Sophisticated Living St. Louis Sept/Oct 2021 by Sophisticated Living Magazine

{St. Louis' Finest}

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Sept/Oct 2021 five dollars

CENTRAL WEST END: at the heART of it all

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CENTRO

4727 MCPHERSON AVE, (314) 454-0111 CENTRO-INC.COM Making St. Louis Modern since 1988, Centro is the region’s sole design store featuring authentic American and European designs, including Eero Saarinen’s classic Womb Chair, designed in 1946 and made in the USA exclusively by Knoll.

the Central West End’s vibrant arts district on McPherson with worldclass galleries and curated showrooms, offering high-design home furnishings.

www.cwescene.com DUANE REED GALLERY

4729 MCPHERSON AVE, (314) 361-4100 DUANEREEDGALLERY.COM

Victor Wang Solo Exhibition Sept. 9 — Oct. 16 Opening Reception Thursday, Sept. 9 5:00 — 8:00 PM

HOUSKA GALLERY

4728 MCPHERSON AVE, (314) 496-1377 HOUSKAGALLERY.COM Located in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis, Houska Gallery exhibits and represents emerging artists from the midwest. In September, we will be featuring work from Craig Carlisle, an artist located out of Nashville Tennessee. Photo Courtesy of Sarah B. Gilliam

PHILIP SLEIN GALLERY

4735 MCPHERSON AVE, (314) 361-2617 PHILIPSLEINGALLERY.COM Philip Slein Gallery was established in 2003 in downtown St. Louis. In 2012 the gallery moved to its current location in the CWE. The gallery’s primary focus is painters, working in a variety of styles, having achieved national and international reputations.

PROJECTS+GALLERY

4733 MCPHERSON AVE, (314) 696-8678 PROJECTS-GALLERY.COM projects+gallery is a commercial art gallery created by Barrett Barrera Projects and designed to feature contemporary exhibitions and artists that blur the boundaries of traditionally understood artistic disciplines and practices. The gallery features regional, national and international artists.

DON’T MISS THE CENTRAL WEST END’S GALLERY NIGHT: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 FROM 5-8 P.M.

A cross-disciplinary group of originators redefining art experiences & culture.

Art Sales

Art Consulting

Artist Collaborations

Exhibition Touring

Collections Management

Visit barrettbarrera.com for information or to book a private appointment.

{St. Louis' Finest}

Sept/Oct 2021

Photo by Tom Tussey. Sunset at the Sunflower Fields at Missouri Bottom Conservation Area.

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Sept/Oct 2021

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on the cover: Once an exterior courtyard in our featured home, it is now a conservatory.

A Legacy Continues

ART FAIRS 101

COCA

TUDOR Relaunches Black Bay Chrono to Mark 50 Years of Chrono Production

Private Ayes

Bibliotaph... Nutured by Nature

Grand Tourmaline

Kinetic Energy

Take No Prisoners

High Heels to Hiking Boots

Of Note... Larger than Light

Keep on Truckin’

Curating a Collection: Investments At Hand

A Horse of a Different Color

Passion Projects

Retired Health Care Executive and Community Volunteer Now Enjoys Digital Photography

CM &

INTERIORS

314.328.1923 | www.candmstudio.com |

candminteriors

Sept/Oct 2021

32 50 Years of Chrono Production

TUDOR Relaunches Black Bay Chrono to Mark 50 Years of Chrono Production

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Society Calendar

U.S. Olympic Team Trials and G ymnastics Championships

Kaufman Fund Concert

Steeplechase

Sophisticated Weddings

ABT

From the Publisher I am not sure when it happened, but dreamers are not very popular in the news these days. Maybe it’s because of the political climate or the perceived economic burden dreamers place on society? From my point of view, the world needs more dreamers -more people willing to challenge the status quo and set out on a lifelong journey to do and create something remarkable. Even with few fans in the stands at the 2020/21 Tokyo Olympics, the stories of athletes and their families who have sacrificed so much to make their mark on their sport and be forever acknowledged in the history books is so moving. The performances are great, but the stories, the dreams, and even the heartbreak brought me to tears daily. Dreamers -- in this case athletes -- must work hard to achieve their dreams. They’re not lazy or expect something for nothing. The dreams are powerful -- and with the support of all of us -- have the capacity to change the world. I don’t know about you, but I was glued to the television to witness the privately funded space launches of Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos which has ushered in the possibility of civilian space travel and the colonization of neighboring planets in the years to come. I held my breath on liftoff -- hoping not to see a repeat of the Challenger explosion which I watched from my first job at the University of Michigan in 1986 and which set back space exploration for generations. I raced to my computer to watch the 1963 speech by John F. Kennedy when he predicted the day when humans would walk on the moon. How can you not be fascinated by the new technologies, new materials, and human desire to do what no one has done before? But as human nature would have it, there are naysayers who feel the expense is a waste despite knowing that the innovations will result in advanced manufacturing techniques, new fuel sources, better understanding of meteorology in our fastly deteriorating atmosphere, and breakthroughs in healthcare not even imaginable today. It has been fun learning about space travel and Olympic sports. Like other areas outside my wheelhouse, coming at them as an “amateur” opens my mind and allows me to see things I wouldn’t normally see. In fact, what I learn from other industries helps me make connections to my own business, our great city, and pushes me to rethink challenges from different angles. Take the Richard Branson space story -- he’s trying to democratize space by making it an experience available to the public, not just to astronauts or billionaires. Makes me wonder about how we can democratize business, government, healthcare, and so much more so that everyone has the opportunity to experience life in a personalized, simple, and empathetic manner, not just those who have the means. Recently, I read a story about a company called Saildrone which designs and manufactures wind and solar powered autonomous surface vehicles to collect ocean data cost effectively. This sparked my curiosity, not just in the simplicity of the sailing of the drones, but the complexity of the drones’ missions. Case in point is an impressive mission to Antarctica, which took seven months and covered 12,500 miles with waves in excess of 60 ft. Sail drones are packed with hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of scientific equipment that measure things like currents, dissolved oxygen levels, water temperature, acidity, and salinity, while operating at a fraction of the cost of traditional research vessels. They also utilize sonar and acoustic instruments to pinpoint animal life and produce data on fish stocks. This is a significant leap in technology. Eventually it’ll allow 100% monitoring of weather and marine conditions, eliminating today’s environmentally inefficient and, at times, unsafe monitoring by ship. Even more impressive is that the technology is a result of the integration of many different technologies. For example, rather than being made of cloth, the sails of drones replicate wings of airplanes. While sail drones are being used to revolutionize the marine industry, healthcare companies are applying digital tools to solve complex problems in our own backyard. One illustration of this: developing just-in-time insights by capturing real-time data via remote monitoring in the home allows clinicians to assist patients with chronic conditions proactively. Less than six months ago I signed up for a trial of the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor which measures my blood sugar every five minutes without ever having to prick my finger. In just two months my A1C dropped from 8.6% to 6.4%, and I am on track to achieve remission from Type 2 diabetes, which I have struggled with for 20 years. I can’t wait to see what the new National Geospatial Agency and geospatial companies moving to St. Louis to locate near the NGA will accomplish. Undoubtedly, St. Louis will be ground zero to many breakthroughs for generations to come. So get ready! In this issue, we focus on the new COCA expansion, it’s breakthrough facilities, instructors, donors, and world class alumni; Michael Staenberg’s new Factory at The District with musical collaborator Steve Schankman anchoring the live-music scene in Chesterfield Valley; and the photography of retired CEO Dick Miles. While we are a decidedly luxury lifestyle media company, more than anything we are dedicated to dreamers who think bigger, expand our comfort zones, and make St. Louis better. Be an observer of what’s happening around you...from the perspective of a dreamer. Reflect on how things that, while at first glance might seem random, may have applicability to something at work or in your personal life. The great thing about embracing a dreamer’s mindset is it creates an openness to learn new things and takes us down paths that lead to opportunities we didn’t know existed. It’s amazing what one question, one dream, or one passion can achieve.

Craig M. Kaminer, Publisher craig@slmag.net 6

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CONTACT JULIE LANE FOR A CONFIDENTIAL LISTING PRESENTATION! Learn more at julielanerealestate.com. julie@ julielanerealestate.com 314.303.6504 janet mcafee inc. 9889 clayton road saint louis, missouri 63124 314.997.4800

8300 KINGSBURY, $2.35M

The greatest threat to our freedom is the loss of free and independent media. PUBLISHER Craig Kaminer

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ARCHITECTURE + INTERIOR DESIGN www.studiolark.us | @studiolark

BRANDS FEATURED FROM TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT: COWTAN & TOUT, CENTURY FURNITURE, HICKORY CHAIR, HICKORY CHAIR, KDR, BAKER FURNITURE, PHILLIP JEFFRIES, VISUAL COMFORT AND STARK CARPET

Spotlighting St. Louis’ most influential design professionals and the showroom partner that makes their work shine.

11660 Page Service Drive | Saint Louis, MO 63146 | 314.993.5020 | kdrshowrooms.com

For 30 years, KDR has partnered with St. Louis designers

Alise O’Brien Photography

Impeccably Styled and Perfectly Planned. With expert guidance from Castle Design, this mid-century ranch gets a full renovation. The 1970-era home was reimaged as an open, light-filled, modern space with a new expansive vaulted roofline that extends the full length of the home. Stunning in its quiet simplicity, the family room was a key space in the redesign. The homeowners wanted a tranquil, yet inviting space where they could gather together as a family. The seating arrangement consists of a clean-lined Century sofa and two club chairs, upholstered in a textured white high-performance, family-friendly fabric. The beautiful sheer Fabricut draperies frame the space, while providing both softness and privacy. As the central gathering space, this timeless family room is as functional and practical as it is sophisticated and elegant. –Amy McCoy, Allied ASID, Castle Design

EmilyCastle.com | 314-727-6622

bringing their visions to your life.

The Spanish Mission-style home was built in 1924 by Martiz & Young.

A LEGACY CONTINUES Written by Jessen O’Brien / Photography by Alise O’Brien

When you move into a century home, it can often feel as if you’re becoming a part of the house’s story. But if walls could talk, this Ladue home would say that its legacy has always been entangled with that of its current homeowners, who took up residence in 1991. “The house was built by my great aunt as a wedding gift for one of her children,” says one of the homeowners. When it went up for sale nearly 70 years later, “a lot of people came through; there was talk of tearing it down.” That would have been a shame. The 1924 Spanish Missionstyle home was designed by Raymond E. Maritz and W. Ridgley Young, a duo responsible for more than 160 of the city’s most significant residences, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally built in the shape of a cross -- allowing each room to maximize views of the surrounding landscape -- the home gained a wing in the 1990s to accommodate a growing family. This created a U-shaped courtyard where the old and new parts of the home met. Decades later, it would also create the perfect opportunity to establish a new entertaining space: a two-story glass conservatory that graciously blends indoor and outdoor living. While the conservatory is notably modern, it is thoughtfully designed to reference period appropriate architecture. “You can’t 14 slmag.net

ignore the past when working on century homes,” says Tom Wall, the project’s architect and owner of St. Louis firm Mitchell Wall Architecture and Design. “At the 1851 World’s Fair in London, there was a building called the Crystal Palace, an enormous wrought iron and glass structure, that we drew from for this contemporary addition.” The result is a “functional, flexible space that allows the [homeowners] to do so many things throughout the day,” says Rachael Dolan, Architectural and Interior Designer at Mitchell Wall. “There’s a bar for when they have parties and two tables that are normally in the space. There’s also a seating area they can move off to the side to allow for dancing or family dinners.” There were two motivators for the project: a new marriage had grown the family further, creating a need for extra living space, while at the same time the homeowner wanted to create a spot for “learning and sharing ideas to make the world a better place” where they could hold events. “At first we thought we might put a conservatory on the other side, where there’s a patio,” says the homeowner. “When Tom came over he walked around the house and said, ‘This is the perfect spot’ because it was the only place where the old house and the addition connected.”

R.G. Ross Construction Co. worked with Mitchell Wall to build this airy glass conservatory.

