kind, investment-worthy handbags –– pieces of art to carry every day and for special occasions — at Grace Renee Gallery in Carefree. Along with durability, the naturally occurring beauty of each type of leather pattern is different from bag to bag while the sources that Raskin uses are models of sustainability. Each one is lined with high-quality leather, often in a fun, contrasting color. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Dec. 1

CELEBRATING BEETHOVEN CONCERT Acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Siegel will celebrate the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven with the beloved “Moonlight Sonata” and Sonata op. 110, written after deafness engulfed the legendary composer. $25+. 7:30 p.m. Virginia G. Piper Theater, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Dec. 2

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY CONCERT Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will put a swing in the holiday season with a concert of festive-themed

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favorites. $25+. 7:30 p.m. Virginia G. Piper Theater, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org

CARING CORPS RESTARTS ESSENTIAL SERVICES

CAIT HUBLE TO LEAD SONORAN ARTS LEAGUE Sonoran Arts League has named Cait Huble as its new executive director. Huble — an Army spouse, distance runner and travel enthusiast who lives in Phoenix with her husband and two dogs — spent the last

Foothills Caring Corps has expanded

decade working with nonprofit arts

the qualifying trips for its medical

organizations across the country,

transport program. In addition

primarily focusing on strategic

to trips for dialysis and cancer

planning, programming and

treatment, the program will now

development. She holds a bachelor’s

provide trips for cardiac and crucial

degree in management from Arizona

eye appointments. Meanwhile, the

State University and a Master of

nonprofit organization has also

Business Administration degree from

reintroduced its van transportation

Concordia University - Irvine. 480-

program for select trips for crafting

575-6624; sonoranartsleague.org

and education as well as its handyman program. 480-488-1105; foothillscaringcorps.com

KIMBERLY MARIE JACK TO LEAD KIWANIS Led by newly elected president Kimberly Marie Jack, Kiwanis Club of Carefree aspires to set a new record of support for the community this year. The nonprofit organization is committed to

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creating awareness and recognition of its projects directed toward supporting the area’s children. It has posted banners throughout Carefree and Cave Creek calling attention to Kiwanis activities. In addition to its pancake breakfasts, Kiwanis Club or Carefree has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the community through scholarships, ChromeBook computers and financial support for charities and projects. kiwnaiscarefree.org

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY TO ENRICH COMMUNITY

36600 N. Pima Rd. Suite 104, Carefree, AZ 85377 • 480.887.8888 Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Kendrick Wealth Management is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc

kendrickwm.com

The Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce and The Holland Center have formed a partnership through which they will create the Desert Foothills Leadership Academy. The partnership’s mission is to educate, energize and engage emerging leaders with a goal of enriching community life while responsibly sustaining our natural resources for generations to come. The academy will take place over an 8-month period beginning in January and include both on-site and classroom training in healthcare, tourism, technology, sustainability, innovation, education, land usage/growth, social services, arts, local issues, transportation, Maricopa Association of Governments, leadership training/styles and public safety. desertfoothillsleaders.org

N ovember 2020

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KENDRICK WEALTH MANAGEMENT 36600 N. Pima Road | Suite 104 | Carefree 480-887-8888 | kendrickwm.com Founded by Noah Kendrick, Kendrick Wealth Management delivers comprehensive wealth planning focused on delivering the value of a well-planned financial future. As a private firm, wealth management services are tailored for each client, providing for a highly personalized client experience. Kendrick’s commitment to family and community runs as deep as his desire to serve his clients exceptionally well. Kendrick and his wife Meghan live in Cave Creek with their two children and the family dog. Married for 13 years, the couple enjoys spending time with their family and friends, golfing and most anything outdoors. Kendrick has served in various community leadership roles — including past president of the board of directors for the Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the executive board for the Foothills Community Foundation, as an ongoing supporter of Cave Creek Unified School District’s teacher of the month program and a major contributor to the Ladies of Mirabel Foothills Foodbank Fundraiser. A graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in business management and a graduate certification in financial planning from New York University, Kendrick earned the prestigious CFP® certification — the recognized standard of excellence in personal financial planning. He also obtained the AAMS® designation, recognized by the College for Financial Planning. Prior to Kendrick Wealth Management, Kendrick — who earned his securities license while still in college — spent more than 10 years as an advisor with Edward D. Jones and Co., where he became a limited partner of the firm. One of Kendrick’s favorite quotes comes from football coach Vince Lombardi: “The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”

N ovember 2020

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LE REVE SALON 37555 N. Hum Road | Suite 102 | Carefree | 480-999-0482 | lerevesalonaz.com Lisa owned a salon in Illinois before moving to Cave Creek in 2015 with her husband Jim. She has been a licensed cosmetologist for more than 20 years and now owns Le Reve Salon. One of Lisaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals in opening Le Reve Salon was to gain direct connection with her clients. Clients who call to make an appointment at Le Reve Salon speak directly with Lisa. She also personally provides the service as well as consulting on any products. Lisa also wanted to create a warm, elegant, welcoming and relaxing environment where she and her clients would enjoy spending time getting their best style â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a place they would be proud to recommend to their friends and family. Attentively listening to her clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s input, Lisa delivers the best cut, color and products for their desired results. Also a licensed aesthetician, she never promotes any product that she does not already personally trust, believe in and use.

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THE CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE HEALING AND WELLNESS 37220 Mule Train Road | Carefree | 480-881-5621 | drfabio.com Specializing in adult primary care and integrative cancer care, Dr. Fabio Almeida founded the Center for Integrative Healing and Wellness in 2018. The multiple board-certified, integrative, functional and holistic medicine physician is trained in how to use nutrition, herbal medicines, lifestyle change and advanced cardio-metabolic and functional testing to help clients not only cure and prevent disease but also thrive in today’s fast-paced world. As a concierge, members-only practice, clients receive unparalleled access to Dr. Fabio and his team. Upon joining, clients receive an in-depth diagnostic and preventive view of their health. The Center for Integrative Healing and Wellness team then creates a personalized plan that reflects each client’s individualized lifestyle and goals. The plan is based on the results from advanced diagnostic/metabolic testing, physical examinations and a detailed lifestyle interview. Members have ongoing support, access to exclusive wellness programs and regular check-ins to monitor their health and progress. Membership is perfect for anyone who values their health — including athletes looking to gain an edge, retired executives and busy professionals as well as mothers and fathers in need of convenient, effective care. Dr. Fabio and his team deliver a unique approach to care that incorporates all aspects that affect a client’s health in mind, body and spirit. N ovember 2020

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HEALTH CELLUTIONS 31313 N. Scottsdale Road | Scottsdale | 480-553-9171 | healthcellutions.com Health Cellutions was created by Dr. Brian Thompson to provide relief from chronic pain without prescriptions, painkillers or invasive surgery. Dr. Thompson believes that although conventional medicine has its practical applications, it tends to focus more on the symptoms of the condition rather than addressing the underlying problem. Health Cellutions offers clients innovative technology that reduces inflammation from inside of the body, allowing them to live their lives to the fullest. Customized programs alleviate pain, increase strength, improve metabolism, improve sleep patterns, balance hormones and improve mental clarity Health Cellutions’ inside-out approach focuses on improving a client’s biological age as well as the health and performance of their body. An individual’s biological age reveals how healthy their body is and can also be a predictor of their longevity. Technology is now available that allows Health Cellutions to help its clients achieve optimum fitness, sleep and vitality without overtraining or risk of injury. Health Cellutions’ technology gives clients the benefit of two hours of intense exercise in a 20-minute, low-impact workout that is safe for all ages and lifestyles. Dr. Thompson has made it his life’s mission to help others learn to listen to their bodies and take actions that can promote these natural healing abilities. His passion is to help everyone he touches to thrive and live life large and with love, to create their own space for miracles to occur.

