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DARYL STUERMER DUO Tuesday, April 23 | 7 p.m. $33.50–$43.50 Celebrating over thirty years of musical accomplishments, virtuoso lead-guitarist Daryl Stuermer of the super-group Genesis and the Phil Collins band has been touring the world to sold out crowds since 1978. Upcoming Concerts Mary Fahl April 5 Red Molly April 7 Della Mae April 10 Trace Bundy April 11 Söndörgo˝ April 12 Clarice and Sergio Assad April 21 Amy Hanaiali’i
Les Paul “Goldtop” electric guitar, 1952
April 28 And many more!
INVENTING AN AMERICAN ICON
Exhibition Open Now!
2019 Concert Series sponsored by
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MIM.org | 480.478.6000 | 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ
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WHERE INSPIRATION BEGINS Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of
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Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition
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COMMUNITY EVENTS Writer Amanda Christmann
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A NEW TAKE ON THE OLD WEST Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Bryan Black
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SHADOWS AND LIGHT Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Inge Johnsson
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EDDIE JONES AN EYE ON DESIGN Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Brandon Tigrett
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CHOCOLATE AVOCADO PUDDING Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly
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Featuring unique southwestern furniture along with a spectacular selection of Native American Indian Jewelry.
Not affiliated with the Gallup, NM stores. Don’t scrap your Native American jewelry & silver, come see us first.
Old Town Scottsdale ¡ 480-990-1808 Main St. & Scottsdale Rd. gilbertortegagallery@gmail.com apri l 2019
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PUBLISHER Shelly Spence
MANAGING EDITOR Amanda Christmann
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meaghan Mitchell
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joseph Airdo Amanda Christmann Sue Kern-Fleischer Kyndra Kelly Shoshana Leon Shannon Severson Fadi Sitto
PHOTOGRAPHERS Scott Baxter Bryan Black Kyndra Kelly Loralei Lazurek
ADVERTISING SALES Cooper Langston 480-544-8721 cooper@imagesaz.com
Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221 imagesarizona.com
I
I have long maintained that our Images Arizona family of writers, photographers and behind-the-scenes people is what makes our magazine special. From the care our photographers take to catch moments, personalities and emotions in just the right light, to the time our writers dedicate to carefully crafting their words, to the visual narratives that our designer creates, I have been filled with pride for what we do every month for nearly 16 years. A few months ago, I tasked managing editor Amanda Christmann with expanding our team. This is Amanda’s tenth year of writing and editing for us, and finding talented writers who share her beautiful vision was a tall order. She set out, not to find people in the writing business, but to find writers in the people business. One by one, she brought food writer Shoshana Leon, arts writer Joseph Airdo and feature writer Fadi Sitto on board, and their talent and diverse interests have only made us stronger. This month has brought another special addition to our staff. My son, Cooper, was four years old when I began publishing Images Arizona magazine out of our home. He doesn’t remember a time when a steady stream of editorial and marketing staff weren’t part of our daily routine. Now that Cooper is off to college, it hasn’t been unusual for him to come back to Carefree to support us. Still, I was taken aback when he asked to be part of our team.
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 © 2019 by ImagesAZ, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited.
And so, without much ado, I am more than proud to introduce Cooper Langston as our new account executive.
The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited material.
Local First A R I Z O NA
Once again, I’d like to say thank you to each and every one of you, our neighbors and friends, including our advertisers and inspirations, who make Images Arizona possible each month. Cheers! Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221
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Think outside of the box...
WINECELLAREXPERTS.COM apri l 2019 15979 N. 76th St., Suite A, Scottsdale 480-922-WINE
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G R A C E
R E N E E
G A L L E R Y ’ S
A P R I L
E V E N T
FEATURING
MATT JOSEF C O N T E M P O R A RY W E S T E R N A RT I S T
A RT I S T R E C E P T I O N W I T H M AT T J O S E F. A nod to abstract expressionism, Matt’s Western contemporary art is captivating and unique.
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Grace Renee Gallery Historic Spanish Village | 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 85377 i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m apr il 2 019 480.575.8080
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APRIL 25 4–7:00 p.m.
Appetizers and refreshments served.
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Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition
As spring begins to blossom among the orange-red cliffs of Sedona, it’s impossible to ignore the natural beauty. It is no wonder that Sedona has long attracted lovers, dreamers and artists from around the globe. This month offers a unique opportunity to witness the synergy between human creativity and the natural inspiration that captivates us all.
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Each year, the Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition invites guests to share in the process by visiting artists in their studios during the Sedona Artists’ Open Studios Tour. This year’s free, three-day event takes place April 26– 28 in locations throughout the Verde Valley, including Sedona, Cornville, Cottonwood, Clarkdale and the Village of Oak Creek. This year’s tour includes a studio-wide drawing for a $250 gift certificate. The winner can use their gift at any of the studios on the tour—which will, no doubt, be a difficult choice! The tour began with a handful of participating artists and has now expanded to include 50 talented creatives whose work spans from photography to ceramics to paintings. Their mediums include clay, watercolors, oils, acrylics, glass, wood, metals, stone, fiber and mixed media. “For the visitor, the Open Studios experience invites the artwork to speak much more intimately to them as it provides an opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the creative process,” explained Open Studios organizer and coalition president Mike Upp, whose ceramic sculptures and studio, Earth and Fire Ceramic Design, are among those featured in the tour. For more than 15 years, artists from the Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition have opened their workspaces and shared their thoughts and processes with thousands of people. They’ve created more than art along the way; they’ve developed a destination where tourists and Arizona residents alike have learned to seek out fine art. Napa may have wine, but Sedona has art. “It’s not like going to an arts festival or a gallery,” Upp explained. “Here, you are actually going inside the space where the artist is creating. Everybody on our tour is really into communicating what their processes are and trying to educate people as to what goes into working with the medium they’re in.” As an added bonus, the stunning visual allure of Sedona, as well as its resorts and inns, fantastic restaurants and unique shopping opportunities make taking a trip “up the mountain” an exciting getaway.
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EXPERIENCE Spring Sedona Open Studios Tour i m a g e s a r i z April o n a . c o26–28 m apr il 2 019and Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday noon–5 p.m. | Locations available online | Free | sedonaartistscoalition.org | Friday 14Friday–Sunday,
the art of organization
It’s becoming so popular, in fact, that many people are making it a tradition. Many of the artists have begun seeing the same faces year after year. They’ve gained a fan following that is owed solely to their individual talents. “The wide range of style, quality and art forms is a testament to the thriving vitality of the arts community in Sedona and the beautiful Verde Valley,” Upp said. “This is the excitement of helping people gain a deeper understanding of producing art.” The Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational and charitable organization that welcomes artists of all levels and encourages creativity, community and camaraderie. More than 125 artists from Sedona and the greater Verde Valley are members of the organization, which sponsors open studios tours each spring and fall. Brochures with a map and list of participating artists will be available in locations throughout Verde Valley, as well as at the Sedona Arts Center and the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in Uptown Sedona. Maps and a complete list of artists and their mediums are also available online. Don’t miss the fun! It’s sure to inspire you, amaze you and create an experience you won’t soon forget. sedonaartistscoalition.org 503-789-4437 mjupp10@gmail.com
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Grace Renee Gallery | 480-575-8080 | GraceReneeGallery.com
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# 7 imagesar | Carefree, Grace Renee Gallery | Historic Spanish Village | 7212 E. Ho Humapri Rd. l 2019 iz ona .c om AZ17
COMMUNITY
2019 APRIL
Writer Amanda Christmann
April 12
SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED It’s cocktails OO7-style at The Cocktail Society, a Scottsdale Culinary Festival event. James Bondinspired costumes welcome. $75. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale. 7–10:30 p.m. 480-499-8587; scottsdalefest.org
April 4
WINE & DINE Something special is happening
website for schedule and pricing. Harkins Scottsdale 101, 7000 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-513-3195; phoenixfilmfestival.com
SUNDAY SUPPER CLUB
in Scottsdale! Arizona Lodging &
Duncan’s Trading Company and
Tourism’s AZ Wine & Dine will
WillaKenzie will be featured at this
showcase the area’s best chefs, resorts, restaurants, fine wines, craft beer and more. $80; two-ticket bundle $150. Scottsdale Quarter, 15279 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale. 6–9 p.m. azwineanddine.com
April 6
A DELICIOUS WAY TO HELP Take a taste from more than 40 of
April 4–14
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Catch the Phoenix Film Festival’s variety of presentations in film. See
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notable Mountain Shadows dinner and wine series. $74 plus tax and gratuity. 5445 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley. mountainshadows.com
the Valley's best restaurants, over 50 wines from across the world, select brands of beer and premium liquor
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April 7
April 9
and entertainment at Original Taste.
