marin living june 2023

DESIGN&DOMAIN

Copywriting Photography

EVERY DETAIL IS CONSIDERED AND TAKEN CARE OF

“Jennifer and Elliott and their team are the best! Every detail is considered and taken care of. Their knowledge and experience resulted in an exceptional selling experience. You never feel like another client, you always feel like a friend. I have no doubt the same will be true as they help us find our new home.”

- Marianne Wallace

The value of our business is measured in the quality of the relationships we build.

Jessica Cline CEO

jessica@marinlivingmagazine.com

707.302.0850

Dina Grant Advertising Director dina@marinlivingmagazine.com

707.238.2030

ADVERTISING

Wine Country Advertising Consultant Chet Klingensmith chet@marinlivingmagazine.com

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Hawaii Region Advertising Consultant Meredith Low meredith@marinlivingmagazine.com

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Advertising Consultant

Kim McGinnis kim@marinlivingmagazine.com

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Advertising Consultant

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Casey Gillespie

Creative Director

casey@marinlivingmagazine.com

Daniel Jewett

Executive Editor

dan@marinlivingmagazine.com

EDITORIAL

Associate Editor

Caitlin Hamer

Contributing Designers

Roberto Avalos, Jamie Bankston, Madeleine Hannes, Kathryn Saffell

Contributing Writers

Eva Hagberg, Casey Hatfield-Chiotti, Annie Geiser, Amber Turpin

Copy Editor

Cynthia Rubin

Contributing Photographer

Paul Dyer

Client Services Manager

Lauren Winsett lauren@marinlivingmagazine.com

415.300.0908

Mailing Address Marin Living PO Box 2104 Mill Valley, CA 94941

Office phone: 707.302.0850

Editorial or Press Inquiries casey@marinlivingmagazine.com,  dan@marinlivingmagazine.com

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june 2023

going places.

70 land & sea.

Electric-boat chargers are making inroads at Clipper Yacht Harbor.

72 voyager.

marin.

16 news.

Pride celebrations galore; Stern Grove and Napa Valley festivals; S.F. Design Week; and much more.

28 local splurges. Elegant, colorful and comfortable chairs are always in style.

30 local getaways. We return to Sonoma Plaza to discover all that is new.

34 eat & drink. A place where learning about the lastest appliance technology comes with a gourmet meal.

36 take note.

At a special UCSF lab, psychedelics are being studied as a treatment for depression and other issues.

38 game changers. This company is turning blank walls into pictuesque paroramics.

Rediscover Santa Fe as a lively designdriven destination.

78 about last night.

Celebrating Groundbreaking Women and a new Veronica Beard boutique.

80 drawn together.

Cartoons, graphic novels and zines come to life in real time.

from the team.

12 from the ceo.

14 from the creative director.

Clockwise from left: courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection; courtesy of JAK W; courtesy of Crate and Barrel

We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who made our “Pups on the Plaza” dog adoption event a huge success. Thanks to your support, 12 dogs found their forever homes, and seven found foster families. Your contribution was priceless, and we couldn’t have done it without you. We would also like to thank the many volunteers, friends, our team and Compass colleagues who worked tirelessly to make the event a huge success. This event was not just about finding homes for dogs; it was a demonstration of love, kindness, and compassion. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all.

features.

40

Beginning Again

Ceramicist Erin Hupp is the quietly famous artist you are probably already obsessed with.

44

Designing Dreams

A historic Ross property is transformed into a whimsical vintage revival project.

50

The Mirror Has Two Faces

Get to know the stunning work of local architecture icon John Marsh Davis.

DESIGN&DOMAIN

On the Cover

Barbour Residence, Kentfield, 1965 — from the recently published Design Legacy of John Marsh Davis: Early Career Wood Expressionism, 1961-1979 (Oscar Riera Ojeda Publishers Limited, © 2023). Image reproduced with permission from the publisher. Photo by Bruce Damonte Photography.

Paul Dyer

Client Perspective

Why did you hire Cassie?

Dave: I was dating, but it never worked out well. I was looking for the love of my life, albeit a rather ambitious goal, and I was not finding the type of woman that I wanted. I was tired of being lonely and frustrated with dating. I remember thinking that I use consultants, experts and coaches in my business life, so why not use an expert in my personal life?

What did you get out of hiring Cassie?

Dave: After interviewing me to determine who I am and what I wanted, Cassie and I began our journey of finding the right partner for me. What I appreciated about Cassie is her direct and honest approach. She listens well and offers solid advice and direction. She is creative in her approach and is available. I never felt alone in the process. She introduced me to great women, and within months, I met Sarah and hit my ambitious goal of finding the right partner. It has been over a year, and we are very happy.

Why did you take Dave on as a client?

Cassie: It was all about Dave’s determination and positive attitude. Dave was serious about finding someone. He told me he wanted to date a woman whose lifestyle would meld with his, someone in his age group who lives a healthy lifestyle, has older children, likes to travel and is as equally passionate about finding a partner. Dave was willing to commit to a relationship, but first, he was willing to commit to the process, giving me the time and attention I needed to help him.

Is it different working with men versus women?

Cassie: Surprisingly, no. Men are easily misunderstood. So as with all my male clients, I talked to Dave and listened to him. Men have very specific needs, which align closely with women’s — they want intimacy and a quality partner with whom to share their lives. Men and women can be successful in their social and work lives but may not be successful daters. It’s my job to figure out how my client and I can find success together.

Innovative Match’s Cassie Zampa-Keim and her client Dave tell their stories.

It’s Good to Be Home

I TRAVEL. A LOT. And it makes me love Marin more every time I return. It also makes me love our company more with every trip. “I live in Sausalito — it’s the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge” is my favorite line when asked where I am from. I beam with pride as I describe what the rolling fog pouring over the mountain into the bay not only looks like, but feels like. Karl is powerful and to me it resembles a waterfall pouring over the hills — it feels like you are in the middle of a dream. Something so natural arrives like a beautiful secret that you alone experience. It would take a poet to properly describe it. Even after calling Sausalito home for years now, the experience of living here never loses its charm.

I was talking to a friend the other day and we had a very deep discussion about what it means to be home; “What is home?” was the question, and his answer blew me away. He’s from Venezuela and he grew up in Caracas. The smell of a local baseball field felt like home to him; it reminded him of his childhood, when life wasn’t so complicated and everything was possible. Home isn’t just a physical place, it’s a community, family, friends, sounds, smells; it’s a sense of place where you feel like life makes sense and your heart is pure. It’s a little different for each of us, but what it means to me is the freedom and room to grow and explore the world.

While I am on the topic of home, I have to mention one of my favorite Marin nonprofits, Lifehouse. We recently attended the organization’s annual Great Chefs & Wineries fundraiser and it was everything I remember it being from past years and more. The organization helps those with developmental disabilities hone the skills necessary to create their own independent lives and homes where they can confidently hang their hats. The event was filled with delicious food, wonderful wine, incredible company and, of course, those heartwarming Lifehouse dancers. The pure joy they radiate will bring a smile to my face for months to come.

I know I mention this often, but the importance of gratitude can never be overstated — I’m so thankful for the company culture we’ve built and the freedom it affords us. When I dream about home, I’m always in my apartment in Sausalito. I’m safe and at peace. It’s a magical place to hang my hat.

Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; Katie Ravas For Drew Altizer Photography

Casey (our creative director) and I at Lifehouse’s Great Chefs & Wineries event

Jessica Cline, CEO and Co-Founder

For nearly 40 years, Vanguard Properties has dedicated itself to creating a space in which communication and collaboration act as cornerstones to our business – providing our agents and clients alike with the most up-to-date and innovative luxury service.

Fostering a culture of inclusion and collaboration since day one.

Design for Living

THIS ISSUE — OUR ANNUAL “Design and Domain” issue — is always so much fun to put together. And this one was particularly exciting because I recently discovered a rarely talked about local architect whose structures are dotted all over Marin and Wine Country (more on that in a moment). I was also fascinated to learn that, unsurprisingly, technology is playing a huge part in design these days. And I am not talking about AI (though I have nibbled the cake and I am floating around in that rabbit hole right now, too), but thanks to companies like LiquidView our homes and offices are about to get a serious aesthetic upgrade; read more about it in our Game Changers column (page 38). And Sausalito’s beloved Clipper Yacht Harbor finds itself on the forefront of modernization with the installation of an electricboat charging station. We speak to the owners about what this means for the future of boating in the Bay Area, and how water travel is about to get a lot greener.

Now about that architect. A few months back I was in Rutherford researching one of my local travel features when Joshua Lowell, the general manager at Sullivan Rutherford Estate, pulled out a newly released coffee-table book about John Marsh Davis. The architect was a disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright and an unknowing mentor to another incredibly talented architect, also the book’s author, Hans Baldauf of BCV Architecture + Interiors. To make a long story short — some of Marin’s most exciting residences and Wine Country’s most breathtaking wineries were created by Davis. His signature style is dubbed Organic Architecture and his interpretation of American Craftsman style is visually exhilarating.

It takes the concept of indoor-outdoor living to a whole new level. I dare you to not be in awe of the John Phelps Winery or one of the many single-family residences we get a peek at in the book. “The Mirror Has Two Faces” feature (page 50) delves into Davis’ life and work properly and has lots of photos — if you love design as much as I do, prepare to be awed.

As we head into summer, this year feels a little different than past years. Come June our hills are usually the signature California gold, but as I look out my window everything is as green as it was back in March. While I am a little hesitant to pack all my layers away for summer just yet, I am reveling in the gloriously warmer days, trying to absorb the riot of color from all the wildflowers and making extra trips to the farmers markets to take full advantage of the local bounty. I hope you are enjoying every minute of it, too.

