Images Arizona January 2018 by Images Arizona Paradise Valley

Paradise Valley Gainey Ranch McCormick Ranch

ECRWSS Local Postal Customer

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PHOENIX, AZ PERMIT NO. 3418

January 2018

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January 2018

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Writer Effie Bouras

Writer Amanda Christmann

COMMUNITY EVENTS

DESERT STARS SHINE BRIGHTLY

Writer Amanda Christmann

Writer Shannon Severs

Writer Kyndra Kelly

PASSION COMES TO LIFE AT ARIZONA FINE ART EXPO

THE INDIVIDUALIST AARON BETSKY

THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF SCOTT BAXTER

Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer

Photographer Jen Wilbur

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MINI CHOCOLATE BROWNIE SKILLETS

scottsdale road

VIA DE VENTURA

Scottsdale Seville indian bend drive

ScottsdaleSeville.com

pima road

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

101

A family-friendly, beautiful location in the heart of town, the Scottsdale Seville is the perfect destination to

Shop, Dine & Relax! |

NE corner, Scottsdale & Indian Bend Rds.

DESTINY’S BRIDE destinysbride@gmail.com Destiny’s Bride is a Couture Atelier that specializes in Wedding Gowns. Our designers include: Galia Lahav, Monique Lhuillier, Calla Blanche and Lian Carlo just to name a few. Destiny’s Bride has been in business serving brides with unparalleled customer service for over 20 years. Mon-Sat. 10-6 / Sun 12-5

(480) 368-8868

DAVINCI LUXE davinciluxe.com Exclusive European Men’s clothing and accessories. Specializing in colorful designs from formal to casual with collections from Italy, France and England. Each design is hand made, using the finest materials!

(480) 474-4973

Scottsdale Seville /

7001 North Scottsdale Road / Scottsdale AZ 85253

SHOP Azadi Fine Rugs Betteridge Jewelers DaVinci Luxe Destiny’s Bride Duxiana Sole Sports Running Zone Wild Birds Unlimited

DINE 21 Cakes Jamba Juice Ruth’s Chris Steak House Starbucks Coffee Sushi Sen Terrior Wine Pub Wildflower Bread Company

RELAX Luxe Nail Bar Opening Jan. Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center Massage Envy Rumors Hair & Nail Salon

SERVICES Cycle Bar Cabinets by C&F HYPOXI OrangeTheory Fitness Beal Bank Encore Cleaners Scottrade January 2018

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PUBLISHER Shelly Spence

MANAGING EDITOR Amanda Christmann

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meaghan Mitchell Ana Petrovic

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

PHOTOGRAPHERS Scott Baxter Bryan Black Kyndra Kelly Loralei Lazurek

ADVERTISING SALES Loren Sheck 480-309-6410 loren@imagesaz.com

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

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

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

Local First A R I Z O NA

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

January 2018

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

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

SU R P R I S E

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

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

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

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

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

ThunderbirdArtists.com • 480-837-5637

“We’re honored to be collaborating with Chef Giancarlo Stefanutto and owner Glenn Wagner of Sogno Toscano vineyard of Italy. Chef Giancarlo will demonstrate and share samples of delicious edibles from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. January 20 and February 10,” she said.

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

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

January 2018

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

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

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

Experience Arizona Fine Art Expo

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

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For the next 13 years, she did disaster work across the nation, teaching classes and becoming the state and chapter lead for mental health. A two-time survivor of breast cancer, she turned to painting first in 2008, after enduring several surgeries. “I learned that if I painted, I didn’t hurt,” she said. “I painted eight to 12 hours a day, every day.” Painting not only helped Stacy heal, it catapulted her toward a new career as a fine artist. Today, her subject matter draws from or is inspired by ancient and native cultures. Symbols in her work reflect her belief in life beyond what she sees and her gratitude for life itself. Some of the symbols come directly from native art, while others are her own creations. Using bright colors and metallic paint, she prefers to paint with acrylics, often choosing those containing metals that change with patinas. “Color makes my heart sing, and I think it does for other people too,” she said. “I love working with acrylic paints because they are so versatile.” Much of her work is done on four wooden panels held together with dowels. “My ‘Quadruvium’ pieces are named from the Roman use of the term to represent a crossroads where four roads meet, and I have four wooden cradles that are connected,” she said, adding that she creates the heavily textured paintings by building up layers of acrylic paint. She also employs crackling techniques to give the surfaces depth, and she is known for her fine line work on the sides and edges of her pieces. This is Stacy’s eighth year participating in the Arizona Fine Art Expo. “I love the warmth and the sense of family we have among the artists,” she said. “I really enjoy interacting with patrons and helping them to discover my hidden symbols and messages. Sometimes they help me see things in my art that I did not realize were there.” Her evocative, contemporary pieces range from $250 to several thousand dollars, depending on the size and scope of each piece. arizonafineartexpo.com

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COMMUNITY arts // announcements // culture Writer Amanda Christmann

JAN. 4 ATTENTION TEACHERS! The Heard Museum has an event just for K-12 educators: Flavors of the Past & Present. Learn how to prepare a delicious dish with ancestral ingredients and taste the flavors of culinary wisdom. Educators will receive curriculum resources and a certificate for tracking professional development hours. Free. 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. RSVP required. education@heard. org; 602-252-8840; heard.org

JAN. 6â&#x20AC;&#x201C;14 CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING

Music JAN. 11

WINTER SALON MUSICALE

Drop off your Christmas tree

Enjoy beautiful chorale music

at collection bins available at

in the shadows of Sedonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Eldorado, Scottsdale Ranch

red rocks. Part of the Sedona

and Thompson Peak City Parks.