A DELICIOUS LEGACY
Proceeds benefit Executive Council
Marcellino Ristorante will take you
Charities to fund critical youth
through an historic culinary tour of
programs. $125 and up. Scottsdale
Chef Marcellino’s childhood in the
Waterfront. 7–10 p.m. ec70phx.com
Campania region of Italy featuring several courses paired with wines
from Italy. $195. 7114 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale. 7 p.m. 480-990-9500; marcellinoristorante.com
April 12–14
ISLAND PARTY IN THE DESERT Arizona Tiki Oasis is excited to announce its signature island lifestyle party at sunny Scottsdale’s mid-century marvel, Hotel Valley Ho. A luau, pig roast, and bustling marketplace are just a few weekend events. See website for schedule and a la carte pricing. 6850 E. Main St, Scottsdale. aztikioasis.com
April 13, 14
SCOTTSDALE CULINARY FESTIVAL Forty of the finest local restaurants, plus live music on three stages, culinary demos and more to raise money for the arts. $12–$150. Scottsdale Civic Mall, 3939 Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. scottsdalefest.org
April 14
CYCLE THE ARTS There’s no better way to experience Scottsdale’s fantastic public art than to do it on two wheels! See multiple sculptures and other public art works around south Scottsdale on a leisurely 10-mile bicycle ride. Helmets required. RSVP required. Free. Begins and ends at Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N. Marshall Way. Scottsdale. 8:30 a.m. scottsdalepublicart.org
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April 25
MEET MATT JOSEF You’ve seen his work in the pages of Images Arizona magazine, and now you can see it in person—and meet the artist himself. Meet Matt Josef at Grace Renee Gallery. Free. 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., Carefree. 4–7 p.m. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com
April 15
MONDAY NIGHT CHEF’S TABLE
April 24–28
NIRVANA FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
Executive Chef Rick Dupere with wines from celebrated Arizona vineyards. $85 plus tax and gratuity.
Silver Oak Cellars will be featured by
Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain
7700 E. McCormick Pkwy.,
Zuzu at Hotel Valley Ho for this delicious
will host this foodie heaven, which
Scottsdale. 6:30 p.m. 480-596-7525;
series. $75 plus tax and gratuity. 6850
includes a celebrity golf tournament,
destinationhotels.com/kitchen-west
East Main St., Scottsdale. 6:30 p.m. 480-
food and drink events and more. Events
376-2600; hotelvalleyho.com
sell out quickly, so reserve your tickets soon! 5700 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise
April 19
Valley. sanctuaryoncamelback.com/ nirvana-festival
ART IN BLOOM Andrea de Kerpely-Zak is a Hungarian-born artist whose
April 25–May 5 THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
Scottsdale Musical Theater’s largest
April 25
cast ever, including TV and stage stars Dawnn Lewis and Marc Koeck,
compared to Georgia O'Keeffe. de
DESTINATION: DINNER
Kerpely-Zak has created a special
Arizona Five Cs Supper Series
and senior discounts available. Tempe
series of Wildflowers for this show,
presents Farmer's Garden Dinner
Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio
which also includes custom-made
Celebrating Climate at Kitchens
Salado Pkwy., Tempe. 602-909-4215;
spring fashions. Free. 7019 E. Main
west at the Scottsdale Resort
scottsdalemusicaltheater.com
St., Scottsdale. 7–8 p.m. 480-481-
at McCormick Ranch. Enjoy a
2530; andreazfloralfashion.com
three-course family-style dinner
wildflower paintings have been
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of thoughtful dishes prepared by
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will appear in jazz treat “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” $32–$58; student
April 26
MIXED: A COCKTAIL CULINARY EXPERIENCE Indulge in a holistic lineup of organic
April 26, 27 & 28, 2019
cocktail and culinary creations crafted with 100 percent certified organic ingredients, each hand-selected from organic farms, ranches, purveyors and distilleries across the Southwest. In collaboration with Scottsdale League for the Arts. Seats limited. $100. Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, 6902 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale. 480624-1000; kierlandresort.com
April 26
SINGING THEIR HEARTS OUT Choirs from across the Great Hearts network of schools will perform a
Each Visit includEs:
concert at Camelback Bible Church
• Visual inspection of all rooms • Check HW heater • Check for pests, insects • Check landscaping, pool and spa • Check for signs of leaking • Check thermostats • Visual inspection of garage and systems • Run water, flush toilets • Check fridge
3900 E. Stanford Dr., Paradise Valley. 7 p.m. greatheartsacademies.org
April 26
SWING FORE CHARITY Phoenix Metro Chamber Foundation and Nick Lowery Youth Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year will raise funds for Harvest Compassion Center to help people of all ages and backgrounds get through tough economic times. Stonecreek Golf
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R e f e r e n c e s
A v a i l a b l e
•
B o n d e d apri l 2019
&
I n s u r e d
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April 26–28
FILM CARNIVALE Arizona’s first all-documentary film festival will take place in the beautiful, otherworldly eco-city of Arcosanti. It will also feature a full weekend of activities, experiences and culinary delights, including an opening bronze bell pour, a Venetian-inspired masquerade ball, and an Art of the Beard exhibition and contest. $20–$85; $100 weekend pass. VIP tickets available. 13555 S. Cross L Rd., Mayer. arcosantifilmcarnivale.com
April 26–28 FEEL THE INSPIRATION
by renowned fashion authorities and philanthropists Doreen Picerne and
May 2
$125. Taliesin West, 12621 N. Frank
LADIES’ BUNCO FOR A CAUSE
Join artists in their workspaces and
Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale. 11
Soroptimist International of Saguaro
see their inspiration firsthand at the
a.m.–1 p.m. scottsdaleartsschool.org
Foothills will host a fun-filled evening
Robert Black. Tickets are limited.
spring Sedona Open Studios Tour.
of Bunco to benefit their Live Your
Free. Locations, map and featured
Dream education and training awards
artists are available online. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon–5 p.m. Sunday. 503-789-
April 28
ORPHEUS SALUTES AMERICA
for women and Dream It, Be It career guidance support for girls. Raffles, silent auction and a rolling good time!
4437; mjupp10@gmail.com;
Orpheus Male Chorus presents
$25. Coolwater Christian Church,
sedonaartistscoalition.org
“Orpheus Salutes America,” to
28181 N. 56th St., Scottsdale. 6 p.m.
include patriotic, spirituals and folk
901-827-5265; sisaguarofoothills.org
April 27
PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ
music that salute America and those who have served in armed forces. $15–$20 in advance; $20–$25 at
May 5–11
The inaugural Canvas & Couture is
Church at Litchfield Park, 300 N. Old
CAREFREE RESTAURANT WEEK
a one-of-a-kind fashion show full of
Litchfield Rd., Litchfield Park. 3 p.m.
Mark your calendar! Carefree
color, design and bold style benefitting
orpheus.org
restaurants will take the limelight
Scottsdale Artists’ School. Sponsored
the door. Free for children under 12.
next month as they showcase their menus at discounted prices. Sample
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SEE THE WEST FROM A WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE new and exciting flavors and support your local restaurants. See website for participating restaurants. Lunch menus $18 for two courses; Dinner menus $35 for three courses or $45 for four courses. carefreerestaurants.com
May 5
Stories have the power to inspire, change history and celebrate cultures. At Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, we bring authentic stories to life through Western and Native American art, artifacts and living cultures. Visit our Smithsonian Affiliate destination that connects visitors of all ages to the Western lifestyle — past, present and future.
