CULTURE

CURATING GREATNESS

Cece Cole’s artistic career has organically grown into a multidimensional venture

BY MEGAN DEMKO

FAUSTO FERNANDEZ

PHOTO BY Many times, artists begin their pieces with an idea of the final outcome in mind and that concept changes until the artwork has been completed. This process is much like Cece Cole’s career as an artist, which has organically transformed since she started. Cole’s interest in the arts began at a young age, thanks in part to her family’s involvement in the creative world. She was first exposed to art at her grandmother’s studio while growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, and while exploring art museums and wineries when visiting her father in California. “I think that exposure had an impact on my decision to follow a career path in art,” she says. “I studied art in high school and then college. It was something I could do well. I enjoyed the lifestyle and the feeling that I am and always will be learning and making things. Cole went on to graduate with her bachelor’s of fine arts from University of Louisiana, where she focused on mixed media studies. After a six-year academia break, she then attended and graduated University of Iowa with her Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts. Upon graduating, she received a Fountainhead and Virginia Commonwealth fellowship, continuing on as a faculty instructor for a year after the program. Cole then went abroad for a residency and exhibition in Berlin, Germany, before relocating to New York where she traveled to Japan, Mexico, Hungary and Slovakia while working. In 2010, she moved back to her hometown in Louisiana, teaching high school students through Lafayette Public School’s Talented Art Program for four years before moving to Scottsdale. Today, Cole not only still creates art, but she is also an entrepreneur and recently became the curator at Mountain Shadows. “I describe my work as mixed media installation,” says Cole, noting she is currently developing work to show in 2022. Her companies include Cole/Lab (www.colelab.art) and Good Company Contemporary Art and Design (www.goodcompanyaz. com), formed in 2018 and 2020, respectively. “Cole/Lab provides a place to direct clients seeking an informed artist’s perspective on projects big and small,” says Cole, noting her goal in Good Company is to create a financial support system for local artists, designers, and fabricators of all backgrounds. “Good Company Art and Design is a multidisciplinary art and design studio and online directory. Our aim is to create new opportunities for local artists, designers, and fabricators through a direct funding scholarship program.” The newest addition to Cole’s resume is as the curator for The Gallery at Mountain Shadows, where her focus is on displaying contemporary art and new media by local and nonlocal emerging talent. The Gallery is updated every two months and the current exhibit, Recent Work by Matt Magee, will be on display through Aug. 1.

Located in the heart of Scottsdale, Nuvell Clinics is the Premier Cosmetic Laser Center in the United States. What makes this clinic unique is that they just don’t have one device for all patients, they have 35 different laser systems and close to 100 interchangeable headpieces so they can choose the device that’s right for each individual patient to achieve life changing results.

Led and founded by Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Shelly Friedman, Nuvell Clinics offers a variety of female rejuvenation procedures to help restore intimacy, aesthetic and proper function of the vagina in addition to offering the very latest in Body Contouring and Facial Rejuvenation.

“What separates us from the typical medspa is our ability to treat almost any skin imperfections and all skin types from light to dark, as well as reversing the signs of aging” states Dr. Shelly Friedman.

Under the direction of Dr. Friedman, nationally recognized Certified Laser Trainer Eric Jantze, medical director and Nurse Practitioner Dr. Ashleigh Ortega, and Licensed Aesthetician and Certified Laser Technician Rumur Stamps, Nuvell Clinics offers cosmetic laser treatments that can enhance a person’s life. Meeting the specialized health and wellness needs of women is at the heart of Nuvell Clinic’s mission as the team takes an approach that provides the most comprehensive opportunities. “I believe in treating patients holistically and not just relying on symptoms,” says Dr. Ortega. The clinic not only performs laser rejuvenation treatments, the staff also trains physicians and laser technicians through their in-house NALA Institute.