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Four wrought iron chandeliers from Lights of Tuscany were hung in the vaulted space, connecting it to the main home without obscuring the view of the gardens. 16 slmag.net

An intricate tile by Mosaic House brings together the orange and blue shades that can be found throughout the home.

Putting the conservatory at the nexus of these two wings transformed the flow and function of the home. Previously, the only way to travel between the old and new parts of the house was through the kitchen, which became a high-traffic corridor, especially during family gatherings or when entertaining. Enclosing the courtyard alleviated the pressure on the kitchen, creating a new space that could seamlessly serve as an extension of both the informal and formal entertaining spaces. “What I love is that not only does the conservatory connect the first floor spaces, but also it connects to the second floor because of the two balconies,” says Dolan. “One is off of their master suite so that they can enjoy the beautiful view even from their bedroom.” Although you would never know it, those balconies also hint at a challenge at the core of the project. In addition to creating a new entertaining space and improving the home’s flow, Wall and Dolan worked to establish continuity between the older portion of the home -- with its beautiful stucco work, rosette windows and thoughtful details -- and the previous addition, which departs somewhat stylistically from the original architecture. For example, the second floor of the old wing has arched windows with blue shutters while the new wing has rectangular ones topped with wooden headers. And while the original wing had a balcony overlooking the courtyard-turned-conservatory, the addition across it did not.

“We wound up taking that historical element and wrapping it around to have communication between the two spaces,” says Wall. “Every project has its own vocabulary. In order to maintain communication, you have to make sure that each part of the house is speaking the same language. Here, we were almost creating a translator to speak between the two parts of the house.” Similarly, Mitchell Wall continued a dental detail from the original house to further connect the spaces. The dental work also serves to hold grass shades that can climb up to the addition’s peak to filter the light, allowing the sun to illuminate the space without overheating it. Geothermal heating and cooling was designed to sustainably control the temperature, ensuring that the space is as comfortable as the rest of the home even as the glass walls make it feel like part of the outdoors. “We went out of our way to make sure it looked like an outdoor space that had been enclosed,” says Wall. “That really ties the space to contemporary European design, where you see these 800 year-old buildings being used for modern life. They don’t try to reinvent the wheel -- they work within the confines of the existing structures. We went an extra step: creating a new balcony, repeating the colonnades, and even adding dental work in the rooflines to make this feel like it’s an enclosed exterior space.”

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The conservatory and patio connect the original home, to the left, with the previous addition on the right.

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Details like the sound of the water feature were carefully considered to create a peaceful environment for the homeowners.

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Details like the sound of the water feature were carefully considered to create a peaceful environment for the homeowners.

The team also used color to unite the home. “The Sicis tile that’s in the fountain backsplash contains this really beautiful iridescent blue that ties it into the existing shutters and other elements that are already in the home,” says Dolan. “It’s a very calm, beautiful color, especially when you balance it with the exterior stucco which is a lovely yellowish orange.” The fountain itself is mounted on the exterior wall of an elevator which was added to the home to improve its functionality, but which disrupted the conservatory’s symmetry. “I don’t believe in diminishing things,” says Wall. “Instead of trying to hide it, remove it, or work around it, we worked with it.” “The homeowners wanted a space to entertain in, but they also wanted it to be a calm space,” says Dolan. “We put in elements like the fountain, adding a little planter detail and even considering the type of water flow to make sure it would create a soothing sound within the space while they sipped their morning coffee…a lot of

times those little details can make or break space, especially when you have such a beautiful caliber of home. With each idea we presented to them, the homeowners got more and more excited.” “When you have a passionate client, it makes a huge difference,” adds Wall. “It’s an intimate relationship.” Similarly, the homeowners noted “that the relationships we had throughout were really good” and praised the open communication, which allowed the project to run so smoothly they were even able to have guests stay without the construction interfering. The result is another lasting addition to the legacy of the home their family built, one which enables them to better enjoy the beauty of the property’s gardens. “We now use this space more than our family room,” says the homeowner. “We can see the outdoors, and then we have running water and the light of the sky. We’ve seen the storms, the rain, and the snow slowly cover the windows…It just feels so good in here.” sl

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E R I K

S P E H N

Erik Spehn, Bandwidth Painting, Vesper, 2019, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60 inches

Philip Slein Gallery 4735 McPherson Avenue Saint Louis, Missouri 63108 p 314.361.2617 f 314.361.8051 www.philipsleingallery.com

Wendy Cromwell at the Luma Foundation in Arles, France admiring a Franz West sculpture

ART FAIRS 101 Written by Wendy Cromwell

As an experienced art advisor who has built numerous private art collections for individuals, I regularly visit art fairs with clients. From New York to Miami and Basel to Hong Kong, a well-vetted art fair is the most fun and efficient way to see tons of high-quality art in a short amount of time. I’m not alone in these sentiments, hence what I call…THE PHAIR PHENOMENON. In 2000, there were 60 art fairs globally. In 2020, pre-pandemic, there were 300 (according to the 2020 Art Basel and USB Market Report). So what’s responsible for this explosive growth? Simply put: the rise of a global Contemporary art economy. In the 1980s, Contemporary art was not yet ready for prime time! Impressionist and Modern art dominated the auction market, which was concentrated between two art centers, London and New York. As millennials came of age, collecting tastes migrated to Contemporary art, further fueled by new wealth created by BRIC economies (Brasil, Russia, India, and China). By 2020, Contemporary art was the primary driver of the art market, having

increased by 100% twice over 20 years, according to the 2020 Art Price Market Report. This trend was due in part to -- you guessed it -- the rise in the number of art fairs. Fairs allowed European and American galleries to show Contemporary art in far flung cities like São Paolo and Dubai, educating local collectors and further fueling demand. My clients loved the experience of looking at art in a social setting while traveling to fairs in different cities around the globe. Art Basel, which is the Swiss fair that sets the industry standard, expanded to Hong Kong in 2008, cementing the rise of Asia as a bonafide new market center. By bringing Western Contemporary Art to Asian collectors, the fair bolstered the Asian market, which is now the second largest outside the U.S. and still growing. Art Basel Miami Beach is a staple on the fair circuit, for myself and many collectors. I’ve attended the fair each year of its existence, 18 times in all! I’ve attended Art Basel in Switzerland 21 times and Hong Kong once, although I hope to return in 2022!

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Wendy Cromwell in front of paintings by artist Daniel Heidkamp.

WHAT IS AN ART FAIR? (And why should you care?) In short, fairs are trade shows, typically held in convention centers...just like an auto show, but with art, not cars, for sale. Galleries rent floor space from the fair, which is typically a well-branded company that heavily markets their events. It’s common for the first time fair-goer to feel overwhelmed; with so much to see it’s inevitable. How do you get a read on what’s really worth focusing on? Also, why is a lot of the art sold by the time you enter the fair -- even if you are lucky enough to get a VIP pass for the private preview? Galleries prioritize their loyal clientele by sending offers in advance but they participate in fairs to meet new clients, namely, you! Pro Tips: galleries with the largest stands at the center of the floorplan usually have the priciest art. If you have a smaller budget, begin at the periphery. The converse is true, if you’re going for investment-grade, blue-chip art, start at the center. It helps to download and study the fair map before you go. Fairs often have sections devoted to single or dual-artist presentations. Start here to focus and learn. These are but a few strategies to dissecting a fair so that the content becomes digestible. For those starting to collect, a fair is an ideal place to meet art dealers, ask questions, and compare prices in a social environment. If you’re interested in making your first foray into art fair hopping, here are my recommendations:

DO take advantage of extensive free cultural programming -- fairs host talks with prominent artists, curators, and collectors (bonus tip: this programming is now widely accessible online via Frieze and Art Basel’s websites, among others).

DO’S AND DON’TS FOR THE ART FAIR INDUCTEE DO choose a fair that’s juried. The best fairs have committees of well-regarded dealers and curators who vet the galleries and decide who participates. Quality is higher at these fairs.

Prior to founding Cromwell Art 18 years ago, Wendy Cromwell was Vice President of Sotheby’s Contemporary Art for nearly a decade. She ran a Fortune 500 corporate art collection before that, and consulted for several blue-chip art galleries while in graduate school. Wendy received her Master of Arts in Modern Art from the Institute of Fine Arts of New York University and graduated from Smith College with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History. Wendy is past president and current board member of the Association of Professional Art Advisors and a member of the Appraisers Association of America. For tasty bites of art world knowledge delivered to your inbox monthly, subscribe to the Cromwell Art Snack.

DO attend on the first or second public viewing day when the hype and pressure of the highly transactional VIP “preview” day is over. Dealers will give you more attention when you’re not competing with Leo DiCaprio in the booth. 24 slmag.net

I’m looking at a sculpture by Jaume Plensa, an artist from Barcelona, at Miami Art Basel in 2017. I bought this work for a client’s garden (from a jpeg) before the fair opened. It was fun to see it there, and then see it installed two years later. We stored it for a couple years while the house was being built.

DON’T go on the weekend when the aisles are full of strollers. DO get the fair map, note what you liked, the price, and the name of the gallery. After walking for hours, the booths start to blur and you’ll forget. DO ask the gallery to hold something for you if you’re serious about buying. This is called a “reserve,” a courtesy typically extended for an hour at fairs. DO see if the gallery is willing to negotiate on price -- but don’t expect more than a 10% discount, especially as a new buyer. The better your relationship with a dealer, the easier it’ll be to secure that VIP pass for the next fair. DON’T impulse buy! And especially not on an empty stomach. People make better decisions when they aren’t hungry or drunk. …see you on the fair circuit, perhaps?

DUANE REED GALLERY

HOUSKA GALLERY

VICTOR WANG & JANICE JAKIELSKI SEPTEMBER 9 - OCTOBER 16

CRAIG CARLISLE & ANDREA M. COATES SEPTEMBER 9 - OCTOBER 16

Come enjoy a night of the arts during the Central West End’s Gallery Night THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 • 5-8 P.M.

on McPherson Avenue Image: Angela Strassheim, Untitled (Danielle), 2005. Courtesy projects+gallery and Barrett Barrera Projects.

PHILIP SLEIN GALLERY

PROJECTS+GALLERY

WORKS ON PAPER SEPTEMBER 9 - OCTOBER 23

STRETCH MARKS SEPTEMBER 9 - NOVEMBER 20

From left: Jennifer Wintzer, Artistic Director of Theatre; Antonio Douthit-Boyd, Co-Artistic Director of Dance; Bill Carson, Board President; Kelly Pollock, Executive Director; Shereen Fischer, Board Vice President of Programs; Kim Kuehner, Board Secretary; Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Co-Artistic Director of Dance.

COCA

The Building of St. Louis’ World Class Arts and Culture Ecosystem Written by Craig Kaminer

There are few arts nonprofits in the United States that are as successful, nimble, and adaptable as COCA -- Center of Creative Arts -- now the fourth-largest multidisciplinary community arts center in the country and a leader in innovative arts education -- anywhere. If you haven’t sent a child to a dance or music class, performance, summer camp, or a whole host of its programs that encourage creativity, you don’t know what you’re missing. Its artsbased events, training, and programming encourage people to see, think, and express themselves in new ways. With a focus on equity and access, COCA serves as a regional hub for learning in and through the arts for all ages from all backgrounds. One of the most diverse cultural institutions in St. Louis, COCA serves over 50,000 students, audience members, artists, and families from more than 220 zip codes across the St. Louis region every year. COCA is committed to supporting the vitality and creativity of more than 200 artists at the heart of its work in schools, 26 slmag.net

community centers, local businesses, cultural organizations, and on-site at its campus in University City. COCA’s story starts in 1986 with a small group of friends united by their ideals, big dreams, and an entrepreneurial spirit: Richard D. Baron, co-founder and chairman of McCormack Baron Salazar, a leading urban real-estate development company focusing on revitalizing neighborhoods throughout the United States, along with Dorothy Dubinsky, Mark Twain Bank, Robert Orchard, the Sachs Fund, and Trivers architects. Together, they transformed the vacated historic B’nai Amoona Synagogue on Delmar Blvd., at the entrance to the University City Loop as we now know it, into a communitybased visual and performing arts center. The idea: through the arts, COCA would serve as a bridge to connect people. And connect them it has. The transition of this architectural treasure from B’nai Amoona to COCA is a rich story with a consistent theme: providing a place to nourish the soul.