ORPHEUS SALUTES AMERICA Orpheus Male Chorus presents “Orpheus Salutes America,” to include patriotic, spirituals and folk music that salute America and those who have served in armed forces. $15–$20 in advance; $20–$25 at the door. Free for children under 12. Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Dr., Paradise
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 Paul Calle’s Life of Exploration: From the Mountains to the Moon Through Oct. 2020
Valley. 3 p.m. orpheus.org
GOOCHIE GOO GARBS As mother of four and grandmother to 12, Scottsdale resident Diane Meyer wanted to create keepsake quality blankets that are luxuriously soft, pretty and practical. Hence, Goochie Goo Garbs was born. She’s also selected lines of plush toys, books and souvenirs, and recently launched a new website. Check them out! 8912 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale. 480659-2964; goochiegoo.com
4.5 out of 5 Stars!
#SMoWmoments
3830 N. Marshall Way Scottsdale, AZ | 480.686.9539 SCOTT SDA L EM USEU M W EST. OR G Artwork Credits: Paul Calle (1928-2010), The Great Moment, c. 1969, oil on masonite, Collection of the Orlando Museum of Art, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. John J. McMullen, Copyright The Calle Family; Something for the Pot II, oil on canvas, courtesy The Peterson Family Collection; and museum building photo by Bill Timmerman, courtesy Studio Ma, Architect.
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Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation
Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row has gone from thriving to blighted and back again. The Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation (CDC) has played a major role in successfully uniting artists, residents and business owners to preserve, protect and promote this vibrant place that draws artists and art enthusiasts to a revitalized Phoenix neighborhood that was nearly lost. In the early days, when Phoenix was a small but burgeoning city in territorial Arizona, the Salt River overflowed in tremendous fashion, flooding the southern end of the city to such an extent that people began to seek higher ground along Central Avenue, and to the west along Washington Street. Farther and farther north they came, reshaping settlement patterns that continue to impact Phoenix today. “These sidewalks were poured in 1909,” says Roosevelt Row CDC vice president and co-founder Greg Esser. “The Roosevelt District was originally north of the Phoenix city limit.” Roosevelt was home to the city’s late nineteenth and early twentieth century hoi palloi. It was rich with architectural gems, both residential and public, including the still-operational Kenilworth School and Trinity Cathedral, which recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of jazz legend Duke Ellington and his band’s 1966 performance of “A Concert of Sacred Music.”
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“
I want to put the focus on working artists to provide them a platform that is accessible and affordable.
“We did a mural on the wall next door to celebrate the anniversary,” says Esser. “That sense of art and diversity have long been part of the DNA of this place, and we hope it will be for another 50 years.” As the automobile replaced the streetcar, development plans threatened the viability of the neighborhood and the middle class fled. In the ensuing decades, the area fell further into disrepair; more than 3,000 homes—many priceless architectural treasures—were razed. Abandoned buildings and empty lots created a swath of blight that attracted rampant crime. It also drew a population that would eventually band together to revitalize the area and make it one of the hottest neighborhoods in the United States: artists.
RE-BIRTH OF COMMUNITY The downtrodden neighborhood was an affordable space to live and work, but longtime residents and those artistic newcomers were dismayed by rezoning and development that threatened to completely wipe out the last vestiges of the area’s former glory, displacing low income families and threatening the community. “The community said, ‘Enough is enough,’” says Esser. “In 2000, 12 small business owners came together as a vanguard who would invest in the core of Roosevelt Row. We founded Roosevelt Row CDC as a non-profit with a centralized approach. All the original founders are still here.” The catalyst for a comeback was an agreement among gallery owners to have common hours on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. This coincided with public interest in the already decade-long tradition of the First Fridays art walk. There were
no restaurants, bars or coffee houses at the time, so it was important to create a concentration of galleries for visitors. “That collective effort really attracted that next wave of service businesses,” says Esser. “The city has recognized the value of First Fridays and Roosevelt Row and that is the result of long-term relationships that have developed through proactive engagement with the city. That collaborative working relationship that is the root of our success.” Like a pebble dropped into a pool of water, the concentric ripples of CDC’s efforts continue to serve as a connector to the adjoining neighborhoods of Garfield, Story, Triangle, Central Core and Midtown Museum District.
A SENSE OF PLACE As one of the most Instagrammed neighborhoods in the country, Roosevelt has continued to gain local and national prominence, and that has meant a residential and business boom. “The neighborhood has a residential population of over 3,000 that’s diverse in every way,” says Roosevelt Row CDC program manager Amy Otto. “There’s an authenticity and sense of place that attracts people of all ages to live here. Our sense of community is built on that small town vibe.” A committee of First Friday and now Third Friday artists was formed to ensure that the rising cost of living in this now extremely popular area won’t prohibit artists from gaining exposure. The goal is to be an artists’ district, not just an arts district. “I want to put the focus on working artists,” says Otto, “to provide them a platform that is accessible and affordable. We are growing that model as much as possible so that, even if living in the district isn’t possible right
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now, they’re still working here as part of the community. We have 10x10 pop-up galleries and have been working with developers to create opportunities for exposure at the new businesses springing up in the area.” The neighborhood’s many galleries and renowned murals bring in art and photography enthusiasts, but visitors now have over 230 businesses where they can browse, buy, sip, dine and even sleep. Boutique hotel Found:Re will soon be joined by The Cambria, slated for completion in 2019. Santa Fe-based arts and entertainment collective, Meow Wolf, recently announced a partnership with True North Studio to create a groundbreaking, immersive, interactive exhibition and hotel concept: a hotel with 400 rooms, each designed by local artists with varying themes, a 75,000-square-foot exhibition and music performance venue. The project, described as a “cultural shockwave,” was inspired by visitors who expressed interest in spending the night at Meow Wolf’s immersive House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe. “An intertwined exhibition and hotel just made sense to us,” says Meow Wolf CEO and co-founder Vince Kadlubek. “Our partnership with True North Studio in Phoenix is a perfect opportunity to explore this wild concept. Our intention for this venture is to collaborate with the creative community in greater Phoenix to produce an authentic, local statement of expression which will bring further excitement and creative energy to the Roosevelt Row Arts District. This project is going to be truly monumental on so many levels.” Developers are motivated to invest in the area because of its powerful draw and deep bench of creativity. “Our business community is eager to incorporate eclectic and place-based art,” says Otto. “We’re excited to partner with them.” The CDC’s Roosevelt Row Merchants Association (RoRoMA) has recently partnered with the Evans-Churchill Community Association to survey and set priorities for area businesses, provide workshops and marketing opportunities and work as a coalition that will lend its voice and input to city projects. Their goal is to best serve the area’s permanent residents, as well as visitors.
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Many businesses participate in Art Detour, a 30-year-old program sponsored by CDC partner ArtLink to allow galleries and businesses in different downtown districts to become art-centered each weekend. It creates a centralized destination and offers adjacent neighborhoods a chance to shine.
Where dreams come true
NEXT-GEN ARTISTS One of the things Otto is most proud of is the number of young people who are drawn to what is happening in Roosevelt. “Some would say it as a criticism,” says Otto, “but something I love about First Fridays is that we have so many teenagers coming downtown and being exposed to something new. They are excited about that cultural experience.” Otto has made it a point to work in partnership with schools in the area, including the Paradise Valley School District, to create programming that brings student artists to perform, display and learn. Engaging area youth is part of an effort to grow the number of Phoenix artists who stay in the city even as they gain national and international notoriety.
4.07 ct. Round Diamond GIA Certified.