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PROVEN MEDIA 748 Easy Street | Suite 12 | Carefree | 480-221-7995 | proven-media.com Led by Carefree resident Kim Prince, Proven Media is a marketing communications agency serving national and international alternative health companies. The company was recently named among the top five cannabis public relations firms by The New York Observer. The team offers strategic advertising and public relations expertise to privately held and publicly traded companies, with an in-depth understanding of compliance issues. The firm specializes in corporate, investor and stakeholder communications, and has worked with several notable individuals — including former Mexican President Vicente Fox, former NFL pro Ricky Williams, Montel Williams and Dr. Cyril Wecht. Prince has been dubbed a “star maker” for her acclaimed work with emerging cannabis businesses, brands, people and events, and was named a “trendsetter” by Arizona Foothills Magazine. She is the recipient of the Arizona All Star Award from the Phoenix Business Journal and ASU West, and was also named Entrepreneur of the Year. With a heart dedicated to serving her community, Prince has assisted multiple nonprofit organizations — including Career Connectors, Foothills Caring Corps, Desert Foothills Library, Foothills Community Foundation and the Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce. N ovember 2020

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JEREMY MUELLER STATE FARM 23341 N. Pima Road | Suite D139 | Scottsdale | 480-515-5223 | jeremymueller.com 18511 N. Scottsdale Rd | Suite 203 | Scottsdale | 602-388-8382 | northscottsdaleinsurance.com A third-generation State Farm agent, Jeremy Mueller did not fall in love with the insurance industry until his senior year of college. Born and raised in Arizona, Mueller attended Brophy College Preparatory before graduating from Arizona State University. For five years during high school and college, Mueller worked in the hospitality industry at a local hotel. His love for customer service and taking care of the customer comes from the foundation gained during those years. At Jeremy Mueller State Farm, customers are a priority. With a reputation of being a premier home and auto insurance State Farm agency, Jeremy Mueller State Farm’s team always provides prompt, personal and professional service to customers. Jeremy Mueller State Farm’s team strives to offer its customers the best possible combination of service and value. Mueller (from left, office manager Stephanie Wesson, account manager April Eller and executive assistant Leah Vukovic) enjoys his summers in Coronado, California. A third-generation State Farm agent, he has two children – Parker (13) and Hayden (9).

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CAREFREE CONSIGNMENT 100 Easy St., Carefree | 623-888-4452 | carefreeconsignment.com Carefree Consignment is Carefree’s first stop for savvy fashionistas looking for an upscale, guilt-free retail therapy experience. Acting as a showroom for the community, the store showcases high-end, gently used treasures from Carefree, Cave Creek, North Scottsdale, Desert Mountain, The Boulders and other local areas — all in exceptional condition. Carefree Consignment boasts more than 8,000-square-feet of beautifully displayed, high-quality furniture, home décor, art and collectibles. Home to an ever-changing selection, the store also offers great deals on designer clothing, shoes, purses, jewelry and accessories. Owner Victoria Orrico selects pieces in all different styles — including Western, contemporary, designer and sportswear. She places an emphasis on the unusual with great quality and even better prices. As a destination retail establishment, Carefree Consignment has a repeat customer base of environmentally-conscious shoppers, with some frequenting the store as often as four times each week. The store’s staff is dedicated to a local and green shopping experience where senses are satiated and customers receive excellent quality and service.

N ovember 2020

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PRICKLY PEAR PLAZA 6268 E. Cave Creek Road | Cave Creek | 480-488-2616 | pricklypearinnaz.com Prickly Pear Plaza is a meandering, hacienda-style property featuring a dramatic courtyard with umbrella-covered tables and chairs. The home of Prickly Pear Inn, this lovely boutique hotel offers perfectly appointed, oversized rooms with luxurious beds, big-screen televisions, kitchenettes and upscale décor with an elegant western feel. But that is just the beginning when it comes to this charming property. Grumpy Ole Mule Mercantile features unique gifts, home accessories, fabulous artwork and an amazing selection of beer, wine and spirits. Stroll over to Tee Slanger Originals where you will find the cleverest T-shirts that you have ever seen along with creative small wares and gifts. Or give in to temptation and savor homemade ice cream from The City Creamery, where each scoop is served with pure love, happiness and joy. Visit Copper Rose Salon and Spa, a full-service salon that offers the best treatments in town, specializing in hair, skin, nails and body. Or rejuvenate with a specialty coffee from Señor Coffee. Finally, step back in time and take in the stunning views of the famous Black Mountain while enjoying lunch or dinner at Stumblina’s Cantina, an old western-style bar that features a Tombstone inspired menu with tasty margaritas and plenty of Arizona craft beers on tap.

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SUE BICKERDYKE INTERIORS

HOME FURNISHING AND ART GALLERY 36889 N. Tom Darlington Drive | Suite B1 | Carefree | 480-595-0171 | suebickerdyke.com Allied member ASID Sue Bickerdyke Interiors and Home Furnishings is a professional interior design studio, art gallery and home furnishing boutique that specializes in fabrics, color and comfort. Sue specializes in comfortable and elegant interior design. Her projects range from accessorizing a single room to creating an interior from blueprint to furnishings. Every project includes the finestquality custom furniture, accessories and interiors for discriminating buyers. “I believe it’s that final touch that gives a room character … it’s the mix, not the match,” Sue says. “The underlying colors, textures and style create the basic package. But it is the collectible art and artifacts that give a room life and make it personal. They are the bow on the package.” Sue’s passion for the world’s treasures and her instinctive design sensibilities make shopping at Sue Bickerdyke Interiors and Home Furnishings an extraordinary experience. Bringing collectible art and artifacts from around the world, she creates a comfortable, easy, sophisticated look. N ovember 2020

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CAREFREE FLOORS, INC 6718 E. Cave Creek Road | Cave Creek | 480-515-9999 | carefreefloors.com ROC 300727 | ROC 300728 Carefree Floors is the community’s locally owned and operated flooring, counter and bath experts. The company has an award-winning team of installers and supervisors that work together to provide the quality you expect in the time frame you need. From cleaning, repairs and restoration to product sales and installation, Carefree Floors does it all! Visit their showroom in the heart of Cave Creek. Owners Brian and Laurie Kunkel moved from Iowa to Arizona more than 35 years ago and started Kunkel Carpet Cleaning. As the couple became more knowledgeable about floors, their business flourished into Carefree Floors, Inc. Carefree Floors works with excellent designers who can help transcribe your ideas and put them down in tile, stone, hardwood, granite, carpet luxury vinyl and just about any other floor or surface covering you can imagine. With more than 30 years of experience, the company has provided many of the area’s homeowners and best builders with custom flooring/surface designs and installs. In addition to traditional interior flooring, counters and baths, Carefree Floors also have a full range of outdoor tile, stone and natural products that allow its team to make the outside of your home as beautiful as the inside. The team also has extensive experience in surface design — including countertops, facia, wall décor, surrounds and decorative insets.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 02 0

ROC2 7003 E. Cave Creek Road | Cave Creek | 480-488-6060 | roc2.coffee The Roastery of Cave Creek — ROC2 — was started by Dave and Alison Anderson as a boutique operation roasting estate-grown, grower-certified organic coffee. The couple has been providing the best, fresh and local coffee Arizona has to offer since 1997. Sustainability is a cornerstone of ROC2’s operation. Dave and Alison traveled the globe in search of the finest organic coffees from the four major growing regions — Central America, South America, Africa and Indonesia. Through a balance of art and science, ROC2 methodically roasts and cups its coffees. Careful not to under-roast or over-roast, the team seeks to identify the sweet spot where the nuanced flavor profiles of each coffee are revealed. ROC2 applies that same approach to its cold brew and nitro program. ROC2 also works with some of Arizona’s most prominent chefs and luxury resorts. The roastery provides brewing equipment to meet the specific needs of each establishment it serves and services equipment to ensure customers are pouring a memorable cup.

N ovember 2020

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i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 02 0

Jason Napier is a skilled sculptor and brilliant alchemist whose ability to create beautiful bronzes has captured the attention of collectors worldwide.

A self-taught artist, Napier studies his wildlife subjects to make sure the anatomy of each sculpture is correct. He enjoys the challenge of creating work in a variety of sizes. But like his rich, colorful patinas that he creates for each bronze, there’s much more to this masterful artist.

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

On the surface, Jason Napier appears to be like any other artist who is passionate about his work.

Underneath the surface of Napier’s modest, easygoing demeanor, there’s a skilled sculptor and brilliant alchemist whose ability to create beautiful bronzes has captured the attention of collectors worldwide. Lucky for art enthusiasts, Napier is one of 140 artists participating in Arizona’s largest and longestrunning artist studio tour, Hidden in the Hills, during the last two weekends of November. Coordinated by nonprofit organization Sonoran Arts League, this year’s 24th annual, free, self-guided tour takes place at 35 socially-distanced, private studios throughout the scenic Desert Foothills communities of Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale. Not only is this Napier’s first year participating in the popular studio art tour, his whimsical bronze jackrabbit, “Weedeater,” graces the cover of this year’s four-color artist directory.