Casey Gillespie Creative Director and Co-Founder

Portrait by Becca Teal Batista; R. Brad Knipstein. Oscar Riera Ojeda Publishers Limited, © 2023. Image reproduced with permission from the publisher.

from the creative director.

Thacher Residence, from the recently published book on architect John Marsh Davis

spotlight marin.

Courtesy of Cast Jewelry

“I’m particularly happy to know that Cast’s artisans are knotting the works by hand, because in craft there is a tradition of skill share, especially with the ancient craft of knotting, and it being handed down generation by generation.”

— WINDY CHIEN

The Woven Knot Pendant from Cast Jewelry’s collaboration with Windy Chien.

News by Caitlin Hamer

Fairfax Pride Crosswalk

The town of Fairfax (www.townof fairfax.org) is celebrating Pride this June with a freshly painted rainbow crosswalk on Broadway. Pride flags will also be hung in the downtown corridor in honor of the month.

Sonoma County Pride

Celebrate Pride all month in Sonoma (www.sonomacountypride.org).

Santa Rosa’s festival and parade are happening June 3, but don’t miss events like Sonoma Raceway’s Out at NASCAR on June 11, Cloverdale’s Open Drag Night on June 17 and more.

Pride Not Prejudice

Sausalito Center for the Arts (www. sausalitocenterforthearts.org) is hosting a multi-exhibit photography and art show in honor of the city’s inaugural Pride celebration. The exhibition runs from June 9 to July 2.

Queer Women of Color Film Festival

From June 9 to 11, the annual International Queer Women of Color Film Festival (www.qwocmap.org) will premiere 30 films. Screenings for the free event take place at San Francisco’s Presidio Theatre.

Pride Night at Oracle

Watch the Giants (www.mlb.com/ giants) take on the Chicago Cubs at this year’s Pride celebration on June 10. The first 20,000 attendees will receive a special Pride jersey.

Queer Prom

Queer and trans folks can experience the prom of their dreams at the San Francisco LGBT Center (www.sfcenter. org) on June 16. The free event is open to community members ages 16 to 24.

Gay Pride Sail

Take to the bay for an afternoon at the Call of the Sea (www.callofthesea. org) inclusive community sail departing from Sausalito. The June 17 LGBTQ sail lasts three hours and requires no boating experience.

Pride Wine Festival

The Academy (www.academy-sf.com) and Out in the Vineyard are presenting Pride Wine Fest in San Francisco on June 17. Guests will enjoy an evening of wines by LGBTQ+ vintners paired with chef-prepared foods.

San Francisco Pride Parade

Party lovers won’t want to miss this iconic annual celebration (www. sfpride.org) taking over the downtown streets of San Francisco. Follow the Pride Parade as it makes its way down Market Street on June 25.

Maxim Grebeshkov

Oakland Black Pride Festival

Wrap up June’s festivities with Oakland Black Pride (www.oaklandblackpride. org) on June 28 to July 2. Events include a benefit dinner, kickball tournament, gala and more.

Gay Wine Weekend

Enjoy a luxury experience of wine, food and fun in the Russian River Valley and Healdsburg (www.outin thevineyard.com) on July 14 to 16. The celebratory weekend benefits Face to Face.

Biascioli

Rising Seas

The Transportation Authority of Marin’s (TAM) Board of Commissioners unanimously approved up to $550,000 for a study that will focus on sea-level rise impacts on Marin’s transportation network. “The study that the TAM Board of Commissioners just approved will seek to advance adaptation planning; identify potential solutions to the threats sea level rise poses to Marin’s critical transportation assets; and guide future implementation of transportation infrastructure,” says Anne Richman, TAM executive director. The study is estimated to be completed by late 2024.

Make Some Noise

Stern Grove Festival (www.sterngrove.org) is back with its annual series of free Sunday concerts this summer and it’s quite a lineup. Headliners include Snarky Puppy on June 18, Indigo Girls on June 25, Santigold on July 2, Buddy Guy on August 6 and Patti Smith on August 13, closing with The Flaming Lips on August 20. Festival Napa Valley’s (www.festivalnapavalley. org) summer season will include food, wine and musical events

July 8 to 23. The festival’s Arts for All Gala, which includes a performance by Carrie Underwood, takes place on July 16.

For Love of the Bard

Marin Shakespeare Company’s (www.marinshakespeare.org) summer season kicks off on June 16 with Hamlet, which runs until July 16. On August 4, the company will start performances of Twelfth Night, running until September 3. Both productions can be seen at Forest Meadows Amphitheatre at Dominican University.

Clockwise from top left: courtesy of the Stern Grove Festival; Mitchell Sam Rossi;

Indigo Girls

marin shakespeare company and new artistic producer jon tracy proudly present our 2023 season.

HAMLET

JUNE 16 – JULY 16

Directed by Jon Tracy

TWELFTH NIGHT

AUG. 4 – SEPT. 3

Directed by Bridgette Loriaux

Marin Shakespeare Company returns to the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre in a changed world. Hamlet responds with a visceral, chamber-style production. Drilling deep into this long-told tale of revenge, the production creates a space for us all to commune with the question: how can we rise above our collective cycles of destruction?

Twelfth Night answers the existential questions posed by Hamlet. Through poetry, movement and song, it explores the delicate reconstruction of our most sacred relationships and examines how we start the long, necessary process of healing — while we laugh and love together.

All About Artichokes

“Thistle Be Fun” is this year’s theme for the annual Artichoke Festival (www. artichokefestival.org) happening on June 10 and 11 at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center. The fundraising weekend of family fun includes stand-up comedy, live music, chef demos and plenty of artichoke-based dishes to try.

Design and Drinks

San Francisco Design Week (www.sfdesignweek.org) is back June 6 to 11 with tours, workshops and more, all celebrating this year’s “Plot Twist” theme. The citywide festival highlights the region’s design leadership and innovative culture. Also in San Francisco, the Ritz-Carlton (www.ritzcarlton.com) is welcoming guests to the Terrace Courtyard for a luxury pop-up Champagne experience: Solaire Terrasse with Veuve Clicquot sparkles until October 1 and has several food and beverage offerings to choose from.

Art Appreciation

Headlands Center for the Arts (www.headlands.org) holds its annual Benefit Art Auction on June 6 at the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion. The event features silent and live auctions and showcases work from more than 60 artists. “We are honored to partner with these artists — so many of whom have come through our residency programs — to celebrate their work and raise funds that will create new opportunities for art-making, reflection, dialogue and exchange,” says Mari Robles, executive director of Headlands Center for the Arts.

Clockwise from left: www.stock.adobe.com/kobeza; courtesy of Ritz-Carlton San Francisco

Champagne pop-up at the Ritz-Carlton

Holly Kavonic, Pacific Crest Gallery

Ron Jermyn

Annika Layne

Bennett Vadnais, George Billis Gallery

Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery

More to Do in Marin

Just in time for the warmer weather, Mill Valley’s Piatti (www.millvalley.piatti.com) has debuted weekend brunch with a menu to match the impressive view from the restaurant’s waterfront patio. Dishes include lemon ricotta pancakes and poached eggs on polenta. AC Hotel San Rafael (www.marriot.com) is getting ready to open to the public. The new hotel boasts the city’s first rooftop bar and lounge, Above Fifth, which will offer small bites and craft cocktails. On June 11, a special performance of The Hummingbird, the solo musical experience from Kathryn Keats (www.kathrynkeats.com), will be staged at 142 Throckmorton Theatre. The event benefits Center for Domestic Peace.

A delicious brunch option at Piatti

Windy Chien

Courtesy of Piatti (left); courtesy of Cast Jewelry (right and bottom)

All That Glitters

Renowned San Francisco–based fiber artist Windy Chien (www. windychien.com) has brought her talents to a collaboration with Cast Jewelry (www.castjewelry. com) to create a collection called “Knot Life.” The pieces are based on Chien’s famous intricate fine art knots and are made with 14K gold and sterling silver. The collection launched in May and includes necklaces, earrings and rings.

COMMERCIAL

& RESIDENTIAL DON’T

SPONSORED BY

Seagate Properties

JTC

Hamilton Zanze•Norcal Commercial, Inc.

The Litchfield Foundation

Golden State Lumber•HUB International

•Marin Association of Realtors

Montgomery Partners•Reed McClintock & Associates

SOMO Village•Thompson Dorfman Partners•US Bank

local splurges.

Take a Seat

It’s always a good time to add a beautifully crafted chair to your home — here are a few of our favorites.

By Casey Gillespie

1. Crate and Barrel’s Ojai Leather Wood Frame Accent Chair (shown here in Fern) oozes cool in Danish modern style with its soft edges and stylish matte finish. We recommend getting a pair. Available at Crate and Barrel (Corte Madera Town Center) and www.crateand barrel.com, $1,499

2. The Bleeker Swivel Chair by Serena & Lily boasts a comfortably high back, gently sloped arcs and a smooth swiveling base — and it is available in more than 100 different fabrics. The mind boggles at the possibilities. Available at Serena & Lily (3457 Sacramento Street, San Francisco) and www.serena andlily.com, $2,998

3. A true conversation piece, the Dudley Occasional Chair by Baker + Hesseldenz can be had in 11 different finishes (shown here in ebonized walnut with French black bronze) with caster, swivel or legs. Also includes a chicklet pillow upon request. Available at Una Malan (The Galleria, 101 Henry Adams Street, Ste. 330, San Francisco) and www.unamalan. com, price upon request

4. Prevalent Projects has just moved to a new space and the flawlessly curated chair selection is as strong as ever. Case in point: this Eikund Veng Arm Chair. Designed in 1960, it is forever fashionable. Available at Prevalent Projects (71 Throckmorton, Mill Valley) and www.prevalentprojects.com, $3,045

5. This dreamy overstuffed armchair by COUP STUDIO is the stuff lazy evenings — and WFH breaks — are made of. The Bahia Armchair is madeto-order in Italy and exactly what your home has been missing. Available at Coup D’Etat (by appointment only, 111 Rhode Island Street, Ste. 1, San Francisco) and www.coupdetatsf.com, price upon request

6. Isn’t it time that you finally added a chaise lounge — or as we like to think of it, a fainting couch — to your chair collection? We adore this one in white, but you can also get it in 500 different fabrics and 50 different leathers. Stop into Sunrise Home and customize the one of your dreams. Available at Sunrise Home (831 B Street, San Rafael), price available upon request

All images courtesy of the brands

WE CAN END VETERAN HOMELESSNESS!

