VENU #50 SUMMER 2023

Mini Grid, oil on canvas, 24” x 30”

56

64

in

by Jessica Gordon Ryan

We are thrilled to be celebrating our 50th anniversary issue of Venü with you, defying odds to keep the beauty of print going strong in an increasingly all-digital environment. Many of our readers have collected our magazines over the last 10+ years, not only because our covers showcase frame-worthy images of the work of the artists and changemakers we feature inside, but also due to the stories of resilience, perseverance and passion they share with us. Like them, our magazine has evolved with the times to stay relevant and engaging. We’ve maintained our published presence in keeping with our art-focused brand. And our interactive digital footprint and mobile platforms are robust and growing, enabling our readers to find inspiration wherever and whenever they want – the best of all worlds! We will continue to print – and digitize – our magazine going forward, so you can keep on collecting issues like this for as long as you wish! Following your own path and bucking the trends isn’t always easy, but if you truly believe in what you’re doing, the rewards that follow will be more than you can imagine.

Take our cover artist Carole A. Feuerman.

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

In spite of a spate of real-life challenges, she sculpted her way into the art world with grace and grit to become the hugely talented artist she is today. Her swimmers are turning heads from Manhattan to Venice, this summer, with a new opening scheduled for her goddesses in Athens, Greece, later this year. Dive into her story for a refreshing and revitalizing read.

Irish violinist Gregory Harrington, a favorite at Carnegie Hall, has reimagined some of the world’s greatest classical music into modern melodies that pull on our heart strings like nothing else can. Prepared to be enchanted when he takes you on his journey. Artist Dena Lyons found paradise along the French Riviera. Her lifestyle and art are informed by the flowering trees and botanicals that thrive there year-round. It’s close to impossible not to want what she has, but she’s taken steps to share the scenery and sensations through her art in a stunning collection of evocative wearable fashions.

Monica Stevens is making the world a happier place through Jameson Humane and her annual fundraiser, WineaPAWlooza. Devoted to domestic animal rescue and rehabilitation, as well as an astute wine expert, she has parlayed her passion for wine and wags into teaching – and giving – moments that are changing the way our pets and farm animals are treated.

Barcelona native, Carlos Pla, is tantalizing our taste for international travel through the innovative tapas, paellas, fideuà, sangria and flan he serves at his new Westport, Connecticut restaurant, DeTAPAS, turning his corporate-based background into a culinary career worthy of a new level of dining stars.

Daniel Boulud, chef extraordinaire, has wowed the world with his signature restaurants since 1993 and we were with him to celebrate his 20th anniversay in Palm Beach earlier this year. Get a taste of what we enjoyed as we toasted his talents! Another chef on our radar is David Fhima, who is intent on nourishing the soul of the communities he serves, including artist Stephanie Dillon. Together they pair art with cooking to feed the senses on every level.

A rock icon, London-based Stephen Webster has been pushing the boundaries in jewelry design with his fearless vision for some forty years, crafting his eponymous brand for the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, and Machine Gun Kelly & Megan Fox to name a few. He‘s a true gem and our conversation with him, as you would expect, was enlightening and enthralling, as is his jewelry.

Being an artist is in Caterina Roppo’s blood. Schooled in Italy, her art, textural, tactile and threaded with emotion, immerses the viewer in personal experiences that transcend the medium to change perspectives and ultimately heal inner wounds. Discover how she turns trauma into threads of encouragement.

Adding more sparkle to our pages and our palates, the father-daughter team behind the French bubbly Faire la Fête have reimagined our love affair with champagne and prosecco, transforming this party favorite with their wine expertise and passion for perfection! Cheers!

Cover Story: Carole

A. Feuerman

Piazza Enrico de Nicola, 48, 80139 Napoli NA, Italy

On view through September 16th, 2023

Cover story on page 92

We‘re delighted to share our stories, seasonal soireés and sensational sips with you and thank you for coming along with us.

Tracey Thomas Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

CROSSING THE SEA: Solo exhibition curated by Demetrio Paparoni and promoted by the Made in Cloister Foundation and Bel-Air Fine Art.

Tracey Thomas

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Tracey Thomas

ART DIRECTOR

Denis Oproiu

MANAGING EDITOR

Kami Sloan

FEATURES EDITOR

Cindy Clarke

WEST COAST EDITOR

Robin H. Philips

GOURMET FOOD & WINE EDITOR

Fred Bollaci

FILM & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Peter J. Fox

EDITORIAL & MARKETING

Lisa Mikulski

DECORATIVE ARTS EDITOR

Matthew Sturtevant

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Fred Bollaci, Judy Chapman, Cindy Clarke, Ivonne Gamboa, Linda Kavanagh, Jessica McEntee, Megan Reilly, Kami Sloan, Tracey Thomas

INTERN

Isabel Gouveia

PUBLISHING PARTNER

Venu Media Group

VP OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Debra Menich

SALES

Susie Earls

LEGAL COUNSEL

Alan Neigher, Sheryle Levine

DISTRIBUTION

Thomas Cossuto, Man In Motion, LLC

OFFICE

840 Reef Road, 2nd Floor, Fairfield, CT 06824

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@venumagazine.com

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTION editorial@venumagazine.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS subscribe@venumagazine.com

THE SMALL PRINT: No responsibility can be taken for the quality and accuracy of the reproductions, as this is dependent upon the artwork and material supplied. No responsibility can be taken for typographical errors. The publishers reserve the right to refuse and edit material as presented. All prices and specifications to advertise are subject to change without notice. The opinions in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. Copyright VENÜ Magazine LLC, All rights reserved. The name VENÜ Magazine is copyright protected. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without written consent from the publisher. VENÜ Magazine does not accept responsibility for unsolicited material. This is a quarterly publication and we encourage the public, galleries, artists, designers, photographers, writers (calling all creative’s) to submit photos, features, drawings, etc., but we assume no responsibility for failure to publish submissions.

Moshin vineyards

Seersucker, Saddles and Southport

BY JESSICA MCENTEE

PHOTOS BY STUART WALLS

Pequot Library’s Derby Day has Become a Must-Attend Event

Tailgates thronged the historic horseshoe shape Great Lawn at Pequot Library’s Derby Day celebration earlier this May. The tailgates–some of which showcased vintage car models–sported different themes, ranging from Americana to Lilly Pulitzer to the top winner: a boat themed-entry complete with a hand-painted sailcloth. Attendees rose to the occasion in

their decorative schemes, arranging lawn furniture, hanging lanterns, and fanning-out carpets. In years past, some tailgates have even boasted horse-shaped ice sculptures or supersized chess pieces in Veuve Clicquot signature yellow.

This event is ever-evolving in new direc-

tions. For example, the library expanded its drinks offerings beyond the traditional mint julep in the past two years. The Vintage Horse and Flutes & Foam provided charming mobile bars and acted as in-kind sponsors. Guests noshed on Kentucky fare, bid on enticing silent auction items like a private

plane ride, and competed for best hat, tailgate, and best-dressed lady and gentleman. After watching the nailbiter “Run for the Roses” on a big screen in the auditorium, guests danced to DJ Rob’s music back in the Great Lawn’s main tent. The library staff reported a record year for attendance, and some patrons have already asked about purchasing tickets in advance for next year’s event.

Derby Day was initiated in 2009 as a smallscale open event for a group of supporters, the Pequot Library Contemporaries. It was the brainchild of Graham and Jane Michener, whose generous contributions to the organization won them the library’s 2019 Hoyt O. Perry Lifetime Achievement Award. The library sold over 200 tickets three years after its inception, and Derby Day has since grown into a blockbuster event that sold out when

it returned post-pandemic in 2022, attracting over 600 guests. This past May saw over 600 tickets sold.

The 2023 Derby Day event critically supported the library’s annual operating budget. These funds go far, for the library attracts over 30,000 visitors annually and offers hundreds of programs for all ages, most of which are free and open to the public, as well as exhibitions culled from its impressive Special Collections. The library’s three beloved Book Sales–Black Friday, Midwinter, and Summer– also contribute significantly to its fundraising. The Southport Garden Stroll attracts 800 guests, who gain

access to some of the surrounding neighbor hood’s stunning green oases. Other one-off events, such as the September 2022 Literary Luncheon with Fiona Davis, have also given Pequot Library a much-needed boost. While the Town of Fairfield provides roughly 20% of its operating budget, the library must fill in the gaps with the remaining 80%.

“We’re delighted to present some of Fairfield County’s most memora

ble events,” says Pequot Library’s Executive Director Stephanie J. Coakley. “We challenge ourselves constantly to fulfill the mission set by our founder, Virginia Marquand Monroe: dedicating the library to the love of arts, history, and culture–which, I’d argue, includes hosting unique special event fundraisers that make Fairfield such an alluring community.”

See you at the Pequot Library in May 2024 for the return of Derby Day, where you might win the “best-dressed” prize for your break-

out outfit. In the meantime, visit too–the library’s The Book Beautiful: Selections from the Private Press Movement will be on view through September 23, and they’re planning a Shakespeare exhibition in October highlighting the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s First Folio.

www.pequotlibrary.org

Yamba Malawi’s Gala for Good

Celebrates Achievements and Impact in Ending Childhood Poverty

Yamba Malawi, a nonprofit dedicated to ending childhood poverty in Southern Africa hosted the 17th annual Gala for Good on May 2, 2023. The event featured a live set by DJ Questlove which honored William and Olivia Scott Kamkwamba, Co-Directors of Moving Windmills, and brought together over 400 friends and supporters from various industries to celebrate Yamba Malawi’s impact.

Proceeds from the evening will help Yamba Malawi address childhood vulnerability through community-driven economic development. With further support, the organization aims to create a world where strong, self-reliant communities build brighter futures for children.

“Tonight, we unite to support Yamba

Malawi’s fight against childhood poverty. Our holistic approach addresses the immediate needs of children while empowering their caregivers to earn and save money for long-term needs. We’re honored to share the stage with William and Dr. Olivia Scott Kamkwamba, who share our commitment to brighter futures for children. Together, we create lasting impact,” said Yamba Malawi Executive Director Gertrude Kabwazi.

Yamba Malawi recognized William and Olivia Scott Kamkwamba, Co-Directors of Moving Windmills, for their work in building community and empowering problem solvers.

“We’re honored by Yamba Malawi’s recognition, an inspiring organization that shares our values. Both Moving Windmills and Yamba Malawi prioritize empowerment

alongside meeting immediate needs. Your support tonight amplifies the transformative impact we strive to achieve together, sparking powerful change. We’re deeply grateful for this award and our partnership with Yamba Malawi,” said Moving Windmills co-directors William and Olivia Scott Kamkwamba.

The Gala for Good highlighted Yamba Malawi’s achievements and impact on Malawi’s children with a dynamic program and installations showcasing success stories of participants, such as Seba Frackson, whose fish trading business now enables her to offer nourishing meals and education to her two children.

Photos by: Lanscine Janneh & Deonté Lee/BFA.com

Jon Kushner, Melissa Kushner, Kim Kushner, Lee Kushner, Jeremy Kaplan Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Kim McCall

Mark Lakin, Jesse Frohman

About Yamba Malawi

Yamba Malawi is dedicated to transforming children’s lives by empowering communities to break the cycle of poverty. Established in 2006 by Melissa Kushner, the organization envisions a world where robust, self-reliant communities create brighter futures for children. Yamba Malawi’s holistic approach focuses on childhood well-being, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship, empowering caregivers to launch sustainable businesses, overcome extreme poverty, and improve children’s food security, health, education, protection, and living conditions.

Malawi, the world’s poorest peaceful country, sees 70% of its population living on less than $2.15 a day, putting millions of children at risk. Yamba Malawi is working to change this reality in collaboration with community partners. Their comprehensive programs address children’s immediate needs while empowering communities to break the poverty cycle and create protective, nurturing environments that offer children greater opportunities and brighter futures. Yamba Malawi is a 501(c)3 nonprofit with offices across central and southern Malawi and in New York, USA. For more information, visit www.yambamalawi.org

About Moving Windmills Project

Moving Windmills Project is a 501(c)3 incorporated in 2008 to build community and empower problem solvers. Moving Windmills works with local leaders to determine, organize, and implement appropriate solutions that build community and solve pressing problems. Moving Windmills transforms learning environment, grows mentorship pathways, deepens community connections, and cultivates collaborations in Kasungu, Malawi. Learn more at www.movingwindmills.org.

Notable Guests: Questlove, Her Excellency Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Malawi to the United Nations Dr. Agnes Chimbiri-Molande, Melissa Kushner and Jeremy Kaplan, Patrick and Julia Kandawire, Siya and Whitney Madikane, Seth Herzog, Gertrude Kabwazi, Kim McCall, Taryn Blank, Nathan Chiume, Abby Doft, Ryan Hill, Mark Lakin, Meryl Levin, Stephen Murray, Thandie Nyirenda, Jason Segal, Peter Twyman, Lisa Raden, Liz Vap, Jenna Arnold, Tanya Brown, Nelson Chu, Hilary and Mo Koyfman, Kirk Haldeman, Kathleen Rommel, Jeff Schnabolk, Brandon Trentham, Kelly Bensimon, Tom Silverman, Donna D’Cruz, Dorinda Medley, Young Paris, Vin Rock, Jesse Frohman, Nikki Kynard, Alyssa Shelasky, Aku Orraca Tetteh, Alex and Keytt Lundqvist, Bob Gruen, Gustaf Demarchelier and Tracy Yorks, Gabriel Stone Shayer, George Wayne, Peter Davis, Ed Scheetz and Cristina Civetta, Andrea Kerzner, Greg Calejo, Indira Cesarine, Lindsey Sagrera, Sebastien Lefavre, Josh Beckerman, Jacqui Gifford, Tatijana Shoan, Wendy Diamond, Lo'renzo Hill-White, Asenso Ampim, Sarkodie Ampim, David Beame, and Sumako and Duncan Quinn.

Bob Gruen

Bethany Souza, Tatijana Shoan

Gabriel Stone Shayer

Seth Herzog, Kim McCall, Dorinda Medley

Alex Lundqvist, Greg Calejo , Nikki Kynard, Aku Orraca-Tetteh

Themba and Merriam Nyirenda

Gertrude Kabwazi, Melissa Kushner

stephanie.m.mccarthy.com

Take A Walk On The Art Side

Multi-sensory Art Experience at The SoNo Collection in Norwalk, CT

BY LINDA KAVANAGH

‘Pique your curiosity by exploring art that transcends modern, traditional, and experiential sensibilities’ is what The SoNo Collection is offering its visitors. The property now offers a self-guided Art Walk that takes art enthusiasts on an exciting tour of these colorful, immersive, and thought-provoking installations that continue to capture the imagination and Instagrammable moments for visitors of all ages.

Norwalk’s premier retail, lifestyle, dining, and event space, The SoNo Collection, a Brookfield Properties development, has taken the “mall” experience to a whole new level with the addition of massive art installations that can be experienced throughout the property’s indoor and outdoor spaces. Large-scale, multi-medium, vibrant works of art from local, national, and international talent have framed this relatively new destination within South Norwalk’s eclectic shopping and dining scene since introducing itself in October of 2019.

Alex Ferror

Eric Friedensohn

Jillian Evelyn

Current artists include

Connecticut painter and muralist Duvian Montoya’s artwork captures moments in our everyday life.

Chicago-based muralist Kate Lewis is known for the use of bold colors and hidden messages.

Brazilian visual artist, muralist, illustrator, and designer Alex Ferror captures the whimsical universe of children’s imaginations.

Chicago-based artist Matthew Hoffman’s large-scale and interactive public art installations promote positivity.

Cat Coquillette is a world-traveling artist whose bright pops of color, vibrant typography, and trendy motifs can be found on retail lifestyle brands from home décor to accessories.

New York artist Jen Lewin is an internationally renowned new media and interactive sculptor

whose playful sculptures exist where art, technology, and communications intersect.

Chicago-based artist, illustrator, and designer, Drew Clay records dreams through drawing, carving, painting, and sculpture.

Hudson Valley New York artists Aaron Hauck and Samantha French, both graduates of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, capture eclectic modern depictions of life in action.

Las Vegas artistic couple, Brian and Jennifer Henry, fill unique spaces throughout the country with their 3-D and conceptual pieces.

Brooklyn-based artist Eric “Efdot” Friedensohn, champions an abstract-meets-figurative style, most notably illustrated through his “Blob” character.

Milwaukee-based Emma Daisy Gertel is known for her vibrant use of color to paint

plants and girls that are a reflection of beauty and inspire possibility.

New York artist Natasha May brings femininity in art and life through her large-scale bold floral designs.

California artist Jillian Evelyn’s paintings combine the contorted female figure with graphic shapes and a limited color palette.

Indiana-based artist Cooper, part of an emerging generation of contemporary artists, brightens the average storyline through pops of color, positivity, and energy.

Norwalk’s most prominent and prolific artist 5iveFingaz’s work aims to shift the paradigm from hate/bigotry to love/acceptance.

The SoNo Collection

100 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT 06854

www.shopthesonocollection.com

Cat Coquillette

Sam French & Aaron Hauck

Duvian Montoya

5iveFingaz

BY KAMI SLOAN

The Business Of Art

MINDING CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURIALISM

Venü speaks to seasoned professionals across industries and disciplines to discuss the platform of art for creatives and collectors.

KOLTSON

Robert Rodriguez | Creative Director + Founder

I love art, I love fashion. To me, it’s the marriage between both. There’ve been a lot of collaborations with different designers and artists, so I’m not the first, but I wanted to do something that united both more substantially. Not only showcasing artists but also collaborating and creating collections and textiles based on what the artist is doing. We all needed to collaborate, and we did it together.