Ascension - Cool Blue Patina by Jason Napier

“Jason’s contemporary wildlife sculptures are uniquely recognizable, collected and revered around the globe,” says Jane Boggs, a gourd artist and studio host who serves as the event’s co-chair. “We’re thrilled he is participating in Hidden in the Hills, especially since his art is so uplifting. You can’t help but smile when you see his work.”

Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer Photography Courtesy of Mark Gardner N ovember 2020

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

Jason Napier is one of 140 artists participating in Arizona’s largest and longest-running artist studio tour, Hidden in the Hills, during the last two weekends of November.

FASCINATED WITH THE FOUNDRY

Napier, a Scottsdale resident, grew up on the Oregon coast in a small town with several lumber mills. He credits his father — a millwright — with teaching him how to work with his hands. But art was not of interest to him until he got a job in a foundry, thanks in part to his wife, Danielle. “Danielle was my high school sweetheart,” Napier says. “There’s really no me without her. I was chasing her around. When she got a job at an art gallery, I took a job in the foundry below. We were just teenagers, and I started out by sweeping the floor and helping to pour bronze. Eventually, we came up with the idea of conducting tours of both the foundry and the art gallery. That opened a lot of doors for us.” Napier became fascinated with bronzes and worked every job in the foundry. He began sculpting wildlife, a subject he loved since he was a child. But his true aha moment came when he learned how to create patinas.

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JUDY BRUCE

Mixed Media

480-437-9995

7162 E. Stevens Rd. Cave Creek judybruceart.com

Lucy Dickens Fine Art LucyDickensFineArt.com - 602-653-7002

Schedule your private tour today! 602-653-7002 The elements in the environment—every flower, animal, cloud—they, without question, bend gently toward the light. So do I. It’s with this notion that I collaborate with my environment to bring these spectacular scenes in nature to canvas. They say ‘every picture tells a story’...I hope to evoke feelings of serenity and grace, to capture beauty, and bring hope. Located in Carefree, Dickens has a beautiful gallery and working studio open by appointment.

N ovember 2020

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE Weedeater by Jason Napier

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“Many people don’t realize what goes into creating patinas for sculpture,” Napier says. “In fact, some people mistakenly think patinas are painted onto the surface. It’s actually a complex process involving chemicals and heat. As an artist, it’s my responsibility to know how the patina will affect color, depth and texture. It becomes even more complicated when I work on small sections of sculpture. I liken them to small canvases.” After the patina is applied, a sealer is applied to the sculpture and a slow oxidation process changes the color. Over the past three decades, Napier has experimented with different patinas, always thinking of how to marry design and color. “My patinas have evolved over the years, just like my work has,” he says. “When I have a vision for a piece, I grab my armature and my hands just know what to do. But I’m always thinking ahead about the patina.” Today, Napier is best known for his fanciful, largerthan-life and table-top sculptures of wildlife. In addition to winning prestigious art awards, he was the 2014 featured artist in the nation’s No. 1 ranked arts festival, La Quinta Arts Festival in California. Napier’s private and public installations feature everything from an astonishing bronze sculpture bench of two ring-necked pheasants set in Michigan’s Tapper Gardens to beautiful huskies outside a Watertown Hotel in the UW (University of Washington) District to a lifesize stallion on a prized cattle ranch in the Alberta Foothills of Canada.

N ovember 2020

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

Jason Napier’s whimsical bronze jackrabbit, “Weedeater,” graces the cover of Hidden in the Hills’ four-color artist directory.

A self-taught artist, Jason Napier studies his wildlife subjects to make sure the anatomy of each sculpture is correct.

‘WEEDEATER’ WINS HEARTS

Like many of his sculptures, nature inspired Napier to create “Weedeater” — a whimsical bronze jackrabbit that graces the cover of this year’s Hidden in the Hills artist directory. “Danielle and I were hiking up Granite Mountain when we saw what we thought was a coyote,” Napier says. “But as we got closer, we realized that it was a big jackrabbit eating what looked like a dead desert daisy. He had such big ears and long legs that we couldn’t help but laugh. I immediately knew I had to sculpt him.” The artist will showcase medium- and large-sized limited editions of “Weedeater” during Hidden in the Hills. The sculpture was among more than 100 pieces of diverse fine art entries submitted for consideration of the studio tour’s cover art during an online juried selection process. The event’s co-chair and mixed media sculptor/studio host Joanie Wolter says Napier has a distinctive style that exudes motion and expresses the playful spirit of every subject. “We had many wonderful entries, but ‘Weedeater’ won our hearts for this year’s cover art,” Wolter says. Napier, who will exhibit and sell his work at Mark Lewanski’s Glass Studio 12 in Scottsdale, says it is an honor to have his work featured so prominently during the art tour. “Danielle and I were thrilled to learn that ‘Weedeater’ was chosen as this year’s cover art, especially since the Hidden in the Hills artist directory has become a collectible over the years,” Napier says.

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Jewelry Design

480-318-1003

6711 E. Highland Rd. Cave Creek Etsy.com/shop/julieinscottsdale juliegilbertjewelry.com

#34 BETH ZINK STUDIO

"Full Bloom"

480-980-3848

33444 N. 55th St. Cave Creek

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST STUDIO TOUR AND SALE

JULIE GILBERT

beth@bethzinkart.com bethzinkart.com

#20 KAREN O'HANLON

Paper l Mixed Media

Ginger Jar: “The Purple Garden” Kimono: “The Emperor’s Palanquin”

253-951-6198

33444 N. 55th St. Cave Creek

kpohanlonstudio.com irishcharms@msn.com

#20 N ovember 2020

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

Ascension Fiery Red Patina by Jason Napier

A PHOENIX RISING

Napier will also unveil several new pieces during the studio tour, including “Ascension” — a sculpture that depicts the Phoenix, a mythical bird with fiery plumage that lives up to 100 years. His inspiration for the piece came from a close client who is a retired veteran facing daily challenges of living with lifelong injuries and pain. “She shared an amazing story with me about how this mythical bird lives within her and motivates her to rise every morning and continues to renew her strength,” Napier explains. “Capturing the action of this Phoenix rising was crucial in telling this story of inspiration that is applicable to so many.” The patina color had to be dynamic on this symbolic bird and Napier found himself struggling to settle on just one palette. “I knew I had to showcase the bird of fire in striking colors of reds and yellows, but the vision of vibrant blues and greens had a hold on me,” Napier says. “Thus, two patinas were born that are completely different in feeling and I am excited to see how they engage patrons’ reactions.” The Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour will be Napier’s first big art event since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year. “Many of our shows over the summer were canceled,” Napier explains. “So Danielle and I are really looking forward to meeting art tour guests and sharing our passion for beautiful bronzes and uplifting art.” jasonnapier.com

24th Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour 52

EXPERIENCE

Nov. 20–22 and Nov. 27–29 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Private studios throughout Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale Maps and artist directories available online and at Sonoran Arts League’s Center for the Arts im a g e s aE. r i zCave ona.co m Nov e m b eSuite r 2 02144, 0 7100 Creek Road, Cave Creek | Free Admission | 480-575-6624 | hiddeninthehills.org

Laughing Glass Studio

Functional and Sculptural Glass Art

480-488-6070

4944 E. Sawmill Circle, Cave Creek Open by appointment year round! Carole@LaughingGlass.com

#23 MANON DOYLE Jewelry Design

480-818-3803

4944 E. Sawmill Circle Cave Creek sistersofthesun.com

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST STUDIO TOUR AND SALE

CAROLE PERRY & DON CARROLL

#23 NANCY PENDLETON

Mixed Media

602-999-8031

6233 E. Almeda Court Cave Creek NancyPendleton.com pendletonstudio@yahoo.com Also Represented by Wilde Meyer Galleries

#10 N ovember 2020

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Patricia Raskin founded her handbag company, Anne Sylvain, to create one-of-a-kind, investment-worthy bags –– pieces of art to carry every day and for special occasions.