Winter Music Festival. $125.

No artificial trees, stands or

Private Sedona residence,

ornaments. Curbside pickup is

TBA. 5:30 p.m. 928-204-2415;

available during regular brush

chambermusicsedona.org

and bulk collection weeks. Place

your tree in the brush pile away

*Photo Courtesy Sedona Winter

from bulk items. scottsdaleaz.gov

Festival

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JAN. 9–14 FIFTH ANNUAL SEDONA WINTER MUSIC FESTIVAL Chamber Music Sedona will host its dynamic annual six-day celebration of the performing arts. The festival will culminate Jan. 14 with a concert at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. See website for performance and class schedules and ticket info. chambermusicsedona.org

JAN. 11–FEB. 11 JOHN RANDALL NELSON EXHIBITION Contemporary artists John Randall Nelson uses symbolism and tropes to portray esoteric narratives. Free. Gebert Contemporary, 7160 Main St., Scottsdale. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; closed Sundays. 480-4290711; gebertartaz.com

JAN. 12–14 ROCK AND ROLL MARATHON SERIES Running is fun when it comes with live music and excitement! The Rock ‘N’ Marathon is a relatively flat course that runs through Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. Road closure information, routes, fees and schedule are available online. runrocknroll.com

JAN. 12–27 ARIZONA BACH FESTIVAL Join the ninth annual season of inspiring, transcendent performances of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. See website for schedule and details. $23 in advance; $25 at the door. Concerts held at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 6300 N. Central Ave., Phoenix; and Central United Methodist Church, 1875 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. arizonabachfestival.org

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

On Stage

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

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JAN. 17–21 RUSSO AND STEELE AUTOMOBILE AUCTION With more than 800 cars

the art of organization

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

JAN. 18–FEB. 28 BOB BOZE BELL SOLO EXHIBITION “The Illustrated Life and Times of Wild Bill Hickok” event and art show, featuring 17 pieces of original art from the book by Bob Boze Bell, celebrates the publication of Bell’s newest book of the same title. Reception Jan. 18, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. CattleTrack Arts & Preservation Center, 6105 N. CattleTrack Road, Scottsdale. cattletrack.org

JAN. 20 PAWS IN THE PARK Fetch some fun at Paws in the Park at Chaparral

Home Ofﬁces

Garages

Entertainment Centers

Wall Units

Park’s off-leash area. Talk to experienced pet professionals, visit information booths, learn about dog adoptions, get great giveaways and hear a variety of entertainment. Bring a dog food donation to benefit Vista del Camino’s Pet Pantry and rescue agencies. 5401 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 480-312-0217; scottsdaleaz.gov

480-998-2070 www.closetfactory.com

www.facebook.com/closetfactory

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JAN. 25 CHITA RIVERA AND TOMMY TUNE Arizona Musicfest brings two of Broadway’s most celebrated legends together for an extraordinary concert event. $43–$89. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale. 7:30 p.m. 480-4228449; azmusicfest.org

JAN. 27 WALK IN UNITY

Golf

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

More unites us than divides

*Photo Courtesy Waste Management

us. Scottsdale is joining other

Phoenix Open

Valley cities for the annual walk to promote mutual respect and understanding. The event starts at Tempe Beach Park with a festival at 4:30 p.m., then a one-mile walk over the Mill Avenue Bridge at 6 p.m. Details available by phone or online. Search “Unity Walk.” 480-312-2727; tempe.gov

JAN. 28 YOUNG MUSICIANS WINTER CONCERT Don’t miss your chance to hear the stars of tomorrow— today! Arizona Musicfest brings the best young classical talent in Arizona. $23.50. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 2 p.m. 480-422-8449; azmusicfest.org

JAN. 31 ALISON BROWN QUARTET Arizona Musicfest presents Grammy-winner Alison Brown, who has established herself as not only one of the best banjo players in the world, but also one of the most innovative musicians around today. $35–$55. La Casa de Cristo Church, 6300 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix. 7:30 p.m. 480-4228449; azmusicfest.org

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FEB. 1 GROW YOUR OWN FOOD Just because we live in the desert doesn’t mean we can’t garden! Join urban gardeners as they share information on growing healthy food, herbs, edible flowers and fruit trees in our desert. Info available at website. Search “green building.” Free. Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite

SCOTTSDALE 2018 AUCTIONS JANUARY 18TH & 19TH APRIL 5TH & 6TH

Reef Rd., Scottsdale. 7 to 8:30 p.m. scottsdaleaz.gov

FEB. 2 SYMMETRY IN STONE: THE JEWELRY OF RICHARD I. CHAVEZ The Heard Museum presents work of Richard Chavez, one of the Southwest’s leading jewelers. For the first time in his more than 40-year career, his jewelry will be featured in a retrospective exhibition. Free with museum admission. 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Mon. through Sat. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 602-252-8840; heard.org

FEB. 2 LATE NITE CATECHISM Spontaneous, clever and outrageously fun, the recordbreaking “Late Nite Catechism” has been running every season at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts since 2000. Come see what the hullabaloo is all about! Runs every Friday through Feb. 23. $31–$39. 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 8 p.m. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org