Construction is under way on new housing to bring home every unhoused veteran in Marin County. This 24-unit project in Novato will offer small apartments with affordable rents and supportive services onsite.

This new community will accommodate all former service members who lack housing. Marin will be only the second county in California to reach this goal!

Every gift received before July 4th will be matched dollar-for-dollar, thanks to the Weinreb-PileckiSegal Family Fund. Honor a veteran or hero in your life and double your impact today!

A New Veterans Community in Marin County!

Phase 1 of a $30 million housing and training hub

Your gift will help build 24 affordable apartments for unhoused veterans

Raised to date: $14.4 million

Start of construction: March 2023

hbofm.org/donate

Grand opening: 2025

Rediscovering Sonoma Plaza

By Casey Gillespie

Sonoma Plaza, the bustling town square located in the heart of California’s wine country, is a favorite destination for day-trippers, who go to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, exceptional food and wine, and boutique shopping. With its lush green space, quaint shops and outdoor dining options, Sonoma Plaza has a little something for everyone. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, a foodie or just someone looking for a picturesque spot to spend a lazy afternoon, you’ll find it all at the plaza. Here are a few of our favorite places to get you started.

Courtesy of Sojourn Cellars

Sojourn Cellars offers a variety of tasting options.

Chateau Sonoma

453 FIRST STREET WEST www.chateausonoma.com

Fellow Francophiles will love the authenticity in every detail. From the French antiques to the store’s eponymous brand of textiles, jams, honeys, candles and more — the minute you walk into Chateau Sonoma you are transported.

Figone’s Olive Oil Company

483 FIRST STREET WEST www.figoneoliveoil.com

This place is a Sonoma Plaza staple for a reason — it never disappoints. The artisan oils and vinegars are just the start. Be sure and check out the delightful selection of hand and body lotions, soaps, candles and kitchen wares. It’s a feast for the senses all around.

JAK W

124 WEST NAPA STREET www.jak-w.com

This store is the exact reason we love shopping in Sonoma — unique, expertly chosen and thoughtfully organized items for the home in a serene setting (they even have a few clothing and footwear pieces). We are currently obsessed with the collection of felt mushrooms.

Sojourn Cellars

141 EAST NAPA STREET

www.sojourncellars.com

No trip to Sonoma is complete without wine and this tasting room is a must. Tucked away off the main square on a shady, tree-lined street in a charming little house, Sojourn offers an intimate experience in a decidedly chic setting.

Sonoma Cheese Factory

2 WEST SPAIN STREET

www.thesonomacheesefactory.com

If you love a Wine Country picnic, this is your first stop. With the impeccable cheese and charcuterie selection, imported provisions, caviar and well-chosen selection of local wines, it has everything you could need and more.

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art

551 BROADWAY

www.svma.org

A day of art and wine sounds just about perfect. On view this month are The New Californians, photographs by Judy Dater, and Labyrinth of Forms, 30 works from the collection of New York City’s Whitney Museum of American Art. Join in celebrating SVMA’s quarter-century milestone at “Anniversary Gala: 25 Years — The Magic of Art” on July 8 (tickets available on the website).

Stella Grey

107 EAST NAPA STREET

www.stellagreyshop.com

Ladies, this is your vacation shoe destination. From chic furry slides to espadrilles and trendy-but-not-tootrendy sneakers, packing just got a little easier. Be sure and check out the selection of jewelry, scarves and handbags, too — it’s all gorgeous.

The Corner Store

498 FIRST STREET EAST https://thecornerstore.carrd.co

The plush towels and quirky ceramics are a design connoisseur’s dream, but this store is also a boon when it comes to kids’ gifts. From French table linens to classic board games we all enjoyed growing up, it will be hard to tear yourself away.

The Passdoor

452 FIRST STREET EAST, STE. A www.thepassdoor.net

An artfully assembled design store that gives off serious museum gift shop vibes. While everything in this store is undeniably beautiful, it is also functional. From ceramics to candles, jewelry to felt totes, it is a treasure trove of luxury finds.

Courtesy of Chateau Sonoma

Chateau Sonoma

Vineyards

Roche Winery & Vineyards

122 WEST SPAIN STREET www.rochewinery.com

For a relaxed setting to enjoy a glass of wine or a tasting flight to break up a day of shopping, Roche is our first choice. We love the outdoor bar, alfresco seating and excellent service, and the wines are pretty terrific, too.

The Passdoor

Show and Tell

Riggs Distributing + Showroom is emphasizing luxury in more ways than one.

By Caitlin Hamer

UPGRADING TO NEW KITCHEN APPLIANCES might be exciting for some, but for others, it’s a headache-inducing process. But what if it didn’t have to be? That’s the question that seems to be behind every interaction at Riggs Distributing + Showroom (www.riggsdistributing.com). One trip to this design destination and you may start to rethink how you feel about appliance shopping.

“When people come to the showroom, we want to give them white-glove treatment,” says Ivan Dubriwny, Riggs’ executive chef and showroom manager. The luxury appliances featured there are part of that high-quality experience, but so is the attention all visitors receive, whether

they’re interior designers, architects or homeowners shopping for themselves. There are no sales pitches, only consultations — plus some innovative ideas to introduce people to the products before they leave to make a purchase.

Riggs has been in business for more than 40 years, and in fall 2022 the showroom moved to the San Francisco Design Center. Riggs features more than 100 appliances from Wolf, Sub-Zero and Cove on the showroom floor, but if you care less about the names and more about what the appliances can do for you, this is where Riggs excels. The interactive “live kitchen” setup helps clients experience the appliances firsthand, because sometimes it’s better to see for yourself.

James Everett

Wolf Gallery at the Riggs Showroom

Curious about whether induction stovetops and convection steam ovens are as good as the hype? Someone here can show you. If you’re keeping aesthetic trends in mind, Riggs also has French door refrigerators, as well as refrigerators and dishwashers that can be covered with panels to match your kitchen cabinetry for a minimalistic look. And if you want to jump on that trend of getting a coffeemaker for your bedroom or an under-counter refrigerators for your bar, you’ll find those here, too. While it can be fun to keep up with trends, Riggs staffers insist that what’s important is finding something that’s built to last, will make your life easier and yes, will even bring you joy.

For those needing extra assurance about the appliances they’re thinking about (or need a little tutorial after they’ve made the purchase), there are classes to consider. Riggs currently offers two Lunch & Learn classes; one teaches the basics of cooking with a convection steam oven, and the other is a lesson on how to properly use and maintain your refrigerators, ovens and dishwashers. But the real

draw — and perhaps one of San Francisco’s best-kept secrets — is Supper Club. These evening gatherings function as informative dinner demonstrations for new appliance owners or those considering purchases, and it all happens with appetizers, wine and a seasonally inspired four-course meal created by Dubriwny and co-chef Michael Priest. A recent Supper Club menu included braised octopus over a bed of pink lentils, a Moroccan-spiced rack of lamb with pistachio-mint pesto, and for dessert, apple ginger crumble with homemade honey lavender ice cream and a sprinkle of lemon juniper on top.

“We’re lucky enough to be able to play with our food,” says Dubriwny. “We like to shine. We know we’re in a cosmopolitan city with Michelin-star restaurants around us and we wanted to make sure we’re on the same level.”

Although Dubriwny and the Riggs team love conducting these demonstrations, at the end of the day they want customers to feel good about their appliances. That you will leave fed and happy too is just icing on the cake.

Lauren Andersen

Ivan Dubriwny, Riggs’ executive chef and showroom manager (left), and chef Michael Priest preparing a meal during a Lunch & Learn.

Day Tripper

At a unique UCSF lab, researchers are studying the use of psychedelics to treat everything from depression to low-back pain.

By Daniel Jewett

YOU RELAX INTO THE COMFORTABLE COUCH, put on some nice music and glance at the soothing art on the wall before putting on your eye shades and taking a dose of psilocybin, a psychedelic sometimes called a “magic mushroom.” Your afternoon is set but you aren’t at home — you’re at a lab at the University of California, San Francisco.

“During the dosing day, we’re asking patients to really engage, go inward and pay attention to what’s coming up for them internally and then we’ll talk about it afterward,” says Andrew Penn, MS, NP, PMHNP-BC, a clinical professor at the UCSF School of Nursing, where, as a researcher, he collaborates on psychedelics studies of psilocybin and MDMA in the university’s Translational Psychedelics Research Program

(TrPR) lab (psychedelics.ucsf.edu). “We ask them to set an intention like, ‘I want to work on my trauma’ or ‘I want to understand my depression.’ It’s a very different experience in our lab versus a concert, Burning Man or something like that.”

Penn (www.andrewpennnp.com), who knew he wanted to focus his career on mental health since he was in high school, has spent the last four years conducting psychedelics research, including a study on using MDMA to treat PTSD, and the lab recently completed a larger phase two study of major depression and psilocybin-facilitated therapy. Now the group is conducting smaller pilot studies focusing on populations typically left out of research, including people experiencing depression related to Parkinson’s disease and

bipolar II disorder. “People with Parkinson’s have depression at a rate of about 50 percent so we wanted to see if we could apply some of these psilocybin-facilitated therapies to help them,” Penn says, adding that studies in the pipeline include how psychedelic therapy might help people plagued by low-back pain.