“We really want to incorporate the younger generation of artists who are going to be part of our future with their incredible work,” says Otto. This year, Roosevelt Row Academy utilized a grant from the City of Phoenix to bring together the old and the young for three free art teaching experiences, making art extremely accessible for all in the community. “Our events draw one of the most diverse audiences I’ve seen anywhere,” says Esser. “Age, color, languages spoken, the diversity really shines. On any given Friday, there’s always something happening.” rooseveltrow.org
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Matt Josef may not look like a typical artist. In fact, with his cowboy hat and youthful smile, he looks like he’d be more than comfortable driving a pickup truck to a cattle lot in his native Oklahoma. Yet more days than not, Josef can be found in his Jerome studio surrounded by tubes of acrylic paints, earnestly focused on a canvas as an image summons itself one brush stroke at a time. A contemporary Western artist, Josef has developed a style that resonates with cowboy and modern art collectors alike. As an autodidactic artist, his images are born more out of instinct than adherence to a particular style. Many of his images are a nod to abstract expressionism. It’s no surprise that Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning are among his favorite artists. In his backgrounds, Josef sometimes utilizes the drip technique, or action painting, that Pollock made famous. For example, one beautiful painting titled “Room to Run” features five mustangs running across a canvas filled with a speckled background. Taken as a whole, the eye turns the abstruse scene into something that somehow feels organic and natural. Other paintings more closely reflect de Kooning’s influence, particularly the passages of bright color found in works beyond de Kooning’s black and white period. Several of Josef’s paintings feature pop art-style repetitive images over de Kooning-esque foundations.
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Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Bryan Black
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“Something amazing pushed me outside of all my comfort zones when I began studying de Kooning’s work,” Josef explained. “I became so intrigued by ‘Woman 1,’ which was considered at the time to be one of the most controversial portraits ever painted of a woman in the history of art.” The parallel between de Kooning’s execution of “Woman 1” and Josef’s process cannot be ignored. Despite the fact that the strokes that make up “Woman 1” appear haphazard and quick, it took de Kooning over two years to complete. de Kooning agonized over each color and line, scraping and painting over parts he was unhappy with. Though Josef seldom takes so long, his mindfulness and intention are similar, and it speaks of the profound influence de Kooning has had on his work. As a boy who grew up in small-town Oklahoma, and whose passion for art had always been fed by his mother, Josef knew he wanted to create. By the time he was 15, Josef had decided that he was going to turn art into a career. “You kind of start getting to that age where society is having an influence on you,” he said. “I knew I was going to be making art for the rest of my life. I had several conversations with older artists who’d gotten a late start in their art careers. They took a liking to me and they said, ‘Boy, if only I could have gotten started at your age, where I could have been now!’ “Something stuck with me. I realized that, if I was going to achieve my dreams and goals, I would have to make sacrifices. “At 15, I committed to not having family or wife until I developed my art, and I committed to making it a career by putting in 40 hours a week to do it.” Despite his drive and desire to create, he hadn’t yet found his own style. de Kooning offered a direction that Josef had not yet realized. “I came across a book in Barnes and Noble—a biography of de Kooning,” Josef said. “I sunk myself into that book. It became almost religious to me. My eyes lit up.” Even recalling the memory over a decade later, Josef’s face brightened and his voice became excited.
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I saw so much opportunity and freedom within the realm of becoming more abstract, more expressionist— becoming more loose. My art is constantly a work in progress. Matt Josef
“Up until that point, I had always been known as the kid who could draw. My family and everybody around me thought I was the world’s greatest artist. I could probably have had an art show at any church in the state, but as an artist, I thought, ‘There’s got to be more in me than ‘pretty’ art.’ “de Kooning was the opposite of ‘pretty.’ He was provocative, and he was doing something I had never seen. It helped push me just a whole ’nother direction. It just grew.” Josef built an audience and a fame base for his work and continued to look for inspiration. He created his own impromptu shows in warehouses, barns and basements. He painted his way from New Mexico to Seattle and showed his work from Portland to New York City. While honing his own creative voice, he admired the work of artists he met and looked to mentors for constructive criticism and inspiration. He also studied the raw, edgy work of Frieda Kahlo and the creativity of Georgia O'Keeffe, adding bits and pieces of their influence to his work. In Taos and Santa Fe, he became friends with several Southwest artists. “That’s when I got behind the scenes and everything opened wide up,” he said. “I saw the reality of the art world—at least the Southwest art world: the goods, the bads and the uglies. “I learned, probably more than anything, what I didn’t want my career to be. It was a pivotal moment in life and career. I found myself looking at a lot of successful artists in that region and not liking what I saw.”
He returned to Oklahoma for a family visit, and in a fortuitous turn of events, Josef found himself at a professional turning point at about the same time his opportunities were drying up. “Normally I always had a pipeline of interest that trickled in. There were no sales and no interest. At first I got frustrated, then I finally just embraced it. “I went out into the pasture behind my barn studio where we had a couple of old quarter horses. I gave them some loving, and I said, ‘Do you guys mind if I paint you?’ “I’d had people tell me before that I should paint horses, and even though I had done a couple of horses sketches years before, I hadn’t done anything on a horse in years. The next painting I did was ‘Angel in the Pasture.’” That painting began as an abstract, and it actually came about quite by accident. His young nephew, who was a preschooler at the time, came into Josef’s studio. Before anyone could stop him, he’d grabbed a brush and put a blob of blue paint right in the middle. “I thought, ‘What am I going to do with it now?’ When I came back in to paint the horses a few days later, I looked at that painting and knew a horse was supposed to be right there where my nephew left his mark. That space was perfect. It’s probably my favorite painting I’ve ever done.” It was the evolution of a new style for Josef, and not only has it grown his audience, but it feels right to the artist. “I saw so much opportunity and freedom within the realm of becoming more abstract, more expressionist— becoming more loose. My art is
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constantly a work in progress,” he said, “but I’ve found more of my voice in my style than ever before.” After opening dozens of studios and creating his own artistic brand, Josef had decided to take a break from gallery exhibits and focus on travel and events. From his Jerome studio, he’s had time to experiment with colors and ideas. “I took a break and really held off on pursuing galleries,” he said. “I’ve been really taking my time to try my best to find the right fit. I have good opportunities on a regular basis and I turn them down. “The wall space is out there. That’s easy. I want more than that, though. I want a relationship, and I want someone to see something in me.” He found that fit in Carefree’s Grace Renee Gallery. “I love the energy they’ve created in their showroom,” he said. “I want to work with a great gallery, whether that gallery has been around for a long time or it’s a new gallery. I see a lot of potential with what the owner, Shelly Spence, is doing and I really dig what she’s about.” As for the future, Josef envisions creating a legacy—both through art, and with art as a tool for something bigger. “Maybe I create enough that, financially, I’m helping generations to come. I think that’s the ultimate career goal with it. My personal goal is to make sure that I enjoy the journey.” With a smile the size of Oklahoma he added, “All we really have is right now. It’s great to have big dreams and big ideas, but at the end of the day, if you don’t love who’s around you, it’s not worth it.”
EXPERIENCE
gracereneegallery.com
Artist Reception with Matt Josef apri l 2019 imagesar iz ona .c om Thursday, April 25 | 4–7 p.m. | Grace Renee Gallery | 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., Carefree | Free | 480-575-8080 | gracereneegallery.com
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Writer Fadi Sitto Photography Courtesy of Practical Art
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There’s a unique aspect that comes from buying and uplifting local art that you just can’t get from buying a mass produced print or vase from IKEA. You get the sense that there’s a story to each and every artful piece, making it more special. It’s as if you’re buying the artist’s countless hours of trial and errors, as well as their flashes of pure happiness. You’re not just buying an object that you can see and hold; you’re buying a small piece of that artist’s life and personality. Sometimes you walk into a store or a space and you feel its personality surrounding you. That’s the feeling you get when you set foot into Practical Art, a boutique art store and craft gallery space in Central Phoenix. Late philanthropist and Valley attorney Jane Reddin, who had a passion for locally made handcrafted artisan works, founded Practical Art. Jane had a genuine love for local contemporary art, and she was instrumental in helping to raise awareness for a growing Phoenix art scene. Practical Art opened its doors in April 2008, just three years before Jane lost her fight against leukemia. Her vision lives on through this unique artistic space. Jane Reddin is fondly remembered as a true ambassador to the Phoenix community who spent a significant portion of her life helping others. She served on the boards of many organizations, including the Foundation for Blind Children, ALS Association and Valley of the Sun United Way. Lisa Olson, who is now the owner of Practical Art, had worked closely with Jane and her philanthropic and creative passion.