Photo by Douglis Beck

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Photo by Douglis Beck

COCA had the good fortune to locate in an architectural masterpiece in the heart of University City, across from city hall and a stone’s throw from Washington University. The former synagogue was designed by acclaimed mid-century architect Erich Mendelsohn, with later modifications and additions by Andy Trivers and his eponymous architectural firm, Trivers. Mendelsohn’s career followed the trajectory of many German-Jewish emigres fleeing Nazism; he worked in England, Israel, and finally, the US. B’nai Amoona was Mendelsohn’s first American project and many architectural historians believe it was one of his finest. That seems to have been the view of the architect himself, who reportedly told his wife after the groundbreaking that the building was, “one of my best and very powerful without being heavy.” Originally opening as an arts incubator with studios, a gallery, and a theater in the synagogue’s former sanctuary, COCA was home to more than 30 small arts groups, but much of the building remained empty. Enter COCA Founding Executive Director Stephanie Riven -- known for her hard charging, nevertake-no style -- whose first task was to develop classes in the performing and visual arts. These programs would eventually become the core of the organization. I remember getting involved in the late 1980s when a friend told us about what was going on. Soon after, my wife Debbie was 28 slmag.net

asked to co-chair its signature event called COCAcabana. From the very first experience to each and every event and performance we have attended, the energy and commitment of the staff, volunteers, students, and patrons is palpable. I have never left the building without goosebumps -- feeling great about the leadership, direction, inclusion, and passion that goes into everything they do. Mind you, we raised boys whose idea of performance was on the baseball or football field. But over the years we have known so many kids -- those on a professional track and those with two left feet -- who have been raised as COCA kids...and are better off as a result. Some went on to Julliard, some to college to major in physics and dance, some went to perform on Broadway or with some of the best-known dance companies including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Ballet Hispanico, and some did both and returned to teach at COCA when their performing careers ended. Others I see regularly on Instagram and TikTok performing as they always have...and getting more “likes” than most others. While COCA has a tremendous track record of nurturing talent in the performing arts, its real commitment is to ensure that generations of kids grow up to be creative, collaborative, and empathetic problem solvers... kids who have a path to be leaders and change makers.

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Photo by Douglis Beck

Virtually every decade since its founding, St. Louis’ appetite for everything COCA seemed insatiable and COCA’s needs grew. Under the leadership of Executive Director Kelly Pollock since 2010 -- who possesses the rare combination of finance, development, and arts leadership -- COCA has expanded its reach and impact through innovative new programs that push boundaries, all aimed at expanding St. Louis’ creative capacity. Recently, COCA announced the successful completion of the Create Our Future Campaign, raising $49 million over four years to fund a state-of-the-art expansion: the Ferring East Wing. The campaign, led by an inspired group of leaders including Chair Cheryl Holman and COCA veteran Pam Mandelker, also provided endowment funds for scholarships, support services, and artistic and educational programming. The ambitious project ensures COCA will be able to serve St. Louisans for generations to come. This latest expansion brought together many local and international design, architecture, and construction greats including Axi-Ome and Christner Architects, S.M. Wilson & Co. and TW Constructors, Schuler Shook for theater planning and lighting design, Kirkegaard for acoustics, and IDEO and SOSO for an interactive, digital donor recognition wall. On my first tour of the new addition, I parked in the new parking garage (now with ample space), entered the new main entrance into an airy, mid-century modern-feeling commons with 23 ft. ceilings which connects the original synagogue with the newest addition. With generous pre-function space, 30 slmag.net

Photo by Steve Hartmann

design, and performance labs; the Ferring East Wing includes the incomparable 460-seat Catherine B. Berges Theatre with orchestra pit and technical grid; training kitchen, 14 studios that no facilities in New York City can boast, event space, mindblowing green rooms, dressing rooms, and elevators. There is also a set design shop and costume department. COCA’s 92,000 sq. ft. facilities and high caliber programs have attracted attention at the national level resulting in partnerships with professional companies such as Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE working with its pre-professional students, American Ballet Theatre training for COCA’s faculty and numerous local partnerships including Washington University, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, The St. Louis Repertory Theatre, The Black Rep, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. In fact, COCA’s reach expands far beyond the walls of its campus, with program delivery in over 50 schools and community centers annually. Make no mistake about it, growing and running an organization like COCA is no small feat. With its annual operating budget of $6.5 million, a staff of 220 full-time, part-time and artists-in-residence, managing COCA is as challenging as running any high-performing company. According to John Ferring, CEO of PLZ Aeroscience and long-time supporter of COCA, “Managing COCA is far more challenging than running most businesses -- including mine. Coca’s team is managing a multiple-ring circus with distinctly different missions that are directed by creative artists. No business I know of presents the level of complexity on so many levels inherent in managing COCA.”

Photo by Douglis Beck

COCA had the strategic foresight to partner with many of St. Louis’ most philanthropic entrepreneurs, resulting in the support of many corporations, grants, gifts, and alumni. “And as their tides rose, they helped us dream bigger,” says Pollock. The names on the walls tell the story from Ferring to Berges, Staenberg to Millstone, Hillman to Peacock. “COCA was built by entrepreneurs and risk takers. We’ve had long-term continuity from many of our supporters. Development of relationships through the years has been more than ‘fundraising.’ If you want incremental change, you get incremental investment, but our dreams were much larger and we had the patience and luck to make it a reality,” she says. What started as the brainchild of friends has emerged into an award winning national model for excellence, inclusion, equitable participation, and alumni who are performing -- or have performed -- at the very highest levels around the world. Whether it was its bold vision, timing, luck, or ability to attract both corporate and individual support, COCA has completed three phases of physical growth over 35 years since its founding. Some of COCA’s recognition includes national accreditation (one of only 16 community schools), prestigious national grants from foundations such as Ford, Hearst, Wallace, Kresge, and numerous awards including the Coming Up Taller Award from the President’s Committee on Arts and Humanities, What’s Right with the Region Award from FOCUS St. Louis, and recognition from the AntiDefamation League and Paraquad for its intentional work to be a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive organization for all.

While I am sure there were some tense moments in the earlier years raising money and making payroll, COCA is stronger than ever, as committed and steadfast in its mission today as it was in 1986 to bring together kids and their families from all walks of life. And we are all better for it...including the broader arts community who partner with COCA, share resources, and learn from its visionary leadership. Regardless of who you are, you are welcome here. If you can’t afford the programs, COCA will find a way to include you. And while St. Louis has been and still feels divided in many ways, the sacred spaces of COCA are evidence of what is possible when good people do great things. Now, Richard Baron is bringing groups from Israel to St. Louis to show off what COCA has become with the hope of creating something similar there. COCA is more than the sum of its parts. It is proof that by investing big in young people, removing barriers, bringing diverse communities together, and building a tribe of believers, something truly unimaginable is possible. Because of Covid-19, few people in St. Louis have seen the new COCA. Not even our native sons and daughters who have become famous, or the other arts organizations citywide, but this is about to change. For the Sophisticated Living audience, I hope this inspires you to see the amazing work being done at COCA, to invest in its future, and to be inspired by what’s possible when St. Louisans dream and work together to execute those dreams. sl

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TUDOR RELAUNCHES BLACK BAY CHRONO TO MARK 50 YEARS OF CHRONO PRODUCTION Available at Simons Jewelers in Clayton Photos courtesy of Montres TUDOR SA Company

You don’t have to be a race car driver or a scuba or sky diver to appreciate the technology and aesthetics of a chronograph – a specific type of watch that is used as a stopwatch combined with a display watch. To mark 50 years of producing chronographs, the prestigious Swiss watch brand TUDOR has relaunched its Black Bay Chrono model in steel with a reworked and updated -- read thinner -- case but the same functionality and precision. The Black Bay Chrono was originally introduced as a diving watch. According to Al Schmidt, watch expert at Simons Jewelers in Clayton, “This model has been very popular. It has a classic look that draws people to it. The positive consumer reaction to the watch is why TUDOR chose to relaunch an updated version of this model to celebrate the company’s anniversary of producing chronographs.” “The relaunched Black Bay is far from simply being an identical rerelease of a classic however,” Schmidt says. He notes that while there are many updates, the new watch still has a vintage look. “The internal mechanism functions the same, but it has also been re-engineered to be thinner along with the case. The watch is now only 14.2mm thick -- which is preferred today. 32 slmag.net

The watch is purpose-built -- not just cosmetic,” he adds. The new model still has the famous “snowflake” hands -- a brand signature for divers’ watches. It is waterproof up to 660 ft. “The Black Bay now is available with a satin-brushed and polished case in stainless steel with black anodized aluminum inserts as well as other options. The relaunched model now comes in three bracelet designs and a five-year transferable guarantee, without registration or mandatory maintenance checks. “Anyone who wants reliability, durability, precision, and a high-quality finish will be pleased with this watch,” notes Schmidt. “TUDOR watches tend to appeal to those with a younger mindset,” he adds. “Typically, we sell them to men under 50 but we have sold them to men and women of all ages. Depends on your style and taste.” Simons Jewelers, located at 8141 Maryland Ave., has a large inventory of TUDOR watches as well as other brands and they provide watch repair and servicing. sl TUDOR is a Swiss-made watch brand originating in 1926 when “The Tudor” was first registered as a brand on behalf of the founder of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf. He created the Montres TUDOR SA Company in 1946 to offer watches with the quality and dependability of a Rolex at a more affordable price point.

PRIVATE AYES

Say yes to a private beach retreat at Playa Largo Ocean Residences in the Florida Keys. Written by Bridget Williams

The oceanfront clubhouse at sunrise.

Getting to know the Florida Keys is like stepping on quicksand. Buzzing down the 113-miles of the Overseas Highway that stretches from Key Largo to Key West presents a blur of vegetation, stretches of open sea views, dive shops, and dive bars. However, you never really sink into the tiny links that comprise the sprawling Keys chain unless you slow down while traveling from A to B. Only then will you find yourself being slowly pulled into its colorful communities. A case in point is my recent visit to Playa Largo Resort & Spa in Key Largo to check out their newly opened Ocean Residences. This private, gated enclave features three- and fourbedroom vacation homes located across from the resort on the Atlantic side of the Overseas Highway. Boasting gorgeous ocean views, the 3,500-square-foot open-concept and pet-friendly dwellings are designed in a coastal-chic style and incorporate indigenous materials such as capiz shells, sponges, and coral rock. The luxury of arriving before my travel mates meant that I got first dibs on the four available bedrooms in our "Sunrise" home. While all were amply comfortable, it was the expansive

ocean-view terrace off the third-floor primary suite that sealed the deal for me. The street linking the residences culminates at an oceanfront clubhouse, complete with a plunge pool overlooking Rock Harbor. A large covered terrace perched above the pool and the ocean is one of the clubhouse's best amenities. Guests can call on the Playa Largo events team to utilize the club for various experiences, from a post-wedding brunch to an intimate bespoke alfresco dinner as we did during our stay. Playa Largo Ocean Residences have a dedicated concierge stationed minutes away at the resort. Engaging with guests before arrival and then checking in throughout the stay, they are keen on creating a home-away-from-home experience. Each morning a basket of breakfast goodies is left on the doorstep of each residence. Those with heartier appetites can partake of a complete fresh breakfast at the resort's La Marea restaurant or arrange to have their refrigerator pre-stocked to their liking. Private chef services are also available, a particular boon for guests who fish and want their catch of the day expertly prepared.

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Lolly, captain of Caribbean Watersport's Carolina Moon catamaran.