There are so many collections out there, but the consumer is looking for something new that they connect with. I wanted to create unique, collectible pieces that became their own works of art. They are not just

ALEXANDER TEAM

Oren Alexander | Co-Founder

Generally, having a space that feels livable, or turnkey adds much value. People are looking for places and spaces that they can move right into. This starts with everything from the furnishings to the art. When a person

designed to be worn once. You will want to hold onto and appreciate them as you would art. The Fall/ Winter 2023 designs included reworking the iconic kaftan, for example, which has been a timeless staple in fashion for decades and will stay in style. It’ll hold its value because it’s a unique capsule work of art. It’s more of an art collector’s item. www.instagram.com/robertrodriguezofficial

walks into a room- how it feels and looks aesthetically plays into their perceived value of a space. That’s everything from the smell to the right amount of light that comes into a place. All these things play a part in selling a home. And, of course, the walls with quality art that a buyer recognizes and feels connected to are on par with the home’s value, which helps make the sale. If you ask what the common denominator between most of our buyers and, obviously, when I say our buyers, meaning the buyers of the price points we typically sell to, which is $10 million and up, is that most are collectors, most collect art. They look at their home as the number one place to display art. The blue-chip artists I see most among our clients’ collections are Richard Prince, Christopher Wool, Warhol, and Basquiat. These artists are staples among a lot of my clients. When I see homes with more emerging artists amongst the people who I know are top collectors, I realize and respect them a little more as it takes a lot more research and knowledge in the market to collect. Those pieces can be a lot more interesting. I enjoy seeing a lot of emerging artists in people’s homes.

www.thealexanderteam.com

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” – ARISTOTLE

Photo by Kris Tamburello

Photo by © Andreea Radutoiu

ABOVE THE FOLD

John Patrick | Founder

I think the Business of Art would benefit from “less safe” architecture. This is to say, of all client and project types, cultural institutions especially should commission the next generation of architects to move the needle forward. If you look at architects’ best museum projects,

more often than not, it’s the first one. Also, people are generally less excited about the second, third, and fourth of the same project type by the same architect. It’s like Jennifer Aniston doing another romcom or Calvin Klein designing another boxer brief. Sure, they have the qualifications and know what to do, but would it really move film or fashion forward?

www.abovethe-fold.co

RELEVANT COMMUNICATIONS

Allison Zucker-Perelman | Founder & CEO

Art mirrors Society: Overall, the Art Marketplace always reflects the current climate in business and culture. As a publicist for celebrity artists, I will tell you that our model of "In Gallery" and “Live” virtual art experiences in which a guest/patron/collector can interact with the artist and experience the narratives of those works firsthand is GOLD... And a business model that has made my firm, Relevant Communications, quite successful over many decades.

I’d like to weigh in on the following:  BUY IMPORTANT ART. The qualification of the word “Important” can be interpreted as follows:

If you are building a collection: start young and buy what you like, listening to the advice of a Fine Art Professional. Work with an Art Consultant or Gallerist from whom you trust, admire, and take counsel: and buy artworks, sculptures, and designs that make your heart sing. Secondly, Important art is not about the dollar figure but simply about what you love.

www.relevantcommunications.net

“The Shepherd”, Rendering by Conica Studio

Projects like this new public arts campus in Detroit exemplify ABOVE THE FOLD’s unique approach to curating project teams that bridge the gap between architecture & design, talent, and clients.

ARTREPUBLIC GLOBAL

Jessica Santiago| Founder & CEO

Art opens the door to innovation in all sectors and allows us to communicate resonant ideas. For many years we have talked about the need for art to be more accessible. With the exponential growth of technology, not only has art become more accessible, but the ability to be an artist has as well. It is more important than ever that artists master the basics: composition, color theory, an original theme, and style that is woven into all they do. Share a message that needs to be heard.

Every significant movement was brought to life through patronage. The act of patronage for this generation has evolved with brands, visionaries, and young collectors leading the way by collecting and supporting the production of new works and dialogues. I encourage

MVC COMMUNICATIONS

Melissa Veniero Ciavirella | Founder

Fashion and art have always been intertwined, but what’s really missing is the element of collaboration. So often, art inspires designers and reinterprets what they see in their designs. However, a true

collectors to understand that when collecting work from an emerging artist, you buy into where you believe that artist’s life will go. When you take this perspective and invest in building a relationship with the artist, you experience the true essence of art, a joyful life.

Collaborating with a relevant artist, combining the artist’s perspectives and values with the organization’s expertise, is an effective way for a company to increase brand awareness and engagement, create quality marketing content, grow the business, and be heard. All organizations understand the importance of inclusion and diversity. Only some of them take on projects that bring it to life. Art is a diverse range of human activities intended to be appreciated for its beauty and emotional power. If Inclusion and Diversity are built into your organization’s values, how do you show it? What do people feel when they step into your workspace? How does the city you call home resonate in your hallways? Besides being in the community, how is your organization telling the story of the community?

Furthermore, every major company, brand, and administration could benefit from having an artist in residence to visit regularly, challenge the premises and bring new perspectives to drive company innovation. www.artrepublicglobal.com

collaborative partnership is lacking. A collaborative process is where the artist and designer have a shared vision and mood board, and each interprets that into their work - cross-inspiring one another and literally intertwining the art within the fashion.

https://www.instagram.com/mvc.communications

ARTLINK

Catrina Kahler| President & CEO

Oscar De las salas | Gensler, Business Development & Honorary Board Director

We are a non-profit. Our lens is with a community mindset firmly in place. We’ve been around for 35 years now. Our history and organization were started by artists, by visual artists, specifically in the heart of downtown Phoenix. From that point forward, the interconnections of Artlink engage in community development, economic development, arts and culture, and artist development.

The typical conversation in the world of art, in the history of art, it’s easy to point to the Renaissance or earlier in the 20th century, etc., that artists are constantly at the forefront of what is happening. Do we doubt that Michelangelo would not have decided to do  NFTs now if that was available to him? Every artist that comes to mind historically and today is not just coming out with their own perspective and desire to communicate and express themselves in the way they can, but to serve and challenge perception. In terms of value, their contribution to society should be appreciated perhaps a little more. In the physical realm of a city, often in parts of a town where artists go first, they see the potential; they know what can be created and understand how to connect and evolve.

Where fashion was once very elitist, architects have now become the new fashion designers of the modern world. A natural process that has been in humanity for centuries. We, as designers, have just tapped into it today because we have famous branding. I can’t imagine returning to the Renaissance period wearing a Michelangelo gown to a party. The only expression that comes to mind is the Renaissance era, the utmost expression of art attached to civilization. Everything from culinary arts to poetry to architecture to art was all related to the

JAYARAM LAW

Vivek Jayaram | Founder + Partner

We believe someone’s highest calling is to manifest a reflection of what makes that person special, and then share that reflection, be it a work of art, product, a service, brand, or a way to effect positive social impact. This understanding, along with our expertise in intellectual property, has allowed Jayaram to gain

moment of an extravagant art production. Many architects have dipped into fashion as part of their branding. Zaha Hadid has designed and collaborated with fashion houses such as United Nude. This goes back again to the essence of what Catrina just talked about. The Artists collaboration. When you have established artists or a new artist from a different discipline, the collaborative results are incredible and create a new frontier.

www.artlinkphx.org

extraordinary trust throughout the creative fields of art and technology over the past 15 years. That’s also why we’ve found ourselves front and center in the burgeoning creator economy. More than ever, artists and innovators are finding themselves in major collaborations and brand deals, requiring nuanced strategy around IP. As our world continues to integrate digital more than ever before, many art lawyers struggle to grasp certain concepts in new technologies, and tech lawyers don’t always understand the nuances of the art world. But because we’ve been working at this intersection for a very long time, this entire moment — this creator economy and its adjacent ecosystems — is a natural evolution for our practice.

www.jayaramlaw.com

Photo by Lucka Ngo

Photo by Zee Peralta

Raffaele Ruggeri

By Fred Bollaci

Continuing the Family Legacy of BiCE Restaurants Worldwide

On a beautiful, balmy spring evening in Palm Beach, we had the pleasure of sitting down with BiCE’s CEO and third generation owner Raffaele Ruggeri, following Venu Magazine’s VIP cocktail reception, that coincided with The Palm Beach International Boat Show, Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary Art Fair, and included a meet and greet with renowned artist and fashion designer, Dena

Lyons, whose paintings of Mediterranean flora and fauna from the South of France and Monaco have inspired an exclusive clothing line! Palm Beach in season (and these days, year-round) is among THE most prized destinations for the world’s cognoscenti and elite to play! For dining in this world class destination, BiCE has been a favorite for over three decades, and continues to be a standout for authentic Italian cuisine, lively bar scene,

Photo by Erica Dunhill

bougainvillea-draped courtyard, and place to see and be seen in Palm Beach. We chatted with Raffaele, wanting to know more about what has made BiCE an enduring success.

With wistful passion and a charming Italian accent, Raffaele spoke of being born in Tuscany in 1972 and raised in Milan by a family that owned one of the fashion capital’s most fashionable and iconic restaurants, BiCE. Raffaele learned the art of authentic Tuscan and Italian cuisine and hospitality from his grandmother, Beatrice, who presided over the kitchen at the original BiCE in Milano since it opened in 1926. Known as “Bice” to her friends, his legendary grandmother

“BiCE is my brand and my heart. It’s in my DNA. You come into my restaurant and you come into my home.”

–RAFFAELE RUGGERI

Photo by Erica Dunhill

Photo by Joseph Keller

was always Nonna to him. Bice was known throughout her family and wide circle of friends for her extraordinary hospitality and her culinary skills. For years, those closest to her tried to persuade Bice to open a restaurant—in 1926 she reluctantly agreed to open a neighborhood trattoria or “friendly gathering place,” calling it Da Gino e Bice (after herself and her husband), later being known as simply “Bice.” Since day one BiCE was a family affair, with Beatrice in the kitchen and her brothers and sisters working the dining room and serving guests. What sprang from humble beginnings quickly became one of the top restaurants in Milan.

Beatrice’s children Roberto (Raffaele’s father), and his brother, Remo, both learned the art of hospitality from their mother, and taught young Raffaele the art of the business.

When Raffaele was old enough to carry a basket of bread or water glasses to the restaurant’s guests, he went to work. His father and uncle shared Bice’s time-honored wisdom and philosophy that had made BiCE such a success—Raffaele soaked it up like a slice of Italian bread doing “la scarpetta.” Raffaele loved the buzz of the restaurant— the aromas, the laughter and camaraderie among patrons—the energy, and knew right away that this too would be his career and calling to carry on and grow the family legacy, eventually into a global brand.

Fast forward to 2023. After opening nearly 30 restaurants worldwide, from concept and location to design and staffing, Raffaele today is CEO of BiCE Group who along with his father and uncle oversees the operations of the brand for nearly three decades. Each

Around the Globe people simply say...

Go To BiCE!!!”

“All

Let’s

Diana Davis, Raffaele Ruggeri,

Tracey

Thomas, Dena Lyons

Photo by Erica Dunhill

individual BiCE restaurant evokes the comfort, class, and style of the original—dining at BiCE anywhere in the world, one can taste the passion and authenticity of the cuisine and feel like Beatrice herself was in the kitchen cooking. Raffaele marks the third generation of Ruggeri family members eager to share their classic cuisine and timeless Old-World hospitality with guests in some of the most prestigious addresses in the world. Relocating first to Los Angeles and later to Manhattan, this season Raffaele has made his home in Palm Beach, where he can be seen most nights greeting diners and ensuring everything in the bustling restaurant runs like clockwork. Whether he is moving among tables in the dining room, keeping a close eye on the kitchen, or sampling new dishes, BiCE continues to be Ruggeri’s personal passion. Today Among the world’s finest Italian restaurants, BiCE makes her home in cities such as Milano, Dubai, Shanghai, Naples (FL), Orlando, New York and Palm Beach.

The Palm Beach location along Worth Avenue at Via Bice has been an island favorite since opening in 1990. The Palm Beach address evokes the glamor of Milan inside, combined with the breezy elegance of the al fresco dining area, adorned with bright purple bougainvillea and adjacent luxury boutiques reminiscent of Capri. BiCE is known for stellar service, and its extensive menu

which combines Italian classics with their own creations—don’t miss the famed Pappardelle al Telefono (wide ribbon pasta with tomato sauce and melted fresh mozzarella, which mimics “telephone lines,” hence the name).

Bice has one of the best happy hours in Palm Beach, a great place to meet friends, enjoy a perfect Negroni, and some of the best Italian in town. Be sure to say Ciao to Raffaele if you see him in the restaurant—he will be the most impeccably dressed gentlemen there with a charming Italian accent! ☐

Bicegroup.com

Bice-Palmbeach.com

313 Worth Avenue

Palm Beach, FL 33480

561.835.1600

Dena Lyons, Maurizio Russo, Diane Lovat

Diana Davis, John Beard, Tracey Thomas, Peter Macus, Dena Lyons, Sara Herbert-Galloway, Melanie Cabot

Photo by Erica Dunhill

Photo by Erica Dunhill

Photo by Erica Dunhill

A taste of Barcelona in Westport, Connecticut DeTAPAS Spanish Gastrobar

BY CINDY CLARKE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA GORDON RYAN

The last time I was in Barcelona, I lost myself in a banquet of cultural delights. Whimsically tiled buildings, bold and brilliant, line the streets there in eye-candy fashion, thanks to the fantastical dreams of one particularly whimsical architect, Antoni Gaudi. World-class restaurants, 30 of them Michelin-starred, tempt with tapas, perfectly proportioned; paellas, one-pan wonders, seafood rich and “ricely” done; croquettas stuffed with impossibly delicious Jamón Ibérico; Patatas Bravas, stud spuds always applause worthy; and a parade of traditional and modern dishes, distinctive to the city for centuries. Bars welcome in the night with sangria, fruit soaked and fragrant; glasses

of cava keep the conversation flowing; and mixed drinks and coffees promise spirited camaraderie. And its iconic neighborhoods, nestled along pedestrian-only las Ramblas to the winding lanes of Barri Gotic, enliven with a real sense of community and opportunities to mingle with the locals. All of which makes Barcelona one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world and one of my favorite places to be.

Imagine my surprise when I found myself dining at DeTAPAS Spanish Gastrobar in Westport, Connecticut, only to be transported back to Spain’s colorful Catalan capital through the ambiance and appetizing Spanish fare remarkably recreated by owner, Carlos Pla, who moved

away from his hometown of Barcelona more than a decade ago.

“For me Barcelona is not just one of the greatest cities in the world, it is home. It is modern, dynamic, and cosmopolitan with an amazing quality of life due to the weather, the mix of historic architecture with modern buildings, its services and more importantly, the personality of the people. We enjoy a lifestyle that is based on spending a lot of time outdoors, doing things with others, meeting friends around a table with plenty of shared food and drink,” explained Carlos.

“All those factors played a major role in the restaurant design and menu” he continued. “The restaurant design is modern and casual, like Barcelona is. My food is based on authentic Spanish flavors, both classic and contemporary. The combination of all of that is what makes my customers feel that they are in Spain when they are at the restaurant. This is the best compliment I can have. My goal is to make sure everybody experiences a real taste of Spain through its food.”

He took great pains to get it right. Drawing from his business experiences in corporate America and in high finance at a private equity firm in New York, honing his

cooking skills at the Culinary Institute, getting his feet wet in hospitality as a restaurant host and as the hands-on manager of chef José Andrês’ Mercado Little Spain in Hudson Yards, he opened DeTAPAS just as diners were venturing out to public dining venues after being shut out for two pandemic-crazed years. He designed his eatery with an open

kitchen concept so guests can see them make their tapas. Seating arrangements vary too, with a lounge, high-top bar tables and traditional tables to cater to his patrons’ preferences.

Every day since has been a new experience for him and his now repeat loyal customers, of which I am happy to be one. His menu, a blend of tried-and-true treats and weekly specials that are uniquely innovative and irresistible, caters to patrons who know good food – and will travel to find it.

“Most of my guests have been to Spain at least once, and they all comment on how the food reminds them of their visits to Mallorca, Seville, you name the place. It is so rewarding to see how the memories

Carlos Pla

come back to them while they are dining at the restaurant and they love to share them with me.”

Homespun and healthy, Spain’s food culture is all about fresh local ingredients, with seafood, jamón and tapas taking starring roles. Spanish gastronomy is designed to let the quality of the ingredients shine through, simply and distinctively, and

nowhere is that demonstrated more than in tapas fare, a fiesta of flavors in bountiful bite-sized bursts.

Carlos knows his tapas and his menu showcases the ones both he and I savored in Barcelona. His croquettas,, crafted with Ibérico ham and creamy white bechamel sauce and served on a sculpted pork plate, promise to melt in your mouth and leave you wanting more. Shrimp fans will literally dive in the Gambas al Ajillo, sauteed in garlic and brandy sauce and served sizzling. Yes, he has hot Patatas Bravas, a spicy staple on a Spanish tapas table, made with potatoes dressed in tomato sauce and alioli (Spanish garlic mayo), as well as Pan con Tomate, lightly grilled bread painted with fresh tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and salt, both must-tastes if you want to recreate the flavors of España.

Hungrier appetites will find fulfillment in the heartier plates, like I did with the Albondiga Morunas, Moorish lamb meatballs with homemade curry sauce, almonds and currants, the Steak “al la Plancha,” classically prepared with Romesco sauce and sea salt, and my all-time favorite Contramuslo de Pollo con Duxelle de Mushroom & Jamón ibérico, a.k.a. braised chicken thighs with

creamy mushroom duxelle, ibérico ham and truffle oil, tender and tasty in all the right places.

And if you’re still game for Spain’s most iconic dish, paella, Carlos has made sure he has one for every palate, from Seafood paella with monkfish, mussels, clams, shrimp and scallops to classic chicken or steak as you like. His paellas call for bomba

rice simmered in saffron and aromatic sofrito like the ones he enjoyed back home, but if you’re a noodle lover, you may opt for his Fideuà Negra. Similar to rice-based paella, this signature dish of Barcelona is prepared with a short, thin noodle-pasta called fideuà. Carlos adds shrimp, calamari and cuttlefish ink that color the dish and

flavor it with briny hints of the sea.