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“I think if you surround yourself with creative people, you will live a creative life,” Lisa says. Lisa has a degree in photography from Arizona State University and was working as a photojournalist when Jane, a family friend, opened Practical Art. “This store is definitely my baby, definitely my passion. I find myself constantly inspired by and in awe by artists,” Lisa joyfully says. Practical Art is renowned for being the first gallery experience for many upand-coming artists in Arizona. It has helped to launch Valley art mainstays such as Ray Delmuro, Annette Weaver and Troy Moody, just to name a few. Practical Art provides space for local emerging artists looking to showcase their paintings, wares and creative works to a larger demographic. The store provides a platform for local artists who might have never had the opportunity to reveal their gift and creations. It sets itself apart because it is the only place in Phoenix that works exclusively with Arizona artisans. Today, the store space showcases 175
local artists and their functional use for practicality and art. “We try to be a space for local artists to showcase their works and to make a living doing that,” Lisa says. In addition to housing local fine art, as the name implies, Practical Art also carries art that is useful in some way shape or form. You’ll find one-of-a-kind jewelry, kitchen tools, soaps, clothing, furniture and much more. “Art doesn’t have to be unaffordable or unattainable. We really try to carry something that everyone can have,” Lisa explains. Some of the best art to be found is when you least expect to find it. There is always something new and unexpected to find just around the next corner at Practical Art. The store also hosts make-and-take classes each Saturday that are taught by featured artists. Whether it’s oil paintings, pottery, bead crafting or jewelry making, you can learn a new craft and talk to local artists.
It’s an intimate setting with about 10 students per room, a great immersive experience and something unique that is not offered anywhere else. The best part is that you get to take your very own piece of practical art home with you. If you like homemade pie and giving back to the community, bring your appetite to Practical Art’s Charity Pie Night. Charity Pie Night, held every fourth Friday of the month, is the store’s most popular event. It raises money for local non-profits and charities and has raised over $50,000 to date. Lisa’s sister is the talented baker who makes all the pies for Charity Pie Night. Patrons donate $10 or $20 and get to eat all the pie they want. All the money goes to charity. Practical Art cherishes the important role of being an amazing community space hosting many different events and fundraisers. It’s no small feat that the staff’s tireless work is helping Phoenix to flourish by spreading local love through art. It’s probably true that you can’t truly buy happiness, but you can buy local art.
EXPERIENCE Practical Art apri l 2019 imagesar iz|ona .c om Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. | Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | 5070 N. Central Ave., Phoenix | 602-264-1414 practical-art.com 37
Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Inge Johnsson
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Nankoweap Cactus
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To fall in love with the desert is to walk a ledge between danger and beauty. Our desert is Nature’s study of contrasts. Glorious purple mountains that appear with each sunrise turn bristled and brown as the day wears on. Merciless skies offer the parched earth no reprieve until monsoon rains drown it with floods, and the khakis and ecrus of monochromatic summers turn into a desert floor brilliantly dotted with yellows, purples, pinks and oranges. This month, Images Arizona magazine celebrates our desert contrast with Shadows and Light. Swedish-born photographer Inge Johnsson, whose work has been featured in Popular Photography, National Geographic Traveler, Smithsonian magazine and Texas Highways, has captured the darkness and luminance of the Arizona desert beautifully in his photographs, and it’s our pleasure to share them with you.
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Monument Valley Totem Poles
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER Inge Johnsson was born in the small town of Kalskrona, Sweden, where he lived for the first 30 years of his life. By the mid-1980s, inspired by the sights and people he met while traveling throughout Europe, his passion for photography had been born.
Monument Valley Yeibichei Sunrise
“Part of it was being inspired by my younger brother and some photographer friends of his, and part was just the sense that I wanted to capture what I saw when I was traveling to different places and countries,” he explains. “When I went on trips around Europe and eventually the U.S., shooting slide and negative film at the time, I found myself wanting to better capture all the places I saw and visited. I started to read photo magazines for inspiration. That, of course, helped also, having some visual references and 'how to tips' to apply.”
Grand Canyon Matkatamiba
In 1993, he moved to the United States and continued to capture the world around him in photographs. His trademark has been his unique perspective on color and contrast.
Studhorse Sunburst
“I cannot say that it was some profound experience or sudden realization, but rather a very long evolution,” he says of his photography style. “I will say that seeing the work of Ansel Adams and David Muench did have a great influence on me. The way they captured the landscapes with tones, light and shadow, near-to-far perspective, and perfect technical execution was a great inspiration for me. Later on, the work of other photographers such as Jack Dykinga and Galen Rowell also provided inspiration, especially in how they approached colors. “There is no doubt that the desert Southwest, and in particular Arizona,
has always been one of my absolute favorite subjects. There are so many other places I have fond memories of, such as Toroweap, Canyon de Chelly, Hunts Mesa, the area around Page and Coyote Buttes, to name a few.” When it comes to his passion, Johnsson has learned that patience is key. “One thing I do differently than some landscape and travel photographers is that I really try to stay in a particular area for a somewhat long time so that I can see it in different types of light in terms of angle, intensity, softness and color. “I may take a nap midday while waiting for the afternoon and evening light. I just observe and wait for the ‘right’ light. It is hard to describe exactly what that it is, as it is very personal, subjective and different for every subject. I can just tell when time is right, the way the light and shadows accentuate textures, create depth or that special ‘inner glow.’” Like most Valley residents discover, the desert provides more than simple beauty; for those who choose to look, it offers an indelible connection to nature. “Without doubt my most memorable photographic experience in Arizona was a 12-day rafting trip through the entire length of the Grand Canyon, from Lee's Ferry to Lake Mead. This provided such an immersive and intimate relationship with the fantastic nature on the river, in the Grand Canyon, and all the side canyons we hiked.” Johnsson currently resides in Frisco, Texas, though his heart remains without an address. fineartamerica.com apri l 2019
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April is National Poetry Month, and there is no better way to honor the magic of language than to pair it with thoughtful imagery.
Monument Valley Teardrop
TELL ME YOUR SECRETS
Inge Johnsson’s photography captures the raw, age-old beauty and power of the desert. Largely untouched by human hands, the shadows seem to hold the secrets of the gods. Though the cliffs of Mt. Olympus are far from our Sonoran Desert, ancient Greek gods would surely fall in love here. In Greek mythology, Nyx, the goddess of night and darkness, was the mother of Hemera, the goddess of daylight. Hemera’s daughter was the Earth goddess Gaia. They are just three of the actors in a performance with a never-ending daily encore that begins in the moments before sunrise.
Through shadows and light, a timeless saga plays out, and the secrets of the desert are revealed—or are they?
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Wave Colorful Stripes
Zeus, god of the skies and the most powerful of the deities, was famously known for his improprieties with nymphs, who were goddesses of nature, and humans. The poem suggests that Zeus, angry because he fails to find love, causes the rains that the desert desperately needs.
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White Pocket Sunrise
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Antelope Abstract Curve
Tell Me Your Secrets Writer Amanda Christmann
Within the folds of Nyx’s skirts the secrets, they do hide; sandstone cliffs sun-baked abyss weigh life and death the same. Obsidian skies turn ashen gray as dust begins to stir; empyrean fires older than time burn pink and tangerine. On eastern winds floats Hemera her luminous fingers reaching; in glory she shines upon scenes sublime her reckless flames scorch Gaia’s flesh. Woe are the weathered branches and arms begging to Sky for sweet rains; the serpents coil on barren soil and predators become prey. In lustful search, Zeus draws near but finds no nymphs or mortals; in a fit of rage his storms assuage adorning thorns with blooms. Through a veil of seven folds the secrets are revealed; tales of the ages on harlequin stages with curtains made of stone.
Antelope Openings
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Eddie Jones is a giant, not only because he’s a bear of a man with flowing hair and a larger-than-life personality. As one of the most respected, talented and well-known architects in Arizona, Jones has been making an impact on architectural design—and doing it his way—since 1979. Earlier this year, Jones was awarded the distinguished Architects Medal at the 2018 AIA Arizona Design Awards Gala, the architectural equivalent of a lifetime achievement award, for his cumulative body of work. It’s a powerhouse achievement, but you’ll never hear Jones brag about it, or likely even mention it. He will also likely never bring up the 40 books, 227 magazines and journals, 29 television shows, various radio programs, the Hollywood movie and a six-part PBS documentary film that include his work. “Perhaps he is missing an obvious opportunity for self-promotion, but it demonstrates that his focus is not on his admirable accomplishments, but rather on more important matters—his compassion and humanness,” said fellow architect Marlene Imirzian, whose own portfolio and impact on the profession earned her the AIA Architects Medal in 2011, and who nominated Jones for this year’s prestigious award. Jones has humbly set the trophy aside, just as he has the other 207 design awards he’s earned during his career. And a remarkable career it has been.