In addition to a dedicated guest services manager, what sets Playa Largo Ocean Residences apart from renting an independent, standalone home is having access to all of the ample amenities at the award-winning resort, which is perfectly situated on 14.5 beachfront acres on the tranquil Florida Bay. During the day, we enjoyed soaking up the sun by transitioning from the zero-entry pool to a comfortable beachfront chaise perfectly positioned under a palm tree to offer a shady respite. If you plan to be at the resort all day, residence guests can freshen up at a private members club that includes a comfortable lounge with snacks and refreshments and a locker room with shower facilities. There are four dining options at the resort. Elevated for a bird's eye view of Florida Bay, Sol by the Sea boasts a Caribbeaninspired menu. Las Olas Ceviche Bar is the only true ceviche restaurant in Florida's Upper Keys. La Marea serves up breakfast inside or poolside. Serving familiar favorites, the lively Sand Bar sits between the pool and the beach. "Welcome to adult daycare," said the manager of the Ocean Spa as we arrived for our massage. The 6,000-square-foot spa includes six treatment rooms and a diverse menu of services, 34 slmag.net

from a make-your-own scrub bar to locally-inspired face and body treatments. With a wall of windows overlooking the pool, workouts fly by in the adjacent state-of-the-art fitness studio. Undoubtedly my favorite on-property activity was a sunset catamaran sail in the Florida Bay aboard the Carolina Moon, which left from the dock near the resort, operated by Caribbean Watersports (caribbeanwatersports.com). Like all proper seafarers, Lolly, our colorful boat captain, kept us entertained with her tales and, influencers take note, knows all the most flattering angles for photos. Lolly chided her first mate, a handsome young man who left all the single ladies googly-eyed, by saying he quickly developed "Keys disease" following his first visit to the area. It was a "classic case," she added, with symptoms that include leaving behind the suit-and-tie corporate world for a more laidback lifestyle. The Florida Bay's shallow waters are among the most significant coastal estuaries in the Sunshine State. The resort offers an engaging ecotour on RIB boats to explore these unique basins, which provide habitat for several threatened or endangered species, including the Florida manatee.

Sol by the Sea

A private dinner set up at the Residences' clubhouse.

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Guests of the Ocean Residences have full access to the amenities at the Playa Largo Resort.

A cocktail flight at the Islamorada Brewery & Distillery

Catch of the day prepared by a private chef at the Ocean Residences.

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Sunrise view from the third-floor terrace of the aptly named "Sunrise" home in the Ocean Residences.

The Carolina Moon arrived back at the dock in time for the resort's Eventide Celebration, a nightly cocktail party on the beach where guests write their worries/stresses on a piece of paper that's then placed on a floating buoy and set off to sea. While we certainly took advantage of resort amenities, having our accommodation only slightly separate from the hustle and bustle of the resort opened the door to more off-property exploration. A mecca for divers, Key Largo is home to the world's second-largest artificial reef and the famous Christ of the Abyss underwater statue. There's plenty of eye candy for those preferring their views above water at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Chef Michael's (foodtotalkabout.com) offers a menu featuring creatively inspired Florida Keys cuisine in nearby Islamorada, including hogfish and lionfish. Located at mile marker 82.2 and looking like many a t-shirt shop in this part of the world, the Islamorada Brewery & Distillery (islamoradabreweryanddistillery.com) is a gem. Head through

the yellow-and-teal-colored tasting room to the shady backyard beer garden. I am a huge fan of crazy cocktail concoctions, so I was excited to see they offered cocktail flights (beer flights too), which allowed me to sample four from their extensive offerings. Organic ingredients and house-made cream of coconut and lavender syrup add an artisanal quality to the drinks. Don't leave without picking up a bag (or four) of their highly addictive truffle, parmesan, and black garlic popcorn. The Florida Keys only brewery and distillery, the quantity of beer, vodka, rum, and gin that's able to be produced in this tiny facility is mind-boggling. A testament to both ingenuity and stubbornness, most of the spirit's output originates from a shoehorned pot distillery next to the tasting room. "It's what the Keys are about," remarked the tasting room manager. "You make the most of what you have." sl Rates at the Playa Largo Ocean Residences start at $1200/night. For more information, visit www.oceanresidencesvacations.com.

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Bibliotaph... Nutured by Nature

Compiled by Victoria Chase

Using six generously illustrated case studies, author Julian Raxworthy issues a call for landscape architects to leave the office and return to the garden with a new practice for working with plant material that he terms “the veridic”. Julian Raxworthy—Overgrown: Practices Between Landscape Architecture and Gardening—hardcover, 392 pages, The MIT Press A native of British Columbia who grew up in the logging world, Suzanne Simard, now a professor of Forest Ecology, has been compared to the late marine biologist Rachel Carson, as scientists who convey complex, technical ideas in an engaging and compelling fashion. In her first book, Simard makes the case that trees are not simply the source of timber or pulp, but are a complicated, interdependent circle of life. Suzanne Simard—Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest— hardcover, 368 pages, Knopf

Hoping to heal a broken heart, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Conor Knighton took the road trip of a lifetime, and ended up changing his views on everything from God to technology. Conor Knighton—Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-To-Zion Journey Through Every National Park—hardcover, 336 pages, Crown Publishing

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An entertaining, informative and illustrated guide to 54 of the most intriguing tree varieties in the Pacific Northwest. Karen Gaudette Brewer (writer), Emily Poole (illustrator)—Northwest Know-How: Trees— hardcover, 144 pages, Sasquatch Books

Supported by watercolor and pen and ink illustrations, this book explains how to forage from 40 trees for food, home remedies, and as raw materials to build toys and musical instruments. Adele Nozedar—The Tree Forager: 40 Extraordinary Trees & What to do With Them—hardcover, 208 pages, Watkins Publishing

bib 'li' o 'taph, [bib-lee-uhtaf, -tahf ]: a person who caches or hoards books A compilation of quotes, facts, stories, and forest imagery aimed at helping the reader rediscover (or deepen) their connection with the great outdoors. Andrea Sarubbi Fereshteh—In the Company of Trees: Honoring Our Connection to the Sacred Power, Beauty, and Wisdom of Trees—paper over board, Adams Media

Art Wolfe’s immersive photos of individual specimens and entire forests are accompanied by writer Gregory McNamee’s entertaining narrative examining cultural lore and legends that define the longstanding symbiosis between trees and humans. Gregory McNamee (writer), Art Wolfe (photographer)— Trees: Between Earth and Heaven—hardcover, 318 pages, Earth Aware Editions

In essays spanning a season afield, author Joel Spring shares his thoughts and insights regarding the future and the future of the sport of hunting. Joel Spring—At Forest’s Edge: Tales of Hunting, Friendship, and The Future—hardcover, 248 pages, Skyhorse Publishing

Available in October, this is the fourth monograph to focus on the work of Miami-based contemporary landscape architect Raymond Jungles, and will present 21 completed projects from Manhattan to Mexico. Raymond Jungles—Beyond Wild: Gardens and Landscapes by Raymond Jungles—hardcover, 240 pages, The Monacelli Press

Hilton Carter shares step-by-step instructions for a wide range of plant-inspired interior projects, from a simple planter to entire living wall. Hilton Carter— Wild Creations: Inspiring Projects to Create Plus Plant Care Tips & Styling Ideas for Your Own Wild Interior—paper over board, 240 pages CICO books

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GRAND TOURMALINE Compiled by Bridget Williams

As the story goes, it was somewhere in Brazil in the 1500s where a Spanish conquistador uncovered a green tourmaline crystal and mistook it for an emerald. This misconception persisted for 300 years until scientists recognized it as a distinct mineral species. Tourmaline mines are found domestically in Maine and California and abroad, including sites in Madagascar, Brazil, and Afghanistan. Tourmalines boast a very complex chemical composition and one of the broadest color ranges of any gem species. Distinct healing properties are often associated with a particular hue. Some of the most popular types are buergerite (black), canary (yellow), cat’s-eye (forest green with cat-eye slits), indicolite (light blue), Paraíba (highly prized neon blue and neon green stones hailing from the state of Paraíba, Brazil), rubellite (red), verdelite (green), and watermelon (bi-colored with pink in the center and green around the outside). Pink tourmaline, associated with compassion and gentleness, is one of October’s two birthstones, the other being opal.

Clockwise from top left: Lily Gabriella rubellite tourmaline and green marble cocktail ring ($14,375; lillygabriella.com). Nak Armstrong one-of-a-kind Mozambique tourmaline solitaire ring ($10,700; nakarmstrong.com). Kassandra Nicholson Sugarloaf tourmaline ring in textured rose gold ($2,920; kassandranicholson.com). Stephen Silver green tourmaline and orange sapphire ring ($4,750; shsilver.com). GFG Jewellery Artisia with Malawian fair trade tourmaline ($4,769; gfgjewellery.com). Mary MacGill green tourmaline Floating drop earrings ($2,8000; marymacgill.com). Sorellina Three Stone tourmaline & chalcedony earrings ($3,750; sorellinanyc.com). Flora Bhattachary Ashru earrings (florabhattachary.com). Diaboli Kill Lilith dagger diamond earrings with pink tourmaline ($3,000; diabolikill.com). Dale Novick earrings (dalenovick.com). Anthony Lent double headed green tourmaline Serpent ring ($2,530; anthonylent.com). Fox & Bond Springtime Ombre tourmaline ring ($1,255; foxandbond.com). Nana Fink Liz ring No. 2 with Indigolite tourmaline ($8,465; nanafink.com).

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Clockwise from top left: Gumuchian carnelian bead drop tassel necklace with carved green tourmaline panther center (gumuchian.com). Emily P. Wheeler one-of-a-kind tourmaline Crystal necklace with sapphires (emilypwheeler.com). Hublot Big Bang King Gold Paraiba with baguette-cut Paraiba tourmaline ($274,000; hublot.com). Vendorafa Bamboo70 cuff with tourmaline, tsavorite and peridot (vendorafa.net). Camille Beinhorn pink tourmaline Catena bracelet ($575; camillebeinhornjewelry.com). Ananya Lotus bespoke Ascendant necklace (ananya.com).

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KINETIC ENERGY Fine jewelry designed with movement in mind Compiled by Bridget Williams

Clockwise from top left: Laura Caspi Crab Claw necklace ($1,700; lauracaspi.com). Bondeye Jewelry Droplet white sapphire bracelet ($1,350; bondeyejewelry.com). Yael Sonia Spinning Wheel bracelet with blue topaz (yaelsonia.com). One-of-a-kind Dream Catcher pendant from Buddha Mama ($68,000; buddhamama.com). Larissa Moraes Van Gogh’s Almond earrings (larissamorawsjewelry.com). Aura collection earrings from Gismondi 1754 (shop.gismondi1754.com). Never Not Grab n Go-Ready 2 Laugh earrings ($6,968; nevernot.co.uk). Armoura Paraiba drop earrings ($3,499; armoura.com). Ashley Zhang Sunshine Citrine Rolling Ring ($1,750; ashleyzhangjewelry.com).

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Clockwise from top left: Ritique Nouveau Spiral Wire Ring with white pearl ($494; ritique.com). Deborah Pagani Convertible Pill link necklace ($13,900; deborahpagani.com). Moonlight Grapes necklace from Georg Jensen ($13,975; georgjensen.com). Arman Sarkisyan Starburst locket ring ($9,500; armansarkisyan.com). Maya Gemstones Saturn ring with Maya cut diamond ($4,536; mayagemstones.com). Mateo Kinetic Object mobile earring (mateonewyork.com). Vram Chrona chandelier sapphire earrings (vramjewelry.com). Nouvel Heritage Talia earrings ($11,000; nouvelheritage.com).

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The Prisoner Red Blend.