Until the 17th century, clothing did not have pockets. Men and women alike carried small bags or pouches — often attached to their waists — that were decorative and communicated the status of the wearer, much like jewelry. For women, handbags are also the story of independence and progress. Their use grew in frequency as women began to venture out into the world without personal escorts. Today, the handbag is an accessory that most women carry, many as a very personal style statement. The color, material, texture, stitching and fastening materials all contribute to the look and value. However, there does tend to be a sameness, even among the most well-known luxury brands. The challenge arises to find something stylish, durable and uncommonly beautiful. Seattle’s Patricia Raskin founded her handbag company, Anne Sylvain, to create one-of-a-kind, investment-worthy bags –– pieces of art to carry every day and for special occasions. She also makes belts, wallets and home accessories. Raskin’s pieces will make their Arizona debut next month at Grace Renee Gallery in Carefree.

ARTISTIC PURSUITS

While Raskin sold her first bag in 2012, the origin story of this refined brand began partly out of necessity. “As a successful professional, I had the income to spend on what I wanted, but I wasn’t finding what I was looking for in a beautiful handbag,” Raskin says. “There are so many attractive bags, but I was frustrated by the homogeneity and relatively poor quality of what was available — even at very high prices. “To invest in a beautiful handbag, I wanted something that’s truly unique; I didn’t want to walk into a room carrying the same bag as so many others. I was also tired of spending a lot of money on a bag, only to have it fall apart in a year. I love beautiful things and I’ve always been hugely focused on quality in the things that I buy and the things that I bring into my life — whether that’s art, fashion, furniture or relationships.”

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Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Jeff Beck

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Patricia Raskinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pieces will make their Arizona debut next month at Grace Renee Gallery in Carefree.

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I love beautiful things and I’ve always been hugely focused on quality in the things that I buy and the things that I bring into my life — whether that’s art, fashion, furniture or relationships. Patricia Raskin

At first, it might seem unexpected for a successful intellectual property and business attorney to leave her law practice for a career in designer fashion. But Raskin says artistic pursuits come naturally to her. “I’ve been an artist since I was a kid,” Raskin explains. “Making art has always been a big part of my life. My grandmother, Anne Raskin — who is the ‘Anne’ part of my business name — was a prolific artist. She had a heavy influence on me and my art.” Anne Raskin was a painter and sculptor whose work was exhibited in galleries and museums across the United States. The other part of the name, Sylvain, is a nod to her grandfather, Silvan Galpern, a Manhattan lawyer and entrepreneur who instilled in her that concept of looking for — and now producing — work of utmost quality. “I remember, from a really young age, traveling with my mom to visit my grandfather in New York City,” Raskin says. “We would go out shopping together and he and my mom taught me a lot about quality and examining things for quality. We all carry bags and wallets every day. We want things to last, but also to be beautiful. When I founded Anne Sylvain,

I wanted to create something of quality that is not only beautiful and unique, but also premier quality crafted to last forever.”

THE BUSINESS OF FASHION

Raskin began her new venture by sketching out designs and extensively researching materials and sourcing. She flew all over the country and contracted with various potential manufacturers to produce samples in quantity as one-offs were not a possibility. All the while, she was assessing not just quality of product but also of potential business associates. “Everywhere I went, people told me different things,” she says. “I learned a lot about how integrity and the lack of integrity plays out in the business of fashion.” After a few years, she found a thirdgeneration, family-owned workshop that fit all of her requirements. With fewer than 20 highly-skilled employees, the company crafts every item by hand — one piece at a time — in an extremely time-intensive process. Their services were in such high demand by some of the best-known, domestically manufactured brands that Raskin soon realized that it was they who chose her.

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Artistic pursuits come naturally to Patricia Raskin, who left her job as a successful intellectual property and business attorney for a career in designer fashion.

“I wanted to support American manufacturing,” she says. “I wanted to be close enough to my manufacturing source that I could monitor quality, know who was making my bags, understand how those workers were treated and to produce the product in a way that aligns with my own personal dedication to quality and sustainability.” The extremely high-value materials that Raskin decided upon using would make her grandfather proud. While she didn’t at first envision using alligator, ostrich and python, these are the materials that will last a lifetime. Along with durability, the naturally occurring beauty of each type of leather pattern is different from bag to bag. “One of the differentiating factors of Anne Sylvain is that we use high-quality, unusual, sustainably-focused sources,” Raskin explains. “I focus almost exclusively on leathers that are hand-finished in an artisanal way. For example, many of my leathers are hand-painted; some are hand-buffed. They are pieces of art even before they are made into a handbag.”

MODELS OF SUSTAINABILITY

The sources that Raskin uses are models of sustainability: alligator from the southeastern U.S., ostrich from South Africa, python primarily hand-finished in Spain and lamb leather from the U.S. All leather suppliers have been researched to ensure their commitment to best sustainability and quality. Then the finishes come into play: American alligator, so valuable that it is sold by the centimeter, shows off its unmistakable, mirrored finish or is carefully sanded to create a sueded effect; the raised pattern of ostrich leather; and python enhanced by artisans with painstaking precision.

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Patricia Raskin’s company’s name, Anne Sylvain, is a nod to her grandmother Anne — a prolific artist — and her grandfather Silvan — a Manhattan lawyer and entrepreneur.

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Patricia Raskin believes that part of the fun of being a handbag designer is the privilege of creating something that makes people happy.

EXPERIENCE

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“My Spanish python suppliers are renowned for their special finishes,” Raskin says. “For example, they hand-paint with gold to augment the natural beauty in the leather, which is in itself a piece of art. Sometimes I want to frame what comes into my studio and not make a bag from it; just put a frame around it and hang it on the wall.” As one might imagine, what is inside the bag is just as important to the Anne Sylvain brand as what’s on the outside. Each one is lined with high-quality leather, often in a fun, contrasting color. “It’s really important to me that the inside of the bag be beautiful for the woman who carries it,” Raskin says. “When you look inside and you see that beautiful, colored interior, it’s something just for you. When clients order bespoke bags, they may have their initials or favorite numbers stamped inside. All of that creates an experience of a luxury bag that you can’t find when just purchasing one from a store.” Bespoke bags are in huge demand. Raskin works directly with the client to help them select from a rainbow of interior and exterior colors and textures. Many of her brand devotees own more Anne Sylvain handbags than Raskin herself. It’s indicative not just of the product’s quality, but of the personal relationships she has built with her patrons. “I’m so blessed to have these women in my life,” Raskin says. “They’re like-minded, artistically focused and quality-focused. Their personal styles differ from San Francisco to Boston or Texas to Wisconsin, but they all appreciate the details and what goes into each bag, artistically. Part of the fun of being a handbag designer is the privilege of creating something that makes people happy.” annesylvain.com N ovember 2020

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo

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If this year has taught us anything, it would be that we should expect the unexpected. Who would have guessed back at the beginning of 2020 that stay-at-home orders, face coverings and routine temperature checks would become some of the most key characteristics of our day-to-day lives? Or that stocking up on toilet paper would become an activity to which we could all relate? Over the course of the past eight months, we have learned that preparing for all of life’s unexpected occurrences is absolutely essential to our survival as a species — a lesson that squirrels aced long before we humans ever even walked this planet. Just as we frantically emptied supermarket shelves of toilet paper this past spring, squirrels spend each autumn searching high and low for food and then hiding it so that they and their families have proper rations during cooler winter months when food is far more scarce. Although Harris’ antelope squirrels — commonly mistaken for chipmunks — are active year-round, Arizona’s other three varieties (rock squirrels, round-tailed squirrels and Arizona gray squirrels) either hibernate or at least retreat to their burrows in the winter.

Eating some combination of green vegetation, cactus, wildflowers, seeds, mesquite beans, insects and occasionally mice, our state’s squirrels take proper provisions to ensure they get through whatever the world throws at them. Photographer Peggy Coleman, whose image of a round-tailed squirrel was featured in Arizona Game and Fish Department’s 2016 wildlife calendar, knows that ample preparation is just one of many lessons that we can learn from squirrels, though. “With all wildlife — but especially squirrels — my favorite observation is behavior,” Coleman says. “I love to see how they interact with other critters and animals. Their antics bring so much happiness and joy. I especially love seeing how they interact with their young. They are very caring.” Coleman’s autumnal squirrel photography featured in Images Arizona’s photo essay this month is meant to encourage much more than just ample preparation. It is also meant to encourage more caring behavior that brings happiness and joy to our community. We hope that these Sonoran squirrels serve as much a sign of the giving fall season as they do a reminder that we are all in this together.