What do you drink as you celebrate food rooted in Mediterranean magic? DeTAPAS’ sangria is sublime, a true taste of the fruit of the vine on every delicious level. I knew I was a fan the first time I happened upon this Westport gem and ordered it, and when I brought my sister, a true connoisseur of Spain’s fruity wine-based cocktail beginning with her time at the University of Madrid and several Spanish restaurants since, she was a convert at the first sip.

Twice as nice the second time around, we ordered the Flan for dessert, enjoying the chef’s secret ingredient – Brie cheese – in a custard affair that sweetened our evening like no other.

You can feel Carlos’ passion for his Mediterranean homeland in each of the dishes he serves with pride, not all of them have been mentioned here. It’s worth a trip

to Westport to discover the rest.

“The tapas culture is a way of enjoying a memorable and fun culinary experience, but it is also our tradition, an expression on how we share food with others. This ‘culture of sharing’ brings people together, making this experience a joy on every level,” he said, adding “that my guests often thank me for bringing this experience to Westport. And I know their comments come straight from their hearts.”

Ideally located at 180 Post Road in a walkable downtown Westport, steps from Main Street, the kitchen at DeTAPAS Spanish Gastrobar is open daily from 4:30 pm to 9 pm on weekdays, until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday, but lingering later is part of the fun. Reservations are suggested if you want a seat at the table! ☐

www.detapasrestaurant.com

One Night in Rio

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Daniel Boulud in Palm Beach at Café Boulud Palm Beach at the Brazilian Court Hotel

BY FRED BOLLACI

It couldn’t have been a more perfect evening than January 18th, 2023 to celebrate Chef Daniel Boulud or the extraordinary success of his second location for the renowned Café Boulud at The Brazilian Court Hotel in Palm Beach. The tall, majestic coconut palms for which Palm Beach Island was named were

swaying in a gentle, balmy breeze off the nearby Atlantic Ocean. The night celebrated a milestone, marked a reunion, and homecoming of sorts. Café Boulud Palm Beach opened in 2003 at The Brazilian Court Hotel, after owner Richard Schlesinger convinced Chef Boulud to bring his cuisine to Palm

Beach after his first visit to the area. Boulud fell in love with Palm Beach, and Café Boulud became a natural fit in Palm Beach as it is the winter home of many of his sophisticated New York clientele, and The Brazilian Court, as Chef Boulud says is the “Jewel in the gem that is Palm Beach.” Boulud’s Palm Beach

location has remained a sparkling jewel in his empire of restaurants. Since his fateful first visit and decision to open a restaurant, Palm Beach has been an instrumental part of Chef Boulud’s life; it’s also where Daniel met his wife, Katherine, who he married in 2013!

As a long-time South Floridian with a New York background who fancies fine dining and has been on a first-name basis with many of the nation’s top chefs and restaurant owners since childhood, attending this celebration and tribute to Chef Daniel was wonderful. Not only is Daniel Boulud one of the most acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs in the world, it is a true testament to the kind of person he is that every Executive Chef who worked at Café Boulud Palm Beach from its inception attended the gala, and presented their own culinary creations. Starting with Chef Zach Bell, a Boulud alum who was handpicked by Daniel Boulud after working for him at Daniel in New York to lead the kitchen at the new Café Boulud Palm Beach in 2003. After a number of years, Zach went on to be Executive Chef at Addison Reserve Country

Team photo

Rachel Castle, Katherine Boulud., Kristin McCarthy, Lauren Billings, Carrie Basil, Ginny Becker with Daniel Boulud

Nathan Frank, Krystian von Speidel

Imre Papp

Daniel Boulud, Michael Kovner, Jean Doyen de Montaillou

Club in Delray Beach, where I was a member. Believe me when I say, I was ecstatic to hear that someone of his caliber would be our new chef! Zach is now at Lost Tree Country Club in North Palm Beach, returning to Café Boulud Palm Beach to share his sumptuous Quiche with Caviar. Rick Mace, another notable South Florida Chef who succeeded Bell and now has his own restaurant, Tropical Smokehouse in West Palm Beach (we dined there as a matter of chance a few nights before, and loved the vibe and the food!) Chef Mace returned to share a succulent BBQ version of Pastrami as well as Beef Tenderloin with Chimichurri. Chefs past and present posed for photos with

Chef Boulud and mingled with guests while showing off their culinary talents along with a host of Boulud favorites, perfectly prepared by Executive Chef Dieter Samign, including the most sumptuous Charcuterie table I’ve ever seen, mini-Lobster Rolls, Caviar and Buckwheat Blinis, Crab Cakes, and my personal favorite, Daniel Boulud’s Chickpea Fries with Roasted Red Pepper Coulis. (I secretly hoped they would be served, and they did not disappoint!)

Aside from being one of the most recognized chefs on the planet, Chef Boulud is a down-to-earth guy, who has his fingers on the pulse of what’s going on—with some 20 restaurants worldwide, he still takes the time to know his customers on a personal level. I first met Chef Boulud seven years ago when he was dining out at another Palm Beach

restaurant with Chef Marcello Fiorentino of the renowned Marcello’s La Sirena in West Palm Beach, another favorite. Before I knew it, both Marcello and Daniel Boulud were at my table—Marcello wanted to introduce Daniel, who was most enthusiastic about my then upcoming book and passion for cuisine and writing for Venü Magazine and my own blog. Fast forward—Chef Boulud not only remembered meeting me back in 2016, he also knew I had just been a wine judge at the American Fine Wine Competition in Miami several days before. With several hundred high-profile guests and clients, literally the “Who’s Who” of Palm Beach and New York Society, I was most impressed that Chef Boulud took the time to know about me—that says a lot!

The majestic, historic courtyard at the gorgeous Brazilian Court Hotel was transformed into an Ipanema Nightclub meets Palm Beach for one of the most spectacular soirées of the season! Picture swaying illuminated palm trees, freely flowing Champagne, wine, and cocktails, caviar at every turn, exquisite passed hors d’oeuvres, food stations ranging from meat to seafood, to charcuterie, and beautiful desserts and macarons, and a table adorned with gorgeous fresh fruit, and authentic Brazilian dancers—One Night in Rio is definitely a night to remember!

Campion and Tatiana Platt

Daniel Boulud, Richard Schlesinger, Katherine Boulud, Bobby Schlesinger

Adam Schlesinger, Ali Goler, Daniel Boulud, Richard Schlesinger, Yana Schlesinger, Courtney Schlesinger, Bobby Schlesinger

Café Boulud Palm Beach features a French-American menu, created by Chef Daniel Boulud and Executive Chef Dieter Samijn, which parallels that of Café Boulud New York with a touch of South Florida flavor. With a spotlight on the incredible seafood and produce of the region, the menu showcases classic French dishes synonymous with Boulud himself, modernized to suit the cosmopolitan palate of Palm Beach. Think Local Spiced Mahi with Key West Pink Shrimp and Curry Leaf, Pan Seared Scallops with Brussels sprouts and Miso Jus and classic Dover Sole Meunière filleted tableside.

The place to see and be seen, the dramatically backlit bar is a must for guests looking to enjoy inventive cocktails and craft beers served throughout the day, or to enjoy the crowd and scenery. The Bar menu served throughout the day features dishes perfect for sharing. A long-time favorite for brunch, Café Boulud always features something to please the palate and stimulate the senses.

The Courtyard Terrace at the Brazilian Court and the restaurant’s elegant Dining Rooms with a shimmery ceiling made from seashells and Pecky Cypress have long been the place for Palm Beach locals to be entertained in style, to throw a lavish event or host a memorable wedding day. The wine cellar is filled with vintages from every continent and

led by their on-staff sommelier. The impressive array of selections is arranged by grape variety and their team of experts is always available to suggest pairings for your dining experience. ☐

www.cafeboulud.com/palmbeach

Bobby Schlesinger

Courtney Schlesinger, Todd Meadow, Lizzi Bickford Meadow

Judging and Awarding the Best American Wines

Behind the Scenes as a Judge at the 16th American Fine Wine Competition/Invitational

One of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had in the past 10 years writing about food and wine, and as a sommelier was being invited to be one of 28 judges, hand-picked from across the country to spend 3 days at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality in Miami to evaluate some 600 wines of vetted quality at the American Fine Wine Competition/Invitational.

BY FRED BOLLACI | PHOTOS BY BRETT HART

Participating in an event of this level, behind the scenes and as a judge, the first thing I want to share is the following: while it seems very glamorous, it takes a TON of work, dozens of dedicated volunteers, and months of planning to put together this competition, starting with vetting wineries and wines to invite, receiving, organizing, and preparing nearly 100 flights of wine to be evaluated on

objective criteria by seasoned professional palates, some of the best in the industry, and to keep track of the results.

Some interesting statistics from the Invitational—Judges traveled from as far away as California, and as nearby as some of the best restaurants and bottle shops in South Florida. FIU student volunteers washed over 4,000 glasses over three days. Only two glasses

"Best of" bottles

got sent back to be re-washed, and only two broke the entire time! Judges arrived at 11:30am on Saturday January 14th at FIU in North Miami, ready to start tasting on day 1. A dozen judges evaluated over 20 flights of wine including Albarino, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Bordeaux-Style Blends, Sparkling Wine, Merlot, and more, setting the stage for the big day—Sunday. On an unusually brisk Sunday morning (43 degrees), 28 judges arrived at FIU to begin tasting and evaluating hundreds of wines, at 8:30am sharp. The day included a break for lunch, where judges were able to have a half glass of wine they had already judged before getting back to work. One thing to note—people I know were literally high-fiving me for being honored with this invitation. As a judge, I must say it was one of the best experiences of my life. Tasting hundreds of outstanding wines (there were only two that I tasted where my table and I requested a fresh bottle because of some possible flaw) is an incredible opportunity, but not as glamorous as one might think. You have roughly 20 minutes as a panel of typically four, to taste anywhere from 4-7 wines for the initial evaluation, make notes, and come up with your personal score and possible medal for each wine.

Naturally, we wine judges must keep our wits about us. This isn’t a consumer wine tasting, and even a buzz is not okay. There is an art to being a sommelier and professional and to being able to taste hundreds of wines in a single day without getting inebriated. People naturally asked me how it would be possible to taste hundreds of wines and be able to

stay sober AND keep an objective palate throughout the day. As professionals, we are trained to evaluate wines objectively and be able to do so without ingesting (there are spit cups and buckets that need to be used). Judges evaluate wines on everything from nose (aromas) to color, clarity, acidity, and intensity of flavor on the palate, and on how well this wine represents a particular varietal or blend. We take notes on each, and often re-visit to see how a wine might open up after a few minutes, or if we might feel differently after tasting others in a flight, or after clearing the palate. While we did have a few spirited discussions over the course of three days, for the most part, each panel I was part of found all judges at the table within a couple points of one another—often two or more judges coming up with the same score, hence the plethora of Double Gold Medals, in which every judge agrees the wine scored above 90 points. This is possible after years of studying wine, tasting wine, and training your palate. Master Sommeliers, of which there are only several hundred in the world, can literally taste a wine blindly and accurately decipher varietal, region, year, and even down to vineyard block! I was extremely humbled

and honored that my palate was consistent with the other professionals, many of whom had judged in many competitions and work as sommeliers or in the wine business on a daily basis.

Options included:

90+ Gold

85-89 Silver

80-84 Bronze

Each judge must evaluate independently, and when all are ready, a captain of each table (which rotates each flight) calls on other team members to share their scores and thoughts.

If all four members of the table score a wine as 90 or above (Gold), the wine is awarded a “Double Gold” Medal. This year’s competition saw more Double Gold recipients than in any previous years—I must say that the majority of wines I tasted were worthy of Gold and many did receive Double Gold. Judges are encouraged to give every benefit or possibility to the winery/winemaker. For instance, if your evaluation comes up at a high silver (89’ish) and the rest of the table is 90+ (meaning gold), we want to taste again and if possible

to boost our score and tip the wine over into the higher medal category. Also, as a panel, after listening to each other, sometimes we go back and re-visit a wine, possibly adjusting our initial impression based on the findings and reasons presented by the group that a wine be awarded a certain score or medal. After deliberating (like a jury), the group comes to a consensus, even if not all scores are the same. If it is split 2-2 between Gold or Silver, the wine gets a Silver. When a panel of four scores a wine with three judges giving

it 90+ (Gold) and one giving it less than 90 and not coming up to Gold, it will receive a Gold Medal by majority vote. If all four judges score it 90+, it gets Double Gold. In the case where one judge who scored a wine high Silver score with the others all 90+ can be convinced to raise their score to 90, the wine will get a Double Gold.

Being this is a competition, judges taste blindly—we do not know what we are drinking, aside from grape varietal, and a rough idea of price points and locations represented within the flight. In order to keep the palate fresh, judges are given water, slices of fresh baguettes, turkey, roast beef, and carrots for the vegetarians to nosh in between wines or flights. Also, after a couple of red flights, tables are often given a white flight or two in order to calm the palate—tasting and judging reds is intense. I was glad that my purple teeth cleaned up right away with just a brushing at the end of each day.

The third and final day—Monday January 16th—Martin Luther King Day, was the “Best of” Show judging. Judges arrived at 9am sharp to start tasting and voting on the winners, as deduced from the Double Gold Medal recipients both for the best of each varietal from among every wine that won Double Gold, and then from those winners, narrowed it down by re-tasting and voting to a number of finalists for Best of Show for Red, White, Sparkling, and Dessert Wines. This process took hours with a break for pizza in the middle. This was definitely the most intense day. Each table was presented as many as 11-12 glasses of wine at a time, representing Double Gold Medal winners from each category, and having to evaluate them in literally five minutes, and then vote for the top 2-3, which then go on to a final round where the top 2-3 wines from another table tasting the same varietal(s) join together to pick the group favorite by voting (show of hands with red plastic plates). This was especially challenging because at this point, we are tasting the best of the very best, and many were very close calls, but in each

Best of Red

BEST OF CLASS RED

Bordeaux Style Blend - O’Brien of Napa

Pinot Noir - Talisman of Sonoma

Syrah - Mi Sueno of Napa

Cabernet Franc - Howell Mountain of Napa

Red Blends of other than Bordeaux

grapes - Carol Shelton of Sonoma

Cabernet Sauvignon - Ehret of Sonoma

Petite Sirah - St. Amant of Lodi

Barbara - Becker of Texas

Merlot - Ehret of Sonoma

Zinfandel - Ledson of Sonoma

BEST OF SHOW RED

Becker Barbera of Texas

Best of White

Chardonnay- Trujillo of Napa

Sauvignon Blanc- Robert Mondavi of Napa

BEST OF CLASS and SHOW WHITE

Truchard Roussanne of Napa

BEST OF SHOW SPARKLING

Domaine Carneros Le Reve of Napa

BEST DESSSERT

Prager Port of Napa

case, there emerged a winner! Democracy and wine tasting are a beautiful combination!

It is no small feat to organize a competition like this, and the American Fine Wine Competition, which was founded in 2007 by current President, Shari Gherman, and Monty and Sara Preiser, veteran wine writers, vintners, and publishers of The Preiser Key, The Most Comprehensive Guide to Napa Valley, has earned and proven itself as THE Gold Standard for exclusively American wine competitions, with this being its 16th year! I was honored and humbled to be invited to judge, and I must say that “People who like to wine are indeed the best people,” as judges rotated tables and panels over the three days, giving everyone an opportunity to meet the other judges, all of whom were very welcoming to me and several others for whom this was their first competition. I look forward to visiting some of these excellent wineries in person, writing about them, and returning to judge again. This is truly a service that the AFWC provides to the public—vetting and awarding wines, many of which are from well-known names, but also many from small boutique producers people have never heard of—some great values, and wines from many states, not just those you might expect like California, Oregon, and Washington. As noted above, this year’s Best of Show for Red is a Barbera from the Texas Hill Country outside of Austin! This year’s show included wines from famed appellations in California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as excellent wines from Michigan, New York, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, and more!

Being recognized by the AFWC not only turns consumers onto excellent wines they’d likely have never tried, but it also has the ability to catapult a small winery that isn’t well-known outside of its local area into a household name, boosting sales and reputation! The AFWC raises the bar for consumers and affords access to a huge number and variety of wines, at all price points they might not have discovered otherwise. If you’re

looking to up your game with wine, following the AFWC and our results, which come from an expertly vetted group of American wines helps consumers cut through the noise and get down to drinking the very best! I am honored to be able to do this work and be a part of this amazing process for an organization that is a total class act, and has raised over $1.1Million for charity since inception! On a final note, I want to raise my glass to the many fantastic wineries and winemakers whose products we were honored to evaluate at the AFWC, as well as to Shari Gherman, Monty and Sara Preiser (Co-Founders), Greg Miseyko (responsible for organizing flights and tabulating results), and the numerous volunteers and judges whose extraordinary efforts make the American Fine Wine Competition THE #1 exclusively American wine competition in the country! ☐

www.americanfinewinecompetition.com for all results.

Fred Bollaci

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THE SUGAR OF PROSECCO

THE PRICE OF CHAMPAGNE

ALL THE QUALITY

BY TRACEY THOMAS

Faire la Fête is the French bubbly taking the US market by storm. We are sitting down with co-founder of First Growth Brands, Charlotte Holl. First Growth Brands produces Faire la Fête in Limoux, France, where France’s first sparkling wine was invented. In the 5 years since First Growth Brands was established, Charlotte and her dad have turned Faire la Fête into the fastest growing traditional French sparkling in the country.

Venü: How did you start?