TAKE NO PRISONERS A women-led winemaking team at The Prisoner Wine Company continues a tradition of crafting blends that aren’t shackled to traditional winemaking. Written by Chloe Gellar / Photography courtesy of The Prisoner Wine Company

This is not a conventional winemaker story. From its inception, The Prisoner Wine Company has aimed to do things differently. Company founder Dave Phinney began his winemaking career in 1997 in the humblest of ways by working the graveyard shift as a temporary harvest intern at Robert Mondavi Winery. Just a few years later, Phinney released The Prisoner's flagship red blend, and it wasn't just what was inside the bottle that drew quick and widespread acclaim. Understanding labeling as an essential factor attracting the consumer's eye, Phinney chose an arresting etching of a prisoner drawn by the famous artist Francisco de Goya to make the flagship stand out on the shelf, thereby establishing a tradition of nonconformist wines with unconventional packaging. This renegade spirit has persisted even after Phinney sold the company, now owned by powerhouse Constellation Brands. Today, The Prisoner Wine Company boasts a female-led winemaking team headed by Director of Winemaking Chrissy Whitman and, under her, winemakers Niki Williams and Molly Zook. Chrissy and Niki both took circuitous routes to arrive at The Prisoner Wine Company. Chrissy was working at an independent environmental chemistry lab analyzing soil and wastewater samples when she was asked to cover an absent co-worker in the lab's wine division. Niki's love for agriculture came from growing up in a central Illinois farming community. Working at a European travel agency and visiting top wineries in both France and Italy was the "aha" moment that set her on a path to meld her appreciation for wineries and love of agriculture into a career. SL had the pleasure of interviewing both women to learn more about their unique career paths and how their outside-the-box backgrounds are a perfect fit for the Prisoner brand. SL: Chrissy, we can't say that we blame you for going from wastewater to wine! What was it that initially piqued your interest in winemaking? 44 slmag.net

Chrissy: After filling in for an absent co-worker in the wine division, I was hooked. I then steered my career in the direction of wine and became a wine chemist at Meridian Vineyards. After some great mentorship by their winemaking team, I looked to fully commit to my career in winemaking. I returned to Cal Poly for an M.S. in Agriculture with a concentration in Food Science. From there, I did some custom crush work making wine for other clients, which was eye-opening. Then, after nine years at Wild Horse Winery on the Central Coast of CA, I took the position as Director of Winemaking at The Prisoner, which has been the best ride so far. SL: How has your scientific background influenced your winemaking? Chrissy: Winemaking is the perfect marriage of art and science. Although I never considered myself artistic, I have learned over the years how creativity and science can work hand in hand. It takes specific chemical knowledge to make blends tactically, but the creative, artistic side comes in when assessing what creative touches we can give the wine to appeal to our fans. SL: Niki, how did you end up leaping from central Illinois to working for a European travel agency? What was it that prompted you to expand your horizons? Niki: I was lucky to be raised as a Midwest farm kid, spending lots of time with my grandparents and parents in their fields, pastures, gardens, and kitchens. Even though I will always feel connected to the family farm, I was born with an adventurous spirit and a hefty dose of wanderlust. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Illinois Wesleyan University. I then moved to Chicago to pursue a Master of Arts in Theatre at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Instead of writing plays – my original intention – I started acting, and I was lucky to land a day job at a European travel company. This led me to frequent

The Snitch, Blindfold.

Eternally Silenced.

Chrissy Wittmann, Director of Winemaking, The Prisoner Wine Company. Photo: Matt Morris,

Niki Williams, Winemaker for The Prisoner Wine Company.

travels throughout Europe, including some of the great wine regions of Italy, France, Germany, and Spain. SL: Taking that further, how did you parlay your global travel into making wine? Niki: I was living in Los Angeles and working for an African safari company when the economy took a downturn in 2008. Like many people in that moment, it was time to reconsider my career path! I had recently returned from a trip to South Africa, including a visit to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and I decided to pursue winemaking. I went back to school and graduated from the University of California, Davis, in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Enology. After graduating, I worked harvest internships at Franciscan Estate in Napa Valley and L'Avenir in South Africa. My first winemaking position was with Merryvale Family of Wines, where I also managed the custom crush production of The Prisoner Wine Company's wines. I returned to Franciscan Estate in 2015, and The Prisoner Wine Company followed me to Constellation Brands in 2016. It made for an easy transition since I was already familiar with the wines. SL: The Prisoner Wine Company is known for its blends, notably their flagship Red Blend. How do you approach this method of winemaking? Chrissy: I love the challenge of blending varietals from all over California, not necessarily what's expected, and that has made The Prisoner's portfolio of blends memorable and beloved. Sometimes you don't know what works until you try it. You have to be able to analyze the unique attributes of each component wine and how they may interact with one another. You must be open-minded and not get too hung up by tradition. That said, it can be difficult to maintain the balance between innovation and preserving The Prisoner's established style, ensuring that even if the blend evolves from year to year, vintage variations do not change the wine's hallmark profile.

Niki: We get to create blends that we think are the best of the vintage, rather than sticking with the notion that only Bordeaux or only Rhone varieties can go into the same bottle with each other. We're also very playful and experimental with our winemaking processes, and we trial new and different techniques and practices every vintage. SL: What are the benefits of blends versus single varietals? Chrissy: The Prisoner Wine Company specializes in blends to bring together different kinds of grapes, which results in unique, compelling flavors and creates a versatile wine that appeals to many different palettes. Blends keep our drinkers guessing, which in part is what draws them in for more. We work very closely with a family of about 100 growers throughout California to source grapes for our blends. Working with this larger pool of partners has allowed us to partner with small-scale producers, who grow outstanding quality grapes, including more unique varietals. Sometimes, growers will come to us. If we are looking for additional fruit, we will rely on relationships between growers and vineyard managers because they are aware of our unique needs. Visiting our growing partners and getting to know them is one of my favorite parts of my job. Niki: Different varieties have their own unique fingerprint of fruit character, herbal or savory notes, acidity, tannins, and structure. Combining these diverse personalities can create a more balanced, complex wine, and it also can provide more vintage-to-vintage consistency. Each of our grower sites is unique, and it is really refreshing to get out into nature during such a hectic season. It's a mental reset. Working with the growers is awesome. Everyone has a different history, and I love learning about it. sl For more information, visit theprisonerwinecompany.com.

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Boulder, Colorado as seen from the rooftop of the City Courthouse, looking down on the Pearl Street Mall and beyond to the Flatirons. Photo by Stephen Collector courtesy of Boulder CVB.

HIGH HEELS TO HIKING BOOTS Savoring all the charms of Boulder and Denver Written by Bridget Williams

Dramatically nestled up to the Rocky Mountains, Denver bills itself as an ideal basecamp for myriad outdoor adventures. While the Mile High City has served in that capacity for me on multiple occasions, for our most recent visit, we utilized its cosmopolitan charms as a well-earned reward after a few hiking-focused days in nearby Boulder. With the lowest obesity rates in the nation and omnipresent opportunities to engage with the outdoors, every time I'm in Colorado, I feel healthy by association. In addition, there is a unique confluence of affluence and outdoorsy in places like Boulder, creating an upscale "work hard, play hard" environment. Look no further than Pearl Street, the retail heart of this city of 105,000, to see upmarket outfitters including Fjällräven, Black Diamond, and a dozen more who've set up shop there. In a recent article for 5280 magazine, Scott Crabtree, a commercial realtor with The Colorado Group, called the street the "Rodeo Drive of outdoor apparel." And, with Boulder's cost of living coming in around 42% above the national average, it consistently ranks as the most affluent medium-sized city in the United States. What this means for visitors is outstanding food, wine, and craft beer offerings; top-notch shopping with lots of independently owned 46 slmag.net

outlets; a thriving arts scene; and miles and miles of trails for exploring by foot or bike. Want to park your car and forget about it for a few days? If so, check-in at the award-winning and locally owned St. Julien Hotel & Spa (stjulien.com), situated in the shadows of the Flatirons in the heart of downtown Boulder. The hotel's public spaces and 201 newly renovated guest rooms boast Arts and Crafts-style architecture and a color palette that captures the essence of fall in the Rockies. For the best views of the Flatiron Mountains, book a 400-square-foot King Veranda room. Property amenities include the 10,000-square-foot Spa at St. Julien and fitness facility, a 50-foot indoor lap pool, Jill's Restaurant & Bistro (jillsboulder.com), T-Zero Cocktail Bar, and ample indoor and outdoor meeting, gathering, and event space. As evening approaches, there's a noticeable uptick in energy as locals and visitors order a cocktail and gather in the lobby's comfortable seating areas and on the terrace under the shade of patio umbrellas. A striking illuminated onyx bar defines T-Zero; the stone reappears in the open kitchen of Jill's, where the woodfired oven is the focal point.

St. Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder

The kitchen at Jill's sources its ingredients through partnerships with local farms, creameries, and ranches, from its on-site garden, and Boulder's seasonal Farmer's Market – conveniently located across the street. The upscale casual menu at Jill's offers something for everyone, including various vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. Tip: if your order the Brussels sprouts, request a side of their truffle aioli for dipping, and thank me later. The hotel is less than two blocks from Pearl Street, and some of Denver's best restaurants, including Frasca Food & Wine (frascafoodandwine.com), Corrida (corridaboulder.com), SALT (saltboulder.com), Steakhouse No. 316 (steakhouse316. com), The Kitchen (thekitchenbistros.com), and Oak at Fourteenth (oakatfourteenth.com). A visit to the Boulder Dusanbe Teahouse (boulderteahouse.com) is a must, even it's just for a look around. This ornate and colorful Persian teahouse created over three years by more than 40 artisans was a gift from a sister city in Tajikistan. In the opposite direction from Pearl Street and about a mile (uphill on the outbound) is the Chautauqua, a National Historic Landmark at the foot of the Flatirons where some 40 miles of

hiking trails can be accessed. Boulder County owns or oversees more than 100,000 acres of open space, and there are three dozen trailheads within the city limits, making it easy for hikers of all abilities to hit the trails. Visit bouldercoloradousa.com/hikeplanner/ for help planning your outdoor adventure. For a short but challenging hike with great views, check out the out-and-back Mount Sanitas Peak trail. If shopping is your preferred cardio, you and your wallet can get a workout at Todd Reed Jewelry (toddreed.com); Weekends, a locally owned purveyor of men's and women's contemporary and designer clothing (weekendsboulder.com); Peppercorn (peppercorn.com), offering everything for the home; Liberty Puzzles (libertypuzzles.com) for whimsical wooden puzzles crafted in Boulder; Two Hands Paperie for unique stationery (twohandspaperie.com); Boulder Bookstore (boulderbookstore.net), a local institution since 1973; Colorado Multisport (coloradomultisport.com), a playground for triathletes; and Neptune Mountaineering (neptunemountaineering.com), a locally owned source for all things outdoor.

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Boulder Falls

Photo of the Flatirons in Boulder by Denise Chambers, courtesy of Boulder CVB.

Dushanbe Teahouse. Photo by Denise Chambers, courtesy of Boulder CVB.

View from the Mount Sanitas trail

Pearl Street in Boulder. Photo by Denise Chambers, courtesy of Boulder CVB. Boulder Creek. Image courtesy of Boulder CVB

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Clayton Members Club & Hotel. Photo by Caleb Alvarado.

Five Nines cocktail lounge. Photo by David Lauer

After a few days of outdoor excursions, we headed to the urban jungle of Denver's Cherry Creek neighborhood to experience the newly opened Clayton Members Club & Hotel (claytondenver.com), a first-of-its-kind property in the city. When we checked in at the chic 63-room boutique hotel, the front desk attendant referred to the property as a "culinary playground," and, as we were pleased to discover throughout our stay, he was spot on. Orchestrated by New York-based firm AvroKO, the entirety of the property has a sexy mid-century-inspired design, punctuated by a top-drawer collection of contemporary art. From the moment you grasp the leather-wrapped door handles at the entrance, you know you are in for a thoughtfully planned sensory experience. Guest rooms and suites, including the two-floor Isabella Penthouse, are all exceptionally appointed. I don't usually get excited about toiletries, but if a roll in the hay smells at all like the "Cowboy Grass" line from DS & Durga, then count me in! Hotel guests are privy to the activities and amenities of the Clayton Members Club. Member spaces encompass a second-floor

Rooftop pool at Clayton Members Club & Hotel. Photo by David Lauer

members' restaurant with all-day service; a sprawling subterranean fitness center; The Parlor, serving light bites accompanied by a zeroABV beverage program and an extensive natural/organic wine list; a coworking lounge; and a rooftop pool, bar and restaurant. At any given time of day, each of the spaces was populated with well-coiffed individuals whose panache was on par with the swank surroundings. The Club's robust roster of member events—more than 150 annually and frequently created by Member Collaborators— is designed to "highlight the collision of arts, culture, and activism, entrepreneurial endeavors, and ultimately, the community's collective desire to live a more meaningful and impactful life." The hotel boasts a trio of public culinary outlets. Bright and airy, OAK Market is a daytime eatery with sidewalk seating. Even if you aren't a breakfast person, I guarantee you'll be rethinking that after eyeing their tempting offerings, both decadent and healthy. Conjuring speakeasy ambiance, Five Nines cocktail lounge offers an intimate stage for jazz, acoustic and spoken word performances Wednesday through Saturday evenings.