Popular treatments include the FemiLift and the O-Shot, known more commonly as the orgasm shot, to help with cell development in the vaginal tissues. Vaginal rejuvenation may sound intimidating, but both of these procedures are comfortable and quick. Dr. Friedman and his team’s commitment to the highest standards of patient care is reflected in the superior quality of

Nuvell, New You

Nuvell Clinics Delivers Results.

treatments and the dedication of the Nuvell staff combined with the results they attain.

Nuvell Clinics also offers a variety of noninvasive services, including facial rejuvenation, body sculpting, wrinkle reduction and cellulite treatment. All of Nuvell’s treatments are clinical grade and deliver real results.

The list of lasers Nuvell Clinics has available for procedures include: Venus Viva for Radiofrequency Ablative Resurfacing, Vivace Fractional Micro-Needle Radiofrequency, Alma RF Pixel, LaseMD Thulium, Venus Legacy Skin Tightening & Cellulite Reduction, Cool Sculpting, Cool Tone, hair reduction lasers, Tattoo Removal, and more.

“Most patients around the country are being undertreated, but at Nuvell Clinics we can achieve patient’s goals much faster with the combination of our technology and multiple years of experience” says Advanced Training Instructor Eric Jantze.

Find Yourself.

4151 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale AZ 85251 www. CornelisHollander.com 480-423-5000 800-677-6821 PROUDLY MADE IN THE U.S.A. CUSTOM DESIGNS AVAILABLE

Cool places in Arizona to beat the heat

We are officially in the throes of summer in the desert. Starting now, the humidity is also creeping up along with the temperature as the monsoon season settles in. If seeking a way to escape the Scottsdale heat for a few days, why not consider a trip up north? Less than two hours from the Valley are dozens of cool – literally and figuratively – spots just waiting to be discovered. Here are four worth a trip now.

Many Valley residents are acquainted with Flagstaff, likely because they have visited to ski in the winter or to tour Northern Arizona University. For those whose knowledge of the cozy mountain town ends there, summer is the perfect time to set aside a weekend and visit. Smack dab in the middle of the world’s largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest, Flagstaff is at an elevation of 7,000 feet. To give perspective, the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado, is at 5,280 feet. The result: weather in the 70s and 80s during the day with chilly evenings. The climate allows for hiking, mountain biking and outdoor concerts. There is also ample fishing, camping, horseback riding and paddle boarding available on the gentle waters of nearby Lake Mary, Grand Canyon National Park, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Wupatki National Monument, and Meteor Crater, which are all within easy driving distance. Beyond this, outdoor adventurers can ride up Snowbowl via a scenic chairlift to Arizona’s highest point on the San Francisco Peaks as well as try their hands at a sky-high obstacle course with zip lines, suspension bridges and rope swings at Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course. Those looking to wine and dine in the pines are also in luck as Flagstaff has a burgeoning culinary scene, especially in its downtown area. Among the most notable spots is Shift Kitchen & Bar. Led by award-winning chef George Murkowicz, a Scottsdale native who honed his skills at Zinc Bistro, T. Cook’s and L’Auberge de Sedona, the regularly updated menu showcases fresh vegetables and is a playful take on European and American cuisines. Similarly impressive is Brix, a perfect date night restaurant and wine bar also located in the downtown area. Its focus is to source

FLAGSTAFF

ingredients from local farmers and ranchers from the Four Corners region for contemporary American dishes. Rounding out the other biggest “must” restaurants in the area are Tinderbox Kitchen and Pizzicletta. A mainstay in the area for more than a decade, Tinderbox re-imagined its concept amid COVID-19, reemerging in recent months as a finer dining experience with elevated cocktails and wine pairings. And at Pizzicletta, people are known to wait in line for hours for what many call the best pizza in Arizona. Breweries also abound, including several within walking distance from each other such as Mother Road Brewing, Lumberyard Brewing, Historic Brewing Barrel + Bottle House, Wanderlust Brewing Company, Beaver Street Brewery and Dark Sky Brewing Co. As for accommodations, opt for Little America Hotel, which is about a mile from downtown and tucked into 500 acres of pristine Flagstaff forest with abundant hiking trails, a heated pool and multiple outdoor lounge areas and patios. The spacious hotel underwent an extensive renovation in recent years, resulting in enhanced rooms, a modern lobby and a chic restaurant and bar called Silver Pine. Learn more at www.flagstaffarizona.org.