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BUILDING A FOUNDATION Forty years ago, Jones Studio was launched from the third bedroom of Jones’s modest house. “Back then, it was easy,” he said with a deep belly laugh. “I had no student loans and had all the equipment I needed from college. I didn’t even have to invest in a computer because they were not invented yet. All I had to do was glue the name of my studio to the right of my front door.” It was a rough set-up. He had no health insurance and no savings account to fall back on. The roof leaked in his “conference room,” which was really his dining room, so monsoon season meant he and his clients had to step around a bucket to get to his table. “I am so grateful for my clients,” he added. “My clients took a leap of faith and trusted me. I just kept plugging away, day after day.” His efforts paid off. Jones Studio’s current Tempe location is not only one of the most renowned firms in the West; it also functions as a center for community events and has won design awards of its own.
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BUCKING THE SYSTEM Not only has Jones held firmly to his ideals, never selling out to cookie cutter design; he has been a warrior in advocating for positive change. In the early 1990s, before the terms “green” and “sustainability” were mainstream, APS sponsored a design competition. The challenge, to build a three-bedroom home using energysaving, passive design principles and technology, was motivated by the utility’s desire to avoid building another containment building at their existing nuclear power plant. It was in APS’s best interest to reduce energy consumption, but it was in Eddie Jones’s intrinsic conscience to create buildings that would reduce impact on the environment. He and his employees not only met contest expectations; they exceeded them. In 1994, the home he envisioned was built and opened to the public, and it became the gold standard for sustainable homebuilding in Arizona. His work led to Arizona’s PBS Channel 8 producing a six-part documentary on the project. A college textbook called “The Environment Comes Home,” still utilized today, was published about the home in 1994. That contest would not be Jones’ only groundbreaking project to develop environmentally friendly design. It was only the beginning. Prior to 1998, the City of Phoenix had never issued a building permit for anything but traditional building materials. Jones pushed the envelope and caused a bit of controversy at City Hall when he submitted an application for a rammed earth home. It was not easy to convince the building department that rammed earth was a
structurally solid, viable alternative to what they’d always known, but anyone who knows Jones knows that he’s not one to back down on his laurels. Eventually, after six months of showing up at City Hall to present data and to educate city officials, Jones won. He became the first architect in Arizona to receive a permit for a rammed earth building in Phoenix, and later secured similar permits in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. It wasn’t only a success for Jones; he paved the way for architects throughout the state to use innovative alternative building materials. He broke new ground a short time later as the first architect in the country to use TREX, a recycled building material used most often for stairs, decks and patios, for a vertical application on his building at 44th Street and Thomas in Phoenix. Today, TREX can be found in vertical applications across the nation thanks, in large part, to his efforts. And, when the City of Tempe refused to approve a dirt parking lot for his current studio site, Jones once again put his powers of persuasion to work. He recognized that the Phoenix metro area has far too much asphalt, which has led to a significant negative environmental impact, so he developed a plan that would allow his parking lot to function with dual purpose, and with minimal impact. His plan was to bury a 2,500-gallon rainwater storage tank beneath its surface and to use a mixture of materials to create efficient drainage. Eventually, the City of Tempe signed off on the plan. Today, the lot always remains dry and is shaded by a beautiful surround of trees, which are watered by the retention tank below. It was yet another example of Jones’s ingenuity for the greater good. apri l 2019
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AN UNEXPECTED CONTROVERSY In 2006, Jones found himself the subject of a politically motivated skirmish he could not have dreamed. The race for Governor was a contentious one that year, and the Arizona 9/11 Memorial, which Jones had partnered with CoLAB Architecture to design, became a pawn for Republican nominee Len Munsil’s campaign. The 2,000-square-foot memorial was built with a steel visor with laser-cut inscriptions meant to signify the country’s many reactions to the tragedy. Throughout the day, as the sun moves across the sky, each inscription is illuminated on the ground below for a few minutes before fading out and making way for another inscription. Though the state historian amassed them, Munsil took exception to some of the quotes used in the design, saying they were anti-American. Because the memorial is in the shape of a crescent, Munsil also incited anger in his voters by saying it was pro-Muslim. He vowed that, if he won the election, he would have it removed. Jones and his CoLAB colleagues were unwillingly at the epicenter of the highly publicized controversy. Jones believed, and still believes, that the memorial was designed to create much-needed dialogue, and to serve as a place to reflect upon the circumstances that led to, and that followed, the greatest act of terrorism in United States history. In the end, Munsil lost the race, and the Arizona 9/11 Memorial still stands proudly at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza.
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SIGHTS ON THE FUTURE Though his career has seen many highs, and even a few lows, it is the future that most excites Jones. “I am very optimistic,” he said with a voice that can only be described as jolly. “I think today’s young people have their heads on straight for the most part. They have a social conscience, and they are far more prepared to collaborate and far more able to engage with the larger community. “They’re eager to learn, they’re damned smart, and I can see their enthusiasm. It’s great.” He’s enjoying every day of his career, which recently involves a wide range of projects, from awardwinning ports of entry to public spaces (Thunderbird School of Global Management in downtown Phoenix, Pomona Community Center in Hermosillo, Mexico and South Mountain Community College Performing Arts Center are just three feathers in his cap), to truly stunning residential designs. “All of my clients are wonderful,” he says. “All of my projects, regardless of scale, are uplifting and make me want to get up in the morning.” When asked what project he’s most proud of, Jones responds with a typical “Eddie-ism”: “The next one!” he exclaims. “It’s always the next one that’s going to be the best." Though it is evident that he loves his work, it’s something entirely different that truly has his heart. At the AIA Awards Gala, as he took the stage, it was his wife, children and grandchildren who cheered loudest. “My family was there, and that’s what made me the most proud to receive that recognition,” he said with emotion in his voice. “You think you don’t care about those types of things, but then they happen. Being surrounded by my family and seeing how proud they were, I thought, ‘Wow, I do care.’” jonesstudioinc.com
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Writer Shoshana Leon Photography Courtesy of Scott Foust, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Sanctuary Resort and Spa and Talking Stick Resort
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Having a talented chef appear tableside with a wildly creative dish using fruits and vegetables that we grew in our fields is rewarding on so many levels, from the immediate enjoyment of the complex flavors, to the perfectly paired wine, to the pride in the hard work that went into growing and producing a tangible product.
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Pat Duncan’s passion for farming began at a very young age. “I began working on our family farm, hoeing weeds in the cotton fields the summer after second grade,” said Duncan, owner of Duncan’s Trading Company in Laveen. “I soon graduated to irrigator and tractor operator. Later, we added broccoli, cantaloupe and watermelon, but cotton was king. “After college, I started a farm and was growing cotton and alfalfa. When the cotton market fell out in the early 1990s, I saw an immediate need to wildly diversify. I asked some local chefs at some of my favorite restaurants if they would be interested in locally grown, exotic produce. Every one of them answered ‘yes,’ so I transitioned out of cotton and alfalfa and into specialty vegetables.” More than two decades ago, Duncan began working with some of Arizona’s most acclaimed chefs including Charles Wiley, Vincent Guirethault and Kevin Binkley, providing beautiful produce for their restaurants. Duncan’s farm produces more than 150 varieties of fruits and vegetables, including multicolored bell peppers, radishes and cauliflower, tomatoes, leeks, fennel, and several types of lettuce and greens. Popular items among local chefs include Duncan’s exotic melons, heirloom carrots, beets and calabacitas con flor—mixed baby squash with attached blossoms that can be stuffed, often with cheese or shellfish. Duncan continues to provide produce for restaurants across the Valley, and partners
with local chefs and wineries for the annual Farmer in the House dining series, which celebrates 13 years this year. “More than 20 years ago, a few chefs asked me to hold a few farm-totable dinners. As they became more popular, I developed the organized dining series,” said Duncan. For each dinner in the series, chefs create dishes highlighting Duncan’s produce and pair each course with selections from a winery. “The menus are born of the items available on the farm at the time of the dinners. We hold the events in the spring because we still have the winter items, as well as most of the newest spring specialties,” said Duncan. Attending a Farmer in the House dinner offers the unique experience of hearing directly from the chef and the farmer about the beautiful and delectable dishes which are created around Duncan’s fresh produce. “Having a talented chef appear tableside with a wildly creative dish using fruits and vegetables that we grew in our fields is rewarding on so many levels, from the immediate enjoyment of the complex flavors, to the perfectly paired wine, to the pride in the hard work that went into growing and producing a tangible product,” said Duncan. Many of the restaurants have a long history of participating in the Farmer in the House dining series, including Vincent on Camelback and elements at Sanctuary Resort and Spa.