Those participating in studies are screened beforehand and spend time talking to the researchers about their intentions, symptoms and the process before ever dosing, Penn says. When they are ready, patients are given a dose (or, in some studies, potentially a placebo) in the comfortable dosing room, where they will spend the day — and this may be repeated several times over a number of weeks with, non-drug

integration therapy sessions happening in the days following each dosing session. But how and why does this therapy work?

“The idea behind psilocybin is that it allows a temporary shift in people’s internal mental experience,” Penn says. “In clinical use, one of the things that we’re looking at is that it allows people to kind of zoom back and look at their whole life at 30,000 feet.” According to Penn, one of the hallmarks of depression is that people get very ruminative and they’ll think about the same thing over and over again, often in an acutely negative way. “What’s interesting about psilocybin is that it seems to allow that part of the brain (that is overactive in depression) to turn down for a little while and for the brain to talk to itself in ways that it doesn’t normally do,” he adds.

And the best part is the positive feelings patients report continuing long after treatment. “The antidepressant effects appear to last anywhere from two months or even longer, so there’s a period of time afterwards where the depression seems to be alleviated,” he says, adding that it’s not because people still have psilocybin in their system. “That antidepressant effect lasts much longer than the drug in the body.”

Penn says that the public’s interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies is only growing and the demand for treatment will be hard to fill because there just aren’t enough specifically trained mental health clinicians for that treatment, even here in the Bay Area. He thinks this is where nurses, who number around 4 million in the U.S., can help, by getting trained and earning certification — like the Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research certificate Penn earned at the California Institute for Integral Studies.

Not only could nurses help administer these therapies, they are the ideal ones to do it, Penn argues. “A lot of psychedelic therapy is really just sitting and being present for people, which sometimes is actually harder than it sounds,” he says. “Nursing is always first and foremost about the care of the patient — and that care is also about presence.”

Hear from Penn and other experts at a June 10 TEDxMarin salon featuring an in-depth exploration of psychedelic science and medicine. The event takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Dominican University’s Angelico Concert Hall in San Rafael. www.tedxmarin.org

Andrew Penn

Window Wonderland

LiquidView is set to forever change how and what we see out our windows.

By Annie Gieser

IT’S SATURDAY MORNING. You’re sitting at your kitchen counter, drinking coffee, staring out the window that overlooks Central Park. The sound of birds, taxis and wind blowing through the spring trees echoes softly in the air. It’s a beautiful day in Manhattan. But you’re not there.

You live in Kansas City, Missouri. And although arguably a great city, it’s no Big Apple. Yet, instead of looking out to see the dry cleaners next door, you revel in a Central Park view — one people would (and do) pay millions for.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if you could transform a space into anything you want?” asks Mitch Braff, CEO of LiquidView (www.theliquidview.com), a new company set to give every room a view with futuristic — and realistic — virtual windows that transform any space.

A Marin native, Braff had the vision for LiquidView while working on his other company, video art provider Liquid Canvas. But his love for high-quality film goes way back — to earning a degree in film at UC Santa Barbara and having films shown at the Mill Valley Film Festival. The idea for LiquidView came while working with a lower Pacific Heights client in a previous business whose view was the side of his neighbor’s home and from Braff’s own experience living in the Mission District with no real view at all. Braff thought, “What if we could actually put a window in a wall?”

LiquidView doesn’t look or act like a TV mounted to the wall, but rather provides a fully immersive experience in idealistic locations sometimes thousands of miles away. Even incredibly filmed footage can look cheap on the wrong screen. So Braff partnered with notable global design company IDEO to create something new and innovatively organic.

LiquidView’s attempt to look, feel and sound like a genuine window on the world is no small feat. The company promises exact sunrise-to-sunset timing based on your location, no

matter which scape you choose to view. Behind the scenes, this means shooting a single view for 24 hours (plus a couple of extra hours to give cushion for editing) on an 8.6K camera — think James Cameron Avatar quality. The sound for each view is recorded on site to imitate real life — edits are only made when obnoxious sounds like a diesel truck impede the ambience.

As for shooting the view over Sausalito harbor, Braff recalls the inopportune circumstances leading to incomparable footage on a beautifully clear day: “There was a bajillion birds. All of these herring come in and there are pelicans diving. You know, I grew up here. And I’ve never seen anything like this.”

The “window” is installed directly in the wall, just like a piece of glass would be. LiquidView also comes with hardware to give a realistic window appearance, molding and handles included. Owners of a LiquidView screen control the window with an app on their phones, with full capabilities to change the scene setting, adjust ambient sound volume, or turn it off and on.

Before thoughts of added screen time race through your mind, he says, take into account the possible wellness perks of having a window where never before possible — instead of a dark basement wall, why not look at the sunrise in Aspen? Braff mentions the hope of potential health benefits, noting that he is in conversations with two Stanford neurobiologists to discover how a product like this can positively impact mental well-being.

“Make people’s living environments more pleasurable. Ultimately giving people joy. That’s the goal,” Braff says.

LiquidView is set to launch its consumer product with the option of a panorama or three-screen window by the end of this June. So — for now at least — keep your eyes on the current landscape, ready for whatever view may come next.

Beginning Again

Ceramicist Erin Hupp is the quietly famous artist you are probably already obsessed with.

By Amber Turpin

“I always loved art and when I was really young, I made mud pies a lot. I loved getting dirty, which is a huge part of working with clay,” she reflects. “Recycling clay is a mud-pie experience. So I am basically doing the things I loved to do as a child. It all feels very full circle, and it’s fun at this age to look back and see that golden thread in your life.

“I came home to myself,” she says about the moment she switched to art as a full-time career. “When I was 22, I looked at what an artist’s life would be like and I didn’t think I would ever have financial security.” Hupp did a bit of ceramics in high school, but it was in college that she learned to be a production thrower, paid per piece at a place called Lakeside Pottery in Madison, Wisconsin, for items like beer steins, mugs and planters. It was a very repetitive process, and while that kind of production is far from her current style, she fell in love with the medium.

“What was so fun and formative of that time was that I just had fun with it. Clay communities are like knitting circles; people are just really welcoming and I found a family and a community,” she says. “It teaches you to let go a little bit, of whatever you are making. With that levity and that fun, you go out of your comfort zone, out of your bounds. You don’t get too attached.”

But as much as she loved it, she had to consider that “smart” career path post-college. So she threw herself into urban planning, then an accelerated program to get her law degree. After getting married and moving to California, she ended up working in child welfare law at a nonprofit in Marin called Advokids. Her work was providing legal assistance in navigating the brutal foster care system, and with a family of her own, she started burning out from the gigantic emotional load that was required in

Adahlia Cole and Colin Peck (this page); Adahlia Cole (opposite)

If you really enjoyed making mud pies as a kid, you might have some hidden talent as a ceramicist. At least that is the case with Oakland-based ceramics artist Erin Hupp (www.erinhuppceramics. com). And while she recognizes there has been a creative streak in her since childhood, it took following an entirely different career path to fully embrace the art that she is now doing full time.

Erin Hupp

her day-to-day work. That is when her “midlife enlightenment” occurred, she says. “The finiteness of life propelled me into what perhaps I was made for all the time. I had always been part of a community studio, and clay was there the whole time. I thought, ‘You have been there for me all this time — what would happen if I devoted all of my energy to you?’ The answer is amazing things.”

That was almost six years ago, and Hupp says that while it was very nerveracking to make that huge life change and creative leap into a full artist’s life, it is one of the best things she’s ever done. “It’s been a wild ride, and fun to find my niche,” she says.

That niche is beautifully impressive. If you’ve dined at San Francisco’s Californios, Nightbird or Hilda and Jesse, you will already know her undulating, curvy, organic style. Creating vessels to showcase dishes at some of our top-notch Bay Area restaurants has

become her passion; she attributes the collaborative process and her love of food as the meeting point in what keeps her drawn to the work. There is also the element of letting go that is a commonality between working with clay and cooking.

“I’ve had so many conversations with chefs that I collaborate with about the ephemeral nature of the creative process. They make something and it’s immediately gone. And I remember being upset about smashing these ‘imperfect’ pots that I had made,” she says. “Clay is a beautiful teacher. You have to learn to let it go, just like in parenting.” She has recently started delving into interior design as well, creating functional pieces like vases, pendant lights, tableside lamps and wall installations.

A central tenet that Hupp recognizes in her work is that it takes a perfect piece to then achieve the imperfect. “That was an ‘aha’ moment:

imperfect in a purposeful way,” she says. “When you throw something on the wheel you need it to be perfect before you change it. I get a lot of inspiration just from nature, and I know a lot of people say this but it’s really true.”

Marin holds significance for Hupp, as her parents live here and she often goes on walks with her mom. She finds Mount Tamalpais sparks a lot of creativity as a way to honor these surroundings. Hupp has discussed this at length with jewelry designer and collaborator Amanda Hunt, who also finds inspiration from Marin’s landscape. “It’s what inspired her diamond in the Aria ring (that is a part of the Mount Tam Ring and Dish Set). It is a really great example of collaboration and inspiration. I have a lot of feelings about that; it’s very personal,” says Hupp. Drop in at the duo’s pop-up on June 15 at Longway in San Anselmo to see their work in person.

Adahlia Cole (this page and opposite)

Pieces from Hupp’s collaboration with jewelry designer Amanda Hunt

“When I was really young, I made mud pies a lot. I loved getting dirty, which is a huge part of working with clay.”