Charlotte Holl: I never expected to be in the wine business. I spent 8 years working in the fashion industry, and then for 3 years I was working as a recruiter in Manhattan. One day, my father called me and said “I’m thinking about getting involved in something totally different, I want you to have a look and maybe this is something we do together.”

He had been approached by a wine importer that was struggling to make profits. My father is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for turning companies around, getting great management teams together, and turning a big idea into a big success. Even though this was totally outside of his wheelhouse, there was something there. So we talked to the partners at the importer and learned that they had some incredible relationships with grape growing and winemaking families in Europe. One group in particular stood out

– the families of Limoux, France. We tasted the sparkling wine being made in this region and were absolutely blown away by the taste and quality. But further surprises came. We learned that the families in Limoux, in the south of France, invented the process for making champagne in the early 1500’s. This region is a thousand kilometers away from the Champagne province in France, and they were the ones who created the process over a hundred years earlier! The head of the importing company named the product Faire la Fête – which means to party and celebrate good times with family and friends! We received a trademark for this phrase.

I grew up in a French household, and even I didn’t know that Champagne wasn’t invented there. This was an astounding revelation. The final surprise, and decisive moment for us, came when we learned the bubbly from this region, which tased better than most $60+ Champagnes on the shelf, could be produced and sold in the U.S. for around $20. And that is because vineyard land in Champagne is roughly $500,000 per acre vs $60,000 in Southern France. And labor is one-third the cost. But the quality is the same if not better.

Why is that when you go to the store, the only recognizable sparkling brands are sweet Proseccos like LaMarca, and expensive Champagnes like Veuve? What if you enjoy bubbles on a regular basis and the only option for your everyday enjoyment is something that doesn’t meet the quality standards you really have? Why aren’t there more high-quality French bubbles at an accessible price point?

Sparkling wine is the fastest growing segment of wine sales in America – in fact, sales have been growing in the double digits every year for the past 15 years with no signs of slowing down.

Long story short, we acquired the importer, liquidated all of the other wines in the portfolio, and focused solely on growing Faire la Fête Brut here in the U.S.

Venü: What’s the Process?

CH: The Traditional Method, also called the Champagne Method, is a natural process used in the making of sparkling wine. During this process, a still wine (no bubbles) is fermented for a second time in the bottle. But this time around, the carbon dioxide that is produced during fermentation has nowhere to escape. It gets trapped in the bottle, and the yeast cells that eat the sugar are integrated in the wine for a minimum of 15 months – this is what creates the beautiful depth of flavor and fine prickly mousse you find in high quality Champagnes. The entire process takes about 2 years from start to finish. We finish it off with a low dosage, which defines our signature dry Brut style. Faire la Fête has less than ½ the sugar of most Prosecco’s.

By comparison, Prosecco and other less expensive bubblies are fermented and produced in large steel tanks, where the process takes about 4 weeks to complete. There is less (or zero) development of flavor, and the bubbles are harsher – kind of like soda.

Venü: Tell us about where it’s made.

CH: Limoux is an incredibly beautiful part of France. It’s officially situated in the Languedoc Roussillon winemaking region, the largest in France. Set in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, Limoux is famed for its production

of world class Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc. There is also an indigenous grape grown in the region called Mauzac, but it isn’t as conducive to making high quality sparkling wine. Our blend consists of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Pinot Noir. The high altitude of the region means the vines benefit from warm sunny days and cool nights – the perfect climate for outstanding grape quality. The

families in this region, the ones that supply us, have been growing grapes for over 500 years and for 12 uninterrupted generations. Our winemaker, Alex Cose works closely with these families who own the production facilities. He has been the head winemaker for Joseph Phelps, Peter Michael, and Mark West and is brilliant when it comes to scaling production without sacrificing quality.

Venü: Almost 5 years on, how are things going?

CH: It’s been an incredible journey. I knew absolutely nothing about the wine industry when we started First Growth Brands. A previous partner who stayed on from the original importer, taught me a lot. I put Faire la Fête in my wine bag everyday and went door to door in Southern California asking restaurants and stores to take a chance on Faire la Fête. I have never been faced with so many rejections in my sales career. I was humbled by how difficult this industry is to break into. I then quickly learned about the laws and regulations of alcohol distribution in our country, which proved to be a formidable obstacle in getting Faire la Fête placed in stores and restaurants. There is a three-tier system in the U.S., which was erected post-prohibition to prevent monopolies in the alcohol trade. That means we need to work in lock step with a distributor that holds the rights to sell our product, because as a supplier of alcohol, we

are not permitted to sell it directly to a customer. We first must sell to a distributor, and then the distributor sells it to our customers. Not having control of your own sales is a unique business challenge – but I’m proud to say we have secured a long-term national distribution contract with the country’s largest wine & spirits wholesaler: Southern Glazer’s. They have been a tremendous partner and continue to support us on our path to becoming the number one French sparkling wine brand in the U.S.

Right now, we can claim to be the fastest growing traditional French sparkling in the country. But from a small base, we still have a long way to go. Three years ago, two global alcohol industry veterans joined our Board of Directors. Andy Gibson, the former CMO of Bacardi and a number of other hugely successful alcohol brands, joined as a major shareholder and leads our marketing strategy. Ron Anderson, the former global head of sales and commercial operations for Diageo, the largest spirits company in the world, is highly involved in our sales process and strategy. He is also a major shareholder. Lastly, John and Luke McKelvey, founders of Emmy-Award winning Mirimar creative agency, came on board as major shareholders in 2021. Mirimar won the Cannes Lions Independent Ad Agency of the year in 2022.

More recently, about two years ago, we hired some incredible women to join our execution team and are now female-led. Erin Karga, Head of Sales for First Growth Brands, has spent more than 20 years in the spirits and beer industry having previously worked for Guinness and Diageo, and then Pernod Ricard. She is responsible for securing our largest national retailer to date – Kroger – among many other national & regional grocery store chains. Jackie Sylvester, Head of Marketing for First Growth Brands, joined us after a 12-year career at Terlato Wines, she managed marketing campaigns and execution for some of the most recognizable wine brands in the U.S. Finally, Samantha Altomare,

who has been with the company since inception, manages all of the logistics, inventory, warehousing, and operational functions of the business.

With this team in place, we have grown from 719 locations in 2019 to over 5000 stores and restaurants nationwide, and tripled sales since then. Our top grocer, Kroger, has placed us at eye level in over 630 stores which is the most coveted shelf space for any brand. Eye-level placements generate exponentially higher volume, and we also have the added benefit of being placed directly next to our competitors where our vibrant green label really stands out.

Venü: Where can we buy Faire la Fête?

CH: The best place to look for the closest store or restaurant is on our website, where we have a zip code locator. We are currently available for sales in 33 states, and our largest retail customers include: Kroger, Ralphs, Fry’s, Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, Meijer’s, and Safeway. And if you’re a Yankees fan, you can find us in the Legend’s Suites all season long!

If you are in the New York area, you can enjoy a glass of Faire la Fête at the Bryant Park Grille. Visiting California? See our friends at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach. And for our customers in Florida, we are available by the glass at Prime 112.

Venü: What’s next for Faire la Fête?

CH: We have big plans for Faire la Fête. My job is to secure investment and capital so we can continue to market our brand to our target consumer. We have already raised $12 Million in capital to date and will need to raise another $10-15 Million to achieve our goal of 500,000 cases sold by 2028. We have reached a point in our business where we have many places for our consumer to purchase Faire la Fête, and the last step is to generate brand awareness and educate our consumer on the benefits of Faire la Fête compared to similarly priced Proseccos and expensive Champagnes. Once we do that successfully, there’s no stopping us from becoming the number one French sparkling brand in America. Santé! ☐

Charlotte Holl, co-founder of First Growth Brands

The Art of Mixology

Have you ever wondered what inspired the signature cocktails of the places you dine? We have, which is why we are thrilled to showcase the mixers and shakers of our favorite dining venues. They have not only created cocktails that raise the bar in delicious drinks, they infuse our spirit for adventure by sending our taste buds to places we long to explore.

MŌLÌ Restaurant & Bar in Greenwich, CT

ANTHONY CARRERA, Beverage Director, www.moligreenwich.com

Anthony Carrera is a career-long hospitality professional based in the New York metro area. Having worked at some of New York City’s top cocktail bars such as Oscar Wilde, Peak, and Tavern on The Green. Today, Carrera elevates the cocktail experience at MŌLÌ in Greenwich, Connecticut. His technique mixes an exquisite focus on detail, riffs on the classics, and savory infusions.

MŌLÌ is centered around a Chinese inspired concept. That being said, I dove into extensive research throughout many regions in Asia. I’m starting with Pandan, a fragrant plant that grows wild in the Southeast, which aligns effortlessly with coconut and led me to use the cream of coconut. To elevate

the flavor profile while keeping an Asian descent, I went with lemon grass. It has the same oils as lemon but with a tangy, cooling flavor, with hints of ginger. To give it the kick it needs I selected ginger. Gin, one of my favorite spirits, is known to be versatile which allows it to pair perfectly with these ingredients. The final product is bursting with a luscious experience upon each sip.

PANDA PANDAN

pandan infused gin

cream of coconut

lemongrass shrub

lime

ginger juice

Blu on the Hudson & Blu Sushi Bar

JEREMY LE BLANCHE, Concept & Beverage Director for BLU Hospitality Group, New Jersey, www.bluonthehudson.com

Glenmorangie, 2020.

Chicago Drinks Guide: 13 Bartenders on upcoming drink trends, 2021.

Chilled: Beverage Director Jeremy Le Blanche rethinks cocktail presentation.

Eater: Thyme Bar, 2021.

NY Bucket List: Thyme Bar #4 best speakeasy in NY.

Chilled: Thyme bar cocktail program, 2021.

New York Times: Chanson Le Salon

Opening, 2021.

BEACHLESS CITY

2 oz Arbikie gin

1.5 oz beet juice

1 oz lychee & shiso cordial

1 oz lime juice

Jeremy Le Blanche is originally from Southern France’s Mediterranean Coast, in the port city of Toulon. In 2012, he started working in hospitality at the age of 22. His career launched at 5-star hotels such as La Réserve Ramatuelle and Le Byblos in St. Tropez. Le Blanche later moved to Australia and worked at L’ananas by The Argyle. He eventually returned to Europe and worked at Bar de Beau-Rivage Palace, Lausanne before relocating to London, where he refined his mixology skill at Bluebird Chelsea, The Gibson London, and German Gymnasium. In 2019 he moved to New York to open Queensyard London in Hudson Yards and later opened Thyme bar in 2020, and Chanson Le Salon in Tribeca at the end of 2021. In 2023 he opened Blu on the Hudson where he is currently working as Beverage Director. Le Blanche opened a consulting company at the end of 2022, partnering with upper-echelon brands such as Hard Rock Hotel in Time Square, London Essence, Arbikie Distillery, Tanduay, and YSL Beauty to name a few.

AWARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Eater: Jeremy Le Blanche shows you how to elevate your dessert cocktail featuring

“The inspiration behind our cocktail menu at BLU on the Hudson was to create something accessible for everyone, easy to understandbringing a touch that nobody has seen in New Jersey yet. Customers love our Silver Garden which is a unique twist on a Mojito (floral and refreshing), The Dual, a twist on an Old Fashioned (Smooth and Smoky) and last but not least, Beachless City which is more on the experimental side using fresh Beet Juice combined with shiso and Lychee flavors. All three are very different from one to the other, but also very eye appealing. I feel very lucky and blessed to have the opportunity to showcase my creativity to the U.S scene and I look forward to many more adventures.” — LE BLANCHE

JEREMY

Photo by Scott Feranda @ Eighty6

Photo by Joanna Lin @ Ready Set Jo

Bourbon Steak DC (Four Seasons)

ENGIDAWORK ALEBACHEW, Lead Bartender at Bourbon Steak DC (Four Seasons) www.bourbonsteakdc.com

A former student of bioengineering, Engidawork Alebachew hadn’t originally planned on becoming a bartender, but it was the convivial familiarity reminiscent of his big, close-knit family that initially drew Alebachew to the hospitality industry. Now he serves as Lead Bartender of the award-wining Michael Mina restaurant BOURBON STEAK anchoring Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, where his engineering training serves him well – as he is always looking to improve upon and re-design classics.

Originally from Ethiopia, Alebachew moved to the United States in 2004; several years later, he took on part-time work as a busser when BOURBON STEAK first opened in 2010. He was simultaneously juggling an education in bioengineering, a role as shift manager for a data processing company, and his work at BOURBON

STEAK. While helping out behind the bar at Michael Mina’s new American steakhouse, he often fielded questions from guests about the bar program that he had to redirect to the bartenders, before quickly deciding he wanted to study basic techniques so he could engage thoughtfully with guests. “I started working behind the bar, witnessing my mentors create mixology magic and interact with people. I love seeing the interaction between guests at the bar,” recollects Alebachew, “I knew this is where I wanted to work moving forward.” With the support and mentorship of his colleagues, Alebachew had embarked on a new career path.

In spring 2021, Alebachew was appointed Lead Bartender after rising the ranks at BOURBON STEAK for more than a decade. He’s been a familiar face behind the BOURBON STEAK BAR since

its opening, memorizing drink preferences, sharing stories and consistently improving upon his knowledge in mixology. The spring of 2021 marked another career milestone for Alebachew: it was the first time the seasonal cocktail list at the award-winning BOURBON STEAK was entirely of his own creation.

“I AM FAMOUS”

1 oz dry gin

1 oz campari

.75 oz blueberry-basil syrup

.75 oz lemon

Zardetto Prosecco

Shaken, served over Collins ice, top off with Zardetto Prosecco in a high ball glass. Garnished with blueberries.

“I was inspired by my Hotel GM’s and food beverage director’s favorite drink, the Negroni. The name started as an inside joke with my coworkers ribbing me about all the articles and social media attention that I was getting. They kept telling me that I was famous and so I made a drink called “I AM FAMOUS”.

Photo by Jennifer Chase

Photo by Jennifer Chase

Understanding Luxury As We Navigate from Harbor to Home

AND ALL THE LUXURY LIFESTYLE NEEDS IN BETWEEN

Compass Coastal is a curated division of the country’s largest Real Estate brokerage working with the nation's top performing agents in water communities.

Compass Coastal is a lifestyle brand that collaborates and curates experiences and marketing opportunities for our real estate clients and partners within the realms of luxury real estate, as well as yachts, private jets, elevated art and food.

To meet our clients’ needs and exceed their expectations our team brings each of these elevated lifestyle platforms together to offer clients a robust and complete lifestyle experience.

OUR PARTICIPATION

"Thrilled to be included in another industry and career first and even more thrilled to be doing so in partnership and collaboration with our most talented COMPASS agents across the country, particularly, Rick Distel and Rich Hopen. Having been the first agent in Connecticut to list a home for crypto currency as well as the first to close a property with an NFT attached, I relish in the opportunity to engage with the first AI bot in the country representing the most astonishing property currently on the market in Litchfield County, Connecticut."

— Susan Vanech

NEWPORT BEACH INT'L BOAT SHOW

Photo by Jake Fabricius

Photo by Brian Spurr

Litchfield County | 9.5

HEDGEROW, GREENWICH, CT

Risveglio # 02

Threads of Encouragement

BY KAMI SLOAN

ased on the disciplines of textile manipulation and material interpolation, Florentine-trained artist, and designer Caterina Roppo’s process of constructing new shapes from Jacquard filaments is a tapestry of structural temperaments that collide between the realistic and virtual space. Venü explores the aesthetic of her emotional veracity and dimensional perception in projects: Trayma & Digital.

VENÜ: In each of the works of Trayma, can you refer to what distress or emotion you were feeling at the time? Some pieces look more distressed than others, while others feel like you were peeling back the layers of anxiety, trepidation, and grief.

CR: The project’s intention started from my intimate thoughts to communicate my world to the user; those who observe the works connect with a landscape, an emotion, and the three-dimensionality of a thought. The different analog series have been designed to go through the awakening phases in a circular rather than linear time so that whoever looks at the work can go through the penetration of the journey with their own acumen that leads to the point of connection and ultimately their own feelings. The titles of the analog works express the passages I went through to arrive at my own self-discovery.

VENÜ: Can you describe the process of how you work with materials. Is it more of a tactile response or do you connect with them on a deeper level?

CR: My work starts from a profound movement linked to my conscious and subconscious and moves on to

elaborating a natural and unnatural material. My experimentation faces various challenges, the interpretation of three-dimensional space, the suspension of it, as well as the challenge of pictorial experimentation in the womb of the fabric.

VENÜ: What kind of materials were you using through your digital works? Were they done using a 3D printer?

CR: My work is composed of the digital and analog series, both equally significant to me; the digital part currently lives in the digital hemisphere, and the analog part lives through the tissue media combined with the paint bleeding. No 3D printer was used to make any of the series; the 3D effect is achieved with a technique of pulling the yarn through the weave of the fabric, which reacts to heat.

VENÜ: Are your digital works also based upon a traumatic experience, or were you inspired by the fenestration of the materials to evoke a visceral response?

CR: The digital series is part of Trayma’s story, exactly like the analog series, dealing with the experience of

Speranza xx080

trauma in emotional awakening through immersion. Artificial intelligence allowed me to enter a visceral analysis through an intimate and profound dialogue.

VENÜ: Once your works are completed, do you see them as a distant memory of what you went through, or are they a reminder of your journey and progress?

CR:  In the relationship with my works, I feel an indelible red thread, which sees them always connected with me but free to travel the world. Their strength and power are to free other people from the weight of inner wounds, as happened to me. I have a strong protective instinct, which sees each work accompanied by a completely different twin, but for me, this bond is free, without limits of space or time.

“Going through fear, pain, and loss through the action of awakening is an act that can change perception: without present, without past, only future.”

- CATERINA ROPPO.