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Denver Art Museum. Photo courtesy of Visit Denver.

Applying the finishing touch to an offering at OAK Market in the Clayton Members Club & Hotel. Photo by Erik Young.

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Nocture Jazz & Supper Club

Leven Deli

The National Western Stock Show Parade. Photo courtesy of Visit Denver.

Our dinner at Of A Kind was a culinary tour de force. Executive chef Brandon Duley's menu of Mediterranean and California coastal fare was beautifully plated and pleasing from first sight to the last bite. Engaging and entertaining service made the experience even more elevated. Much like our experience in Boulder, once we left our keys with the valet, we didn't retrieve them until it was time to head for the airport. While my idea of what's within walking distance is substantially more generous than most, Cherry Creek, just south of the city's largest park, is Denver's premier upscale shopping and dining district. There are plenty of places to eat and shop within a few blocks of the hotel. Further afoot are several exciting neighborhoods with distinct personalities. The Denver Art Museum is the anchor of the Golden Triangle Creative District. Refuel after a morning of ogling art at Leven Deli (eatleven.com), a high-ceilinged space loaded with greenery. The naturally leavened rye loaf that forms the foundation of their classic pastrami is super yummy. Be sure to get there right before noon, or else you'll find yourself in a line that snakes down the block. The RiNo (River North) Art District is considered the hotspot for creative types, evidenced by scores of vibrant murals created during CRUSH WALLS, Denver's annual international

street art festival. One heavily hued alleyway leads to Noble Riot (nobleriot.com), a wine bar specializing in Pét-nat and orange wines. Unfamiliar with both, our server provided us with fascinating insight and made it fun to try something completely foreign. The absence of pretense is refreshing, and you can't help but smile when you spy the "Weirdo Bubbs" heading on their menu. We capped off our evening and our trip at Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club (nocturnejazz.com), a place that tugs hard on my nostalgia for the silver screen version of date night. Seated along the rail in the second-floor balcony, we had a great vantage point to watch the quartet play an engaging mix of familiar standards and original pieces, as well as survey the eclectic crowd spanning all age groups. Their three-course dinner is designed to be an integral part of the experience and was as well-composed as the music. It was our first time enjoying live music in over a year, and it was clear from the palpable energy passing back-and-forth between musicians and audience that everyone was keen for the return. Outside the club, we were quick to note the sounds of laughter, a distant rhythmic drum beat, and thumping bass emanating from a bar across the street. Similar to the improvisation that defines many a jazz set, the seemingly discordant sounds of a fully alive neighborhood combined to make sweet music to our ears. sl

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Of Note... Larger than Light

Compiled by Colin Dennis

This page, clockwise from top left: Luxxu McQueen globe chandelier ($6,700; luxxu.net). Eichholtz Randall LED chandelier ($2,950; eichholtzusa.com). Red Sinatra suspension chandelier from DelightFULL ($2,070; delightful.eu). Asola floor lamp designed by Evangelos Vasileiou for Ligne Roset ($1,455; ligne-roset.com/us/). Essential Home Ivete floor lamp ($4,823; 1stdibs.com). Vengeance cast brass and marble table lamp from Koket ($5,360; bykoket.com).

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This page, clockwise from top left: Flower Power LED chandelier with either six or 12 Murano glass pipes from VG New Trend (vgnewtrend.it/en/). Original BTC Cranton oval pendant is made up of multiple, overlapping hexagonal bone china discs ($7,199; originalbtc.com). The lampshade of the Nuee by Marc Sadler for Foscarini can be manually expanded and compressed into different shapes (foscarini.com). Louis Poulsen Panthella table lamp in a new metaled brass finish available in two sizes (from $750; louispoulsen.com). Twilight pendant from Schonbek (from $3,110; schonbek.com). Sonneman Abstraction linear LED pendant in satin black ($1,147.50; sonnemanawayoflight.com). Alice suspension lamp by Home’s Society (homessociety.com).

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KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Electric Workhorses with Show Horse Style

Written by Andre James / Photography courtesy of the manufacturers 2022 FORD F-150 LIGHTNING Priced from $39,974 to $90,474 (ford.com) Ford's F-Series has been America's best-selling truck for nearly five decades. To stay ahead of the curve, they've added to the F-Series with the electric F-150 Lightning, scheduled to roll off the line next year at a new high-tech factory dedicated to sustainable manufacturing practices at Ford's Rouge complex in Dearborn just outside Detroit. "For both Ford and the American auto industry, F-150 Lightning represents a defining moment as we progress toward a zero-emissions, digitally connected future," said Bill Ford, executive chair, Ford Motor Company. Powered by dual in-board motors and with standard 4x4, F-150 Lightning can take on rough terrain with Built Ford Tough durability and capability. Along with a high-strength, militarygrade aluminum-alloy body, a new independent rear suspension delivers improved ride comfort. In addition, an all-new frame uses the most robust steel ever put in an F-150 frame and supports a maximum 2,000-pound payload and up to 10,000pound towing capacity. F-150 Lightning targets 563 horsepower, 775 lb.-ft. of near-instantaneous torque—more than any F-150 ever—and a 0-60 mph time in the mid-four-second range when equipped with an extended-range battery that offers a targeted EPA-estimated range of 300 miles. Inside the cabin, the F-150 Lightning offers an ingenious array of connected, intelligent features that improve over time via over-the-air software updates – called Ford Power-Up – to improve the technology experience, add new features, and fix issues without trips to the dealership. 54 slmag.net

The FordPass app provides seamless access to charging stations and remote vehicle controls. At the same time, available BlueCruise offers true hands-free driving on more than 100,000 miles of prequalified divided highways in the United States and Canada. Enhanced Pro Power Onboard powers job sites or campsites with outlets in the sizeable lockable frunk and the cab and bed. Ford Intelligent Backup power is capable of providing enough energy to power an entire home. Based on an average 30kWh of use per day, F-150 Lightning with extended-range battery generates full-home power for up to three days, or as long as ten days if power is rationed, with results varying based on energy usage. Making its truck debut on F-150 Lightning in the Lariat and Platinum series is SYNC 4A – a sleek, modern interface supported by a 15.5-inch touch screen designed to adapt to driver behavior. SYNC 4A employs natural voice control, cloud-connected navigation, and wireless access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, integrated Amazon Alexa, and SYNC AppLink apps. A 12-inch instrument cluster features a customizable interface to provide relevant information as needed. Animated graphics relay how the vehicle is performing in hands-free highway driving mode or how well the driver is bringing power back to their truck through regenerative braking. Ford is the only automaker to offer an 80-amp charge station as standard equipment, helping customers easily charge an extendedrange truck at home. This setup takes advantage of the only dual onboard charging system on an electric truck in the industry for even faster home charging. With this, F-150 Lightning adds an average range of 30 miles per charging hour, fully charging an extendedrange truck from 15% to 100% percent in about eight hours.

Ford-150 Lightning

The SYNC 4A interface in the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum

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2022 GMC HUMMER EV PICKUP Edition 1 priced from $112,595 (gmc.com) The first retail production unit of the 2022 GMC HUMMER EV Edition 1 sold for $2.5 million at the 2021 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. The full hammer price was donated to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. And while the charitable intent certainly helped drive up the bidding, the multi-million-dollar sales price, and the fact that reservations for Edition 1 models are all spoken for, indicate the intense interest in this electric off-road beast. Not your typical truck, apart from the "H" repeating motif in the headlamps, taillamps, and wheels, arguably the most arresting exterior feature is the Infinity Roof, offering open-air driving via modular, transparent Sky Panels. Even the I-Bar mounting frame for the panels is removable for an unobstructed open experience above, while a power-drop rear window fully embraces the openair concept. The roof panels can stow in accessory cases inside the front storage compartment known as the "frunk" when equipped with the dealer-available accessory storage tray. The 2022 GMC HUMMER EV Edition 1 will be the first vehicle in production with GM's all-new Ultium battery architecture. A trio of electric motors offer a GM-estimated 1,000 max horsepower and, when multiplied through the front- and rear-drive unit gear ratios, offer up to 11,500 lb-ft of torque to the wheel. The range is estimated at 350-miles, and HUMMER EV will have the ability to take advantage of the industry's fastest 56 slmag.net

350-kilowatt DC fast chargers. Available apps can help drivers find charging locations and can even precondition the battery to get the most efficiency out of their upcoming charging session. HUMMER EV is the first GMC vehicle to offer Regen on Demand and One-Pedal Driving – both driver-controlled braking features, which can convert the kinetic energy of the truck's forward momentum into electricity stored in the vehicle's battery packs to maximize the driving range. One of the most talked-about performance features is the driver-selectable Watts to Freedom, HUMMER Ev's launch control mode. When selected, it channels the propulsion system's power into acceleration bursts — including reaching 0-60 mph in approximately three seconds. As the vehicle readies itself for Watts to Freedom, a series of interior experiences convey the feeling of a "pre-launch countdown," including unique sounds through the Bose speakers and engaging screen animations. The vehicle also activates the Adaptive Air Suspension and lowers two inches to prepare for the launch, providing a lower center of gravity. "It'll put a smile on your face every single time," said Al Oppenheiser, HUMMER EV chief engineer. The unique e4WD drive system with torque vectoring will enable maneuverability and traction unlike anything GM has ever offered with capabilities including climbing 60-percent grades (forward and reverse), scaling 18-inch verticals, and fording water more than two-feet deep.

The driver can also tailor the HUMMER EV's driving experience for different conditions through four pre-configured modes: Normal, Tow/Haul, Off-Road, and Terrain, along with the configurable My Mode — featuring a new Adrenaline Mode. Each has specific chassis, suspension, and propulsion characteristics. Along with the distinctive suspension and torque variables, the interior display screen graphics and colors, and vehicle sounds will be changeable with the different modes. Terrain Mode offers two braking calibrations, with a mild braking option for two-foot driving and a purpose-designed OnePedal Driving, enabling the driver to accelerate and decelerate using only the accelerator pedal. With Terrain Mode, that same One-Pedal Driving control is adapted with unique calibrations for speed-limited off-road driving, helping the driver to negotiate steep grades, rock crawling, and other challenging terrains without having to toggle between the accelerator and brake pedal. When the road gets tough, the upcoming available Extract Mode enables the Adaptive Air Suspension height to be raised approximately six inches in order to help the GMC HUMMER EV negotiate extreme off-road situations, such as clearing large boulders and fording deeper water. In-vehicle technology is accessible through two large displays: a 13.4-inch diagonal color touchscreen that's part of the GMC infotainment system5 and a 12.3-inch diagonal driver information center display. Powered by Epic's Unreal

Gaming Engine, HUMMER EV's graphic HMI displays make features and selections easy to find and intuitive to navigate. Further enhancing the cabin experience is HUMMER EV's Bose Premium sound system with Centerpoint surround signal processing and 14 high-performance speakers. Able to accommodate five passengers, the bold cabin design is geometric and textured with newly developed surface materials that are hardworking and high-end. A versatile and easy-to-clean vinyl floor, topped with rubber flooring made from recycled materials, is functional and imbued with distinctive design elements. At launch, the 2022 HUMMER EV will be offered in Edition 1 trim, featuring a white exterior color, a unique highcontrast Lunar Horizon interior color, special Edition 1 interior badging, and the Extreme Off-Road Package. The latter adds Adaptive Air Suspension with available Extract Mode capability; Four-Wheel Steer with CrabWalk (rear wheels can turn 10 degrees in either direction enabling the truck to move diagonally while still pointed straight ahead); 35-inch-OD Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires; underbody armor; rock sliders; and underbody cameras. Initial production of the HUMMER EV begins in fall 2021, at GM's Factory ZERO, Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center — a nearly 40-year-old facility repurposed and retooled with a $2.2-billion investment devoted to electric vehicle production. Future production vehicles out of the factory will offer zero emissions.