Kenneth Riley b. 1919 CAA, NAWA | Mandan Gold Oil on linen | 48 by 40 inches | $90,000 - $130,000

I NVITING C ONSIGNMENTS FOR O UR 2018 J ANUARY AND A PRIL A UCTIONS IN S COTTSDALE FOR A COMPLIMENTARY AUCTION EVALUATION, PLEASE SEND IMAGES AND ARTWORK INFORMATION TO INFO@ALTERMANN.COM. YOU MAY ALSO MAIL SUBMISSION MATERIALS TO THE SCOTTSDALE GALLERY. 345 CAMINO DEL MONTE SOL, SANTA FE, NM 87501 7172 EAST MAIN STREET, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85251 CONSIGNMENT OFFICE, 2103 IRVING BLVD., DALLAS, TX 75207

(855) 945-0448 ALTERMANN.COM

January 2018

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HISTORY IN THE DESERT OPEN AT BROWN’S RANCH TRAILHEAD A new exhibit at the Brown’s Ranch Trailhead in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers insights into the Arizona Historical Society’s role in preserving the state’s history and telling its unique story. History in the Desert includes artifacts and photographs showing historic ranching, mining, farming and other elements of Arizona history. Free. 30301 N. Alma School Pkwy., Scottsdale. 7 to 9 a.m. Mon.–Fri.; 7 to 11 a.m. Sat.–Sun. mcdowellsonoran.org

History *Photographer Bryan Black

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FEB. 2 THE FAB FAUX Arizona Musicfest presents The Fab Faux. Dispel your previous notions of a Beatles tribute act! $24–$67. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale. 7:30 p.m. 480422-8449; azmusicfest.org

FEB. 2 LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO Come enjoy the fusion of intricate rhythms and harmonies of South African musical traditions with the sounds and sentiments of gospel. The all-male vocal group rocketed to fame in the mid-1980s when Paul Simon incorporated its rich harmonies into his groundbreaking album Graceland. $39–$69; see website for free and discounted tickets. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 8 p.m. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org

FEB. 3 LATE NITE CATECHISM III: ’TIL DEATH DO US PART Arizona’s favorite ruler-wielding nun is back in the habit in this popular sequel to the Late Nite Catechism comedies. Performed Saturdays through Feb. 24. $31–$39. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Stage 2, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 8 p.m. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org

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LIFE ON THE RANGE The breathtaking photography of Scott T. Baxter will be on display at Fiat Lux Gallery through Jan. 11. Scott’s awardwinning photographs have been featured in American Cowboy, Arizona Highways, Cowboys & Indians, Western Horseman, Men’s Journal and Images Arizona. Some are part of a permanent collections at the Phoenix Art Museum and more. He recently completed a captivating 10-year legacy project for the Arizona Centennial called “100 Years, 100 Ranchers” depicting a disappearing way of life. Free. 6919 E. 1st Ave., Scottsdale. Thursdays 7 to 9 p.m. 480280-8000; fiatluxgallery.com *Photographer Scott T. Baxter

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FEB. 3 METROPOLITAN KLEZMER Metropolitan Klezmer combines the best of downtown, classical and world music scenes to create interpretations and compositions around eclectic Yiddish repertoire: ethereal trance, rollicking dance, imaginatively arranged Yiddish swing and tango, plus originals such as klezmer cumbia. $29– $49; see website for free and discounted tickets. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 8 p.m. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleperformingarts.org

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

SATURDAY FUN IN DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE There’s something for everyone Saturdays in Downtown Scottsdale! See Arizona’s Singing Cowboy serenade the crowd in Old Town or catch a free carriage ride. Watch Hollywood Stuntman Hall of Famer Johnny Hot Shot in action and experience blacksmithing demonstrations. Music, food, art and more throughout the Arts and 5th Avenue Districts, too! Free. Downtown Scottsdale. Saturdays, 1 to 4 p.m. scottsdaleaz.gov

SWEET SOUNDS OF SUNDAYS WITH SUNDAY A’FAIR Sunday A’Fair features free outdoor concerts by the Valley’s top musicians, an arts-and-crafts market and fun activities for children and families. Free concerts run from noon to 4 p.m. most Sundays from Jan. 14 through April 8 on the Civic Center Mall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. scottsdaleperformingarts.org

will be added throughout the season. mim.org

CELEBRATION OF FINE ART If you are drawn to art, check out Celebration of Fine Art Jan. 13 through March 25. More than 100 artists will set up working studios from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily in the big white tents southwest of Hayden Road and Loop 101. celebrateart.com

January 2018

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Writer Shannon Severson Photos Courtesy of Violá French Bistro