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Top right - RESPIRO XX010

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TRAYMA

CRITICAL TEXT BY CURATOR MICHELE SPINELLI

The Greek word “trayma” means a puncture, a piercing, a wound; it is used to signify a tear in the tissue of the human body, a laceration that distorts the body. Artist and designer Caterina Roppo finds inspiration in this by using fabric, interpreting it as a body in which its weave becomes an epidermis.

“Trayma” takes on different meanings and Roppo, with her visual art project, is driven to approach it as a wound that cuts off the flow of her existence, thereby

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Right - VOLUME # 01

altering it. The substance of the trauma is not the pain itself, but the feeling of helplessness that engenders a dominant concern: the uncertainty of overcoming it. Thus, the artist explores ways to come to terms with grief and how to reach peace – and reconciliation - with those places that have caused this emotion.

Pain, as the artist states quite succinctly, “is the haven of insight into one’s own soul”, hence the process of healing begins through an image and the creative

journey becomes an aesthetic reconciliation. This work has two distinct souls: one modern and public, the other ancient and familiar.

By capturing the aesthetics, starting with the image, from the recollection and understanding of pain through matter, the work is approached through textiles, an organic material that is part of nature and symbolically, like stone, inorganic and imperfect, it is a wound on a monolith frame: over time the wound scars its surface and yet it always remains solid. On observing “Trayma”, it is easier to ask the question raised by Wolfram Eilenberger in his short philosophical handbook: (¿Sufren las piedras?) “Can stones suffer?”

Stone has been the preferred material of early architecture since prehistoric megalithic constructions, such as dolmens and menhirs, dating back to the 3rd millennium B.C., ever present in the memory of all

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the artist’s fellow citizens. Italian heritage in this case is construed as a collective memory as well as cultural heritage. The works of art that make up the collection are a succession of awe-inspiring signs, lights, and volumes. The workmanship involved in the creative process combines different techniques to achieve the three-dimensionality of natural fabrics. The emblematic feature of this collection is the filament-like effect of exquisite fabrics. A type of workmanship - “flotté” - leaves these filaments loose, adding an all-organic appearance to this inspired idea of using viscose and rayon with complex Jacquard patterns.

The fabric designs are by no means accidental and are a faithful transcription of images that have influenced the artist in various specific places. The natural and otherworldly element linked to a place, the “genius loci” or its guardian spirit, acquires its most ancient meaning. By identifying the concept of the “inner essence” of a

place, which we can, very simply, define as its spirit and the protective deity of every place, is used by the artist to seek out imperfections, the exfoliation of plaster on stone, and are the main source of a new-found beauty. ☐

www.caterinaroppo.com

Bartolomeo Sastre @bartomeusastre

Matteo de Nando @_rn8p_

Alessio Anastasi @livido_altrove

“To conceive that the scar is the point where the light enters me, I have crossed many places, which live in different dimensions of space and time: Human, emotional, sensitive, and sometimes terrifying dimensions. With Trayma, I finally accept that light is not a stable condition, but in motion.”

- CATERINA ROPPO.

BY KAMI SLOAN

An Instinctual Edge

Stephen Webster’s Rocks of Ages

“I’ll paint you moments of gold, I’ll spin you Valentine evenings.”

— DAVID BOWIE

VENÜ: How did you define yourself as an artist or jewelry designer?

SW: As a jeweler.

VENÜ: What part of the design process is authentic to you, and what do you distinguish as a human luxury?

SW: Well, when we speak about being authentic to our process, I usually begin with a story. I don’t start with a spectacle that doesn’t have a basis or a narrative that I can refer to. On many occasions, my team has expressed that if I don’t provide them with a recount of the vision, they will feel lost in what we need to achieve. The long and short of it is that I don’t just pull something from thin air. I’ve got to have a feeling of

what I’m effectuating. I suppose the greatest pleasure of being a jeweler is knowing my pieces start a conversation. You see, it’s a personal never-ending dialogue that gets discussed around my clients. I love that people find something in my pieces that demonstrates a point of connection and provokes a conversational exchange at a dinner party or pillow talk between couples. People want to know about the process, the story behind it, and why something exists, they want to know more about its origins, the sustainability of its materials, and where it comes from? I think that when you’re readily able to converse this way, it results in a considerable advantage in a world full of products. I would hate to make jewelry that was just about the parts. “What’s the clarity of the diamond? What is the carat weight?” OMG, I would have given up years ago. I feel that’s where authenticity lies.

SW:  To answer your question about what luxury is … Spending a weekend in my garden. I don’t think luxury is necessarily tangible. It certainly gives you pleasure and is rarified in some way. We all live very hectic lives. In the last month, I’ve traveled to several countries as a jeweler. I love it; it’s what I do, it’s exhausting! It’s the simplicity of being in my garden and being with my family that I don’t get to do when I’m on the road. But then again, I also value material things when it’s something I feel connected to.

VENÜ: Speaking about sustainability, I’d like to hear more about your point of view and environmental concerns. You’re a bit of an environmentalist and activist. How did this come about?

SW:  I feel that it has been a very long journey. As an industry, we rely on things initially coming from the ground. Take gold or silver, for instance; even platinum; at its core, it comes from the ground. Gemstones, the same, and so on. From an environmental standpoint and my general perspective of the industry, we shouldn’t do any of it. I realized that I should know more about the materials I use daily. The industry became aware that there was currency in conflict and trade policy. This was before the movie Blood Diamonds. You might say its been going on longer than the last twenty years we’ve heard about. When I became aware of the atrocities of the child soldiers recruited for the Angolan civil war for the sake of diamonds, I was horrified to understand what I was supporting and contributing to by being a jeweler.

Photography by Rankin

In those days, there were not many places you could turn to for advice. The first thing I did was join Amnesty International.  “They gave you the lowdown on the criminal responsibilities and the complexities of human trafficking. I said to myself that there must be another way.” This is what initiated my exploration and research of the materials. This was also when the industry had to get with  The Kimberley Process (KP) and commit to removing conflict diamonds from the global supply chain.

SW:  Nonetheless, it didn’t speak about the impacts of mining. Gold became my big thing as it was the one material, I used every day. I started to investigate ways you could utilize gold less harmfully. In a nutshell, I connected with a group called  Solidaridad which has exponentially grown into an international network organization whose ecosophy is to make sustainability the norm throughout the global supply chain, educate and enable farmers and workers to earn a decent income, and harmonize with the balance of nature. They were the forerunner in the interests of gold fair trade. My curiosity got the better of me, and I went to Peru with them and literally saw barren wastelands in the mountains

where miners of artisanal gold were using the most prehistoric and unfathomable practices to support their families and existing on a dollar a day, not to mention the life-threatening impact of using mercury. It was an emotional awakening for me. At the time, the group was making headway in the villages. Everyone asked me in Spanish, “What is a jeweler doing in our mine?” The guide from Solidaridad would tell them, and I shook their hands. It was an extraordinary experience. When I returned to London, The Guardian did an article on it as it was quite unusual. I spoke at Basel about my experience, and I was criticized for discussing the supply chain and the knowledge I gained. Fast forward, vital questions about seeking better alternatives have stuck with me within my practice. When I think something isn’t right, I avoid it.

SW: If I can help someone make a change, I will. Not to imply in an NGO way, as that’s bigger than I can be, but with my suppliers, I help them look at other choices. At first, there was reluctance because it meant change. Now, people want to know how we can be better? If you can’t answer basic questions about your business practices, you haven’t got very long to stay in business. Something that was somewhat disruptive is now a ROCKET GIRL

JOIE DE VIVRE

great business move. I just came downstairs from a packaging meeting to do this interview with you. We discussed how packaging can be more sustainable and still feel luxurious?

VENÜ: Most people use the term sustainable loosely. I don’t even like the word anymore.

SW: I concur. I read an article a couple of days ago on a woman who runs an influential business, and she said, “That with all the words that abound us, transparency, has become my big hate word.” I think it’s because of what you said. It’s so easy to say we’re offering more transparency. What exactly does that mean?

VENÜ: I see that you’re heavily influenced and attracted by the musical genre of Rock and Roll as it permeates within your collections. What artists have inspired you?

SW: I can go back to why I attended art school. You go to art school and meet people that are creatively different and take up fine art, this, and that, and then you meet and form a band. Although I didn’t want to be in a band, I was 15 when I left high school and went to art school to become a fashion designer. I really liked fashion, and I could draw. I very quickly discovered the bigger world of art school. The craft of jewelry-making looked more interesting to me than fashion. It wasn’t about design, but the skill and focus required to be a jewelry designer. We were young and didn’t have precious materials, and in a grubby way, we would put together what felt like treasure.

By the time you finished polishing and finishing, you felt like you had something. I was obsessed! My tutor, a dear friend, expressed that my enthusiasm was

contagious. The year was 1976 - my gifted infatuation for jewelry design collided with my love of music and the punk scene. I spent my weekends on King’s Road. ‘Let it Rock’ was one of the first Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren shops. I met my friends who were in the Sex Pistols and The Clash. David Bowie and Roxy Music are some of my musical heroes. I also embraced Dancehall Reggae which is an early adoption of Jamaican Reggae. I’ve got a massive vinyl collection of records. They’re not all old. I still buy records.

VENÜ: There’s nothing better than hearing the needle on the record.

SW: Ironically enough, both of my daughters are in high demand with gigs, bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, birthday parties, etc. It’s funny as it started as a hobby during COVID, and we’d broadcast it from our kitchen. During Christmas last year, my family and I vacationed in Jamaica, and my daughters brought their boyfriends. We all love that type of scene. I guess it’s in the blood!

VENÜ: We’d like to hear more about your COCKTALES book – A HEDONISTIC HISTORY OF THE RIGHT-HAND RING. There’s a juxtaposition about how you marinate the fragility of the pieces and the strength of the women

MAKING WAVES

your rings are inspired by.

SW: I’m not only married to a woman of conviction, but every senior position within my company is a woman –I predominantly ended up this way. When I joined the industry in the 70s, the workshop was catered to men. It soon became evident that a new jeweler was in town and had a uniquely feminine approach. Let’s just say I never thought along the lines of gender; I leaned toward the aesthetic. For 15 years, I was either training or working for other people. I needed to express myself, and in 1990 Stephen Webster was born. I wanted to make jewelry that I would wear and what I’d like to see others wearing. Suddenly, I was selling jewelry to women. I was also selling jewelry to men, but they were novices in comparison. Women wanted something that felt edgy, provocative, and seductive - Rock and Roll. This was when 95% of jewelry was sold to women – gifts and engagements. At Bergdorf Goodman, I remember the sales associates saying, “It’s amazing that your clients are all the people who wear your jewelry.” I mean, if someone wants their jewelry statement to serve as a back seat, they’re not my client.

“Women know what they like. You start to pick up a woman’s essence of who she is, the idea of what she wants, what she wears, and what she can get away with.”

VENÜ: How did you choose the woman in your book, the jewelry pieces, and the mixology that went with the collection?

SW: There are two things here. – The idea of the cocktail ring has been with me since 1983, when I designed a ring for Elizabeth Taylor. Talk about strong women. I loved the idea because it was a ring to enjoy. Women purchase my rings because they don’t come with a man, a commitment, or a baby. For a woman to wear a ring on her right hand sent a big message, like during the prohibition movement when you went to speakeasies. I wanted to tell the story of the cocktail ring, and I thought the marination of both was a perfect pairing. A little secretive- a little daring. I was so taken with the idea that we opened the NO REGRETS LOUNGE in Nashville, Tennessee. What could be better than jewelry, music, and old-fashioned martinis?

www.stephenwebster.com

Screaming Blue Murder

1 lime wedge

Coarse or granulated sugar

Ice Cubes

¼ cup cranberry juice

1 oz Crystal Head vodka

1 oz blue curacao

Moisten rim of chilled martini glass with lime wedge. Sprinkle sugar onto a small plate, and dip moistened rim into the sugar to coat lightly.

Fill cocktail shaker with ice, add cranberry juice, vodka, curacao and lime juice; cover and shake.

Strain into martini glass.

LADY MACBETH

Co-Founder, Monica Stevens, with Naomi the lamb and Tacoma the cat

Photo by: Thomas Machowicz

MONICA STEVENS & JAMESON HUMANE

All Animals Deserve to be Happy

BY CINDY CLARKE

Ibought my daughter a t-shirt a few years ago penned with the picture of a whimsically faced happy dog and the words, “I just want to drink wine and rescue dogs.” It made us both laugh because one, she had rescued her dog from sure death on the streets of Guatemala when she was working there for a non-profit and two, we love to share a glass of wine together after a particularly challenging day or a particularly great one.

We’re not alone in these pursuits, of course, given that some 4.1 million dogs and cats in the United States are adopted each year from the 10,000+ animal rescue organizations, not to mention the domesticated farm animals that are finding their way to greener pastures thanks to a growing network of animal sanctuaries. In fact, during the pandemic, more folks opened their homes to furry friends, attesting to the love people

have for their pets.

As for our love of wine, the United States is heralded as among the most attractive wine markets in the world and the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France. California takes the lead in US wine production, with Napa Valley

reigning as the American capital for wine. Dating back to the early nineteenth century, Napa has produced world-class wines that compete with the most elite wineries worldwide.

Napa is also home to one of the most progressive animal sanctuaries in the county, Jameson Humane, founded by a wine merchant duo, David and Monica Stevens, who know quite a lot about drinking wine and rescuing dogs. Jameson Humane is a 501(c) (3) non-profit, impact-driven rescue organization dedicated to inspire change in the way we treat animals, furred, feathered, two-and four-footed, hoofed, webbed, pawed and precious.

According to Monica, a critical component to the Jameson Humane story is the wine shop she and her husband opened in 2009, two years after she moved from Chicago to Napa with her beloved rescue dog, Jameson,

A goat in the Animal Parade Photo by: Seymour & McIntosh

one of many dogs she has adopted over the years. Branded 750 Wines by these astute marketers, because “most wines come in 750 ml bottles,” the shop became one of the most respected wine shops in the valley thanks to the loyal support of their clients and impressive industry connections. 750 Wines took off, gaining national recognition for curating collections that had connoisseurs popping corks and pouring vintages from smaller-scale artisan producers as well as the biggest names in domestic and international wines, while clamoring for more. The former co-owner of ACME Fine Wines, David had an industry-wide reputation for being one of the most influential wine insiders, making him the man to know for “turning up seemingly impossible-to-find bottles, and in slipping their clients behind the velvet ropes for private winery visits” as one Forbes reporter wrote.

“We would host tailored private tastings

with wines from the top vintners in the world and our clients loved them. They would sit around the tasting table, sipping wine and talking about animals and the pets they loved,” explained Monica, an expert in PR, event planning and hospitality, talents she honed in Chicago, at the elite Poetry Inn in Napa Valley, and in her own concierge business. These tastings were such a hit that they inspired a new venture, Jameson Humane.

“I started to get really excited about what we were seeing and hearing at our tastings. The conversations about animals were a constant subject and we knew we had a captive audience for both our passions: wine and animals. That’s when Jameson Humane

happened,” Monica explained.

“We wanted to give back and thought that we would just start a rescue and adopt the animals out. We rescued all kinds of domestic animals, including chickens, pigeons, cows, horses, bunnies, goats, sheep, dogs and cats. We had no idea what we were doing but we did have the strength and support of the wine industry behind us,” said Monica.

As astute business people, they knew they needed to raise money to sustain their rescue. They decided to host an annual wine auction event, cleverly called WineaPAWlooza, featuring an adorable and adoptable pet parade with all proceeds going to Jameson Humane. Their first event was in 2014 and they invited

Photo by: Seymour & McIntosh

Mr. Moo the pig and his guardian

The Animal Parade

Photo by: Seymour & McIntosh

Donkey in the Animal Parade

Photo by: Seymour & McIntosh

their 750 Wines clients and vendors, who opened their hearts, wallets and wine bottles for a cause they all cared about.

Success is part talent, part luck and all about timing. In 2015, the people and pets of Napa Valley were impacted by the first of many devastating wildfires. Homes and farms burned, animals were left behind, and lives and livelihoods went up in smoke.

“When our clients first heard about Jameson Humane, they thought it was such a nice thing that we were doing. We didn’t have an animal sanctuary in Napa Valley back then. But after the fires hit, our donors saw us jump into action. They saw that we were actually helping and their donations were important. They really believed in us after that.”

Fires and floods continued to take their toll as Jameson took in animals uprooted by the natural disasters, horses, cows and pigs among them, along with an ever-growing number of neglected, abused and homeless pets. “We had to jump into the fray and be resourceful, Monica shared. “We had to make magic happen, not once or twice, but each time we received the call!”

“It’s a community effort,” she told me, saying that Jameson is now run by a small but mighty dedicated group of people, including

volunteers, who care about what they are doing. And it goes beyond simply rescuing and rehoming their charges. It’s about sustainability, maintaining a healthy planet, educating people about animal welfare and effecting change.

“What we figured out is that we can’t rescue our way out of the problem. We knew we had to change people’s mindset. We

needed programs to help keep pets with their people so they’re not going to a shelter. So we started creating educational programs and that’s what we’re known for today. It’s not just about adopting dogs or cats. It’s about keeping you and your pet together. We try to keep pets out of the shelter in the first place. It’s also about about rescuing horses and farm animals and telling the public why we’re

Photo by: Emma K. Morris WineaPAWlooza 2022 guests gather for panel conversation

Co-Founders, Monica & David Stevens, Jameson Humane

Photo by: Emma K. Morris

doing this when they come to visit Jameson. After seeing the animals and learning more about them, people start to connect the dots and view all animals as sentient beings. People are listening and now we’ve started a plant-based, environmental movement.”

Monica’s dream for Jameson Humane is to educate the public, encouraging vegan options for a healthier and cruelty-free lifestyle, explaining the importance of spaying and neutering animals and stressing how critical health care is for their pets. Her efforts have secured a donated mobile veterinary unit that not only spays, neuters and vaccinates animals, but is also equipped to handle emergency surgeries for a fraction of the costs charged by other veterinarians. Medical expenses are a big factor in people’s decision to surrender their pets so they try to offer them affordable alternatives to the extent possible.