Designing Dreams

BK Interior Design transformed this historic Ross property into a whimsical vintage revival project where a playful country aesthetic meets old-world flair.

By Casey Gillespie

AS THE SAYING GOES, “GOOD DESIGN TAKES TIME.” Such was the case for the collaboration between BK Interior Design (www.bkinteriordesign.com) and Polsky Perlstein Architects, who spent two years weaving together a tapestry of open space, color and pattern to bring their clients’ dream home to life. Founder and principal designer Brad Krefman recounts, “Our clients’ love of vibrant hues and playful motifs inspired a thoughtful and inviting space.” To achieve this vision, the team embraced the idiosyncrasies of the original architecture and infused vintage and found objects to imbue the space with a softness and sense of wonder. While the clients wished to maintain the home’s structural integrity, they also longed for a modern, open floor plan. “The challenge was to balance interior and exterior spaces while preserving privacy,” explains Krefman. The solution was a system of three expansive bifold windows that bathed the home in natural light and panoramic views while ensuring a sense of seclusion for the homeowners. The result is a design showpiece that seamlessly blends function and beauty.

Photographs by Paul Dyer

How would you describe the aesthetic? Eclectic. The furniture is country-rustic meets old-world charm. The architecture is traditional with modern elements. The large openings and connection to the outside represent a real modern way of living. At the same time, the interior trim package and detailing are traditional and reference the type of profiles that would be used when the house was originally built at the turn of the century.

Tell us a bit about the color and pattern choices. A deep blue-gray (Benjamin Moore Gray Gardens) color is used on all the interior trim work and sets the tone for a moodier space. We kept with these deeper, saturated colors on the sofa. The rug was the clients’ and served as a starting point for the other fabrics. We mixed and matched patterns — a traditional plaid from Cowtan & Tout on the vintage chairs from 1stDibs. The pillows are Timorous Beasties. The sofa was made at local Marin upholstery shop Michael’s Custom Built. The coffee table is an old prison daybed from France in the 1800s from Obsolete in L.A. There are inscriptions and drawings on it — like tattoos that tell a story about the inmates who must have slept on it in its previous life.

How did the different woods play a part in the kitchen and dining room design? We wanted the floor, table and beams to be a similar tone so all horizontal wood surfaces were cohesive. We punctuated this neutral background with black chairs, a wall clock and a case piece. Contrast creates definition.

What did it take to achieve the lived-in feeling?

The mix-and-match chairs from O&G Studio and rustic woods help make the room feel unpretentious and casual. We wanted finishes that had a timeworn look. This was not only an aesthetic choice, but also a practical one. A young family lives here so having surfaces that are already distressed helps hide the first nick or scratch caused by daily life.

Tell us about the swings! Who doesn’t love a swing? These particular ones are from Thomas Hayes Studio in Los Angeles. We installed them at the edge of the covered patio to connect this space to the pool. We love that they add extra seating and can face either the terrace arrangement or the pool. Plus, they activate the space with movement instead of being just static. Most of all, it adds playfulness and whimsy, which was reflective of our clients’ fun personality.

How did you meld the design elements with the natural surroundings? We chose outdoor furniture for its durability, but also for its airiness in appearance. You more or less see through the iron frames of these pieces so they are not visually obstructive.

Tell us how the design for the kitchen evolved. We were tasked with designing a new kitchen with modern appliances, but we also wanted it to look like it had been part of the house from the beginning. Both the beam and oak floor are reclaimed wood and instantly add rustic charm. The trim work throughout the house is a blue-gray and we chose cabinets to match. We selected Fireclay brick for the backsplash and an aged copper hood early on, which brought an earthiness. We mixed that with marble from Da Vinci, which had warm tones that would also patina.

Were there any challenges with designing this indoor-outdoor space? Polsky Perlstein was instrumental in detailing the large doors and windows. We took careful consideration with the furniture plan and layout to ensure it all flowed well for easy entertaining. Though these photos are static, you can easily imagine a large group of people flowing from indoors to outdoors enjoying each other’s company.

Music seems to be a theme in this room — can you talk a little about that? The owners requested a music room and that was the departure point. It’s on the second floor of the pool house so somewhat out of the way of the main living spaces. We knew this would become where the kids hang out and wanted it to be fun and relaxed. We chose a large-scale sectional from RH and paired it with a custom ottoman and pillows designed by us. The light fixture is from Robert Long Lighting, a Sausalito lighting company that was started in the 1960s.

The art throughout the house is also eclectic and unique. Lost Art Salon in S.F. spearheaded the art program. The Salon is an amazing Bay Area resource that specializes in this type of gallery-wall approach to art.

Paul Dyer is an architectural, hospitality and lifestyle photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. To see more of his work visit www.dyerphoto.com.

Where did you find these chairs? The chairs are some of my favorites to date. They are vintage Guillerme et Chambron, postwar designers in France notable for making practical-but-beautiful furniture for everyday living. We reupholstered them in a fun, large-scale Christopher Farr stripe. The scale of the stripe adds a totally unexpected twist to the chairs. It interjects color into the neutral space, which we echoed in the Missoni stair runner.

Is there a story behind the closet doors? This is the pool house and the architecture more or less existed in this state — the closet doors and the fireplace were existing and close to 100 years old. We wanted to leave them untouched and embrace part of the history.

The Mirror Has Two Faces

Published by Oscar Riera Ojeda Publishers Limited, © 2023.

Images reproduced with permission from the publisher.

Photo by Bruce Damonte Photography

A new coffee-table book about the work of local architecture icon John Marsh Davis explores the author’s fascination with the designer and how it influences his own work.

By Eva Hagberg

Joseph Phelps Vineyards entry

“It’s like dancing with another architect,” Hans Baldauf says. The architect and founding principal of San Francisco and New York–based BCV Architecture + Interiors (www.bcvarch. com), who trained at Yale (twice) and is a long-standing fixture of the Marin County design scene, is talking about his love for and dedication to preserving, if not reintroducing, the reputation of John Marsh Davis. A midcentury American architect with roots in Oklahoma, Davis has an equally strong, though historically overlooked, presence in the North Bay. “How do you have a dynamic conversation with an architect who is no longer living?”

That dance — or conversation — takes two forms: a book, Design Legacy of John Marsh Davis: Early Career Wood Expressionism, 1961-1979, published this year by Oscar Riera Ojeda Publishers, a handsomely illustrated monograph-via-biography that draws on an archive gifted to the University of Oklahoma by Davis’ niece after his death; and a winery project at the Sullivan Rutherford Estate in Napa, which broke ground recently and is slated — barring fire, construction issues or other issues — to be completed at the end of 2024. The dance between these two architectural designers, via drawings and documents and over a great temporal distance, is formal, historical, architectural and personal.

Published by Oscar Riera Ojeda Publishers Limited, © 2023.

Images reproduced with permission from the publisher.

Photos by Bruce Damonte Photography (this page and opposite)

John Marsh Davis

Indoor and outdoor living room at the Barbour Residence in Kentfield

Baldauf, who founded BCV in 1997 after working with renowned architect Howard Backen, had never come across a Davis building nor even heard of the designer when he started the winery project. Never licensed, Davis practiced mostly under the radar, and he struggled personally — he was gay before that was widely accepted, and he died what Baldauf calls an “alcoholic death.” And yet his work — large trussed expanses, wildly geometric houses and significant winery buildings — began to dot the Northern California landscape after his death, including at the Phelps winery. And that’s how Baldauf first found him.

Bill Phelps, owner of the Joseph Phelps Vineyards in St. Helena, approached Baldauf and asked him to do work on a building on his sprawling campus in 2012. Baldauf agreed, then came across one of the existing structures, which he found out was designed by John Marsh Davis. The building was so striking to Baldauf that he did what any enterprising fan does these days: he went online, poked around and found Davis’ nearest living relative and heir, his niece Katy Song.

The niece had her own story to tell Baldauf, one that was half creative, half tragic. Shortly before his death, it seemed, Davis had been in psychological torment and had begun throwing away his archive, burning it. “She had to pull stuff out of the dumpster and preserve it,” Baldauf says of Song’s desire to salvage not only specific documents, but history. After Davis died, she inherited his estate and set about transforming a life into an archive. “Not only did she have the drawings, she had all these little photo albums — a life tour of his travels, his buildings, collages,” Baldauf says.

One of the aspects that most appealed to Baldauf was Davis’ process. “He did all these drawings mostly by himself,” he says. For someone

Published by Oscar Riera Ojeda Publishers Limited, © 2023.

Images reproduced with permission from the publisher.

Photo by Jak Wonderly

Sullivan Rutherford Estate

Dining room of the Thacher Residence in Sonoma County

Published by Oscar Riera Ojeda Publishers Limited, © 2023. Images reproduced with permission from the publisher.

Photo by R. Brad Knipstein

who runs a sizable practice and used to work with the equally sizable Backen, Arrigoni & Ross, the lead designers doing all their own drawings themselves is one of those throwback nostalgic moments, one that cuts through the frequent design studio noise of client calls and requests, permit restrictions and never having time to actually design. It’s easy to see why an architect, particularly one as prolific and successful as Baldauf, would be so drawn to the immediacy, intimacy and intensity of Davis’ work.

BCV’s new project, for the Sullivan Rutherford Estate, is, as he says, in conversation with Davis. Davis had designed a house, which Baldauf likens to Le Corbusier’s famous 1931 project the Villa Savoye, an elevated white box floating on ultra-thin piloti. That modernist idea was transformed through Davis’ hands into a series of ideas about circles, and that series of ideas has become, through Baldauf’s design efforts, central to the new building, as is the reliance on a truss system that Davis developed. “The story of the building is these radiating trusses around this curve,” Baldauf says. Beyond these interior formal qualities, he’s also inspired by the relationship between site and building that he says Davis was a “master of” and something that he’s thinking about extremely carefully as he orients the building.