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ARIZONA GRAY SQUIRREL By this time of the year, squirrels are starting to go underground a bit. But, for the most part, autumn is the best time to photograph them because of the light. I am sure that the climate has something to do with that but, without a doubt, October, November and December are wonderful months to get out and photograph any kind of wildlife in Arizona. Peggy Coleman

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Squirrels require a little bit more effort to get a good balance of light and shadow because their positioning will sometimes pick up deeper shadows. Peggy Coleman

ROCK SQUIRREL

SPREADING THE JOY Peggy Coleman’s favorite aspect of photography is sharing her work with the world. “I love the joy that wildlife photography brings to others,” she explains. “There are so many of us who are homebound or cannot get out and look at nature. The variety of wildlife that you see worldwide — but especially here in Arizona — is staggering. The opportunity to share my work and then see people's reactions to it is definitely the most fun part of photography.” Ten years ago, Coleman founded Birding Arizona and the Southwest — a Facebook group dedicated to bird photography, birding education, information and enjoyment that she continues to oversee and administer. The group quickly grew from a humble 30–40 members to a respectable 500 members. Today, the group consists of more than 16,000 members. In 2014, the photographer encountered a green heron playing around on a log and fishing. The bird went down into the water and spread its wings, at which time Coleman quickly snapped a photo. “That split-second shot has now traveled the world more than a million times,” says Coleman, noting the photo earned a National Audubon Society award in 2015. “It has inspired artists for paintings, sculptures, tattoos, sketches, sidewalk art, jewels, blankets and quilts. I still get e-mails years later. It is really a fun gift for that to be out there circulating the world.” N ovember 2020

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ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER Peggy Coleman first became interested in photography while in high school, where she was voted most likely to succeed with aspirations to become the next Barbara Walters. However, she got married and started a family shortly after graduation and put the camera on the shelf where it continued to sit as she pursued a career as a mortgage loan originator. The advent of digital photography rekindled Coleman’s interest in the artistic medium, prompting her to explore Arizona in search of wildlife to capture on camera. The Northwest Glendale resident estimates that it was about 15 years ago that she fell in love with nature — especially birds — but has trouble remembering exactly when that love affair began. “When you are so much in the thick of something, it just sort of wraps around you like a blanket,” Coleman explains. “It is just something that you always have with you.” She recalls walking the trails at Desert Botanical Garden and coming upon a cactus wren. For just one brief moment, she snapped a photograph of the bird looking upward. When she arrived back home and looked and the shot, she was overtaken with inspiration. “I knew that I had found my love, my interest and my passion,” Coleman says. pegcoleman.com

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ROUND-TAILED SQUIRREL I love round-tailed squirrels. Even though they are one of the more common squirrels that we have here in Arizona, they are so cute the way they climb trees and care for their young. They are more acclimated to people, which can be a negative for wildlife because that puts them in the danger zone. But it is terrific to be able to get relatively close â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with safety and respect â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and photograph them. Peggy Coleman N ovember 2020

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HARRIS' ANTELOPE SQUIRREL

I love habitat shots. I love seeing them when they are at work in their own habitat â&#x20AC;&#x201D; whether it is cactus or woodlands or autumn leaves, which are wonderful backdrops to squirrels. Peggy Coleman

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With all wildlife â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but especially squirrels â&#x20AC;&#x201D; my favorite observation is behavior. I love to see how they interact with other critters and animals. Their antics bring so much happiness and joy. I especially love seeing how they interact with their young. They are very caring. Peggy Coleman

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Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Alexi Rose Productions

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In the competitive restaurant industry, it’s not enough to just serve up expertly crafted meals with a smile. Diners are looking for the full experience. This includes a healthy portion of ambiance — an environment that builds anticipation from the moment one arrives, exciting the senses from the front door to the last bite of dessert.

of food, the service and the overall attitude. It is an absolute privilege for us to receive guests.”

As patrons are just beginning to return to in-person dining, the pressure is on for establishments to stand out from the crowd.

“We wanted to make sure that, as a restaurant, we honored the history, architecture and historical contribution of the building,” Stone explains. “The cornerstone is still visible from the patio and what stands now was constructed from the bones of the 1893 church. Our task was to keep and capture the authentic roots while converting it into what we needed for a restaurant.”

Taco Guild in Phoenix has gained national attention for both its award-winning, upscale menu and unusual setting. The restaurant is located inside of a former Methodist Church whose cornerstone dates to 1893, though the current building was completed in the 1950s. Just like its brick and mortar exterior, the restaurant itself is standing the test of time.

EXPERT RENOVATION AND REUSE

During the recent temporary shut-down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Taco Guild’s owner Michael Stone took the opportunity to enhance the restaurant’s interior aesthetically and mechanically while keeping health guidelines in mind. He also brought back some star performers in the kitchen and dining room. “We are committed to serving our guests even better than before,” Stone says. “We still offer takeout and delivery, but the Taco Guild experience truly happens inside the four walls. Our building is aesthetically pleasing, but our staying power comes from the quality

That dedication to the full experience is grounded in the well-preserved location that showcases expert renovation and reuse.

It has been an adventure to own and maintain a place with so much history. The stained glass and original beamed ceilings remain. The old doors have been reconditioned and repurposed. Even some of the pews are used for indoor seating while the bell tower still stands as well, beckoning one and all to gather in a new way. “Every single team member takes a ton of pride in the building,” Stone says. “They all know the history and can tour the customers around. Everyone has a story they like to share.”

NEW DISCOVERIES

Every once in a while, new discoveries are made — or unearthed, as is the case with a time capsule. Some of the photos and documents inside are now displayed on the restaurant’s walls. The early church registry —

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found when the church’s safe was opened — lists the names of Arizona’s historically significant Osborn family, after whom Osborn Road was named.

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The most recent discovery is that of a chancel window, named in original plans as “The Reward Crown of the Faithful.” One of two, it was previously believed to be lost. “As I was sitting at a high-top table, the sun hit one of the high attic windows at the back of our kitchen at just the right angle,” Stone says. “The window had been blacked out. We found the documentation about it, restored it and moved it to the forefront to be on prominent display. We have it lit up and I always point it out.” The other chancel window has yet to be found. The church was officially decommissioned many years ago, but Stone says he still has customers who come to eat and say they used to attend church or were married there. “Everyone has been thrilled about what we’ve done with the building,” Stone says. “We wanted to make sure that, as a restaurant, we honored the history, architecture and historical contribution of our location.”

THE ‘WOW’ FACTOR

Taco Guild’s story began with real estate developer David Wetta, who was alerted to the property before it ever came on the market. The Bethel United Methodist Church had a dramatic drop in membership and was looking to sell.

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“At first, I didn’t see the adaptive reuse opportunities,” Wetta says. “It was a great piece of real estate. When we looked at what we would build with a clean slate, the square footage was the same as what was already there and new codes would shrink what we could build. That’s where the fun started. The more we looked at it, the more we determined it was reusable. It was fate.”

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Wetta adds that the simplicity and size of the church building made it perfect for use as a restaurant. He enlisted the help of architect Mike Rumpeltin. “Mike is the best architect with the vision to execute adaptive reuse on this smaller scale, which is more complicated,” Wetta says. “Taco Guild really has the ‘wow [factor]’ and it was so fun to see people’s reactions when it first opened. They’d never seen anything like it. Churches that became restaurants

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do exist around the country, but not many. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to do it here in Phoenix. It’s pretty special.” Rumpeltin was excited to take on the project with an eye toward preserving what he could. Inside the church, removing acoustical tile revealed wood trusses that now add to the ambiance. To keep those, rigid insulation had to be added to the building’s exterior. The orientation of the building was changed so that the front entrance now faces the parking lot instead of the street. The original foyer is used as a private dining room. “We added a big chandelier inside and the original concept was to lower it each night at happy hour and have a lighting ceremony with real candles,” Rumpeltin says. “We thought it was a great idea but the fire department said, ‘no way.’”