It’s a tall order to try to change people’s perspectives but Monica’s dedication to her pet cause only gets stronger with time. Her annual wine fundraiser has become one of the most sought-after events in Napa Valley, with a coveted invitation-only guest list that brings together some of the most influential names in wine with people who, dare I say it, like to drink wine and rescue dogs – along

with many other animals of all kinds.

To date, Jameson Humane provides shelter to some 90+ animals in nine different species, many of them cats that are often relegated to the bottom of the barrel in terms of animal control priorities. Most of their animal charges are available for rehoming if adoptees meet certain criteria, including an in-person home check and an enforceable adoption contract.

“We are serious about securing permanent and suitable homes for our residents but some of the animals we rescue will live out their lives with us,” Monica told me. They include Fabio and Cher, a mini horse and pony, ages 17 and 18 respectively, both victims of the Kincade/Sonoma fire. The pair now serves as ambassadors for Jameson’s equine program, which costs Jameson a staggering $10,000 per month for their horse herd’s care and feeding – their nine buddies include five seniors, four adult horses and a young gelding. Sponsors are welcome to help in their support as well as the care of their other fostered friends.

It's not easy to place pigs who like to wallow in the mud in a new home, but Monica told me that Jameson's protected piggies each have a winning personality and a big appetite for being loved. Their sheep

love human attention too as do their “lawn puppies,” Duke and Delilah, who were raised on a beef farm before boarding at Jameson when their owners went vegan! While they are looking for a forever home in a large pasture, it’s no secret that the Jameson staff would be sad to see them go.

“The high school kids who participate in California’s 4H-type programs feel the same,” Monica explained. “Traditionally, school-based agricultural programs like 4H and FFA attract generational participants who are well-versed about their family’s age-old farming practices involving animals. But today’s students are different. They’re passionate about the environment and sustainability, and they are not hesitant to tell you what their thoughts are. Many are reluctant to send the animals they raised to the auction house and on to the slaughter house in return for a monetary reward. Leaders in Ethics, Animals and the Planet (LEAP) was formed as an alternative program for these kids, which ensures a humane win-win for everyone.”

Individual sanctuaries in California believe in Jameson’s LEAP initiative so much that they commit to five to six scholarship students a year. Rescuing farm animals originally raised for meat and rehoming them in safe

Vintners Carlo Mondavi & Giovanna Bagnasco

Photo by Emma K. Morris

Photo by: Monica Stevens Jameson, Jameson Humane's namesake

Photo: Seymour & McIntosh

sanctuaries are mushrooming around the country, with many small family ranchers seeking new, plant-based produce alternatives to make a living.

“We are thrilled that our LEAP program now has six participating sanctuaries with the addition of Herd and Flock, Goatlandia, and Charlie’s Acres! Founded by three non-profit animal sanctuaries in Northern California –Jameson Humane, Blackberry Creek, and Rancho Compasión – we are transforming LEAP into its own non-profit in 2023 to begin a movement to reach youth across the country. This new education program offers students hands-on farmed and domestic animal care experience, humane education, and the opportunity to earn $1,000 by volunteering at participating animal sanctuaries.”

Their ideas for saving the planet, people and pets are endless, gaining momentum with every rescue they undertake. Due to all the work involved in their efforts, Monica and David sold their wine shop in 2021 to devote

more of their time and attention to Jameson, but to this day people in California still talk about it. That’s another one of the secrets to the unabashed success of their annual fundraiser, WineaPAWlooza.

“Our clients, donors and vintners understand commitment. We grew our business on our dedication to showcasing the world’s finest wines, fostering trust and community along the way. The vintners trust us and our 750 Wines clients who are now donors trust us. We built our rescue movement on

their shoulders. They all love the pizzazz of WineaPAWalooza. They love to have a good time but they also know that they are there to support an organization that thinks globally. This isn’t just about Napa Valley. It’s about how we can make an impact around the globe for the benefit of animals, humans and our planet.”

Monica credits her husband David with setting the stage for Jameson, thanks to his ardent desire to help area winemakers get their feet wet in the wine industry. “He would take them under his wing, talk to them about pricing and merchandising and advise them on how to successfully launch their brand. He was always giving back to the community too and is a strong believer in paying it forward. Doing the right thing is rooted in his DNA and is the guiding force behind Jameson Humane.”

The fact that Jameson Humane was named in honor of Monica’s huge 180 lb. Great Pyrenees speaks volumes about her steadfast vision for the future. No matter how big or challenging the undertaking, when it comes to making animals – and wine drinkers – happy, Monica and Jameson are all in. ☐

www.jamesonanimalrescueranch.org

Volunteers and guests at WineaPAWlooza

Guests enjoying WineaPAWlooza with their pup

Monica Stevens, Jameson Humane; Erin Gort, Miyoko's Creamery; Tamearra Dyson, Souley Vegan; Maia Keerie, Good Food Institute; Brian Cooley, CNET

Photo Credit: Emma K. Morris;

Photo by: Emma K. Morris

Photo by: Emma K. Morris

Photo by: Seymour & McIntosh

GREGORY

Photo by Alex LLobet

Giving a versatile voice to his velvet violin

BY CINDY CLARKE

Just the mere thought of interviewing world-renowned violinist Gregory Harrington put a song in my heart. He is, after all, an acclaimed virtuoso who debuted his considerable talents in New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall 20 years ago to rave reviews, and continues to disarm and charm audiences with his spellbinding renditions of classic compositions and contemporary songs. His is a career of passion, a childhood dream come true and a life’s calling that has become infinitely richer with time.

HARRINGTON

I had the pleasure of speaking with him a few weeks before his 20th Anniversary concert at Carnegie Hall, a not surprisingly sold-out performance in a celebrated venue where all the greats aspire to play. Since it opened in 1891, Carnegie Hall has set the standard for musical excellence and has showcased the world’s finest artists, from Tchaikovsky and Bartók to Gershwin, Garland, the Beatles and more. Legendary violinist Isaac Stern not only graced Carnegie Hall with more than 250 performances, its main auditorium was named in his honor after he led a campaign to save the building from destruction back in the 1960s. Israeli-American virtuoso violinist Itzhak Perlman has played here countless times since 1963; his name is emblazoned on the stage in 2,804 seat Stern Auditorium. Benny Goodman brought swing to Carnegie in 1938. Duke Ellington debuted jazz in the hallowed hall in 1943. Frank Sinatra crooned love songs to bobbysoxer audiences in 1945 and Judy Garland wowed the crowd in 1961. Dave Brubeck recorded a highly acclaimed live jazz album in Carnegie in 1963. Rock and roll greats rocked the Hall too, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Byrds, the Doors, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young and more among them, appealing to

a younger audience who screamed their adoration to their musical idols. As testament to his violin versatility, in addition to honoring classical compositions with skillful reverence, Gregory honors their music in creative violin arrangements that never fail to inspire new audiences.

Isaac Stern once famously remarked “Everywhere in the world, music enhances a hall, with one exception: Carnegie Hall enhances the music.” When Gregory first strolled on stage in Carnegie’s

Photo by Gary Sandor

“Any time you perform live, you get just a moment to take the audience member on a journey.”

Photo by Lalo Torres

intimate Weill Recital Hall with his prized violin in hand on February 17, 2003, he was the first Irish violinist to play a full-length solo debut there. His music was classical, his delivery exceptional. He has returned to play Carnegie Hall several times since, wowing his audiences with performances that not only enhanced his music, but enriching it in ways that made him a favorite of music aficionados of all genres and interests.

“Any time you perform live, you get just a moment to take the audience member on a journey. If I have one person that I can change through my music, then it’s job done. I spend years trying to create a very authentic experience for the listener through my visual lens. Every note has to capture their imagination and make

a connection. If I can bring the emotion that I feel into the piece that I’m going to play and find those moments where you just want to tell the story, you let perfection go. It’s about pure emotion for me and the concertgoers. That’s when you create a very unique audience experience.”

Greg told me that it’s difficult to make that personal connection outside of a live performance, but I beg to differ. Before we spoke, I dutifully did my research. I read articles and poured through interviews, clicking on his music links to hear what his audiences rave about. I listened to his classical arrangements – he channels Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Mozart and more with virtuoso precision and crossed over into his modern-day compositions, jazz, blues, haunting movie scores and traditional American music among them, giving new voice to works by legendary songwriters. While doing so, I became entranced, engaged and not a little soul seduced, wanting not to keep this discovery all to myself, but to show it off where the

Photo by Emilio Moscoso

world could listen. If he had the power to move me on my computer, imagine what it would be like to hear him in person.

Ithink a live experience is something to be treasured,” he said, explaining that so many people today are intent on capturing life through the lens of their phone, chronicling moments in digital takes that are better experienced with eyes and heart open. “They miss the absolute magic of the moment when they view concerts simply through videos. You can’t feel the tangible electricity that’s in the room when you’re not there.”

And tangible experiences for his audiences are his goal.

“No matter what song I do, whether it’s Johnny Cash or Nine Inch Nails or Puccini, it’s about holding the audience member with the longest line possible to grab their attention and not letting go until the very last note. I strive to deliver the absolute best representation of the love a composer has for the emotion he’s feeling when he writes a piece. My job is to recreate that emotion in its purest sense.”

To that end, Harrington spends years arranging and rearranging the pieces he chooses for his performances, listening to songs that inspire him a hundred times and then a hundred times more, owning notes that surprise, seduce and soothe with a seamless change of his bow and slowing down his delivery to make that unforgettable, ultimately confident connection with his audience.

“It’s all about preparation and visualization. I play a piece over and over again until I can play it perfectly six times in a row before I feel good enough to include it in a concert. If I mess up on the fifth time, I have to start again and keep going until I get it right all six times.”

“It’s all about preparation and visualization. I play a piece over and over again until I can play it perfectly six times in a row before I feel good enough to include it in a concert”.

It takes stamina to do what he does in every concert, along with the confidence that comes with knowing you’re prepared to perform your best. “I will never confuse stage fright with butterflies when, for example, the main door of Carnegie Hall opens and you walk out there with the feeling that you own the space. If you’re not prepared, though, you’ll have nerves. I think the most powerful feeling was standing on stage in the main hall in Carnegie and just before I began to play, I had the unconscious realization that every idol I’ve ever had musically has stood right where I was standing.”

There’s an oft-told story about what it takes to get to Carnegie Hall. I’m over-simplifying it here but it goes something like this. A woman, lost in New York City, happened upon violinist Jascha Heifetz –who not only happens to be Gregory’s longtime idol, he was his teacher’s, Erick Friedman’s, teacher – and asked him how to get to Carnegie Hall. He famously replied,

“Practice, practice, practice.”

Which Gregory, like so many who have risen to the top of their game, does relentlessly, regularly and repeatedly. He started playing the violin when he was four years old, after hearing an unexpected string quartet at an Irish horse show in his hometown of Dublin. He was drawn to the sound of the violin and spent his youth learning how to play it at the Royal Irish Academy. He took lessons every Saturday, from nine until six, playing with an accompanist, studying theory, ear training, music history and tackling technique and technical nuances until he could make his instrument sing with every stroke of the bow.

He entered his first competition when he was about 10, winning the top prize for his efforts. “Bear in mind,” he told me, “I was probably the only entrant. I played this really ambitious piece and although I bludgeoned it, I absolutely loved performing. At 10, I think I was just feeling the raw passion and it thrilled me. It wasn’t until I was 27 performing with a major orchestra when for the very first time, everything absolutely clicked. Ironically, I played the same piece that night with the orchestra. I remember feeling that everything completely slowed down and I was in control of the space. I could feel the room, talk, tell a story, make them laugh.”

For the last twenty years, he’s been doing just that. He has starred in concert halls and landmark venues around the world, jet setting across oceans from one continent to the next, transforming lives and touching hearts with his music, one audience and countless fans at a time. He’s played the national anthem for thousands in the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field, and millions more heard him play when he appeared on NBC’s TV broadcast of New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. Through his music, he’s met and entertained all living Irish presidents, US Presidents

“That’s what life is really all about; it’s about those beautiful moments that touch someone, now and forever.”

Photo by Daniel

D'Ottavio

Biden and Clinton, celebrities and heads of state, from the United Nations to the White House, showcasing his music in the kind of intimate moments that inspired a then Vice President Biden to remark, “if I had your talent, I would be president.” But it was his invitation to perform for the Irish Rugby Team at Soldiers Field that literally moved Gregory to tears.

Some of the rugby players had seen me perform at a corporate event and asked me to play for the squad on the eve of the performance. The IRFU (Irish Rugby Football Union) asked me to play the Irish National Anthem at Soldiers Field for their highly anticipated match against the New Zealand All Blacks. I am a rugby fanatic so for me this was utopia and probably the most nervous I felt for any performance. The Irish Rugby Team beat the All Blacks that day for first time in our history in 111 years. It was a momentous day on many levels not the least of which was the anthem itself. There is something incredibly powerful about 65,000 people singing your national anthem while you play the violin.”

There’s also something incredibly empowering about touching that one person with your music, especially when it’s your own father. Gregory’s dad attended so many of his son’s performances no matter where in the world they took him.

“He was this beacon of enthusiasm who loved the music and showed me that you can define what you want to be and just be it. It was phenomenal. He was old school and would write personal notes to people he met as he was traveling to my concerts. I, in turn, would sometimes hear from those people who told me how much my dad enjoyed those concerts and the beautiful moments they held. I remember every seat he sat in before he passed away and I feel him still every time I walk out on to a stage.”

“That’s what life is really all about; it’s about those beautiful moments that touch someone, now and forever,” he said.

If you are lucky enough to score tickets to one of Gregory’s performances, you’ll experience a lifetime of beautiful moments in just one evening. From classical masterpieces that have wowed royalty to traditional Irish music, American jazz, alternative rock and more, he is redefining everything you thought you knew a violinist could do. Lean in as he whispers stringed songs that seduce your soul. Tune in as you recognize popular works by legendary songwriters and singers like Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift and U2. Succumb to evocative solos that cross new musical boundaries to take your breath away. And remember where you were when an extraordinary Irish violinist changed your perception of music forever.

About the Artist

Gregory Harrington is a Dublin-born Irish violinist who has performed as a soloist to international renown with esteemed orchestras and conductors in concert halls around the world. Schooled in violin in Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States, he has taught Masterclasses in conservatories and universities in Mexico, China, Shanghai and Columbia. When he is not practicing or performing, he teaches violin, motivational speaking and musical leadership throughout the United States, using his performance expertise to inspire presentation excellence for a variety of clientele. A Billboard charting artist, in 2006 he founded Estile Records where he has released six critically acclaimed albums to date. Current projects include penning a book entitled Melodic Leadership. ☐

Presented by the Irish Repertory Theatre, Gregory Harrington’s 20th Anniversary concert in Carnegie Hall on February 16, 2023, journeyed from the violin and piano repertoire of Brahms and Bazzini to arrangements for strings and percussion originally performed by Led Zepplin and the Cranberries with additional works from Brubeck, Piazzolla, Reinhardt, Chopin and more. Like all of his performances, it was a night to remember with music you’ll not easily forget.

THE LIVING ART OF

DENA

BY CINDY CLARKE

LYONS

WARMTH, oil and wax on canvas, 48" x 58"

HOPE, oil and wax on canvas, 60" x 78"

FIERY MAPLE oil and wax on canvas, 72" x 72"

ith homes in two of the most glamorous seaside playgrounds in the world, artist Dena Lyons is not only living the life, she’s reinventing it for those of us who, dare I admit it, literally dream of being her. Born and raised in south Florida, Dena favors places where foliage and flowers bloom all year round, reveling in colorful landscapes that blanket her surroundings and ultimately pose for her painted canvases.

Turquoise Maya, caftan

“I love color and everything colorful,” she told me, sharing that she got her hands wet in preschool as a prolific two-year-old finger painter. “It was my favorite activity.”

She painted throughout her elementary and middle school years, graduating from finger painting to working in pastels, oils, watercolors and, for a time, ceramics. Her talent was her ticket to Dreyfoos School of the Arts in Palm Beach, and later the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago, consistently ranked among the top ten art and design schools in the world. It also earned her a Merit Scholarship to the Marchutz School of Painting and Drawing in Aix-en-Provence.

The artist Paul Cézanne put Aix on the map in the early 20th century when he painted the town and the landscapes around fabled Mont Sainte-Victoire in the post-Impressionistic style that launched a movement. Taking his easel outside where the ever-changing light in Provence provided fertile ground for creative exploration, his paintings merged nature and memory to create colorful sensations that conveyed emotion,

meaning and movement. Similarly, Vincent van Gogh, found his inspiration in southern France, expressing his talent in bold colors that blossom in brilliant strokes. Which is a lot like Dena’s living art. A tantalizing tableau of floral finery, her work takes shape in trees, plants and flowering gardens that whisper timeless sentiments, uniquely fresh and forever young and vibrant.

“I was a 19-year-old college student on a summer art scholarship the first time I visited Provence. Van Gogh was definitely a huge influence for me, as are other Impressionist artists as far as their use of color goes,” she remembers.

She returned to France after her graduation from college, bought a van and spent five years painting the countryside before moving back to Chicago for a time. But France had cast its spell on her, eventually leading her to Monaco, where she has lived for the past 11 years.

“It is very safe and beautiful in the French villages in the south of France, with magnificent old villas and hand-tiled building facades that inspire the artist in me. I painted these historic places when I first came to

France, eventually garnering attention from the media and locals who thanked me for ‘saving their patrimony.’ At the time, developers were knocking down the old buildings to put up modern skyscrapers and people were commissioning me to paint their families and villas before they were gone. I kept returning to France from Chicago for these projects, eventually deciding to move here,” she told me.