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“It's about relationships,” said Chef Wiley, executive chef at Mountain Shadows, which is hosting the Farmer in the House dinner April 7 as part of the resort’s monthly Sunday Supper Club. The dinner will feature four courses highlighting Duncan’s produce, paired with Oregon’s WillaKenzie wines. “I started working with Pat when I was at the Boulders more than two decades ago, and we’ve continued to work together over the years. He is a great partner with a strong passion for the beautiful produce he grows and the local culinary community.” This year there are two new additions to the Farmer in the House dining series: the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ Bourbon Steak and Confluence, the latter of which opened in Carefree to critical acclaim in 2018. “We are excited to be a part of the Farmer in the House dining series,” said Brandon Gauthier, owner and chef at Confluence. The May 9 dinner there will feature wines from Arizona’s Page Springs Cellars. “We are constantly changing our menu and work with a lot of local farmers and suppliers. Working under Kevin Binkley for many years, I had great experiences partnering with Pat and working with his exceptional produce,” said Chef Gauthier. The Farmer in the House dining series supports the Association of Arizona Food Banks, a non-profit organization serving five food banks across the state with a mission to develop solutions to end hunger through food banking, public policy and innovation. “I had periodically invited the association to glean excess produce from the fields, and one of their employees attended a few of the inaugural dining events,” said Duncan. “Her dedication prompted us to align the organized dining series with the association after hearing more about the fantastic work they do.” While the farm is not open to the public, Duncan’s produce is available at the Camelback Market at Vincent on Camelback on Saturday mornings from late October through early May. Duncan himself is there
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regularly and loves to talk about his produce and his work with local chefs. The best place to experience how chefs use Duncan’s produce in their menus is at the Farmer in the House dinners. “Growing exotic produce is hard work, but it has magical moments, and the dining series ensures lots of them every spring,” said Duncan.
EXPERIENCE 2019 Farmer in the House Dining Series Contact the restaurants for reservations and pricing April 4 Vincent on Camelback, Phoenix 602-224-0225 April 7 Hearth ’61 at Mountain Shadows, Paradise Valley 480-624-5400 April 17 Bourbon Steak at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Scottsdale 480-513-6002 April 25 Arcadia Farms Café, Scottsdale 480-941-5665 May 1 Orange Sky at Talking Stick Resort, Scottsdale 480-850-8606 May 9 Confluence Restaurant, Carefree 480-488-9796 May 16 Elements at Sanctuary Resort and Spa, Paradise Valley 855-245-2051
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“You eat healthy, you feel good.” Such is the wisdom of Ken Singh, farmer and owner of Singh Farms and Singh Meadows. Pristine vegetables, unspoiled fruit and blooming flowers surround you as the colors of nature and local smiles are everywhere at Singh Meadows, a 70acre organic farm that includes a farmers’ market, restaurant and an outdoor gathering space. Scottsdale’s Singh Farms, located near Thomas and the 101 freeway, was a very popular farmers’ market and local hangout for Valley residents for years, but Ken Singh had even greater aspirations, so Singh Meadows was born. Located next to Big Surf Waterpark in Tempe, the Singh Meadows project is now a little utopia. This innovative farm and grassland is located on a property that was formally known as the Rio Salado Golf Course. It all started when the City of Tempe, which owned the golf course, reached out to Mr. Singh, asking him to take over the property and turn it into a farm. Ken proceeded to get his hands dirty, as farmers often do, and went to work right away to remediate the soil. He worked hard to create what was needed to grow nutrient-dense heirloom vegetables, which took over two years. One hundred percent of the chemicals were flushed out and organics were added. Take a stroll around the serene lake that’s located just outside the market and small restaurant, which used to be the old golf course clubhouse. There you’ll find a full-service fresh juicing bar the rivals any juice bar at any high-end gym or store in the city.
Writer Fadi Sitto Photography Courtesy of Singh Farms and Singh Meadows apri l 2019
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The quaint restaurant serves delicious, healthy farm-to-table fare. If you look through the glass partition, you’ll see Ken’s wife, co-owner Lee Singh, making homemade bread and all the pastries from scratch. As you pleasantly get lost in nature and sip on the best fresh juice you’ll ever have, you’ll soon realize that this isn’t just a vast random green space. Walking and touring the charming, calming Singh Meadows with Mr. Singh, it was clear that he is a beloved and revered man. He knows everyone, and everyone knows him. People are drawn to him and his kind nature; he’s a rock-star farmer who is giving the locals what they want when it comes to fresh, completely organic foods. The crowds of thankful people from all over the Valley and many out-of-towners aren’t shy about coming up to him with a warm smile and a hello. There is no such thing as a stranger here, only friends. “My dad from India used to say, ‘Son, did you hear the land talking?’ I’d say, ‘Dad, I heard the plane, I heard the tractor. Now, I hear the soil,’” Mr. Singh tells me. Ken Singh is nothing short of Earth’s caretaker. He is, first and foremost, a farmer. He still weeds by hand and takes his time understanding each entity of grained dirt. He even makes compost on the premises.
EXPERIENCE Singh Meadows a g e s a r i zSunday, o n a . c o m8 apr il 2p.m. 019 | 1490 E. Weber Dr., Tempe | 480-225-7199 | singhmeadowstempe.com a.m.–2 58Fridayi mthrough
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Look at our farming pioneers. They never put chemicals on their grounds because they knew people were going to eat what they produced, and they cherished you.
For Valley residents, he has unofficially become the leading example of true farming. You will be hard-pressed to meet anyone who knows more about the farming industry and its impact. However, a closer look at this extraordinary man reveals that he is also Earth’s artist. Ken paints the soil with brush strokes of appreciation and respect. “Look at our farming pioneers. They never put chemicals on their grounds because they knew people were going to eat what they produced, and they cherished you,” Ken says. For five years, Ken had a sustainable green program with the City of Tempe. He took all their greens and showed them how to do compost the right way, more efficiently. He has also worked with Arizona State University for more than a decade. All of their greens come from his farm. From the Biltmore to the Phoenix Country Club, many entities use his products and methods of composting and farm management. Ken is appreciative by nature, and takes seriously the opportunity of helping cities, organizations and individual people by educating them about farming. Much of the green space at Singh Meadows is still in the planning stages, but Mr. Singh has added numerous walking paths, plant life and gardens. He flushed out of the floodplain and fitted a 400-foot well that is now converted into a chloride- and fluoridefree lake. The small well-water lake here is the purest water available in
the entire Valley. Ken also continues to grow the area by adding new pumps and new sprinklers in the landmass that what was the old golf course. Ken Singh’s mission is to bring the land back into balance. He wants to get back to the basics and to a time of complete non-contamination. Singh Meadows is flourishing because it’s a safe environment for everyone. A place to picnic and play on existent toxin-free grass, and enjoy amazing food that is grown and cooked within just a few feet of the restaurant. “We love it here. It’s such a special place,” says a customer named Francesca. “We are winter visitors from Seattle, and one of the first things we do when we get back to Arizona is come here. This is like our pilgrimage: the kids, the meadow, and the bread. Check!” The Meadows is a local experience that will remind you of how nice and simple it is to walk around in nature. Grab a fresh glass of orange juice and spend some time with your thoughts, or friends and family. From the newcomers to the regulars, guests are grateful that Ken Singh and his family decided to plant their roots here. There is nothing like this in the Phoenix area and people know it. When was the last time you had a picnic? In a growing concrete world, there are few places to reconnect with Mother Nature in the middle of a large metro area like we have here in Phoenix; Singh Meadows is one of those places.