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Rivian R1T

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"Adventure" package interior of the Rivian R1T

RIVIAN R1T Priced from $67,500 (rivian.com) Rivian debuted at the LA Auto Show in 2018 as the world's first Electric Adventure Vehicle company. Built at their plant in Normal, IL, the five-passenger all-wheel-drive Rivian R1T is powered by an EV quad-motor powertrain delivering 750 horsepower and enabling a three-second 0-60mph sprint. At 180kwh, the R1T has the world's largest, most durable automotive battery pack, offering more than 400 miles of range. The sleek electric truck boasts 14 inches of ground clearance with adjustable air suspension, a towing capacity of up to 11,000 pounds, and a wading depth of three-plus feet. Defined by strong proportions and clean, continuous bodylines, the truck's most distinguishable exterior characteristics are its "stadium" headlights and a daytime running light that extends the vehicle's entire width. For those who plan to take their truck on backcountry adventures, the Rivian R1T has several useful features for that purpose. The bed features three 110-volt outlets, integrated compressed air, and two integrated Gear Guard locking cables. Any gear stored in the bed is monitored by a bed camera and alerts owners should the bed or contents be tampered with. A lockable 'gear tunnel' and "frunk" allow for more sealable storage than what's available in a typical gas-powered off-road vehicle. Drivers can light their surroundings and cook using the vehicle's power for over a week using only 20 kWh – or 11% of the battery pack. Detailed, downloadable maps are available in the R1T's user interface, so you can navigate even when offline. Rivian

has developed a racking system that utilizes telescoping racks with easy-to-use mounts that quickly attach to the roof of either the R1T or R1S, as well as the bed rails and bed floor of the R1T. The racks integrate with a range of accessories. The company is working hard to make away-from-home charging convenient with the Rivian Adventure Network, exclusively for Rivian owners. Powered by renewable energy, the more than 3.500 DC fast chargers at over 600 sites planned in the US and Canada through 2023 will enable 140 miles of range with a 20-minute charge. Rivian is also installing 10,000 Rivian Waypoint chargers—open to the public and capable of delivering 25 miles of range per hour— at restaurants, hotels, shops, and parks in all markets that their vehicles are available. In addition, drivers can locate, monitor charge status, and get notifications through in-vehicle navigation and the Rivian app. Inside the cabin, the "Adventure" package, available in three color combinations, features sustainably sourced natural-grained ash wood wrapping around the center display. "The biggest challenge was creating an interior design that delivered a premium experience while still being comfortable as a space that is heavily used," said Jeff Hammoud, VP of Vehicle Design. "To do this, we looked outside the automotive industry and took inspiration from contemporary furniture, as well as hiking and outdoor gear, to drive the design." Rivian Elevation by Meridian delivers an immersive audio experience and features a removable Bluetooth speaker that allows you to extend the auditory experience outside the truck. Customer deliveries are expected to begin in fall 2021. sl

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This Hermes Birkin will cross the block at Selkirk St. Louis in late 2021. Photo courtesy Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers.

CURATING A COLLECTION:

INVESTMENTS AT HAND Written by Amelia Jeffers

In late 2020, while stock market pundits and hedge fund gurus focused on meme stocks, a savvy segment of investors eyed an opportunity in the relatively obscure but emerging market in luxury handbags at Christie's Hong Kong. Just shy of 200 handbags and accessories crossed the block in a few short hours, with the small but mighty offering smashing presale estimates to gross nearly $6,000,000. Hermès led the day, with a circa 2019 Himalayan Kelly bag raking in almost $500,000 and its sister, a circa 2019 Himalayan Birkin selling for $388,738—many times more than their original retail prices, begging the question: have handbags really moved beyond accessory status and into an asset class? If you look at the data, it seems they have. According to a report released by real estate research firm Knight Frank, the price of Hermès bags rose by 17% last year, outperforming art, wine, and collectible cars, all niche collecting categories that have become widely accepted as investments. With mega60 slmag.net

celebrities stamping their seal of approval via social media and shrewd designers limiting production, the interest in top brands and styles has outpaced supply, driving up resale prices on the secondary market. Combined with the pent-up demand created by a buying audience stuck at home during a global pandemic, these circumstances have created a perfect storm on which international auction firms have capitalized. Connie Leal Ballenger has owned and operated Leal, one of the midwest's most exclusive women's clothing boutiques, for nearly three decades. Last summer, as COVID closures impacted retail businesses worldwide, Ballenger sought to boost sales by adding a curated selection of vintage Chanel handbags and accessories to the lineup. Her clients have responded with enthusiasm by snatching up inventory before it even hits the store, utilizing her private consultation services to shop by phone and email. Ballenger attributes the interest in vintage

This Hermes Kelly bag smashed previous luxury handbag auction records when it soared to nearly $500,000 at Christie's Hong Kong in late 2020. Photo courtesy Christie's. This Hermes Birkin will cross the block at Selkirk St. Louis in late 2021. Photo courtesy Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers. This vintage 1960s Emilio Pucci velvet and leather clutch was found in pristine condition at auction and represents the relatively affordable side of vintage handbag collecting. Photo by author. A top performer in the luxury handbag market, the vintage quilted Chanel Half Flap boasts higher quality materials and craftsmanship than its modern counterparts. Photo courtesy Leal Boutique, Columbus, Ohio.

products to a renewed understanding of quality, as vintage Chanel bags were made with higher caliber materials than those produced today. Whatever the reason, there is no denying that designer handbags deserve a second look for anyone interested in alternative assets: over the past ten years, they have more than doubled in value - handily trouncing gold's relatively stagnant return in the same period. While six-figure auction purchases may seem daunting for some, there are opportunities at more accessible ends of the spectrum for the luddite. The key to maximizing return is not unlike the factors that influence other investment decisions: buy proven brands in impeccable condition and (hopefully) at a bargain price. Hermès certainly tops the list in terms of investment performance, but Chanel is a close second. Beyond those, buyers should focus on bags with timeless style and appeal from wellknown and recognized designers like Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Gucci,

and Christian Dior. Lesser brands can also be a great buy when the bag represents an iconic look. Resale sites like The Real Real offer a convenient and safe way to find and buy authentic bags but expect to pay higher prices than at auction, which is always "buyer beware" and does come with some risk. Only bid with reputable auction companies who guarantee their descriptions and provide detailed condition reports when buying at auction. Some of my favorites are Selkirk in St. Louis, Hindman in Chicago, Bonham's in San Francisco, and (of course) Christie's and Sotheby's in New York, London, and Hong Kong. Local estate sales can be an amazing source of bargain deals, especially when the rest of the sale validates the bag's age. I found an exquisite Emilio Pucci velvet clutch in perfect condition several years ago at a local estate sale for pennies. It is one of my most treasured accessories. As you wade into the waters of luxe investing, remember to enjoy the hunt as much as you treasure the return. sl

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A HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR The paintings of Tyler Robertson provide a fresh look at the world of horse racing. Written by Bridget Williams / Photographs courtesy of Tyler Robertson Given the predominance of equine-related subject matter in Tyler Robertson's portfolio, including being chosen as the official artist of the Breeder's Cup in 2018, one would be quick to surmise that the artist grew up around the pageantry often associated with the industry. However, while he did grow up on a "retired" farm in New Castle, Indiana, it wasn't until his college years, when a moving day coincided with Derby day in Louisville, that piqued his creative interest in the subject. Describing himself as a "kid who was always drawing," Tyler admits that he was not quite sure how he could translate his talent into a career. Enrolling in art school at the University of Evansville didn't provide the direction he sought. Tyler remarked that the soul-searching dig for deeper meaning that seems to be a mainstay of collegiate art classes wasn't for him. "I knew I had a talent for making things that looked good, and that was enough for me," he explained. At the end of his freshman year, he followed his college roommate, a Louisville native, to the University of Louisville, where his circle of friends included people enrolled in the equine program. Getting to experience the pomp and circumstance of 62 slmag.net

horse racing and Southern culture from what he deemed "a more refined perspective" prompted him to create horse paintings as gifts. His college-student starving-artist budget meant that the "canvas" was often a piece of cardboard. Buoyed by the overwhelmingly positive responses his early works garnered, Tyler persisted with the subject matter, selling his first horse painting at a pop-up show hosted by a restaurant near his home. He recalls the buyer remarking that it was the detail in the horse's eye that drew him in, and to this day, Tyler says that the eye often remains his starting point when painting a horse. With noteworthy commissions from businesses and art collectors scattered around the globe; a licensing deal with Château du Cheval (chateauducheval.com) that put silk scarves, pochettes, ties, and bags printed with his artwork on well-heeled equestrians from Saratoga to Paris, France; and, the distinction of being the youngest artist to be represented in the prestigious Cross Gate Gallery Sporting Art Auction at Keeneland Racetrack (this year's auction is scheduled for November 22nd, more information at crossgategallery.com), it's hard to believe that Tyler's official debut into the art scene happened less than a decade ago.

Robertson's painting (center) was one of three selected for a commemorative Maker's Mark label.

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Today, Tyler works in a light-filled studio located in the basement of a church nestled up to a greenway in a tony suburb north of downtown Louisville. Other than a concrete floor splattered with paint, the setting is exceptionally tidy. During my visit, a sizeable work-in-progress canvas rested on an easel next to a table lined with neatly arranged brushes and palette knives of various sizes. That day, a record player provided the soundtrack; Tyler said he'll paint with movies he's seen over and over, like Breakfast at Tiffany's, playing in the background to break the studio's silence and break through the inevitable creative block. Completed works line the studio walls, many of which span the floor-to-ceiling expanse. The pieces include a horseracing scene selected by Maker's Mark, in partnership with Keeneland Race Course, for a commemorative bottle label. Tyler is one of three artists chosen for the three-year series benefitting LexArts initiatives, including the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden in Lexington, Kentucky. When complete, it will be the first park in the United States to honor African American jockeys, who were the earliest Black professional athletes. 64 slmag.net

Tyler's canvases are typically grand in scale. He chooses to work primarily in acrylic and traditional house paint because their drying time keeps pace with his expeditious and multi-layered painting style. In recent years he often commences the creative process on his iPad, painting digitally in the same fashion as he does on canvas, which has proved to be tremendously valuable for commissioned pieces, which form the bulk of his work. "It helps to come up with a plan, allow a client to visualize the finished piece in their space, and adds a modern touch to the whole process," he explained. Amazingly, after the details are decided digitally with the client, Tyler said he typically finishes a commissioned painting in about a month. During my visit to his studio, I inquired about the towering canvas on the easel, an abstract amalgam of dripping color. While he was still trying to suss out the finer points, Tyler said he intends it to be the centerpiece of a show in Dubai staged by a gallery in London who discovered his work via Instagram. How very sheik! sl For more info about Tyler Robertson, visit tylerrobertsonart.com or @tylerrobertsonart on Instagram.