“Before long, I became intrigued by all the tile murals that were on the buildings I was painting. Some were more like frescoes really and I was fascinated by

ABOVE: FIERY, silk caftan

RIGHT: FLOWER POWER, cotton cushion, front

OPPOSITE PAGE:

TOP: WONDERLAND, oil and wax on canvas

BOTTOM: OPEN ARMS, oil and wax on canvas, 32" x 32",

one in particular that caught my eye because of the floral arboreal elements it depicted. The next thing I knew, I was drawn to a beautiful cherry tree and other blossoming trees and I soon started to paint trees instead of buildings.”

Those floral images proved to be a career catalyst for Dena, as she traded buildings for buds and tiles for trees and screened them on fabrics for her signature line of wonderfully wearable art.

“My portraits of trees and flowers are like dancers in a way,” she explained. “You can almost see them moving. They are very much alive.”

Looking at one of her scarves, designed to drape you in nature’s embrace, I could also smell the fresh fragrances, lemon in particular, that permeated the landscapes in Provence.

“I think that’s the point of art. When you create a painting, you create a sensation. Smell, temperature, the feel of the wind, the heat, the sun, they’re all here. There’s a lot of sunshine in my paintings,” she said. “The light is fantastic here. You get those beautiful colors and I really relate to them. Each of us has an internal color palette. My palette is definitely that of the south of France.”

Like the Impressionist painters enamored with this part of the world, Dena spends a lot of time outdoors, blissfully taking in the scenic treasures of her Monaco

Trees embody life. I portray these magnificent life forms through a prism of color that evokes the spirit of all that is around us. And lest we forget, life has its fancy, and we need to enjoy the lighter more playful aspects in order to deeply connect with the world around us.

GIRL FROM IPANEMA, oil and wax on canvas, 48 x 48"

GIRL FROM IPANEMA, Leggings and tennis skort

home. She enjoys plein air painting, although she has been working indoors of late to prevent her humansized, large-scale canvases, measuring some 6 feet tall, from blowing away into the Mediterranean Sea.

“I live atop a large hill above Monaco and I would carry my canvases, brushes and paints down into town during nice weather. But as I started to paint larger works, it became more and more difficult to bring everything I needed. Now I am more likely to bring my ‘models’ home to my terrace, a lemon tree, fresh flowers and blooms of all kinds.”

It was during one of her en plein painting outings that she was approached by a gentleman who inquired about putting her work on porcelain and pillows, ultimately inspiring a new venture that set her art apart. Along with hanging in galleries and private collections around the world, you’ll find her work gracing her clients’ wardrobes as well, giving new life to her brilliantly painted floral and arboreal portraits – and putting them into the hands and homes of an increasing number of admirers.

“I don’t want people to think that they have to pay thousands of dollars to have art in their homes – or have to make a joint investment or decorating decision to purchase a painting. My pillows and wearables give them the opportunity to enjoy my art in different

ways on an individual basis,” she explained.

They also get to experience the undeniable joie de vivre she instills in her work, a feeling of joy that transcends the medium to impart Dena’s signature brand of happiness into their hands and hearts. Her clothing line includes stunning silk, cashmere and cotton scarves, large and small for women and pocket squares for gents, made from fabrics she personally sources in Italy; ponchos, kimonos and caftans that flow with elegance, no matter the place or the occasion; short and long-sleeve blouses luxuriant in charmeuse silk made in Florence, Italy; and sensually chic dresses that swirl unto the scene in fashion statements that speak volumes about life in the south of France.

RUE DE GIROFLÉE, oil and wax on Canvas

SISTERS, oil and wax on Canvas

VIVALDI, cotton silk scarf and tennis skort

Dena Lyons’ home décor products, made-in-Italy pillows and beds throws among them, are equally scintillating design accents that transform a room with blazing splashes of color reflective of a van Gogh or Matisse painting. New this year are her playful pet products for dogs, from all-breed harnesses to collars and leashes, and her leggings, walking art masterpieces that sculpt figures like a glove and are popular with her younger clientele.

As our interview began, I inquired about her customers, wanting to know who bought her paintings or donned her designs. By the end of our conversation,

I realized that her clientele are ageless and adventurous, people who live life in magical moments, who appreciate nature in all its brilliance, who dream in technicolor visions, and who find beauty wherever they are. Just the way the artist herself does. ☐

Dena Lyons living art is available online at: denalyons.com -- New York City at The Met Opera Shop, in the Palm Beaches at the Norton Museum and at fine boutiques across the United States. For more information, contact Dena at info@denalyons.com or call 561.245.8790.

MAYA, oil and wax on canvas, 36" x 36"

Swimmingly

REAL Reimagined LIFE

BY CINDY CLARKE

It’s not just her sculpted swimmers that are larger than life. It’s also her fearless determination to champion real-life expressions through her work that has made her such a large presence on the world stage.

MONUMENTAL QUAN Bronze, Laquer

66.50 x 60 x 43 in Stainless-Steel Ball

Meet petite Carole A. Feuerman,

a pioneer in hyperrealism sculpture and an artiste extraordinaire, whose recent outdoor exhibition of bathing beauties, presented by Galeries Bartoux, Patrons Of Park Avenue (Popa), Murray Hill and the City of New York splashed into New York City with show-stopping acclaim this spring in a show entitled Sea Idylls. Posing up and down posh Park Avenue, each of the nine Swimmers is a monumental study of emotions thoughtfully played out in wet faces and postures that speak volumes about feminine strength, resilience and serenity, character traits lifted from her own personal life experiences.

“The symbolism of water is profoundly deep,” she explained, finding its presence to be an enduring symbol for life, and one that she clearly identifies with. Always fascinated by the mechanics and patterns of water, she found inspiration for her pioneering art at the beach, watching swimmers emerge from the water, hair and skin dripping and glistening in the sun, faces and bodies blissfully revived, eyes closed in deep contemplation.

“I remember one particular day being at the beach with my three small children and seeing this young woman come out of the Long Island Sound in a forward position with a look of serenity on her face that captivated me, ultimately taking my art – and life – in a new direction.”

The woman became the reimagined model for the first of her swimmers, Catalina, a sculpture she literally put her heart and soul in. Wearing a red swimsuit, with goggles and a bathing cap covering her hair, Catalina is one of her fragmented pieces, a torso sculpted without full limbs to allow the viewer to complete the story.

Carole didn’t do full body figures back in the 1970s, starting with art on the wall, before, as she tells it, coming off the wall to stand on its own. Curiously, her art has kept pace with the events of her own life, first as the married mother of three, anchored to her split role as full-time caretaker and part-time artist, then as a single mom determined to become her own person, and on her journey to become one of the world’s most prominent hyperrealist sculptors and the only woman to do so.

Photo by Sara Terracciano

“I remember one particular day being at the beach with my three small children and seeing this young woman come out of the Long Island Sound in a forward position with a look of serenity on her face that captivated me, ultimately taking my art – and life – in a new direction.”

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A deep dive into hyperrealist sculpture

“That moment on the beach, when I decided to do swimmers, was life-changing for me. That was one of the first times that I decided to put my own feelings into my work, rather than illustrating someone else’s ideas,” she admitted with the honesty

and candor she – and her swimmers – are known for.

She studied art in high school and college, earning her college tuition at the School for Visual Arts as an illustrator of record albums for high-profile musicians that included the Rolling Stones and Alice Cooper who used her paintings as posters for their world tours. Selftaught, she began to sculpt figures after being given an assignment by her art teacher to create something erotic.

“I never really thought about what erotic actually is and, after questioning its meaning, I decided that erotic was not sexual, it was intellectual. I made a series of humorous erotic sculptures back in the late ‘70s after graduating from college, but unfortunately, no gallery would show them. It was very discouraging because it was my first major failure in my art career.”

She did have one opportunity to exhibit her erotic art in a new gallery in Fort Worth, Texas, but after no one showed up at her opening, other than her parents and her children who accompanied her on the trip, the owner pulled the exhibit and sent her packing back to New York.

“I was devastated and decided never again to do erotic art,” she said, recognizing at the time that maybe

the work she deemed intellectual, rather than erotic, was not wholesome and that’s why galleries wouldn’t show it. That’s when she took her children to the beach and had her career-making epiphany about swimmers.

Sink or Swim

“I sat on the beach thinking about what to do with my life. I wasn’t going to give up. I was going to do swimmers. They’re wholesome I thought to myself. Little did I realize that this swimmer that so captivated me was also very sensual.”

A trip to the Florida Keys in the early ‘80s inspired her next swimmer, one that depicted the plight of immigrants she saw floating in tubes coming from Cuba. Serena, her iconic sculpture of a girl resting her arms on a life-saving tube, embodies the quest for survival, that women, including Carole herself, have embarked on during life’s many challenges.

“These sculptures tell my story and they all come from my life. But they are also universal in their ability to engage people who see them. Catalina was me seeking rebirth and renewal in the water. Serena represents the immigrants, but she was also me surviving against the odds. Her sculpture Perseverance tells you to never give up, to go after your dreams, and Justice, now a reflective centerpiece of her Park Avenue installation, embodies inner balance and invites viewers to take time out for their friends and family and not just work all the time. The beach ball sculptures represent my children, all children, playfully blissfully on the beach, cares cast away.”

Without exception, every one of her sculptures, each two plus years in the making, tells a story of humanity, while chronicling the artist’s own personal experiences. Vividly realistic down to the exquisite details of individual eye lashes, strands of hair, swimwear and the subtleties of various facial expressions, her work is uniquely her own.

At the time she was first trying to exhibit her life-like swimmers, another artist, Duane Hanson, was making his mark as a hyperrealist sculptor. He was best known for sculpting everyday working-class people and dressing them in real clothes, instead of crafting them out of bronze or resin as Carole does. He happened to have a show at the Whitney Museum when Carole

approached Ivan Karp, who ran the prestigious OK Harris Gallery in New York City’s Soho neighborhood, with her Innertube sculpture, now known as Serena, in hand, and asked if he would exhibit her work. “I didn’t give him the opportunity to ignore me, putting my art front and center as I walked into his gallery,” she recalled. Beyond impressed with her work and tenacity, he agreed to show her pieces – and they were a big

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hit right out of the gate.

“Apparently Duane Hanson was not happy with the competition. As a result, Ivan told me that he couldn’t continue to show me, but that he could introduce me to the gallery across the street. I exhibited successfully at that gallery for the next 17 years, but sadly, did not receive the credit, recognition or money that Duane did as a fellow pioneer of the hyperrealism movement. His pieces were selling for five times what mine were because of his reputation and curators believed that he would enhance their shows if they exhibited his work. Women hadn’t broken the glass ceiling back then. I really wasn’t credited for my role in launching hyperrealist sculpture until 10 years ago, even though I have shown my work all over the world, in 18 different regimes and at leading international art shows.”

I mentioned Seward Johnson to her, an artist whose distinctive bronze sculptures are found in cities and towns throughout the United States, most notably in Princeton,

New Jersey, asking her about his fame as a realist sculptor and her interactions with him. She surprised me with her answer.

“We were close friends and he respected my work. He commissioned me for a piece for his Grounds for Sculpture park in Hamilton, New Jersey, which he founded with the Atlantic Foundation. He asked me to do Employee Shower. It’s a nude girl in the shower. The story behind it was that she was a waitress who had a date after work. She goes to take a shower and you can glimpse her in the shower as you walk past. I made the clothes that hang on the hooks too, a jean jacket and a bra among them, all made out of bronze. In summer and winter, water goes from the shower onto the grass.

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Scan to view Carole A. Feuerman's immersive experience at Galeries Bartoux

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I asked Seward why he commissioned me to make this sculpture. After all, he was a realist artist too. He replied, ‘If I could do it like that, I would have.’”

Carole has two pieces in that famous sculpture park, along with many others standing tall in unexpected places all across the globe. Domestically, you’ll see them in cities like Peekskill and Beacon, New York, Miami, Florida, and in Sunnyvale, California, where one of the pieces she’s most proud of, her 36 foot tall sculpture called Double Diver spiraling in the air atop six -inch wrists, make a hugely impressive splash, both for its visual impact and its engineering innovation.

In addition to her current Park Avenue exhibition, on display in Manhattan now through December 10, she will soon be bringing her goddesses to Athens and Mykonos, Greece, where they will be right at home, and has been tapped by a panel of world-renowned scholars to sculpt a masterpiece depicting ancient Egypt for installation in that historic country, which is scheduled to open in mid-October. As we spoke, she was making plans to fly to Italy, where her work will grace the Cloister of Santa

Carole Feuerman in her studio

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Chiara, tucked away behind a 14th-century convent church in the historic heart of Naples, and a magnet for visitors.

Which brings me to another observation about this multi-talented artist. To accomplish what she does with apparent seamless ease, how does she describe herself in terms of her art? Is she an architect, an engineer, a painter, a sculptor or all of them together, powerfully packed into one pint-sized package? She replied that she was a mother first, that she had a creative agency, was a professional astrologer, was in real estate and admittedly was a lot of things. But as an artist, she considered herself to be a sculptor.

She laughed as she told me that her journey as a sculptor wasn’t totally a bed of roses. “I call it jello on wheels, a little bit up, a little bit down. The idea, I always told myself, is to keep going no matter what. I’m good, I love what I’m doing. It only takes one gallery to discover you so don’t stop, dive in, head first.”

In her quest to have her art seen in her home state, she took her Swimmers all over New York and couldn’t find a gallery to exhibit them. “I did get a week-long show in the Fuller building, which at the time was the most important gallery building in New York. I brought in my Swimmers and some sports figures that I did, a hockey player, a baseball player, but nothing was selling. I had only a few days left in the show when the owner asked me to bring in my erotic pieces. I refused, saying I would never show those again, but he insisted and told me he would keep them in the back room where nobody else would see them. I had nothing to lose so I brought them in.”

“You never know who is going to walk in the door to see your art and on the last day of the show, an older man walked in and went directly to the back room. He came out and wanted to talk to me but I was busy talking to someone else. He waited more than 30 minutes to talk to me when he came up to me again and asked to speak with me. ‘Do you know who I am?” he asked. I didn’t, so he introduced himself. ‘I’m Malcolm Forbes.’”

Stunned, Carole apologized and asked him what she could do for him. “He said, ‘well, I love your erotic pieces and I want to buy them all. I am a capitalist and I don’t pay retail. So call me Monday morning at 8 am and give me a special price. I will let you know if I will buy them all or pass.”

He did buy them all, as well as many others over the years. He even wrote her up in a Christmas issue

DOUBLE DIVER Bronze 432 x 44 x 42 in 2014

of his wildly popular Forbes Magazine. Her work started selling after that, making its way into the private collections of top art collectors, celebrities and luminaries who appreciated her genius. She had exhibitions in leading galleries and the press loved her.

“But I wasn’t accomplishing all my bucket list things. No New York museum would include me in their shows. The realists they exhibited were all men. I submitted my work to public venues but they didn’t seem to understand it. They were not accustomed to swimmers as art,” she confided.

“One day an art historian named John Spike, who lived in Italy, walked in and invited me to show my work at the Venice Biennale, one of my bucket list aspirations! He explained that it wouldn’t be in the show exactly, but would stand at the front gate where everyone would see it. He didn’t want a small piece either, he wanted something monumental, mentioning that if the pyramids had been small, no one would go to Egypt to see them. He wanted Catalina and Serena, but he wanted them to be super-sized. The caveat: I had to get them there on my own dime.”

She emptied her savings account and took all the money she had to make her pieces larger-than-life and transported them to Venice in time for the opening. They

were so well-received that people lined up to see them, even though technically they were not part of the show. A photographer took a picture of a woman kissing her Serena sculpture that wound up on the cover of the Biennale Magazine, a highly coveted honor for an artist. Her sculptures were a huge success and invitations to exhibit her work in Monaco and St. Tropez, France, and other European countries followed in spades after that.

“People all over Europe would ask me for my autograph. Important collectors and galleries opened their doors to me, but back in New York, I still couldn’t get into a top gallery.”

You may be familiar with the saying, “If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere.” Now that her Swimmers are causing a sensation along Park Avenue in a long-overdue procession of perfection as well as in a solo restrospective exhibition at the city’s Galeries Bartoux on Central Park South, does Carole feel like she made it?

“At the Park Avenue ribbon-cutting ceremony of Sea Idylls, it was the coolest thing. The police had to stop traffic on both sides of the street as hundreds of people came out to see the swimmers. There were huge fans everywhere, students, visitors and people who wanted to sketch my pieces, which is so nice to see,” she answered.

She didn’t boast about being the belle of New York’s most privileged street but I could sense the pride in her voice, the emotions she felt and the experiences she endured to get where she is today. It was gratifying for her to see that she has finally made it everywhere.

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Passing the Baton

A true pioneer of the hyperrealist movement in the 1970s, Carole A. Feuerman is one of the most prominent hyperrealist sculptors of our time. She has received multiple awards including the Lifetime Achievement ‘Goddess Artemis” Award from the European American Woman’s Council (EAWC). She has also received the Special Honor Award in Changzhou CHN, Best in Show in Beijing CHN, the Amelia Peabody Award, First Prize at the Olympic Fine Art Exhibition in Beijing, and the Medici Award in Florence ITA.  She has taught, lectured, and given workshops at the Guggenheim Museum and the Metropolitan Museum fo Art.

She has four full color monographs and two autobiographies in English and Italian. Her works are in the permanent collections of thirty-one museums and owned by the cities of Sunnyvale CA and Peekskill NY, the State Hermitage, El Paso Museum, Steven A. Cohen, Former President Clinton, The Frederick R. Weisman Foundation, the

Caldic Collection, Maluma, Dr. Henry Kissinger, and Malcolm Forbes.