Most central to his vision about this new building is what he sees as Davis’ interest in mirroring — the idea of architecture and landscape being able to reflect one another. Baldauf speaks of Davis’ facility with the idea of reflecting and his creative understanding of how to use mirrors, literally and figuratively. For someone who suffered so much, and who died so tragically, it makes sense that he was interested in mirrors. We’re lucky to have Baldauf’s new lens.

Model of the new Baldauf-designed Sullivan Rutherfold Estate building

Architect and book author Hans R. Baldauf

Community Minded

Community-Driven and Client-Focused

Beth and Traci are third-generation Marin residents who are deeply committed to giving back to their community. They are passionate about supporting Homeward Bound, a local organization that helps fight homelessness. As Realtors, they understand the importance of having a safe and stable home, and they believe that everyone deserves a place to call their own. That’s why they are dedicated to donating a portion of their earnings to Homeward Bound, and they encourage their clients and colleagues to get involved as well.

Beth Sasan & Traci Thiercof

Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty

415.990.7186 | www.bethsasan.com 415.793.0111 | www.tracithiercof.com

Are you ready to find the perfect match?

Innovative Match founder and owner Cassie ZampaKeim is a woman on a mission. She heads a company that empowers eligible singles to live fuller lives by helping them usher in love and companionship. Supporting others in their search for romance by marrying her innovative spirit with her personal tried-and-true online dating techniques has made Cassie a household name nationwide. Responsible for pairing couples over more than three decades as a matchmaker, Cassie provides her private clients with round-the-clock, concierge-style services including coaching and refining dating techniques.

Innovative Match, Ross 415.259.8714

www.innovative-match.com

trailblazing men

Say hello to Marin Living’s Trailblazing Men. They are individuals and teams who steer clear of mediocrity and boldly pave their own paths when it comes to providing exceptional services, products and connections. How they conduct business exemplifies their passion, commitment and love for what they do. They’re always looking for ways to raise the bar and improve their offerings so their customers and clients know they are working with the best in the business.

Troy Luchessi

Troy Luchessi – Realtor

An agent with connections, industry knowledge, compassion and a focus on listening to clients.

What makes you a trailblazer?

Being able to see what others don’t see in the market. Knowledge in the market and doing what it takes to succeed in getting my sellers the most they can get out of their property. Timing is everything, as well as having the property in the most turn-key position possible. And for buyers, finding the right property that seems impossible to find, in any budget.

Describe how you use resourcefulness. I listen to my clients first and foremost and leverage my vast network of resources to create the best possible scenario and options to bring to the

table. I make sure my clients, whether sellers or buyers, are fully educated about pricing and the competition.

How are you thinking outside the box?

My secret to thinking outside the box is not mind altering. It really has to do with carefully listening to your clients and their needs and giving them your unfiltered and honest opinion. Sometimes it’s hard to hear and they may not want to listen, but nonetheless I have to be completely transparent with them. I truly believe sellers and buyers are looking for insight, advice and education and that’s what I deliver.

trailblazing men

Wines by James MacPhail

A winemaker with a deep Marin family history.

What makes you a trailblazer?

I am the only winemaker in my whole family, and I never thought I’d be where I am today. But I distinctly remember, before my dad passed away, he told me to “blaze my own trail.” That was my first supportive “push” into the wine industry — until then, it wasn’t anything I had ever thought of before.

Have you started new services in your industry?

I’ve started a new business: Wines by James MacPhail — where, as an independent winemaker, I make wine for just nine clients. It’s complete full service — from “berry to bottle.” I am 100 percent hands on during the whole process, and I am there for everything. Since I own my own winery, I am able to control all of the winemaking aspects — with the exception (of course) of what Mother Nature brings to the table.

How do you raise the bar and offer your customers the ultimate in customer service?

The first thing I do is sit down with them and talk about the process — find out what exactly they’re looking for, and guide them when they don’t. I let them know what they’re up against with complete transparency — both financial and the unknown. I make sure they know they are never alone. I emphasize my “berry to bottle” philosophy, and that I never compromise on quality — whether it’s in the vineyard, barrel choices or my time.

Wines by James MacPhail

851 Magnolia Drive, Healdsburg, CA 95448 707.696.5224

james@tonguedancerwines.com

www.winesbyjamesmacphail.com

trailblazing men

James MacPhail

trailblazing men

Phil McDougall

Phil McDougall Personal Training

A holistic approach to health and fitness.

What makes you a trailblazer?

I’m a real-world strength trainer and massage therapist. I help professionals aged 35 to 65 optimize their daily movement habits, ergonomics and training routines to become stronger versions of themselves.

What separates you from the pack?

I was an elite triathlete, Royal Marines Commando, global educator for medical professionals and trainers, and the wellness director for a tech company in S.F. I’m a certified instructor in a vast range of exercise disciplines and I utilize whichever ones serve my clients most effectively.

How are you thinking outside the box?

I’ve recently launched a corporate wellness business called Wellforce. I provide a plethora of wellness services including remote wellness webinars, off-site enhancement, ergonomic consultations and lunch ‘n’ learns.

Have you launched any new products?

I’m excited to announce the forthcoming launch of the Wellforce mobile app. It takes users’ individual requirements and prescribes movement snacks (short bouts of nourishing movements) at the times they want them. We are beta testing, but it will be available to a wider audience soon. Please go to the Wellforce website (www.getwellforce.com) and subscribe to the newsletter for updates.

Phil McDougall Personal Training phil@getwellforce.com

www.philmcdougall.com

/@phil.mcdougall

Providing

Describe how you use resourcefulness to stay ahead of the pack.

BK: We are expert listeners that digest and understand our client’s needs and turn them into beautiful spaces to inhabit. Our no-ego, hands-on approach is geared toward fostering intimate relationships with our clients.

How do you offer your clients the ultimate in customer service?

EM: My team stops at nothing to meet our clients’ needs. House needs to be cleaned? We’ve got it. Need to donate half your stuff? We’ve got it. Find a home for that grand piano? We’ve got that, too. Our goal is to make the process as effortless for our clients as possible.

What makes your team trailblazers?

BK: We don’t subscribe to one particular look or style. Instead, we pride ourselves on the diversity of our project aesthetics. Just as no two people are the same nor the home they inhabit, so too should be their interiors. Successful design is not about my personal style but about helping my clients best express their own.

Do you have a unique Bay Area history?

EM: Well, I grew up in Marin. So suffice it to say, I know it pretty well. While I’ve seen things change and evolve over the past several decades, what remains constant is the natural beauty and amazing quality of life that Marin has to offer.

Eric McFarland and Brad Krefman

style and substance while delivering the best in customer service.

trailblazing men

When technology meets superior customer service.

What makes your team trailblazers?

Although we take pride in being a boutique and local brand, we’ve worked hard to become integrated with some of the most advanced technologies and digital marketing systems available in our industry. By doing so, we’re able to streamline our operations and allocate more quality time to serving our clients.

Describe how you use innovation to stay ahead of the pack.

The future of real estate lies is in the leverage of teams. The notion that I can be the best at all facets of the industry is faulty at best. My team consists of a business manager, real estate coach, white label broker with a robust tech stack (Side), director of operations, marketing manager, showing agents, design/staging partners, contractors and painters, etc... Not to mention, we’re implementing artificial intelligence (AI) to gain efficiency and free up time.

How are you boldly paving the way?

Agents who solve problems and open more doors to opportunities are going to get the best results for their clients. We offer trade-in programs that allow clients to buy before selling while maximizing value, concierge property prep services with $0 up front out of pocket for sellers, cash offer programs for buyers and so much more. The relationships within the industry are vital as we identify win-win situations. In 2022, 25 percent of our business was off market.

Corey Robinson

Journey

Real Estate

1300 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 415.858.9469 | corey@thejourneyre.com www.thejourneyre.com

@corey.journey | /journeyrealestate

DRE #01783258

trailblazing men

Corey Robinson Journey Real Estate

KC Pedersen Clipper Yacht Harbor

A full-service marina with a long legacy.

What makes your team trailblazers?

Clipper Yacht Harbor has been in the Pedersen family since the 1940s. We are now on our third-generation of owners and operators. Clipper has been improving and innovating for more than 75 years, never being content or complacent.

Describe how you use resourcefulness to stay ahead of the pack.

From upgrading our docks to the industry-leading standard, adding solar to our property, taking on the best of the marine industry tenants, we will always strive to improve.

How are you boldly paving the way in your industry?

We are always looking to see where the marine industry is headed and try to stay one step ahead. We are setting the standard of what a full-service marina should be.

Clipper Yacht Harbor | 310 Harbor Drive, Sausalito, CA 94965 415.332.3500 | info@clipperyacht.com | www.clipperyacht.com

Doug Coomer

North Bay Candleworks

Aromatic candles and laser engraving services inspired by Marin.

What makes you a trailblazer?

Our team is innovative and always looking for new and better ways to improve our products. We immerse ourselves and get constant feedback through artisan craft fairs and farmers markets, which can lead to new products, like our laser engraving service.

Describe how you use innovation to stay ahead of the pack.

We are now incorporating custom engraving into some of our candle vessels, some of which allow the light to pass through. We also offer laser engraving for wedding gifts, corporate event prizes and even bridal showers. If you can think of it, we can engrave it.