Arizona has a way of enchanting visitors the world over with its beautiful weather, open spaces and friendly Western spirit. For one talented French couple, all it took was one visit to win them over permanently. Voilà French Bistro proprietors, Chef Jean-Christophe and Ségolène Gros, first traveled from the verdant mountains of France’s Lorraine region to see the Grand Canyon. They spent one night in Scottsdale and fell in love with the area. That feeling never left. In 2015, the Groses came with the intent of making a permanent move to their favorite vacation spot and planned to open their own restaurant once they arrived. Acting upon a friend’s recommendation, they went for a meal at Voilà French Bistro, which ended with the original owner spontaneously offering to sell them the business. They jumped at the chance, managed to arrange for visas, and packed their lives into seven suitcases for their new adventure. Today, they’re celebrating the second anniversary of their successful venture and welcoming a steady stream of new customers as word gets out about this little slice of France in the desert. “It felt like home from the start,” says Ségolène, who runs the front of the restaurant, occasionally accompanied by daughter, Elea. “We love the quality of life here. It’s like

we are always on vacation, surrounded by mountains and palm trees, and we have met so many nice people.” Voilà French Bistro’s environment is one of friendly, casual elegance. When entering the petite space, it feels as though you’ve stepped right off a Parisian sidewalk. White linen tablecloths and fresh flowers grace the tables, and a sparkling chandelier hangs above the full bar. Just outside, ample patio seating is perfect for cool weather dining. During my visit, French-speaking patrons were sipping champagne with lunch as another table of friends enjoyed quiche Lorraine, steak frites, and salade aux lardons topped with poached egg. Jean-Christophe’s Michelin-starred experience shines through in his modern approach to traditional bistro favorites, and to his carefully crafted mouthwatering desserts, which include perfect vanilla bean créme brûlée and three types of soufflés. Every French restaurant must have a fantastic wine selection and Voilà French Bistro delivers. Choosing wine to pair with your meal comes with a helpful geography lesson on the viniculture of France. The wine list is a series of regional maps, making the extensive selection feel much more approachable.

January 2018

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When entering the petite space, it feels as though you’ve stepped right off a Parisian sidewalk. There was a bit of a learning curve to determining what Americans expect from a restaurant experience, and sourcing quality ingredients to fit Jean Christophe’s exacting standards required considerable time and effort. Still, he resisted the temptation to change too much of the cuisine he has mastered over 34 years of working at top restaurants and resorts. Voilà’s menu is classically French, but not intimidating. It varies a bit between lunch and dinner and, as is common in Paris, a prix-fixe menu is available at lunchtime. Familiar offerings include flavorful French onion soup topped with hearty croutons and a melty layer of Gruyère; moules (mussels) steamed and presented in delicately seasoned broth; and savory red wine-simmered boeuf Bourguignon. Chef Jean-Christophe wields his expertise with entrées that are a bit more adventurous: escargots in garlicky parsley butter; warm foie gras with caramelized apples; frog legs Provençale; and sweet breads. “I decided that I’m going to cook what I know,” says Jean-Christophe. “I’ve made a few adjustments, but I still make authentic French food. It’s not just the ingredients, it’s the way they are prepared. We love having our own restaurant where we can manage every element to offer our guests the very best experience.” voilafrenchbistro.com

January 2018

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

FINE ART, FINE WINE

IT’S AN ART PARTY!

THE STORY OF A MIRACLE

Experience some of the state’s best

Enjoy shopping at el Pedregal, then stop

The Living Music Performance Series

offerings in art and wine!

in to The Gallery for an afternoon of fine

presents the Gian Carlos Menotti

When: Jan. 19–21, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

art, delicious food and evocative musical

one-act opera, “Amahl and the Night

Where: 101 Easy St. in downtown

performances.

Visitors.”

Carefree.

When: Jan. 20, 1–4 p.m.

When: Jan. 6, 7 p.m.

Cost: $3 for adults; additional for wine

Where: el Pedregal, 34505 N. Scottsdale

Where: Christ the Lord Lutheran

tasting; children under 17 free.

Rd., Carefree.

Church, 9205 E. Cave Creek Rd.,

thunderbirdartists.com

Cost: Free.

Carefree.

480-575-6624

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

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

January 2018

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Writer Effie Bouras Photographer Bryan Black

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He stood as an imposing figure in front of the lecture hall, pacing the stage with furrowed brow as he observed the new faces of an incoming freshman class of architecture. A studied historian of architecture, this professor, who was also a child of the 1950s beat movement, a student of 1960s ethical liberation, and an ardent admirer of Frank Lloyd Wright, would later become one of my most treasured educators. On our first day of class he would make a remark that become an unforgettable sentiment, which well over a decade later I still can recall with lingering clarity, he said, “I wanted to be an architect, but soon realized that I could never be as good as Frank Lloyd Wright.” His words rang deep and sharp, permeating confusion throughout the auditorium, as the students, lost and adrift at the beginning of their own journeys, were unable to grasp any subtext in a seemingly candid declaration. Frank Lloyd Wright was never an imitator. In fact, in a 1953 Interview with journalist Hugh Downs on the subject concerning his greatest disappointment, Wright lamented his distaste for imitation, of which he had been the victim of during his long and storied career. Wright, as did my dear professor, wanted his students to further his process of architectural philosophy, not blindly recreate the expression that evolved from it. The common cliché of imitation being the sincerest form of flattery is also lost on Aaron Betsky, who, as a distinguished architect, critic and educator, and very much an individualist in his own right, has been so drawn to Wright’s legacy. His formative experiences as a child, particularly his first visit at architect Gerrit Rietveld’s colorful, open-plan Schroeder house in Utrecht, Netherlands led him on a life-long path to seek and create instances of expression worthy of the moniker of architecture. Celebrated in his own right, Betsky is a treasured fixture in the architectural community, having worked as an architect himself with several prolific design offices, as an ardent supporter of formerly littleknown and now renowned architects such as Rem Koolhaas, and presently to Taliesin, one of its pertinent saviors. While Betsky is an ardent admirer and guardian of Wright’s legacy, he does not want that very legacy to be hermetically or preciously preserved. He perceives the buildings at Taliesin in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Spring Green, Wisconsin as learning laboratories with the potential to not only form student experiences on campus, but also serve as a platform to initiate tangible change in the world. Betsky adds, “We use the buildings … and what we learn from Frank Lloyd Wright’s work … the way in which he thought of architecture as evolving from inside-out, ways in which we build with the land, of breaking the box, of being organic, fusing both private and social [functions] together, rather than separating them—all of those themes that run throughout his buildings, we want to take and move them forward to see how we can apply them to a contemporary situation.”