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PASSION PROJECTS

The New $23 million “Factory” Opens in Chesterfield Valley to Rave Reviews Written by Craig Kaminer / Photos by James Cooke

In the music world, few cities have as many outstanding performance venues as St. Louis. Artists regularly praise St. Louis from the stages of Jazz St. Louis, The Touhill, The Sheldon, The Pageant, Powell Hall, The Stifel, The Muny, The Fox...the list goes on. Each venue surprisingly fits a unique niche for music genre, audience size, acoustics, technical capabilities, and location. And just when you thought St. Louis didn’t have room or need for another, Michael Staenberg and Steve Schankman just opened The Factory in Chesterfield Valley to offer what no one else has offered before. You can’t have too many business conversations in St. Louis where the names Michael Staenberg and Steve Schankman won’t come up or go many places where their names don’t appear on a building or piece of public art. Each has had a brilliant career in their chosen fields of real estate development and entertainment respectively, and while they have been longtime friends, until now their spheres of business influence have never really overlapped. But as luck would have it for St. Louis, Staenberg had an idea for how to transform the former Taubman Prestige Outlets in Chesterfield Valley, across from Chesterfield Commons which he developed in 1997, into a regional entertainment district. Adding to the success of Top Golf and Main Event off Interstate 64-U.S. 40 just east of Boone’s Crossing, Staenberg envisioned bringing a multi-use performance venue to what is the emerging demographic center of St. Louis. With more than 89,000 cars passing by the site daily, Staenberg was convinced this would be the perfect spot for 68 slmag.net

live entertainment, not to mention the best way to draw thousands of people to the area for shopping, dining, and fun. Schankman admits when he and Staenberg first talked about this idea, he wasn’t sold. But over time, Schankman realized its location, highway access, proximity to pre- and post-event nightlife, hotels, a private airport, and Gateway Digital Studios were the components of a seriously successful entertainment operation. So Staenberg jumped on a plane with Brian Carp, formerly with the 11-location House of Blues live entertainment venue chain and now Chief Operating Officer of The Factory, looking at the latest and greatest venues in the country to figure out what would work best in St. Louis. They all collaborated on the business plan, the design, and technical requirements, and soon had a roadmap for something that would help attract more nationally touring shows to St. Louis. When the two men met again, Staenberg says he told Schankman, “If I’m going to do this, I’m going to build the best thing I can build. I want to build things architecturally that are timeless. I want to make something that is cool, functional, and that’s different from anything else out there. I said, ‘Where are the best green rooms?’ When we found them I said, ‘Brian, copy those green rooms.’ Then we met with the top artists’ production managers and asked, ‘What do you like? What don’t you like?’ So we built three truck docks which makes loading in and out much easier. We built a party area so when it’s nice weather guests can just hang out like at Ballpark Village. We also have an outdoor venue planned for smaller acts.”

State of the art lighting system in center of concert hall

Box office entrance to buy tickets

Steve Schankman and Michael Staenberg on mainstage Photo by Craig Kaminer

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Art and industrial design are Michael Staenberg’s passion projects

Schankman chimes in proudly, “Every concert goer and performer will tell you The Factory has the best sound they’ve ever heard in the United States. As a performer myself, I wanted to create a place where everyone wants to play. From the stage, you can’t see the recessed bars on both sides so people can get drinks without distracting the performers. And that amazing, galactic chandelier was commissioned from the best in the business. We carefully thought through everything from the stage, sound and lights, rest rooms, free parking, catering, restaurants, bars, and shopping. Michael is a lover of art, so he commissioned artists to fill the space. And we’re not done.” Schankman continues, “We don’t want to use The Factory just for music. What about a play? What if we want to do a comedy show? What else do we want to do? If we have an event, a gala, a banquet...what aren’t we going to do?” When asked whether St. Louis needed another performance venue, Schankman explained, “When we were doing our due diligence to see if this was a feasible concept to create something with more than 2,000 tickets, we learned there really wasn’t a venue that didn’t have fixed seats. The Stifel has fixed seats. The Fox has fixed seats. So bands were jumping from The Pageant to filling half the house at other venues with 5,000-6,000 person 70 slmag.net

capacity. And a lot of bands were just skipping the market because there wasn’t availability at The Stifel and The Fox because of their Broadway schedules and The Pageant was booked. Our plan isn’t to take shows from the other venues. Our plan is to create a new environment for bands to be able to have another opportunity to play in our market. And I think that’s really what distinguishes us... the flexibility that we have with the flat floor for dancing and moving around and doing the types of things that not only the fans want, but that the bands will look for in the future.” From Staenberg’s retail standpoint, “There’s $800 million of sales at Chesterfield Commons. If people are coming here, they’re going to say, ‘there’s this store across the way or restaurant I want to go to.’ This is a win-win for everyone. And one of the things that concert goers don’t often see is the type of parking we have. Nobody in town has this type of parking. And nobody will have this kind of easy access and security. The Chesterfield police are our partners. So you want to go to a concert at The Factory? You don’t have to worry about getting your food, traffic, parking, or security.” Initially, there will be four restaurants that anchor The District of which The Factory is the live music element. There also will be a gathering area in between for local artists and

Digital signage promoting upcoming shows

outdoor events. “We can show a football game. We can show a baseball game. It’s a cross between Ballpark Village and the Streets of St. Charles,” says Schankman. Eventually, Staenberg hopes to open 10 restaurants. Despite the current shortage of staff in the service and hospitality industries locally and nationally, Schankman says they found many people available on a full-time and part-time basis from all different parts of the industry for The Factory. “That has been a terrific way for us to build our team,” he adds. “A lot of those people have deep roots in St. Louis and had connections with people that they’ve worked with in the hospitality industry. We have built some great partnerships with companies like Securitas for security and Logic Systems for our lights, sound, and engineers for the shows. We have in-house production people who are helping with our stage setup, and we are utilizing Klancy to help us with stage hands. We will have about 70 people at a sold-out show, working for us here at the venue, in addition to the part-time labor and third-party groups that will be supporting them.” Other than one out-of-town specialist Abe Sustaita who is a well-known architect of music venues, all of the suppliers are local. “Royal Banks is our lender. Keystone is our contractor.

George Stock from Chesterfield was our engineer. Traffic engineering was done by Julie Nolfo,” Staenberg said, “I wanted to use local people.” According to Schankman, “When COVID happened 18 months ago, 43,000 shows were canceled nationally. That would have been right at the end of March 2020. So, the concert business was gone overnight. And what we thought during that period of time is that it would come back within two months. Obviously two months became a year and it’s just now coming back. And what’s happened is instead of a little comeback, it’s like a fire hose compared to a garden hose. Everybody’s out on tour. Live Nation, AEG, Mammoth...everybody’s booking shows, getting replayed shows that are supposed to go this year. Some have moved to next year. The business has come back with a huge number of shows everywhere. There are 30-35% more shows on sale right now than during normal time in the middle of July.” To say Staenberg and Schankman have a Midas touch is an understatement. The pandemic could have killed many other ventures, but it gave these two friends the time, talent, and resources to build a world-class venue with a strong leadership team and come on-line just as business resumes. And for St. Louis, we’re lucky it’s in our backyard. Literally. sl

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It’s time...

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RETIRED HEALTH CARE EXECUTIVE AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER NOW ENJOYS DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Photos by Dick Miles Richard H. Miles (Dick) is an avid traveler and photographer who likes to photograph street scenes in international cities as well as macro images of flowers in black and white. He became interested in photography in the late 1980s with the advent of digital photography. Dick is the current board chair of the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum in Grand Center, board chair for the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital and 76 slmag.net

a member of the hospital’s board of directors, board chair of the Oasis Institute in St. Louis, and past board chair of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. He retired after more that 30 years with Valitas Health Services where he was board chair and president and CEO of its principal subsidiary, Correctional Medical Services, which had revenues of almost one billion dollars from the delivery of total health care services to state prison systems and large urban jails. sl

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Photo by Tracy Wallin Photography

Photo by White-Klump Photography

CREATING Moments to Share, Moments to Celebrate, Moments to Remember.

SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY

Presented by

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While virtual galas and trivia contests are still on the books for many upcoming events, a select few of the pre-COVID philanthropic get-togethers we used to enjoy are returning one by one. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has safely welcomed back guests to Powell Hall to enjoy live music and the Fabulous Fox will open its U.S. Bank Broadway Series Season in November with “Pretty Woman, The Musical.” Share your celebrations with us by tagging your pictures with @sophisticatedlivingmag. And let us know which charity you want to see featured among our society pages. The calendar of live events may still be thin, but the list of organizations needing support remains endless. – SL

September 1 1-30 10-12 11 11 25-26 26

Lynnie’s Light for Life, jccstl.org Celebrate our 7th Birthday, itsyourbirthdayinc.org Music at the Intersection, fabulousfox.com A Feast for Change Farm-to-Table Dinner, operationfoodsearch.org Kids Challenge & Ride for a Child Car Parade, pedalthecause.org Pedal the Cause, pedalthecause.org Peppa Pig Live! Peppa’s Adventure, stifeltheatre.com

October

4 5 10 15 20 23 29 30 30 31

Swing to Heal Hunger Golf Tournament, operationfoodsearch.org Kaufman Fund Annual Golf Tournament and Dinner Auction, thekaufmanfund.org A Tasteful Affair, foodoutreach.org Join the Journey Gala and Auction, thelittlebitfoundation.org Great Futures Gala at the Upper Muny Lot in Forest Park, bgcstl.org Razzle Dazzle Gala, crisisnurserykids.org Casino Night and Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament, thekaufmanfund.org Concordance Academy Annual Gala, concordanceacademy.org Trey Kennedy, thesheldon.org Fundraising Closes, pedalthecause.org

Streaming

JazzSTL.org

Photos and stories compiled by Carrie Edelstein. To submit your event for consideration, please email carrie@slmag.net.

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Photos by Dave Preston/St. Louis Sports Commission

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U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS AND GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Before heading to Tokyo for the Olympic Games, USA’s top gymnasts competed in St. Louis at The Dome at America’s Center to determine who would make the U.S. Team. The St. Louis Sports Commission also hosted the USA Gymnastics Championships. For a full list of winners, head to usagym.org.

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If you love receiving Sophisticated Living, please consider subscribing. For just $25, you’ll receive 6 issues of Sophisticated Living, 1 issue of Sophisticated Giving, access to SophisticatedStLouis.com and monthly email updates. {St. Lo

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Photos courtesy of The Kaufman Fund

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KAUFMAN FUND CONCERT

Earlier this summer, Army Airborne Veteran and TKF supporter Phil Wight hosted a fundraising benefit concert featuring up-andcoming Nashville songstress Molly Lovette. Among the attendees was Major Ed Pulido, U.S. Army (Ret.), founder & CEO John Daly and Major Ed Heart of a Lion Foundation. The Kaufman Fund is featured in this year’s edition of Sophisticated Giving. More information is available on sophisticatedstlouis.com.

STEEPLECHASE

Sophisticated Living was an official sponsor at this year’s Iroquois Steeplechase in Nashville. The event was held at Percy Warner Park. The race is named for Pierre Lorillard’s beloved “Iroquois,” the first American-bred horses to win the English Derby. Our St. Louis team enjoyed a weekend stay at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center while visiting Nashville.

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Please join Jerry Kerr, Jeré Fabick and Dennis Auping to support Segs4Vets.

Tour of 9147 Clayton Road. Welcome and introduction by Jerry Kerr and refreshments.

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SOPHISTICATED WEDDINGS

Sophisticated Couple: It was a beautiful evening for a backyard wedding ceremony for bride Stephanie Walpert and groom Nick Bahn. After the nuptials, the newlyweds zipped off to Rosewood Mayakoba in Mexico. Sophisticated Venue: The wedding celebration took place at the home of the groom’s parents in Frontenac. Sophisticated Team: Photographer Maddie Stringfellow captured the magical evening from every angle. The bride’s looks were by Joy Loveless, and the wedding party was styled by Danielle Style. Her wedding gown was by Alyssa Kristin from Bridal Parlour. His tux was custom made from Gentry’s Limited.

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Photos by Suzy Gorman

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ABT

The American Ballet Theatre performed in St. Louis on a sweltering evening in July where 7,000 attendees enjoyed performances at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. The Whitaker Foundation was the presenting sponsor. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones proclaimed July 14th “American Ballet Theatre Day in St. Louis.” Her Deputy Chief of Staff Sara Baker presented the proclamation to ABT’s National Executive Director Kara Medoff Barnett.

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Sophisticated Living St. Louis Sept/Oct 2021

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