North Bay Candleworks

757 Lincoln Avenue, Ste. 19, San Rafael, CA 94901 | 415.246.0028 www.northbaycandleworks.com | /@northbay_candleworks

trailblazing men

Tell Your Story

Celebrating Visionaries

In our July/August issue, Marin Living will honor the most influential leaders and businesses in the Bay Area. These people and companies are truly Visionaries in their respective fields. The feature will include a custom advertorial profile showcasing what makes them industry leaders. After publication, we will celebrate our Visionaries at a dedicated in-person VIP event. Marin Living will deliver added value marketing support for all our Visionaries, including a linked sponsored article on our website for one year, newsletter promotion to 15,000 opted-in email subscribers and social media.

Contact Dina Grant for more info

dina@marinlivingmagazine.com

follow us on social @marinlivingmag + subscribe to our newsletter at www.marinlivingmagazine.com/newsletter

www.marinlivingmagazine.com

SOLD

STAGED & SOLD

We know what buyers are looking for! First impressions matter, and home preparation is key to a successful sale. We can help you prepare your home to obtain the highest value in today’s changing market. Falla Associates has a proven track record of successful sales in all market conditions. If you are thinking of making a move, we’d love to help you reach your goal!

We know what buyers are looking for! First impressions matter, and home preparation is key to a successful sale. We can help you prepare your home to obtain the highest value in today’s changing market. Falla Associates has a proven track record of successful sales in all market conditions. If you are thinking of making a move, we’d love to help you reach your goal!

We know what buyers are looking for! First impressions matter, and home preparation is key to a successful sale. We can help you prepare your home to obtain the highest value in today’s changing market. Falla Associates has a proven track record of successful sales in all market conditions. If you are thinking of making a move, we’d love to help you reach your goal!

We know what buyers are looking for! First impressions matter, and home preparation is key to a successful sale. We can help you prepare your home to obtain the highest value in today’s changing market. Falla Associates has a proven track record of successful sales in all market conditions. If you are thinking of making a move, we’d love to help you reach your goal!

We know what buyers are looking for! First impressions matter, and home preparation is key to a successful sale. We can help you prepare your home to obtain the highest value in today’s changing market. Falla Associates has a proven track record of successful sales in all market conditions. If you are thinking of making a move, we’d love to help you reach your goal!

FALLA ASSOCIATES

FALLA ASSOCIATES

ALVA FALLA

ALVA FALLA

ALVA FALLA

415-518-1930 | Lic.#00628712

415-518-1930 | Lic.#00628712

JENNIFER FALLA FIRKINS

415-518-1930 | Lic.#00628712

JENNIFER FALLA FIRKINS

JENNIFER FALLA FIRKINS

415-602-5768 | Lic.#01255172

415-602-5768 | Lic.#01255172

fallaassociates@ggsir.com

415-602-5768 | Lic.#01255172

fallaassociates@ggsir.com

fallaassociates@ggsir.com

★ B Y FALLA A S SOCIA T E S

STAGED & SOLD

going places.

A Summer Place

A beloved Sausalito marina gets its first electric boat charger; there’s no place like Santa Fe; and a graphicartist-in-residence experience you don’t want to miss.

Courtesy of Candela

A Candela hydrofoiling electric boat

Wave of the Future

Sausalito’s historical harbor is leading Marin into a new era.

By Caitlin Hamer

WHEN CLIFF PEDERSEN ACQUIRED 40 acres of land through the War Assets Administration, he likely didn’t anticipate the legacy he was creating, nor could he see how the needs of boaters would come to change. Now this property, better known as Clipper Yacht Harbor (www.clipperyacht. com), has become Sausalito’s largest and most diverse full-service harbor. And while Clipper’s size and history generate plenty of buzz in the Bay Area, there’s something else going on here that has people talking, and it’s all about electric boats.

Though it’s a niche market at the moment, boats powered by electricity have existed for well over a century. But thanks

to evolving technology and a growing shift away from gas-powered engines, electric boats are slowly starting to become more mainstream. However, there’s a major caveat for using these watercraft: the boats need to be charged rather than fueled, and right now, there’s a significant lack of charging stations. But after a presentation from Aqua superPower, a company working on building a fully electric infrastructure of charging networks for boats, it was decided that making Marin more electric boat friendly was the next logical step for Clipper Yacht Harbor. Aqua superPower (www.aqua-superpower.com) began installing Marin’s first marine fast chargers there this spring.

Bryson Malone

Clipper Yacht Harbor

“With the electric boat industry, it’s still uncertain how fast it’s going to come, but it is coming,” says KC Pedersen, Cliff Pedersen’s grandson and Clipper’s current vice president. Clipper’s charging station will be able to fast-charge two boats at a time, in roughly 40 minutes to an hour depending on boat size. The installation is a boon for local electric boat owners, but one charging station alone is just the first step. “The big concern is range anxiety,” says Scott Canning, vice president of North American business development for Aqua superPower, referring to the fact that electric boats typically have a shorter range than their gasoline-powered relatives.

“Right now you can’t travel really far,” says Pedersen. “You can maybe go from Sausalito to Tiburon and back.” Any farther destinations will prove challenging until other chargers are installed, but Canning says Aqua superPower has been in talks with management at other marinas in the area with the hopes of establishing a corridor of chargers around the bay (the company has also installed a charger at a marina in Redwood City).

Once chargers are more ubiquitous, the boats likely will be, too. Electric boat maker Candela (www.candela.com) has had a sales office in Sausalito since 2021, its leaders already sensing the Bay Area’s potential. “We consider it a great meeting point for people who enjoy futuristic technology from all around the globe,” says Sofia Lerm, Candela’s business developer. Candela currently has two types of electric boats to test-drive in Marin, including the C-8, which is the most-sold electric boat in the world.

Leonora Valvo of Vita Power, a developer of electric boats and electric marine power trains (www.vita-power.com), also recognizes that the movement is gaining speed: “As cities and harbors implement stricter regulations on emissions, water and noise pollution, the demand for electric boats will continue to grow,” she says.

Much like with the trajectory of electric cars, there are still improvements to be made before these boats are ready to tackle the water. But as long as there are forwardthinking people around to help jump-start progress, a future with electric boats zipping around the bay doesn’t seem that far off.

Courtesy of Aqua superPower Ltd.

Aqua superPower charging station at Clipper Yacht Harbor

Southwest Style

At Santa Fe’s new hotels, restaurants and art galleries, tradition and innovation mingle, resulting in a singular design aesthetic.

By Casey Hatfield-Chiotti

ABOUT A DECADE AGO, Nunzio

DeSantis, the award-winning Dallasbased architect responsible for hotels and resorts such as Las Ventanas al Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort and Rancho San Lucas, in Los Cabos, was looking for a project in Santa Fe. He grew up near the New Mexico–Texas border in El Paso and had long been attracted to the area’s natural beauty and historic architecture.

In 2014, a more than 100-year-old homestead founded by a French missionary was on the auction block. The property bordering Santa Fe National Forest, which became a resort in the 1920s, was in disarray. DeSantis saw the potential. “It had an equestrian center, a creek running

through it, all the ingredients for something spectacular,” he recalls. He bought it with several partners and embarked on a $75 million renovation project to turn it into one of the finest boutique resorts in the country.

Bishop’s Lodge, an Auberge Resorts Collection (from $899 per night; www. aubergeresorts.com), opened in 2021 three miles outside Santa Fe and won an Architectural Digest Great Design Award in 2022. DeSantis’ mission was to maintain the resort’s history and soul without making it feel theme-y. “Understanding hospitality is about understanding the soul of a place,” he says. “When we do something, we have to bring in where we are. If we don’t, we’re not doing our jobs.”

Bishop’s Lodge

A three-bedroom casita at Bishop’s Lodge

He and his team took great care in protecting historic structures like the adobe chapel circa 1874 on the National Register of Historic Places. They also added new buildings with just as much character as older structures, like a 12-bedroom bunkhouse, ideal for large families and groups, made of reclaimed barn wood with a soaring great room, a two-story stone fireplace and freestanding adobe structures that mimic the land’s contours and conceal luxury suites featuring decor inspired by traditional Navajo dress and the earthy colors of the landscape.

The City of Santa Fe, a UNESCOprotected jewel, has a style all its own. The oldest state capital in the U.S. was established in 1610, but pueblo settlements there date back to the 10th century. June, when temperatures are in the mid-80s and the Santa Fe Opera season begins, kicks off peak season. Visitors can see Native American ruins filled with petroglyphs and centuries-old adobe churches.

While it has respect for the past, Santa Fe — which has more than 250 art galleries — isn’t stuck in it. The artists, designers and chefs who congregate there are opening gallery

spaces, boutiques and restaurants that showcase updated takes on Southwest style and cuisine.

At Hecho a Mano (www.hechoamano. org), a gallery that opened in 2019, owner Frank Rose showcases accessible art forms, including printmaking, ceramics and jewelry by New Mexican and Oaxacan artists. “One of the things that draws me to artists is something that has a tradition but in a way that is relevant to today. It connects it to something larger,” says Rose.

At Hecho a Mano’s sibling gallery, Hecho Gallery (www.hecho.gallery), Rose carries the work of many local artists including Blackfoot Nation artist Tarran Last Gun. He specializes in the narrative art form known as ledger art. In the late 19th century when Native Americans didn’t always have access to blank paper, they would paint lodges or battle scenes on accessible items like documents or ledgers. Last Gun’s work features geometric elements in bright colors that still reflect but don’t stereotype Native American culture. Rose says the mix of different cultures — immigrants from Mexico, Indigenous people, Anglo and people who identify as Spanish — makes the Santa Fe art and design scene inspiring.

Heritage by Hand (www.heritage byhand.com), a lifestyle boutique and brand in the Sena Plaza area of Santa Fe’s historic downtown, celebrates the connection with our neighbor to the south and carries many contemporary design collections from Mexico. “There has always been a link and an ongoing conversation between these regions, and I try to showcase that in the store,” says owner Heidi McKinnon, a museum consultant who helped curate the inaugural exhibitions at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and the Museum of Freedom and Human Rights in Panama City, Panama.