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

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main structure and neighboring guesthouse, with a landscape architect and designer looking at the master planning of the site. Once the renovation is completed, a fortunate student will be provided the opportunity to live in the on-site guesthouse. Betsky’s penchant for experiment has also compelled him to expand the long-running, student-constructed desert shelters program in which students design or redesign existing shelters, then inhabit them for their tenure at the school. For this coming year, he has introduced a new format that requires students to include their shelter concepts within their thesis project, urging them to investigate how their ideas can be scaled up, or transformed for suitability in other locales. Further, he has allied the school with a number of outside interests, including revitalization work with the boom-and-bust Arizona mining communities of Globe and Miami; revamping the site of a Unitarian church in Tucson; continuing work at the David and Gladys Wright House; and community projects in Spring Green. Betsky wants to stay away from the common impression of the “ivy tower” architect, instead bringing back the sense that, while Taliesin students do engage in rigorous theoretical precepts, it is also a place where you can “get your hands dirty, become a part of the community and contribute to it.”

Aside from an otherworldly ability to speak through the inanimate materials, which compose the reams of remarkable examples of architectural form in his incredibly long career, the question does still remain: Why is Wright so very popular to this day? Betsky notes that Wright’s autobiography remains one of the most widely read architecturally related books, but also notes that not all students attend Taliesin because of Wright—although some do. He recounts a story of woman who was frustrated by her career path and, after reading Wright’s autobiography, felt compelled to “drop everything” and move to Taliesin. This occurrence is not uncommon, he adds. Wright was a showman, yes, but more endearingly to Betsky, and perhaps more compelling than his penchant for dramatic architectural form was his ability to make intrinsic and extrinsic connections so apparent, and most importantly, so elegantly. Within a work of art, literature, music or architecture, he explains, there are very real qualities that can be defined and described. Subjectivity, in a sense, does not exist. The ability to create good architecture is fundamentally important in our society today, as is making good art and literature, but it does not happen by accident. Betsky can show you exactly why Wright was a great architect, as his thoughtful and responsive compositional choices make good architecture, as it does art. “People can say whatever they want [about art],” he says, “but if you look long and hard, it has qualities that you can define, describe and judge; this idea that everything is okay and everything can be art is bullshit.” Betsky leans back in his chair, his concentrated gaze reviewing the room in which we are sitting at Taliesin West. He notes the stretch of proportions and the contrast between the robustness of the structure punctured by delicate glazing, which offers very powerful connection to the desert landscape and valley below. Taliesin is a very active response to the mountain range, and exposes an endearing mode of communication that Betsky and many others connect with to this very day. Wright still communicates with us all, while never uttering a single word. taliesin.edu franklloydwright.org

January 2018

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Soulful and Sophisticated in Sedona

Adam Golka

Winter Music Festival brings Chamber Music to the Red Rocks

Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Chamber Music Sedona

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

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

Arnaud Sussmann

Alexander Fiterstein

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

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

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

January 2018

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Writer Shannon Severson Photography by Jen Wilbur

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

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

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Sofia first came to Los Angeles with a different dream: to be a professional dancer, with a primary focus on hip-hop. Her big break in Arizona came when, from among thousands of audition videos, she was chosen to be a backup dancer for Justin Bieber’s “Purpose” world tour. “It was my first concert ever,” says Sofia. “It was so loud and everyone was screaming. To calm my nerves, I imagined that everyone was screaming for me. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Everyone told me I needed to go to L.A. and get an agent. My parents always supported me. They were the ones who knew I could do it, even when I didn’t think I could.” Sofia began to make important connections in Los Angeles and gained recognition when she rose up through multiple levels of auditions for "So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation." “I had a broken toe throughout the auditions and no one knew,” says Sofia. “I just danced through the pain. I think the adrenaline helped me block it out.” When she was a back-up dancer for Nickelodeon’s "School of Rock," Sofia noticed the actors rehearsing and realized that she’d rather be acting up front than in the background. Soon, she had her first acting role in Nickelodeon’s "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn." She was just 12 years old. Then she was cast as Buffy in "Andi Mack." All of this has happened in the past two and a half years. “I love being able to work and see what happens on set,” says Sofia, “but then to see the finished product with editing and music added … it’s really exciting.” Both admitted to mild superstitions before big auditions. Asher listens to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” and both said they each wore the same outfits to every callback for "Andi Mack." Sofia still has that lucky jacket. Another lucky charm they share is that their dads accompany them during filming, as do the fathers of most other actors they work with. It’s been a positive for the kids and the dads. “We call the dads on set the ‘Mack Daddies,’” says Asher. “They even have t-shirts! It’s great to have all of them on set.”