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A hero is someone who is selfless—generous on purpose, in heart and in practice, with an unwavering deep belief that something worthwhile can always be achieved. That’s how I would describe Jennifer Caraway. Jennifer is the founder and operator of Joy Bus Diner, a Valley non-profit making a difference with every delicious meal they serve. The Joy Bus mission is to help relieve the day-to-day struggles of homebound cancer patients with food and companionship. They do this by delivering nutritious, made-from-scratch, chef-inspired, home-cooked meals.
IT’S ALL ABOUT JOY Joy Bus Diner, located on Shea Boulevard in northeast Phoenix, opens its doors and hearts every day to the public in honor of Joy, Jennifer Caraway’s dear friend. The diner serves high-quality comfort foods and specialty dishes, with all profits from the diner benefiting the Joy Bus charity. Joy was diagnosed with aggressive ovarian cancer in 2011. Jennifer couldn’t just sit around doing nothing, so she started making little homemade treats and ice cream for Joy from her kitchen at home. She just wanted to support her friend. “I started thinking and wondering if there was a service that does this for people who are in her position, I started researching and I couldn’t find anyone who was doing this, so I started one,” Jennifer says. Jennifer got her approval for the Joy Bus from the Arizona Corporation Commission in February 2012. “I framed the certificate of approval and showed it to Joy. It brings a smile to my face every time, because Joy knew of my plans for the foundation before she passed away,” Jennifer explains. She hit the ground running and started preparing the meals out of her house for the next four years. Jennifer partnered with Case Managers Society of America, which would start referring cancer patients to her. One patient led to another, then another. She started to realize the scope and the need for her help and services. “I would just go to their house, sit with them and give them rad food,” Jennifer says.
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She was helping numerous families and the program was growing, but she needed more space. The need to expand to a commercial kitchen led to the creation of the one-of-a-kind Joy Bus Diner. Jennifer Caraway is a self-taught, award-winning chef who is bravely influencing the landscape of the culinary arts. Jennifer started in the restaurant industry when she was 14, washing dishes and busing tables until working her way up to establishing four restaurants. She’s good at what she does: she recently beat three other prestigious chefs to win $10,000 on the popular Food Network show “Chopped.” Once she obtained her commercial kitchen, she needed support. She worked tirelessly to raise awareness and money for the Joy Bus Diner program. Jennifer went to local area farmers’ markets asking for produce and food donations for the Joy Bus, but nobody was interested. “I begged and begged,” she says, but still no takers. Never discouraged and even more determined, she found a local farm that was open to taking a chance. Crooked Sky Farms believed in her vision and came through in a big way, and is the only farm that she uses today.
EXPERIENCE Joy Bus Diner i m athrough g e s a r i z o nSunday, a . c o m apr il 2 019 7 a.m.–2 p.m. | 3375 E. Shea Blvd., Phoenix | 602-595-5884 | thejoybusdiner.com 62Tuesday
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Our volunteers are literally the best people. We have dedicated people who come in every day and cook, or hostess or deliver meals. We’re really lucky!
ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE Crooked Sky Farms was the catalyst, but she needed more help. It was soon on its way. Along with Crooked Sky, Joy Bus supporters include Fox Restaurant Concepts, Gio Osso of Virtu, Charleen Badman of FnB, and acclaimed dessert chef Tracy Dempsey, to name a few. Wildflower Bread Company donates bread, Roastery of Cave Creek contributes coffee, and flour is provided by Hayden Flour Mills. All of the ground beef is donated by Arcadia Meat Market and is completely organic, grass-fed and local. Everything at the diner is organic, which is vital for the cancer patients they serve. From the tables and chairs that were donated by Sam Fox, to the kitchen doors donated by Pei Wei, this place
is blessed with local flavor and style. Jennifer even convinced a Valley company to donate toilets for the diner. Today, the Joy Bus serves 50 families every Friday, delivering and serving the food within an hour of making it. In addition, the patients can also come to the diner and eat free any day of the week—every day, if they want to. All of the people that the Joy Bus serves are stage four cancer patients. It’s not only about the food. Volunteers deliver the food every Friday and happily sit with patients and spend time with them. It’s the only interaction many patients have with someone who is not a family member. Each month, a different chef partner volunteers in the diner kitchen. Renowned chefs from high-end restaurants all over the Valley are always happy to be a part of this unique experience. “Our volunteers are literally the best people. We have dedicated people who come in every day and cook, or hostess or deliver meals. We’re really lucky,” Jennifer says. Lisa Coughlin, manager of Joy Bus Diner, began as a volunteer. She started showing up every day, so Jennifer gave her a job. Lisa is the Joy Bus’s secret weapon. She can often be found dressed in a banana suit, dancing on the street corner trying to get people to come in the diner. Yes, it works. “They try to fire me every day and I just keep showing up,” Lisa jokingly says.
Lisa has a gift. She makes everyone around her happy—and it’s contagious. From the manager to the head chef, this is not your typical diner. “I love this place, I’ve been cooking now for over 15 years, and it’s so much different because I’m actually giving back,” says Ben Farley, chef at Joy Bus Diner. Ben was an executive chef at high-end restaurants, and was set to go back to fine dining when Jennifer found him. Ben is happy she did. He gets to send his chef-inspired meals every Friday to uplift cancer patients, and he wouldn’t trade that feeling for anything in the world. The diner is familial, welcoming and community driven. Forever thankful for her loyal customers, Jennifer comes to work every morning and walks by every table. She knows nearly everyone by name. “It’s like I’m walking into my house, such a cool thing that everyone has created here,” she glowingly says. Always thinking of more ways to help, Jennifer has the hope of purchasing her own commercial space to grow the program. She plans to add an organic pantry so patients can come by and get fresh produce anytime they want. The Joy Bus strives to improve the lives of local cancer patients through the simple concept of hand-delivered meals and face-to-face relationships. In reality, Joy Bus diner delivers compassion and love, disguised as food—and that’s something we can all step aboard. thejoybusdiner.com
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Chocolate Avocado Pudding This tasty pudding is my go-to sweet treat at night when I am craving something chocolatey—without the guilt! I like to add whipped coconut cream and a spoonful of peanut butter at the end, making it extra decadent. It is also delicious with any kind of berries and bananas. Try it frozen! Serves: 4-6 Prep time: 20 minutes
Ingredients: 1/2 cup dates, soaked in warm water 1/2 cup maple syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla 1-1/2 cups mashed avocados (2–3) 3/4 cup raw cocoa powder 1/2 cup water
Directions: Combine dates, maple syrup and vanilla in food processor until smooth. Add mashed avocado and cocoa powder, then process until creamy. Add the water and mix until smooth.
Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly
kyndraclaire.com
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Penne alla Vodka The perfect pasta dish for two! I love making this on date night, or any night of the week. It’s super easy to whip up in a pinch.
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 2 teaspoons jarred garlic or 2 cloves, finely minced 2–3 tablespoon tomato paste (jar or tube) pinch red pepper flakes 1 ounce vodka 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/2 cup penne pasta (or whatever you have on hand) 1/2 cup saved pasta water
Directions: Bring salted water to a boil in large pot. Add pasta and cook according to directions. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add onion. Cook until just starting to brown. Add garlic, stirring. Add tomato paste and red pepper flakes. Cook until bubbling over medium heat. Add vodka and let bubble for a couple of minutes. Turn heat to low and add heavy cream, stirring constantly. When pasta is done, use a slotted spoon to transfer pasta to skillet. Don't worry about excess water. You’ll need this to make the sauce. Scoop out 1/2 cup of pasta water and add to skillet, a little at a time, stirring until creamy and the consistency you prefer. It will thicken up as it sits, so it should be pretty "saucy."
Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly
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Add about half of the parmesan cheese, stirring until combined. Top with remaining parmesan and additional red pepper flakes, if desired.
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