CREATING COMMUNITY

The “guild” theme of Taco Guild is drawn from the idea of the restaurant and its patrons being part of a society that treasures its history. “People photograph themselves in front of the framed photos on the wall,” Rumpeltin says. “It’s the most rewarding thing to sit quietly at a table, watching people enjoying the space. It’s great to see the eclectic group that is drawn to the comfort and hospitality at Taco Guild. It’s about creating community.” As for the future of Taco Guild, Stone remains a champion of the next phase and foresees many more years of serving appreciative diners. He’s even on the lookout to expand in the Phoenix market someday — but the location will have to be just right. “We’d like to find another architectural location that will fit our brand,” Stone says. “We can’t just go into a strip center or generic facility. We have strong brand recognition that has been an anchor in the growth of the Seventh Street culinary scene and we want to continue that in future locations.” Taco Guild 546 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix 602-264-4143 tacoguild.com

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David Court, who has held the executive director position at Desert Foothills Library since August 2010, will retire this fall after a full decade of serving the nonprofit organization and creating what has most definitely become an indispensable resource for the community.

Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Scott Baxter

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Much of David Court’s work before he became executive director of Desert Foothills Library involved managing shopping malls in the U.K., which at first appears to be quite the stretch from anything having to do with a traditional library. However, Desert Foothills Library is anything but a traditional library. “The skills that are required to run a team that will run a shopping mall are very similar to the skills that I brought to the library,” Court explains. “We make people feel welcome. It does not matter who they are. It could be a business owner or a homeless guy.” Court, who has held the executive director position since August 2010, will retire this fall after a full decade of serving the nonprofit organization and creating what has most definitely become an indispensable resource for the community. Robert Hindle, president of the library’s board of directors, says that Court is — in a sense — irreplaceable. However, he and the rest of the board understands his desire to retire. “David Court has done an excellent job leading the Desert Foothills Library for the past decade,” Hindle says. “[He] has been both a visionary and [an] exceptionally effective manager.”

BE BOLD

Court and his wife Deborah immigrated to the United States in 2003. “It was very similar to a lot of people who move here,” Court recalls. “We had been coming here on vacations and got to the point where we thought that we would really like to stay. At the time, I was a partner in a London-based commercial real estate management company. I had been doing that for a long time.” Court was 49 at the time of his move from the South of England. He and his wife wanted a change. “We could work for the rest of our lives doing what we had always done or we could be bold and come here,” Court says. “So that is what we decided to do.”

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While looking for opportunities to regenerate his enjoyment of life and become more involved within the community, Court began volunteering at Desert Foothills Library. He began serving as its executive director in 2010.

Upon arriving in the U.S., Court continued to work as a consultant for the London-based commercial real estate management company. When that came to an end, he picked up a position at Barnes and Noble at Kierland Commons — a job he enjoyed for five years. He later acquired his real estate license here in the U.S., but he did not feel a particular passion for it. While looking for opportunities to regenerate his enjoyment of life and become more involved within the community, Court began volunteering at Desert Foothills Library. He also became a member of the library’s board but later resigned in order to take a position as the library’s circulation desk manager. “In 2010, the former director of the library left and the board asked me to take over as executive director,” Court says. “And I have been there ever since.”

THE ICING ON THE CAKE

As Court prepares to step down from his post, he fondly looks back over the past decade and all that he has been able to accomplish. “With a forward-thinking board and a forward-thinking staff team, we have really been able to change the way the library is operated over the last 10 years,” he says. Court believes that Desert Foothills Library’s 2018 remodel is at the forefront of that change.

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“The board and I and several other people sat down about seven or eight years ago and discussed where the library was going to be in 10 years’ time. At that time, we were a place that had books. We were a typical library. With the advent of digital media — such as e-books — we felt that if we just stood still, we would probably gradually cease to be relevant. So we looked at various options as to how we could address the issue.” Everyone agreed that providing meaningful educational programs for the library’s patrons was not only the best solution to their problem but also a real benefit to the community. However, there were a number of roadblocks in their way — the first being limited parking. “On a fairly common basis, our parking lot was full,” Court says. “Therefore it was very difficult to see how we could have a strategy that would attract more people to the library without creating more parking spaces. That led to our new parking garage through which we added 50 spaces to our existing lot.” Likewise, limited meeting room space was also a concern. So Court helped develop a plan to reconfigure the library by making a small expansion to the north side of the building and using existing space more efficiently. “All of a sudden, we had three fairly decent-sized meeting rooms,” says Court, noting the intention of the project was to provide flexible space. “Everything was put on wheels. We were suddenly able to move fixtures and fittings around so that we could have flexibility within the building.”

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David Court feels fulfilled by the relationships that he has been able to build with all of the people who come into the library â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the patrons, the volunteers, the staff members, the board and especially the donors.

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Court adds that overseeing the renovation is one of his key highlights during his tenure at Desert Foothills Library. Another is witnessing the success of the educational programs that the renovation made possible. “And through all of this, we were still 100% committed to the library,” he says. “We are still basically a library. The provision of all the educational programs is just the icing on the cake. They give more people a reason to come into the building.”

A PEOPLE BUSINESS

Another thing that Court is particularly proud of overseeing over the last 10 years is the addition of four fully qualified librarians who hold Masters in Library Science degrees. “I think it has been a really significant achievement and milestone during my time that we have been able to professionalize the organization,” he explains. “We have specialists in all of the areas that we need within the library — circulation, programming, technical services and youth.” Court adds that he also feels fulfilled by the relationships that he has been able to build with all of the people who come into the library — the patrons, the volunteers, the staff members, the board and especially the donors. “We have really been able to increase our donations to the library during the period that I have been here, which I think comes from the provision of really good service and relationships,” says Court, noting that maintaining those relationships is vital to Desert Foothills Library’s future.

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David Court believes that he could not have accomplished as much as he has at Desert Foothills Library without that support of the community.

“Our library is a people business. If people really trust what you do, that your motives are good, that you believe in an organization and that you have a very moral way of looking at things, then they will support you.” Court adds that he could not have accomplished as much as he has at Desert Foothills Library without that support of the community. “I think the reason they supported me was that they saw that I really believe in the mission of the library and that I believe this organization is extremely important to our community,” he says. After an extensive search this summer, Desert Foothills Library’s board of directors appointed Anne Johnson to succeed Court as the library’s new executive director. Johnson, who has served as deputy director of public services at Austin Public Library in Texas and executive director at West Pittston

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Public Library in Pennsylvania, will commence the position on Sept. 21 with a handover period to ensure continuity of leadership. “I am so excited for the opportunity to work with the board, staff and volunteers to serve the Desert Foothills community,” Johnson says. “I look forward to continuing David’s legacy of focusing on the most important element of library work — the people.” Court believes that his replacement is going to be a great benefit to both Desert Foothills Library and to the community in general. “We have had a huge amount of success over my time here but I think that after 10 years it is good for an organization to see a bit of change,” he says. “Now is a good time for someone new to come in with fresh ideas.” That said, Court wants to make it incredibly clear that although he is stepping down and will give Johnson time and space to find her footing, he has absolutely no intention of stepping away. “When I actually retire, I will be 67,” he says. “There are things that my wife and I want to do, like travel and spend some time visiting family in the U.K. But we are not moving away from the area. We are staying here and I would like to remain involved with the library on a long-term basis in one format or another.” Desert Foothills Library 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek 480-488-2286 dfla.org

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Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Herbert Hitchon

In small town squares across the United States, there is a long-standing tradition of honoring local military veterans with memorials. It’s an important way that a community can show how grateful it is for the sacrifices made by our country’s men and women in uniform. The town of Carefree will now have its own memorial to veterans within Carefree Desert Gardens. The story behind it is one of community, collaboration and renewal of purpose for a young man seeking his Eagle Scout designation. The completed project will be officially dedicated on Veterans Day — Wednesday, Nov. 11 — with programming throughout the day to accommodate social distancing measures. “We have always been a very veteran-friendly town,” says Vice Mayor John Crane, who is a U.S. Navy veteran and former submariner. “We have had Veterans Day programs and Memorial Day ceremonies, but we wanted something that is perpetual and wanted it to come from the community as a grassroots effort. The town was happy to provide the location.”

AN EAGLE SCOUT’S QUEST

While contemplating this project, Crane became aware of Devin Smith — a Cactus Shadows High School senior at the time who was attempting to complete the requirements to earn his Eagle Scout designation.