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Having the support of family clearly gives both confidence to keep going after their dreams, no matter where it might take them. Neither seems to mind being busy, and both have additional talents and interests they’re successfully pursuing. Asher will soon be coming to a multiplex near you. He was recently cast as Billy Batson in his first major motion picture, “Shazam!” As Billy, he’ll play a teenage boy who transforms into the adult superhero, played by Zachary Levi. Expected to be the next DC Comics blockbuster, filming will begin in late 2018. “I couldn’t be more excited for this incredible opportunity to bring the role of Billy Batson to life and join the DC Universe,” says Asher. “I feel lucky and honored to join this amazing franchise and all of the talented people that bring it to life.” Beyond acting, Asher is a singer and songwriter and released his first single, “Snow Globe Wonderland,” in November, 2017. The video has been steadily climbing the iTunes charts. He said that Sofia helped him a bit with learning the choreography for the video. Sofia is quick to point out that he’s got some good dance moves — and she would know. Sofia is focused primarily on dancing and acting right now, and recently hosted auditions for her own dance January 2018

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video at Millenium Dance Company in Salt Lake City, where she trains regularly. “In the future I’d love to start singing and improve vocally,” she says. Asher chimes in that she’s got a great voice and he’s certain that fans will be hearing more of it in the future. There’s just no stopping the enthusiasm of these two. Zipping back and forth between Arizona, Utah, Los Angeles and wherever else is required is hard work, but Arizona always feels like home. “I like being with my family,” says Asher. “I cherish the time that I have with them and I love it when we have a break here in Arizona. The people are really nice and it’s not as busy as Los Angeles. I also get to give back to the community when I’m here. I’m a co-ambassador with Taylor Swift for The Ronan Foundation to fund new treatments for childhood cancer. I love being able to go to the hospital and give the kids candy and to see smiles light their faces. Not long ago, I went and actually made one kid walk for the first time to come get some candy. It was super incredible. I’ll never forget it.” The entire cast has worked with charities to deliver gifts to underprivileged children in Utah, and Sofia has her heart set on someday founding a charity to help animals. She also treasures her time here in Arizona, noting the slower pace and nice people. “I like the chill vibes here,” she says. “I love places like New York or Los Angeles because there are so many opportunities, but everything is happening at once. When I’m back here, I can just see my friends and family and appreciate the time I have.” Andi Mack continues to draw larger viewership each week, and, whenever they’re home, Arizona fans always turn out in droves at appearances by Sofia and Asher. There’s just something about local kids making it big that makes everyone feel proud. disneynow.com Instagram: @sofia_wylie Instagram: @asherdovangel January 2018

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Writer Amanda Christmann // Photography by Scott Baxter

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Scott Baxter

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

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

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

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I just shoot how I shoot. I think it takes a long time to develop a style.

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weathered by sunshine and a two-day-old beard. Wearing a blue and white flannel plaid shirt and comfortable jeans, he could have easily passed for one of the ranchers whose images have earned him his reputation. Sizing him up, I ordered my coffee black. We sat down and talked photography, writing and life.

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

Connect

Scott Baxter “Top Hand” Exhibit

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

Through Jan. 11 Thursday Evenings, 7–9 p.m. Fiat Lux Gallery 6919 E. 1st Ave., Scottsdale 480-280-8000 fiatluxgallery.com January 2018 imagesar iz ona .c om

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

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FINDING THE MAGIC Scott spent years honing his craft, and he did so through an era of change in photography. He still enjoys using film cameras and keeps a cache of them handy—a Linhof Technikardan 4x5, Calumet 8x10, Pentax 6x7, Hasselblad 500CM, and 1955 twin-lens Rolleiflex—but he has also joined the rest of the world in the switch to digital, albeit reluctantly. “When digital first came, I hated it,” he recalls. “I remember saying, ‘I’m never doing this,’ but here I am. I’ve learned that it’s not the camera or the equipment that matters. If you’re really passionate about what you do, it works itself out.” And he was passionate about what he did. Early on, Scott realized had the intuitive ability to differentiate between taking a picture and shooting a photo that told a story. “I came from kind of a stoic upbringing, but somehow I feel like I’m more connected emotionally to people,” he says with a quizzical look in his eyes, as if he is waiting to see if I understand. “It wouldn’t make any sense to do this if I couldn’t connect with people. If that were the case, I’d like to think I’d see it and say, ‘I think I should go shoot buildings.” He built his career in commercial photography on that skill, shooting provocative images that audiences could relate to through his eyes. Eventually he figured out that people also wanted to put his work up on their walls. Looking at Scott’s work, he doesn’t photograph subjects so much as he documents them. Every one of his pictures draws the viewer in and insists on sharing something more. Sometimes he makes us wonder, “What happens next?” Other times, through penetrating eyes or through an expression, he makes us feel the very soul of the person he is portraying. What’s incredible about it is that he doesn’t try to do it. A shoulder drops or hands relax. Snap. A stiff pose turns into a calm exhale. Snap. Awkwardness turns into a comfortable smile. Snap. He doesn’t see it; he feels it. “The magic for me is in the experience itself,” he says. “The photographs are just the end of the story.” January 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TAKE A RIDE ON THE STAGECOACH

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

TAKE A RIDE ON THE TROLLEY

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

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

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January 2018

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Writer Shannon Severson Photography by Bryan Black