Referenced in the famous song Get Your Kicks on Route 66, Williams, located 40 minutes west of Flagstaff and among the most well-preserved stretches of the iconic national highway, has kicks aplenty during the summer months, especially if a lover of nature and wildlife. Though many folks spend the night in Flagstaff and make the drive to Williams for the day, the local Sheridan House Inn has such well-appointed accommodations; an overnight stay at the secluded luxury bed and breakfast is a must while in town. The inn, which is known for its fox, javelina and deer sightings, features eight rooms, each unique in its own way and named for a tree native to the region. Of particular note is the Rosewood Room, which has forest views out of every window, an LED fireplace, a lighted rain shower and both a private hot tub and a furnished pergola. All guests at the inn are treated to daily breakfast with French press coffee, hand-squeezed fruit juices and a menu curated to guests’ particular dietary needs. In the summer months, breakfast is served on the deck surrounded by greenery, almost as if in a treehouse. After breakfast, adventures abound, including private helicopter tours that fly over the Grand Canyon, which can be arranged by the innkeepers with advance notice. If preferring to stay closer to the ground while still enjoying the region’s more natural wonders, Williams is also home to the Grand Canyon Railway. Just five minutes from Sheridan House Inn, the Grand Canyon Railway, whose Williams’ depot is home to the Fred Harvey Restaurant which is notably the best restaurant in town, whisks guests to the south rim of the Grand Canyon and back daily via train. There are several types of cars on the train from which to choose, but for a more

WILLIAMS

elevated journey, opt for the luxury dome or luxury parlor, each of which has plush seating, a private bar and snacks. Along the route, passenges should keep their eyes peeled for animals ranging from elk and mountain lions to bald eagles and condors. Itching for an even grander animal encounter? Then don’t miss Bearizona in Williams. The 160-acre park allows visitors to drive their own cars through more than 3 miles of ponderosa pine forest. During the drive, guests can view North American animals in natural habitats up close and personal, including reindeer, black bears, American bison and wolves. Additional animals can be observed in habitats at Fort Bearizona, a beautiful 20-acre walking area that is home to bear cubs, bobcats, grizzly bears, otters, jaguar, elk, beavers, badgers and more. Finally, any trip to Williams should include an actual visit to Route 66, which has commemorative signage perfect for selfies as well as a host of shops and restaurants along the way, notably Miss Kitty’s Steak House, South Rims Wine & Beer Garage, Mountain Man Mercantile and Cruise’n on Route 66. Learn more at www.experiencewilliams.com.

Adult Disneyland, anyone? Certainly, Cottonwood – a mere 90 minutes north of Scottsdale – has amazing outdoor attractions including Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Blowout Creek and Jail Trail River Walk as well as places of historical significance, notably Tuzigoot National Monument. But the main attraction is its patio-lined Main Street. Tailormade for those who have earned a few days off from “adulting,” Main Street is home to breweries, wineries, cafes and restaurants, each a short walk from one another so neither ridehailing services nor cars are required. The perfect weekend away in Cottonwood starts with brunch on the patio at Crema Craft Kitchen & Bar. The space itself screams vacation as each table is shaded by vibrantly colored umbrellas, complementing the outrageously orange main bar made from upcycled shipping containers, and the menu is bursting with morning cocktails as well as specialties made from scratch ranging from bread pudding French toast to breakfast pot pie. Once fueled up, bar hopping may begin, starting with the newly opened Belfry WoodFired Grill & Brewery and Strada. Open since October 2020, Belfry is a working brewery with its own outdoor beer garden as well as taproom and grill, offering at least eight of its own beers at any given time as well as a lengthy list of specialty cocktails and wines. Strada, which opened in May, is an eclectic extension of the popular Pizzeria Bocce made from eight industrial-sized shipping containers. Steel beams and Edison bulbs up the ambiance, and the cocktails are updated twists on classics with locally sourced ingredients. If hungry, Strada has a menu of shareable Italian tapas and street food, many with ingredients sourced directly from Italy. From Strada, a best bet is to simply head next door to State Bar,