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Smith is the grandson of an original Carefree resident who is a 41-year Phoenix police officer and Army veteran who served in Okinawa as a “special message-relaying agent.” Smith, who hopes to become a Navy Corpsman and eventually a doctor, was going through a rough patch as he neared the end of his high school education.

Scouts involved in the installation of the flagpole from left Connor Woosley, Keagan Smith, Devin Smith and Christopher Daugherty.

“I had my post-college life planned out, but I was in a major auto accident and a lot of those plans fell through during my senior year,” Smith says. “I had gotten away from my lifelong goal of getting my Eagle Scout designation [and] was just caught up in my personal life. “I totaled my truck the day before high school graduation. I have a tremor in my arm that is genetic and the accident made it ten times worse. I had to make a decision that, once I got my feet back under me, I was going to dedicate myself to completing this goal; not just for my dad or my grandpa, but because it was important to me, personally.” Smith’s portion of the project focused on the flagpole, which bears the U.S. and POW/MIA flags, serving as a beacon to draw visitors to the memorial. He got in touch with local business owner Jason Macke of Flagpole Today, who donated the 20-foot tall pole and flags. Macke lent his expertise to guide Smith’s team of scouts while they installed the flagpole — which is illuminated at night so that the flags are always flying. While the Carefree Veterans Memorial was just one aspect of his Eagle Scout quest, Smith says it has a special meaning to him. “I wanted to do something for veterans because it is a cause close to my heart to honor the men and women who have served our country,” Smith explains. “My grandpa and great-grandpa served. It’s an amazing feeling to drive by and see my flag standing there. This all could have gone much differently. It was in God’s hands the entire time and I’m grateful He allowed this to happen.”

SUPPORT DESPITE SETBACKS

Smith’s work on the flag is just one piece of the larger puzzle of the Carefree Veterans Memorial. Crane asked town resident and U.S. Army veteran Mike Ferrell if he would be willing to lead the project and put together a group of veterans to be a part of it. Ferrell said that he would be proud to be part of the effort and put together a planning committee that

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From left, Carefree Vice Mayor John Crane (a U.S. Navy veteran and former submariner), Eagle Scout Devin Smith and U.S. Army veteran Mike Ferrell prepare for the Nov. 11 dedication of the town's new veterans memorial.

“

This is a really special memorial in a beautiful place and many people have told me they are looking forward to the events this Veterans Day. John Crane

included U.S. Air Force veteran Pratt Ashworth, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Bob Jenkins, U.S. Coast Guard veteran Richard Hartig and U.S. Navy veteran Mike Wold. Several of the men are Ferrell’s fellow members at the American Legion Post 34 in Cave Creek. “We started getting together as a group, visiting websites and looking at veterans memorials in small towns across the United States,” Ferrell says. “We studied construction, materials, the setting and wording on the plaques.” In January, the planning committee ordered 6,000 pounds of stone from Anasazi Stone in Scottsdale and bronze plaques from Bertram Signs and Graphics in Carefree, as well as curbing, benches and pavers. The vertically placed stones will be surrounded on all sides with a paved walkway and benches that visitors can use to sit and enjoy moments of contemplation. Each plaque will face outward, and honors veterans from the different branches of the armed forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Space Force. The group planned to launch a major fundraising campaign in February 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic halted to their plans. “We felt it would be inappropriate to approach small business for donations when they were already experiencing challenges at that time,” Ferrell explains. “We funded it ourselves and figured we would gather funds later, as we could.” As it turns out, the group received donations despite the setback and continues to do so. “The monetary donations from local area businesses and residents were more than we could have imagined at the outset of the project,” Ferrell says. “Without their donations, this project wouldn’t have been possible.”

EXPERIENCE

Crane says the fundraising is 75% of the way finished, all of it through privately funded donations.

“We have received donations not just from Carefree residents, but from all over the area,” he notes. “So many who have served or who have a family member or friend who has served want to be a part of this.

GENEROSITY AND FRIENDSHIP

Crane adds that Carefree Desert Gardens is the perfect place for the memorial. “We have the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona located off Cave Creek Road just north of the 101, but this part of the Valley didn’t have much of anything to recognize our veterans permanently,” he explains. “We are proud to be a part of fulfilling that need. This is a really special memorial in a beautiful place and many people have told me they are looking forward to the events this Veterans Day.” The vice mayor says that he was honored to work with such a dedicated team of volunteers whose involvement, ideas and attention to detail never wavered despite setbacks that were out of their control. Ferrell concurs, adding that one of the things that he enjoyed most was the camaraderie developed between the individuals on the team that put the project together. “This includes the town of Carefree, the Boy Scouts, local merchants donating their time and materials to the project and, of course, the project team members,” Ferrell says. “Their generosity and friendship caused me to have a greater understanding of what it means to be part of a small town and to participate in the efforts to make it a great place to live. I am proud to be a resident of Carefree, Arizona.” carefree.org

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Hidden Garden by Koros Design Photo by Koros Design

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

This year has seen several situations and incidents that have torn us apart from one another to a degree that our world has never experienced. Between social distancing, racial tensions and political discord, the divisions appear to be as insurmountable as they are innumerable. Scottsdale Public Art hopes to heal some of those divisions by showcasing several enchanting, light-based works of artists from four U.S. states and three foreign countries that offer the public a way to reconnect with themselves, their neighbors and their urban and natural environments. “We want to explore how to use art as a forum to come together in a time when humankind is divided both physically and ideologically due to the COVID-19 pandemic and political, social, economic and cultural upheaval,” says Kim Boganey, director of Scottsdale Public Art. Scheduled for Nov. 6–15, Scottsdale Public Art’s Canal Convergence aims to provide an authentic and immersive art experience in and around the Arizona Canal. Now in its seventh year, the free, 10-day experience helps to make Scottsdale a premier destination — using art, water and light in ways that celebrate the arts and boost tourism.

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Thematically titled “Reconnect,” this year’s event aims to find common ground and shared humanity through public art, addressing themes of inclusion, communication, collaboration and community engagement.

BUILDING BRIDGES INSTEAD OF WALLS

Canal Convergence’s public art manager Jennifer Gill says that although the theme works incredibly well given the unique events of 2020, it was actually developed long before this year’s pandemic or upheaval. “At the close of 2019, we felt that the world’s social and political climate was arguably one the most contentious it has been in recent history with subjects like climate change, immigration, gun control and election politics,” Gill explains. “Divides had been created across both the United States and countries around the world.” With Canal Convergence’s opening day occurring three days after the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Scottsdale Public Art officials knew that all of those important issues would be at the forefront of people’s minds. “In a time where it is easier to build both literal and figurative walls between ourselves instead of bridges, Canal Convergence decided to challenge artists to find our collective common ground and offer an inclusive way to reconnect with one another through public art,” Gill says. When the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest occurred, the theme’s significance suddenly skyrocketed. “With everything that is happening now and more to come on the horizon, hopefully, people of all different backgrounds and opinions can come together and enjoy all the ways that art brings us together,” Gill adds. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic also posed a challenge to organizers who had to redesign the event for a socially distanced world. Boganey says that Canal Convergence’s presence at the Scottsdale Waterfront will be minimized in order to ensure patron safety.

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Information Flow by Justin Winters and Walter Productions Rendering by Justin Winters

“Many of the festivities viewers expect when attending Canal Convergence at the Waterfront will not be present this November,” she explains. “Several artworks will still be located on or near the canal, but the rest will be viewable throughout Old Town Scottsdale in order to minimize crowding and allow for safer social distancing.” Additionally, Scottsdale Public Art and Scottsdale Arts Learning and Innovation will use technology to enhance this year’s event with a smartphone app. Activities associated with previous years’ events — including workshops, artist talks and public art tours — will be accessible via augmented reality. Entertainment will still be a part of this year’s Canal Convergence, though. Livestreamed performances will mix with in-person events held at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, where COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place in a controlled environment. “Finally, since we will not have a beer garden this year, it is a great opportunity to partner with retail and restaurants near the artwork locations and drive business to them instead,” Boganey says.