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The greatest piece of advice that artist and set designer Jason Adkins ever received was from his high school art teacher back in his native Tennessee: “Don’t overthink it.” Frustrated with her 17 year-old student’s consistently slow work pace, she tasked him with completing paintings in 20 minutes, something he first considered impossible. Nevertheless, with practice, it became a freeing mantra. “That advice was the start of my style and my career,” says Adkins, sitting in the light-filled front room of his North Mountain home. He’s surrounded by large canvases and a few stray boxes that remain after his recent move from San Diego. “It helped me earn a college scholarship to Eckerd College in Florida and cemented my desire to make art my primary pursuit, no matter what it took. I like to work quickly now and I like to paint as often as I can.” Adkins’ mother often reminds him of what he told her about his dedication to painting as he was finishing graduate school at Claremont Graduate University. “I told her that if I live in a cardboard box, painting on cardboard with a stick, using wet cat food, it is by choice,” says Adkins. “I don’t remember saying it, but it speaks to what I will do in order to keep painting.” Adkins has definitely lived the starving artist life at times, but when Los Angeles Times art critic David Pagel took note of his talent, he gained his first big break with a solo show at LA’s Western Project Gallery in 2008. It opened the day after President George W. Bush publicly announced that the United States was officially experiencing a recession. “It was a great experience, but the worst possible time,” says Adkins. “Everything crashed in 2008. Galleries were closing everywhere and Los Angeles was an expensive town to rent—even my cheap studio in a rough area of town. I worked in a friend’s studio for awhile, did odd jobs to pay the rent, and even switched to making charcoal drawings on paper for awhile when I couldn’t afford paint.” His tenacity for finding work also led to a very Hollywood moment when one of his sculptures was used in director David Finch’s 2010 movie, “The Social Network.” Ultimately, Adkins made the decision to leave Los Angeles for Las Vegas that year, where he had several gallery shows and an unusual residency at P3 Studio in the Cosmopolitan Hotel. “Rapture,” a behemoth 96-inch by 72-inch oil and spray paint on canvas teems with color. He continually rotated the canvas throughout the process to avoid repeating patterns. “It felt odd at first to paint large canvases while drunk people dressed in flashy outfits wandered through and filmed me on their phones,” says Adkins. “But, after awhile, you forget and just go with it.” He and his wife, Dhyana, a high school theatre teacher, moved to San Diego in 2013 where he was a professor at Mira Costa Community College and ran an art events business on the side. Here in Phoenix, a similar concept, called Paint-A-Holics, will bring wine and paint nights to individual homes, as well as to bars and restaurants around the city. January 2018

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

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The family’s departure from California this year brings them closer to Dhyana’s family, and Arizona’s lower cost of living gives Adkins more freedom to create on his own terms, without the requirements that being with a gallery might entail. “I don’t want to be told to paint only what will sell,” says Adkins. “When we had our son, Xander, in 2014 I thought I might not have time to paint as much, but that hasn’t been the case. I spent four months creating my mandala-inspired Element series representing water and earth while he was napping. It motivated me to get back to painting more often. Not being with a gallery, I’m able to experiment and paint in the way I want to.” That independent streak is also apparent in the tools and methods Adkins uses to create primarily large-scale pieces with unusual methods and materials. His preferred tools lean more hardware store than art supply emporium. Inexpensive, multi-pack paintbrushes and foam paint rollers accompany palate knives to create the broad, bold brush-like strokes on pieces such as “Mint Split” and “Stickle.” “Over decades spent painting, I’ve found that you need to look around at everything in your studio and see what can be used as a tool,” says Adkins. “You get wide strokes with a palate knife, but you can’t get it to look like a brush. Using a glove to hold the foam roller steady creates the look of a brush. I’d rather spend on paint and canvases than on expensive brushes.” He creates thick layers in oil paint, and spray paint, which he terms “the poor man’s paintbrush,” to create abstract landscapes like “Beast” and “Sloop Loop” that are full of movement and mystery. The aerosol cans that most associate with graffiti or backyard projects become something different in Adkin’s hands. He uses different quality levels,

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spray distances, direct application onto palate knives and even varying studio temperatures to create a range of effects. The feel of these pieces is often dystopian, like something nefarious teems just below the surface. The Morphing series, exemplified in “Goldfinger,” is inspired by the sculptures of John Chamberlain, and includes more structured abstracts composed of oil paint, applied with palate knives, and spray paint, layered at different angles and distances.

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“I want to depict something that is living in the landscape, but isn’t necessarily comfortable in the landscape,” says Adkins.

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His heavily textural series, including “Alien” and “Gold,” is created with Bondo, an automotive repair resin that, at high temperatures can be drizzled a la Jackson Pollack. After curing time, he utilizes spray paint from different angles to layer color over pieces that evoke the unusual topography of a strange landscape. “Blue Pendant” is made with a random, pick-up sticks pattern of cheap paintbrushes, rocks, plastic lids, and layers of Bondo and glitter. The recent move meant a break from painting, but he’s ready to get back to it and will continue to explore themes of rebellion and identity with the development of an alter-ego that will allow for him to experiment with total departure from his past work.