COTTONWOOD

which boasts beers solely made in Arizona and tons of yard games. After a day of drinks and games, a luxury stay on Main Street overnight is possible thanks to the Tavern Hotel. Nearly 100 years ago, the building where the Tavern sits was the town’s grocery store and main gathering place. Today it remains the centerpiece of the town, only now as a fully realized European-style boutique hotel with 41 rooms and suites, a fitness center and a pool pavilion. There are colorfully decorated traditional guest rooms as well as one- and two-bedroom cottages – one designed for those with dogs in tow – and even two penthouse options. After a good night’s sleep, day two in “Adult Disney” should focus on wine, as there is a lot of it on Main Street. Just some of the tasting rooms from which to choose include: Carlson Creek, known for its varietals in the style of Argentina, Chile and the Rhône Valley in southern France; Pillsbury Wine Company, which offers sustainable high elevation estate grown wines; Tantrum Wines, where all blends are made by a female winemaker; and Provisioner Wines, which has a general store in addition to the winery. Learn more at www.visitcottonwoodaz.org.

In the early 1900s when Jerome was a bustling mining camp – and home to more than a dozen bordellos – the city was nicknamed the “wickedest town in the West.” Fast-forward to 2021. It is still wicked, except now it is a wicked cool love letter to Arizona’s colorful past with all the conveniences of the present. Located about 6 miles from Cottonwood and accessible via a paved road up Cleopatra Hill, Jerome is at an elevation just over 5,000 feet, offering not only cooler weather but sweeping views of the surrounding Verde Valley and Sedona Red Rocks. Several historic buildings are still standing, many of which have been modernized and refurbished to welcome guests. Among them is The Clinkscale, which was first built as a mercantile in the 1800s and gained notoriety as the first store Levi’s were sold west of the Mississippi in the 1900s. Lovingly restored and reopened in 2020 as a hotel and restaurant of the same name, the property gives a nod to the past with exposed brick, hardwood floors and brown leather and steel accents, yet it is ultramodern in its furnishings, technology and creature comforts, including flat-screen TVs, plush bedding and walk-in rainfall showers in each of the rooms. The elegant and contemporary vibe continues into the restaurant, which offers American-fusion cuisine with a French flair as well as daily brunch and regular wine pairing dinners. Like at The Clinkscale, history is on proud display throughout the city thanks to a bevy of other attractions, notably the Jerome State Historic Park, Audrey Headframe Park and the Mine Museum. Jerome State Historic Park was once a mining mogul’s mansion and yard. Today, the space is meant to take guests on a journey of Arizona’s rugged past, and there is even a 3D model of the town and its

JEROME

underground mines to help visitors of all ages visualize what life was like back then. Similarly, Audrey Headframe Park showcases what was once a massive, working mining shaft that helped gold, copper and silver make its way down the hill for transport. During its 20 years in operation, the Jerome Historical Society estimates it lifted more than 3.6 million tons of ore yielding at least 320,000 tons of copper, 190 tons of silver and 5.3 tons of gold. The Mine Museum does a fine job of tying these two landmarks to Jerome’s timeline while also accurately depicting the good, bad and ugly of the region in its heyday via saloon, gun and cultural displays and artifacts. Another way in which history comes to life in Jerome is through its wineries. While not the rough-and-tumble saloons of yesteryear, those who wish to imbibe may do so at one or more of the area’s many tasting rooms, including Cabal Cellars, Caduceus Cellars and Passion Cellars. Finally, nestled between the tasting rooms and landmarks are also dozens of specialty stores and galleries, many offering paintings, crafts and jewelry from local artisans. Learn more at www.jeromechamber.com.