SHAPING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER

Gill says each of this year’s artworks offers different types of experiences to the public as well as unique and meaningful interpretations of the “Reconnect” theme. The COVID-19 pandemic’s influence can be felt through each installation, but it is perhaps most clearly represented through “Together! Responding to COVID-19” — a 32-foot-high light sculpture by OGE Group of Haifa, Israel.

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“Inflatable hands of different sizes, shapes and colors all come together to form a heart, which represents the love and gratitude the artists — as well as many people in Arizona and around the world — feel for those impacted by COVID-19 and the doctors, nurses and first responders who have been on the frontlines fighting this pandemic,” Gill says. Gaston Zahr of OGE Group says that difficult times require big symbols of hope, togetherness and resilience. “The COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matters movement and so many other events are making it clear,” Zahr explains. “We can shape our future only together, with love and empathy, supporting each other, uniting in all our varieties. Nobody is alone. As families, neighborhoods, communities and mankind, we stick together and help each other. That is the underlying message about this artwork.” “Together! Responding to COVID-19” will also be paired with a website where the public can share their stories, gratitude and words of encouragement relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The comments will be presented each night of the installation via augmented reality, allowing the public to reconnect with those who have helped them, their friends and their family through this difficult time. One of the most prominently featured installations is “Massively Distributed” by MASARY Studios of Boston, Massachusetts. Located in three sites around Old Town Scottsdale, the artwork features nightly compositions of audio and video that will be presented on building facades. Gill says “Massively Distributed” will offer the public a chance to reconnect with their city in personal expression. Each piece will be created by members of the public via a web-based app. “People can use the sights and sounds of Scottsdale — which have been collected over the summer and translated into a digital creation platform — and submit their own video art piece to be exhibited during Canal Convergence,” Gill explains. Ryan Edwards of MASARY Studios says the artwork was conceived as a response to our having been forced to be “distributed” throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with gatherings in public places curtailed.

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We want to explore how to use art as a forum to come together in a time when humankind is divided both physically and ideologically due to the COVID-19 pandemic and political, social, economic and cultural upheaval. Kim Boganey

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Kukulkan's Portal by Abram Santa Cruz of Liquid PXL Photo by Abram Santa Cruz

“‘Massively Distributed’ addresses our need to connect with community and with public spaces,” Edwards explains. “We hope the public is surprised by their own city and by their own creativity playing with the sound and visual textures of Scottsdale. “And then, ultimately, we hope the aggregate compositions — the ‘meta-compositions’ of the public’s submitted work — is experienced like a quilt, each piece its own unique statement, stitched meaningfully to a whole, massively experienced.” Our Changing Relationship to Space Other installations featured during this year’s Canal Convergence represent more general interpretations of the “Reconnect” theme. “Fences” by Philadelphia’s Immerge Interactive is a 72-foot-long wall made up of more than 9,000 LED lights. Gill says the artwork reacts to people’s movements as they walk, hop, skip or jump by in a safe and socially distanced manner. “This installation will mirror your motion with colorful lights and continue to do so even after you are gone until the next body comes along,” she explains. “‘Fences’ depicts a more physical representation of ‘Reconnect’ by making you aware of your own body’s movements and the movements around you through light, presenting a different kind of self-awareness.” Nicholas Lavella, president of Immerge Interactive, says the generative patterns created within “Fences” visualize both the current viewers and the history of all those who have visited the space. “These patterns explore how we relate to each other in real-time, drawing connections, shapes and colors through the simple act of movement,” N ovember 2020

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Together! Responding to COVID-19 by OGE Group Rendering by OGE Group

Spectrum (Frame Version) by Olivier Ratsi Rendering by Olivier Ratsi

Lavella explains. “The layered nature of the patterns provides a deeper exploration into the history of the space. Each viewer can have a personal experience while contributing to the overall nature of the work.” Meanwhile, “Across the Divide” is a generative video installation by Phoenix artist Casey Farina that uses projection mapping across multiple windows to produce visual habitats where abstracted human forms reside. Farina says his artwork explores our changing relationship to space over the last nine months. “As the pandemic has continued, I have spent an increasing amount of time considering our relationship to living space through a durational lens,” Farina says. “I am asking viewers to consider how the incredibly intricate biological processes influence our everyday experience.” Other installations include “Hidden Garden,” a series of four inflatable light sculptures where artistic flowers wrap around real trees; “Spectrum (Frame Version),” a luminous installation of 20 suspended LED frames that stretch 40 feet across Marshall Way Bridge; and “Kukulkan's Portal,” a light-based, geometric sculpture featuring 10,000 individually programmable LED lights, honoring new discoveries in mathematics and science through its modular design.

SUSTAINABLE SYMBIOSIS WITH THE DIGITAL WORLD

If one thing is for certain, the challenges associated with this year’s incredibly unique circumstances have forced each of Canal Convergence’s artists to think outside the box — especially when it comes to technology.

EXPERIENCE

Canal Convergence: Reconnect i m a g e|s aOld r i z oTown na.com Nov e m b| eSee r 2website 02 0 Scottsdale for installation locations | Free | canalconvergence.com 96Nov. 6–15

That is perhaps best illuminated by “Information Flow,” an interactive light sculpture by Phoenix artist Justin Winters and Walter Productions that represents the hidden digital network of communication surrounding us. Winters says the artwork is an attempt to draw both literal and metaphorical references to the function of technology in our daily lives. “It holds great power to connect people and to make information widely available in an instant, while also being a filtered version of reality that can never truly represent the world with complete accuracy,” Winters explains. “Information is lost in translation, misinformation is widely proliferated and no app can truly replace the experience of one-on-one human interaction.” Winters adds that technology is still an ever-evolving tool, though, and that we have the ability to guide where it goes in the future. “With this artwork, I hope to ignite a spark of interest in the aspects of technology in our lives that lay behind the screens that we use on a daily basis so that the next generation of apps and devices might find ways to return some of the humanity that has been lost along the way. “We are more than the aggregate of our online profiles, and I am optimistic for a future where a healthy, sustainable symbiosis with the digital world can be achieved through human creativity and innovation.” That creativity and innovation has never been illuminated so brightly than through this year’s Canal Convergence, which makes remarkably impressive use of that ever-evolving tool of technology about which Winters speaks. Edwards, whose “Massively Distributed” is largely dependant on its own custom app, says that this year has challenged artists to think differently and to create work that is durable and safe even in the midst of a pandemic. “But as public artists, we are already in that space, for the most part,” he says. “Our work has long been about reconsidering sites — how to think in new ways about the images, textures [and] sounds around us. I think this pandemic is emphasizing how important public art really is — and the artists and presenters who embrace that are really thriving.” canalconvergence.com

N ovember 2020

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Cosmic Brownies Everyone’s favorite childhood brownie is even better when it is baked fresh, from scratch, at home. Plus, these brownies are gluten-free — eliminating most, if not all, of the guilt associated with enjoying such a decadent dessert! Makes: 8-inch-by-8-inch pan

Ingredients: For the Brownies: 1 cup gluten-free flour with xanthan gum 3/4 cup dark cocoa powder (Hershey’s Special Dark) 8 tablespoons butter (melted and cooled) 2 tablespoons coconut or avocado oil 1/8 teaspoon sea salt 3/4 cup white sugar 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 2 eggs (room temperature) For the Frosting: 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/8 teaspoon sea salt

2/3 cup heavy cream Sprinkles (for decorating)

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and line an 8-inch-by8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl, sift flour and cocoa powder together. Add salt, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Mix well. In a small bowl, combine butter, oil, vanilla, corn syrup and eggs. Add to dry ingredients, mixing until completely combined. The batter will be quite thick and smooth Scrape into prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake until just firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, 25–28 minutes. Allow to cool completely in the pan. When brownies are almost cooled, place chocolate chips and sea salt in a medium-size, heatproof bowl, and set aside. Heat heavy cream in a glass measuring cup in the microwave until almost boiling, 1–2 minutes. Pour warm cream over chocolate chips and allow to sit until chocolate begins to melt. Stir until smooth. Allow mixture to cool about 2 minutes before pouring over cooled brownies, still in the pan, in an even layer. Scatter sprinkles over chocolate layer and let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then refrigerate until firm, about another 30 minutes. Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

kyndraclaire.com

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Remove from refrigerator and lift brownies out of the pan. Place on a cutting board and, using a knife run under hot water, cut into desired amount. Enjoy!

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