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“I’ve never felt more inspired by what I need to do artistically,” says Adkins. “This is the longest I’ve gone without painting in the past 24 years, and my head is full of fresh and vibrant ideas.” paint-a-holics.com jason-adkins.com

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Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Arizona Musicfest

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Hardly a little girl alive in the 1960s didn’t dream of dancing and singing like Chita Rivera. The tiny, dark-haired dynamite had a high-energy sass about her that captured the imagination of America at a time when dance was becoming a popular language of its own. During the following decades, television and movies changed how we saw the world and who we aspired to be. In 1957 Chita was cast in Broadway’s “West Side Story,” she catapulted to fame and quickly became the gold standard to which all other aspiring performers would be compared. She could dance, she could croon, she could act—and she had a bold and independent air about her that women were eager to embrace. In 1965, tall, dark and handsome Tommy Tune broke into Broadway. Like Rivera, he was immensely talented and wooed audiences with his versatile repertoire. In 1978, he added directing and choreography to his credits for “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” earning awards and acclaim as a multi-talented musical genius. He would go on to direct and choreograph some of the most beloved musicals ever made. Though they both became iconic on stage, it was not only their musical and acting talents that defined Rivera and Tune. Rivera was born in Washington, DC as Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero, the daughter of a Puerto Rican immigrant. She was among the first Latina stars to break into US pop culture. Her mother, Katherine, was a government clerk and her father Pedro Julio Figueroa del Rivero, was clarinetist and saxophonist for the US Navy Band. Rivera was only seven years old when her father died. Widowed with five children, her mother went to work for the Pentagon and managed to save enough to send Chita to the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet. Chita earned her way to New York, and soon was representing not only herself, but Latina women on stage. Tune had his own untrodden path to forge. Born in Texas to oil rig worker, horse trainer, and restaurateur Jim Tune and

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Eva Mae Clark. One of his grandfathers had been killed in a coal mine collapse, while the other was a rancher who died by his own gun. It was an unlikely beginning for someone with his aspirations. Tune went to high school in Houston, and his talent was evident. He studied dance under Patsy Swayze, who was legendary long before her son Patrick broke into the big screen scene.

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Like Rivera, nothing could hold Tune’s natural and honed talent back. He was destined to perform. Their independent rises to fame were more vivacious and bold than fiction could have conceived—and the final chapters of their stories have not yet been written.

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Like any true artist or performer, being on stage is not a choice for Rivera or Tune; it’s who they are. Their current tour, “Just in Time,” will kick of Arizona Musicfest’s 27th Annual Winter Festival’s 19-concert series Jan. 26 in what will surely be a sold-out show. For festival organizers, it’s an honor to host this power duo, who have collectively earned 12 Tony Awards and dozens more recognitions—and found a permanent spot in American iconography. 480-422-8449 azmusicfest.org

27TH ANNUAL ARIZONA MUSICFEST WINTER FESTIVAL SCHEDULE This year’s lineup will keep your toes tapping through March 16! Space is limited so reserve your tickets today!

JAN. 26 CHITA RIVERA AND TOMMY TUNE: “JUST IN TIME” Highlands Church 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale

JAN. 28

Pinnacle Presbyterian Church 25150 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale

FEB. 20 FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA: STRAUSS & BRAHMS La Casa de Cristo Church 6300 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix

FEB. 22 OLGA KERN WITH THE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA La Casa de Cristo Church 6300 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix

Musical Instrument Museum 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix

FEB. 23

JAN. 31

FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA POPS! WITH ROBERT MOODY & FRIENDS

La Casa de Cristo Church 6300 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix

FEB. 2 THE FAB FAUX Highlands Church 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale

FEB. 6 PINK MARTINI Highlands Church 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale

FEB. 8 MICHAEL FEINSTEIN Highlands Church 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale

FEB. 10 THE DOO WOP PROJECT Highlands Church 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale

FEB. 12 AMERICAN BRASS QUINTET Musical Instrument Museum 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix

FEB. 16 LEE ANN WOMACK Highlands Church 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale

Olga Kern with the Festival Orchestra

FESTIVAL SINFONIA: VIVALDI & MOZART

YOUNG MUSICIANS WINTER CONCERT

ALISON BROWN QUARTET Doc Severinsen’s Trumpet Kings

FEB. 18

La Casa de Cristo Church 6300 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix

FEB. 25 FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA: BEETHOVEN & BERNSTEIN La Casa de Cristo Church 6300 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix

MARCH 1 DOC SEVERINSEN’S TRUMPET KINGS Highlands Church 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale

MARCH 6 ALICE TATUM BAND Fairway House at Grayhawk 8620 E. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale

MARCH 9 PAPA DOO RUN RUN Highlands Church 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale

MARCH 11 SEAMUS EGAN PROJECT Highlands Church 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale

MARCH 16 DECADES REWIND Highlands Church 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale

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

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

Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

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

Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

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

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

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B o n n e r D a v i d Galleries Traditional x Contemporary

Max Hammond

“Saint-Saens cello concerto no 1” / oil on wood / 40" x 50"

15th Anniversary Season

“Max and Ma”

January 19 - February 20, 2018 Music is art and art is music. Well known abstract artist Max Hammond has created his latest exhibition while listening to cello concertos played by famed musician Yo Yo Ma. Combining the visual and the aural, Max once again demonstrates his brilliance as we feature his work in a multisensory experience.

7040 E. Main Street x Scottsdale, AZ 85251 x www.bonnerdavid.com x art@bonnerdavid.com x 4 8 0 . 9 4 1 . 8 5 0 0

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