She says the relationship with Mexico is part of what makes Southwestern style so unique. Visitors can peruse a global mix of items made responsibly by hand from natural, organic and upcycled materials such as handwoven tunics, burnished ceramic

Alex Ignacio

voyager.

Hecho Gallery

candelabras from Veracruz and natural indigo dyed quilts.

While Santa Fe is known for its vibrant artist community and museums like the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (the famous artist’s vibrant floral paintings and landscapes are a must-see), two museums are challenging perceptions of New Mexico art and contemporary art in general.

IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts or MoCNA (www.iaia. edu) is the country’s only museum for exhibiting and interpreting the most progressive work of contemporary Native artists. The collection includes more than 10,000 contemporary Indigenous artworks created from 1962 to the present day. In Santa Fe’s Railyard District, SITE Santa Fe (www.sitesantafe.org) showcases edgy and topical exhibitions, like  Going with the Flow: Art, Actions

and Western Waters. The group exhibition, including temporary site-specific artworks exploring the essential role of water in the dry Southwest, goes through July 31.

Just as Santa Fe’s architecture and art has been shaped by Spanish, Native American and Mexican influences, so has its cuisine. The new menu at Terra, the signature restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe (www.fourseasons.com), celebrates all three through ingredients like masa sourced from Mexico, New Mexican bison and Spanish octopus. Brightly colored dishes and cocktails, including grilled butterfly branzino with creamy guajillo tomatillo sauce and jicama slaw and a strawberry gimlet with gin, basil and habanero shrub, feel distinctive and fresh.

At the Mexican restaurant Zacátlan (www.zacatlanrestaurant.com), where house-made tortillas come in

a rainbow of hues, dishes are equally artful. Chef and owner Eduardo Rodriguez worked his way through Santa Fe’s top fine dining kitchens, including Coyote Cafe and Geronimo, before opening his restaurant in 2020. The fusion food incorporates Mexican and Southwestern influences. Think confit duck legs with huitlacoche succotash and mole poblano and beef short ribs with purple kale and onion rings.

Back at Bishop’s Lodge, the cuisine is deeply connected to the region as well: chefs char peppers and vegetables on the grill at SkyFire. At the bar, mixologists specialize in smoky mezcal-laced cocktails that can be sipped slowly next to the Great Meadow or in undefined outdoor areas. Guests are encouraged to experience the dramatic landscape and sparkly light in a way that is organic, unexpected and authentic, like Santa Fe itself.

Courtesy of the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado Santa Fe

Terra restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe

An Art and Design Lovers Santa Fe Hit List

STAY

Glampers will take plenty of Instagram-friendly pics at KitFox (www. staykitfox.com) 20 minutes from Santa Fe. Chic safari and bell-style tents are surrounded by high desert, and the property’s general store sells locally made items.

Travelers looking for luxury and timeless Southwest style will love the 58-room Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi (www. rosewoodhotels.com), showcasing handcrafted furnishings and traditional wooden ceilings downtown near Cathedral Park.

EAT

The upscale Compound Restaurant (www.compoundrestaurant.com) — a fixture in Santa Fe fine dining for decades — still draws design-loving locals and visitors for its 1960s redesign by famed textile designer Alexander Girard. New executive chef Weston Ludeke worked with Jean-Georges.

Aesthetes flock to the second floor Opuntia Cafe (www.opuntia.cafe) in the Railyard for the industrial loft-like space with an indoor koi pond, views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the best tea selection in Santa Fe.

Kakawa Chocolates (www.kakawachocolates.com)specializes in re-creating original Mesoamerican and colonial chocolate recipes like drinking chocolate elixirs and architectural truffles using local ingredients such as goat cheese and sage.

SHOP

At Shiprock Santa Fe gallery (www. shiprocksantafe.com) on the historic Santa Fe Plaza, fifth-generation art dealer Jed Foutz, who was raised in the Navajo Nation, sells a curated collection of historic and contemporary Navajo rugs and blankets, Native American jewelry, Pueblo pottery and sculpture.

The appointment-only shop Santa Fe Vintage (www.santafevintage.com) is a treasure trove of vintage art and fashion that results in the perfectly unpolished Southwest look like worn-in western boots and 1950s leather-fringe jackets.

A former assistant milliner at the Santa Fe Opera makes custom hats through her company Ramblin Rose Hat Co. (www.ramblinrosehatco.com), but they’re so popular, you have to get on a wait-list.

voyager.

Evan Pierce

KitFox

Don’t wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul. - Luther Burbank Stephan-Hill invites you to view our summer collections along with this stunning cabochon peridot and diamond 14k yellow gold Quattro® pendant.

A bout Last Night

VERONICA BEARD BOUTIQUE OPENING

Designer Veronica Swanson Beard was joined by special guests to celebrate the brand’s store opening at Marin Country Mart on April 27. The luncheon and shopping event kicked off with cocktails at the boutique, followed by an intimate lunch at Farmshop. The brand highlighted its collaboration, Veronica Beard x Juliska Bohemian Vine collection.

Photography by Drew Altizer Photography

Jim Rosenfield and Veronica Swanson Beard

Alexis Traina, April Gargiulo, Cecilia Harris

Cecilia Harris and Allison Speer

Heather Rosenfield

party.

GROUNDBREAKING WOMEN CELEBRATION

Marin Living honored some of Marin's most influential women and women-owned businesses at a joyful gathering on May 9. The event was hosted by Homeward Bound of Marin in its Key Room with bites prepared by in-house chefs. Wine was generously supplied by Conn Creek and event equipment provided by Celebrations of Marin. Cast jewelry turned up the excitement with a giveaway, just in time for Mother's Day.

Photography by Katie Ravas for Drew Altizer Photography

Mary Kay Sweeney

Cast giveaway

Shannon Matthiesen, Michell Kawaja, Ellie Fritz and Sarah Caveney

Bronwyn Wrobel, Dina Grant, Janine Thill

Jenna Hermans and Lorena Masso

Homeward Bound of Marin team

Some of the evening's guests

drawn together.

Art Creation

For 836M’s newest residency, visitors will get to see cartoons, graphic novels and zines made in real time.

By Daniel Jewett

FOR CURATORS OF THE NINE-YEAR-OLD nonprofit arts

organization 836M, located under archways in a charming building in San Francisco’s Jackson Square neighborhood, the idea of hosting a four-month residency for cartoonists, graphic novelists and zine makers presented an intriguing challenge.

“It’s going to be exciting to have this residency program in a medium that we haven’t really explored before and that the public usually only sees once it’s published,” says 836M (www.836m.org) associate curator Jade Fogle. The residency runs through September 29, with opening and closing events on May 25 and September 28. “We really wanted to emphasize that the process of making art is just as important as the finalized piece.”

The setup in the gallery will be hybrid, part workshop and part informal coffee shop where visitors can come in and see the diverse styles of the four local artists — Rina Ayuyang, Tyler Cohen, Janelle Hessig and Thien Pham — unfold as they work on and ultimately complete their creations. “We really want to make it comfortable for the visitor to come in and not feel like they’re interrupting the creative process, but to be able to engage with it and talk to the artist,” Fogle says.

According to Fogle, the ability to see the creative process unfold will be a unique experience for visitors. “What you might have seen when you visited the first time is going to be drastically different in a couple months, or even a couple of weeks,” she says. “We would really love to invite the viewer to return to have more conversations and engagement and see how these things develop — in that way, they end up being a part of that creative process.”

As for how popular graphic novels are in the Bay Area, she says the style has deep roots here and points to the Cartoon Art Museum, bookstores like Silver Sprocket and even the Charles M. Schulz Museum as proof. “Graphic novels are rooted in the American psyche,” she says. “There’s a community here that is deeply involved in it.”

She adds that graphic novels can be as impactful as a Picasso, while also being accessible. “Graphic novels are an easier and cheaper way to disseminate information, ideas and thoughts,” she says. “The subjects that are explored in comics and graphic novels are personal, are pertinent to the larger scope of socioeconomic and political themes and can be easier for a viewer to feel more connected to since it doesn’t carry that academic weight.”

Not being experts in the cartoonist and graphic novel realm, Fogle and programing director Céline Ricci enlisted the help of co-curator and participating Oakland artist

Rina Ayuyang, whose graphic novel Blame This on the Boogie appeared on the best-of-year lists in Forbes, London Free Press and Publishers Weekly.

“I am very excited to collaborate with this talented group of cartoonists who have been telling powerful stories through their amazing comics for years here in the Bay Area,” Ayuyang says. “The work that they are about to share through the 836M residency celebrates the diverse voices and upholds the cartoonist tradition of evocative artistic expression that is, at its very heart, San Francisco.”

Rina Ayuyang: “The Man in the McIntosh Suit” (top); Tyler Cohen: “Semantic Shift” (bottom)

A WINNING COMBINATION

LEADING DESIGN FIRMS & DEVELOPERS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, HAWAII & WESTERN NEVADA ARE PARTNERING WITH RIGGS TO FEATURE SUB-ZERO, WOLF & COVE APPLIANCES FOR THEIR PRESTIGIOUS DESIGN PROJECTS.

VISIT NEW SFDC SHOWROOM

VIVIAN LEE, AIA PRINCIPAL AT EDMONDS + LEE ARCHITECTS

BE A WINEMAKER FOR A DAY

The Barrel Blending Experience ® at Conn Creek is an opportunity to explore, taste, and blend Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy a guided tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon from distinctly different areas of this famed wine region. After learning blending techniques and strategies, you’ll experience what it’s like to be a winemaker and craft your own custom blend to bottle and take home.

Reservations are available Thursday through Monday at 10:30am and 2:00pm