As she looks back at the hardships she faced growing up and as a young adult, times that included being disowned and re-owned over and over again by her parents because of her career choice and her divorce, Carole Feuerman believes it was necessary for her to have emotional content for her work. It took real-life experiences to teach her about perseverance, balance and survival and taking care of herself as a strong woman able to stand up and endure the challenges that threatened to block her path. She had many doors closed to her but she didn’t stop moving forward until she found ones that opened. Everything she experienced led her to do the work she does today.

It is with those lessons in mind that she became a member of The International Women’s Forum, founded in 1974. Today it is an elite organization comprised of over 7,800 preeminent women leaders in 33 different countries and 73 local forums, who have accomplished something on their own and have given back to others. It is the only organization of this scale that builds significant relationships between C-level women across countries and careers. Carole fits right in with their illustrious members, and has established the Carole A.Feuerman Art Foundation to support struggling artists with grants for their work.

To help her fund the foundation, she has created a boutique on her website that sells her designs with all proceeds designated to help artists. Check it out at www.carolefeuermanfoundation.org and help her pass the baton. ☐

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A New Climate Entering the World of Restaurateurs

Last Supper FHIMA’S

Whether its championing artists, selling NFTs, being the first restaurant owner in Minneapolis to have Web 3 screens, and running his three restaurants,  Fhima’s Minneapolis, Mother Dough Bakery, and Maison Margaux,  Chef David Fhima does more than serve up hospitality on a hot plate and break bread with his fellow man; he rebuilds and nourishes the soul of his community. As Fhima postulates, “How do you give back when you don’t have anything to give? You give whatever it is you have left. That’s the true definition of giving. We are restaurateurs; we’re community people. This is who we are; this is our identity.”

BY KAMI SLOAN

Coming from humble beginnings, David was the first male born out of his 17 brothers and sisters to a French Moroccan and Spanish Jewish mother and a father of Sicilian descent who was also a first male of a first male. Neither of his parents knew how to read or write, but as David implies, “My parents were probably some of the wisest people you’ll ever meet in your life.”

During his formative years, David’s parents sent him abroad to boarding schools in Europe to get a proper education, although they had no money. First, he was in London, then Paris. As opposed to jet-setting, David was often kicked out of school. While attending school in Strasbourg, France, David studied mechanical drafting.

Photo by Shelly Mosman

Fhima recalls that the President and Director of the school was a Holocaust Survivor and one of the most influential people in his life aside from his father. He scared Fhima straight into thinking that if he never got his act together, he never would. It left an everlasting impression on young David, changing his perception of life and the world.

From there, he went to school in Geneva, Switzerland, where he received a degree in mechanical engineering.

“You can run from your blood, but your blood is inside of you. The more you move, the more it becomes closer to you. Blood moves by energy. The more I ran away from my roots, the more I connected to my

DNA, my bloodline. There’s hospitality in my blood. The kindness that my father provided to others, where we had an open house to strangers literally seven days and seven nights a week. Although we had nothing to eat, there was plenty for everybody else.”

Fhima left Switzerland and came to the United States in his early 20s with 100 dollars in his pocket. “I don’t know if it literally was 100 dollars, but I’m sticking to the great immigrant story.”  He arrived in Los Angeles and ran out of money within a couple of weeks. Without speaking a word of English, David managed to get work. Everything from frying chicken in East Los Angeles to making fried doughnuts in the Crenshaw District. One day, opportunity knocked at a French restaurant where Fhima’s job was peeling potatoes. The next day the Chef wasn’t available, and Fhima found himself in a position where he took over the reins, and from there, it’s a claim to fame story.

He owned a very famous restaurant called Mark’s and worked at some of the best restaurants in the world, where he catered to

Maison Margaux | Photo by Linnea Maas

royalties. Everyone from Fred Astaire to Elizabeth Taylor, Johnny Carson, Jeff Montgomery, and Sir Elton John, who was a partner at one of the restaurants he worked at.

In the mid-90s, Fhima came to Minnesota with what he had in a suitcase, a wife, and a

young child. In the interim, he opened several restaurants, had a second child, got divorced, and met his soon-to-be wife, Lori. In 2008, life came crashing down and “humbled the shit out of me,” says David. “It was my stupidity and my lack of humble genes. When you are doing well, you think that you’re untouchable. You don’t realize that the more successful you are, the more vulnerable you become.”

Lori and I pawned our wedding rings, declared bankruptcy, did whatever we had to do to stay afloat to pay our bills, and started over again. “It was Nelson Mandela who said, “Everybody makes mistakes or experiences that something bad happens now and then. But how do you react to the challenging things that happen to you? You can either let it pull you down, or you can think that this is something you

learn from. Next time something challenging happens, you’ll be even stronger.” “I can promise you that the knowledge that you gain if you are patient will be worth the lesson.”

“From that point on, “I wanted to be about service - be about community.” When Fhima lived in LA, the Rodney King riots took place and subsequently almost burned his restaurant down. Having survived the social unrest of issues during that trial, COVID, and the George Floyd brutal protests, he brought “ The Gift”  of giving back to others. “I took my experience and brought all these lessons together. I wanted to do something different this time around. We have the gift of cooking, we have the gift of people, but not everyone can afford these gifts. Whatever God gives us, whatever the universe shares with us, we

Mother Dough Bakery | Photo by Linnea Maas

photo by Derrick Koch

want to be part of that. We started making meals for the community and partnered with Minnesota Central Kitchen Second Harvest. Conversely, the better you do, the goodness becomes habitual.”

When Fhima commits to doing something, whether for a holiday occasion, an art or charitable event, or simply feeding the community, he expresses that you can feed every part of your body and be satisfied. Still, you can never feed your soul enough. It’s a work in progress that needs to happen every day.

“David is a massive supporter of my art, not just of my art, but of people like John Linton’s art. He is one of the most generous and kindhearted people, and up to date has been the most enjoyable collaboration of my career. He makes me a better artist. David is on the frontlines everyday feeding the community, converges Stephanie.”

Stephanie and David met six years ago through one of her interns before his restaurant’s opening in Minneapolis. They spoke

about everything from art, food, nutrition, and cancer. David helped catapult her career by requesting seven pieces for his home and creating all the pieces for the restaurant. “David took a big chance on me publicly to showcase my work, and because of that opportunity, I was able to parlay that experience and get opportunities throughout the Twin Cities.”

“When you look at Stephanie’s art, you know exactly who we are and what we stand for,” mentions David. I’m a little biased because she uses the word fuck easily -although I don’t have issues with that, but her art demonstrates an act of kindness. Through her art, she represents what our city is all about and tells our narrative. When our

Maison Margaux |

Photo by Linnea Maas

Fhima's Minneapolis | Photo by Derrick Koch

All Artworks by the collective of Stephanie Dillon & Linnea Maas

city was blowing up, Stephanie’s art helped ease the conflict and found beauty through the struggle for unity. She is also one of our most significant contributors and supporters. Art happens when there’s a convergence of food, music, and pictures.”

This brings me to the Metaverse. David responded, “There’s a magic between the Metaverse and food. Art has a synergy between what is tangible and intangible. The pairing between Stephanie’s art and my

cooking in this new medium can be shared and simultaneously has its own individual experience. There’s no wrong or right recipe. We do everything with our three major senses. Our eyes, our nose, and our ears. Those are the first and greatest impressions we have. We can smell the cumin when we hear that little first note of the violin. When we see this beautiful picture, we can taste its essence. We immediately enter a world of thought, creativity, inspiration, and motivation. I can

look at a dish and almost smell and taste it. This is where the magic begins and happens.”

David’s biggest passion is to spread good in the world. He wants his brand to be his identity. Stephanie looks back on last Christmas when the pipes in Fhima’s burst and David was committed to cooking 2000 meals under the duress of it raining inside the kitchen. David didn’t even stress; he just kept going without a hitch. Committed and dedicated are the words that come to mind.

When queried about his regrets, David complied, “There are many anecdotes, many different things we do. I did not want anything to do with my backward heritage. I thought it was primitive. Reflecting on my life, I realized that my mother motivated me, and that’s a pretty powerful thing. My other regret is having regrets. No longer do I sweat the small stuff. I’m blessed to have a wonderful soul mate, children, friends, and community. That’s all that really matters. And when all else fails, - Cook.”

In the lyrics of Frank Sinatra,  “That’s life

I tell you, I can’t deny it.

I thought of quitting, baby

But my heart just ain’t gonna buy it

And if I didn’t think it was worth one single try

I’d jump right on a big bird, and then I’d fly

I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet

A pawn and a king

I’ve been up and down and over and out

And I know one thing

Each time I find myself layin’

Flat on my face

I just pick myself up and get

Back in the race. “

www.fhimasmpls.com

www.maisonmargauxmpls.com

www.motherdoughbakery.com

Mother Dough Bakery |

Photo by Linnea Maas

“Sometimes we entertain angels unaware. David Fhima is a human turned angel in the world. There’s this idea that he transcends time soulfully. It reminds me that there are people in the world that forgive. They feed others; they’re charitable. They give, they do, and more because what hurts the hearts of others today also hurts theirs. It’s the feeling that he gives off when you’re around him; Peace- I leave with you.”

— Stephanie Dillon

Photo by Shelly Mosman

Digital Art by Daniel Enrique De León

Creative Direction by Kami Sloan

By Megan Reilly

LagunaBeach

One of the cutest coastal beach towns in California, Laguna Beach has no shortage of charm!

This small town, located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, ooccupies just 8.8 square miles, but packs a mighty punch when it comes to local attractions. It’s filled with picturesque beaches, hiking trails, a walkable downtown, and slew of summer art festivals.

The city becomes exponentially more crowded between June and September, and for good reason: warmer waters bring beach goers to the many nooks and crannies that make Laguna Beach and its many coves popular. But just as enticing as its natural beauty and beach culture is, the Laguna area is equally known for its lively arts scene, not to mention its celebrated history as an artist mecca going back as far as the end of the nineteenth century.

When the Laguna Beach Art Association started over a century ago, the founders had no idea what it would grow into. All they knew was that Laguna’s rolling hills and sparkling

coves were particularly stunning subjects for plein air paintings.

Laguna’s location, nestled between the San Joaquin Hills and the Pacific Ocean, makes it one of the most exquisite spots in Southern California. Its climatic extremes, relative inaccessibility, and undeveloped beauty and charm fostered and nurtured an adventurous colonial artistic spirit back

Photo by Danielle Brown

in those days when artists were drawn to the area to set up artists’ colonies. Despite the inconveniences of living in Laguna, the sparse population was nothing if not independent, pragmatic, and a bit cocky: after all, they themselves had discovered this small slice of paradise. Artists could gather to paint out-of-doors, living together in a relatively relaxed community while being free to roam the countryside in search of their inspiration.

Today, Laguna Beach’s art scene is alive and thriving. It’s rich history of attracting artists, rebels, and free spirits has shaped its place as a vibrant creative community.

Laguna has over 100 art galleries and artist studios.. If you’re in town on a first Thursday of the month, a wonderful way to discover the arts scene here is with the city’s First Thursday Art Walks when galleries throughout town throw open their doors and invite visitors inside to mingle, admire artwork, and enjoy food and wine.

And, the summer months provide even more opportunities to engage with the art world. From July-September, Laguna Beach holds several renowned events which are hosted throughout the quaint village and surrounding areas. Favorites on the summer calendar includes the Pageant of the Masters and the Sawdust Art Festival. These annual festivities have been drawing crowds for decades, and continue to solidify Laguna

Beach’s spot as an artistic hub.

Started in 1965, The Sawdust Art Festival plays a vital role in supporting the careers of local artists. From June 30-September 3, the Sawdust Art Festival draws more than 200,000 visitors. Guests are invited to shop from over 160 artists along sawdust-covered paths in a hand-built village of fine art and eclectic craftsmanship. Live music, complimentary art classes, glassblowing, art demonstrations and a variety of outdoor dining and saloon offerings- round out this experience for nine weeks during the summer.

Just across the street from the Sawdust venue, the Pageant of the Masters (and its adjoining Festival of Arts Pavilion) is one of the most unique productions in the entire world. An outdoor amphitheater welcomes

guests each evening for ninety minutes of tableaux vivants (living pictures), incredibly faithful recreations of classical and contemporary works of art, with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces. Imagine experiencing Van Gogh’s paintings with actors recreating the scenes on stage under the stars.

This summer, Pageant of the Masters celebrates the 90th anniversary of the first presentation of “living pictures” at the Festival of Arts. The 2023 theme, ART COLONY: IN THE COMPANY OF ARTISTS acknowledges the deep connections of the Festival and Pageant to the early artists who settled in Laguna Beach. It will also feature other memorable stories of artists assisting one another through cooperation and fellowship in vastly different

eras and circumstances around the world.

The outdoor venue, professional orchestra, original score, live narration, intricate sets, sophisticated lighting, expert staff and hundreds of dedicated volunteers all come together to create this magic. Deservedly so, the production has won global recognition as the best presentation of its kind. Advance tickets are a must. And do get the binoculars available on-site no matter where your seats are; seeing the actors up close in each pose is 100% worth it!

The artists’ narrative carries on and seems to grow stronger each year in Laguna Beach. For these reasons and more, we can’t think of a better spot for a summer beach getaway filled with some culture! ☐

WHERE TO STAY:

Accommodations here run the gamut from casual to luxury. A few to consider:

The Inn at Laguna Beach for a boutique hotel within easy walking distance to area attractions.

Laguna Beach House for coastal chic beach décor and airy comfort. Crystal Cove Beach Cottages for a rustic and historic lodging experience right on the beach (these no frills cottages are run by the Crystal Cove State Park Conservancy).

Montage Laguna Beach for an Oceanfront splurge.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK:

Splashes for the best Ocean front dining. Brunch here is a great option as is sunset dining on the patio where you can watch the waves roll in and sometimes encounter a

light Ocean spray. Brussels Bistro for a taste of Belgium, including Belgian beers and large pots of mussels and fries double-cooked in beef fat.

Broadway by Amar Santana for fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced menu, in a beautiful industrial space. Salerno for fresh homemade pasta and a true Italian feel.

The Deck for Ocean view cocktails (get there early to grab a table).

C’est La Vie for casual breakfast and French pastries.

Gelato Paradiso for an after-dinner treat of artisanal gelato, hand-made in small batches every

morning (be prepared for lines).

WHERE TO SHOP:

Laguna Beach makes it easy to shop local with no shortage of unique shops and boutiques. A few favorites include: Vertigo Home, Sourced (a co-op space of local artists and designers) and the artist shops adjacent to the Cliff Walk.

OTHER THINGS TO DO:

Go for a hike at Top of the World for amazing Ocean views.

Megan Reilly covers interior design, lifestyle and travel, and is based in Los Angeles. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of WestEdge Design Fair, a tradeshow and lifestyle event that takes place in Los Angeles and Dallas.

Check out one of the area’s many beaches including Victoria Beach, Thousand Steps Beach or Table Rock Beach. Visit the Laguna Art Museum which showcases only California artists.

Take in a show at the Laguna Beach Playhouse, one of the oldest continuously operating, not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast.

Photos from Visit Laguna Beach

Hand Cut Saffron Tagliatelle from Splashes

Splashes Restaurant

Yachts Support Science At Sea

SeaKeepers Celebrates 25th Anniversary

If you’re looking for opportunities to make a difference or give back, there are a myriad of ways to do so in the yachting and boating industry. The International SeaKeepers Society, better known as SeaKeepers, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year as a non-profit organization that supports marine science education, research, and conservation by working with privately owned vessels as platforms for oceanographic research, educational outreach, and marine

conservation. Their efforts permit scientists to maximize research potential and provide the yachting community with a way to advance marine science and raise awareness about global ocean issues.

Founded in Monaco in 1998, SeaKeepers began as a group of yacht owners who realized they shared more than just a passion for yachting and were concerned about the deteriorating condition of the world’s oceans. With the help of the yachting community,

they wanted to advance oceanographic research. Today, SeaKeepers continues its legacy through the DISCOVERY Yacht Program, comprised of Scientist-led Expeditions, Citizen Science outings, Educational Outreach events, and Community Engagement activities.

The degree of participation from a vessel can vary, from sharing depth measurements from navigation instruments while out at sea, to hosting a floating classroom for children in the bay, to week-long expeditions with a team of researchers and scientists. Whether you donate time aboard your vessel or support oceanographic research on your voyage, opportunities are available to engage vessels of all types and sizes. The most essential piece to facilitating programming is continually identifying vessels to support educational, conservation, and research efforts worldwide. With the emergence of new technology and projects, vessels have the ability to participate in Citizen Science from anywhere in the world.

From captains to crew to yacht owners and their families, participating in our Citizen Science programs with no prior knowledge of instrument deployment or marine science is not an issue, and collecting scientific data

has never been easier. Citizen Science offers a valuable opportunity for vessel owners to get involved in smaller-scale marine research initiatives. These outings do not require scientists to be on board. SeaKeepers offers independent programs that fit the vessel owner’s interests, each with unique research and educational goals. Currently, initiatives SeaKeepers offers to participate in are the Seabed 2030 Project and the Neuston Net Research Collective.

Participate in the Seabed 2030 Project

As part of the effort to map the world’s oceans by 2030, SeaKeepers has partnered with the Seabed 2030 Project, along with the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Data Center for Digital Bathymetry (DCDB) at the National Centers for Environmental Information, Boulder, Colorado. This collaboration provides and manages small hardware data loggers that are used to collect bathymetric data from volunteer observer vessels. The

project was launched at the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference in June 2017 and is aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal #14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. Any boat can get involved by relaying information collected on board from data loggers. These loggers can be easily installed and integrated into the boat’s existing mechanical system. As vessels travel the world and

visit remote areas, participants offer the rare ability to map zones most vessels or people will never see and where information may be scarce.

Collect Samples by Towing a Net

The Neuston Net Research Collective unites the academic world and the international yachting community in an effort to conserve

and understand our oceans through research with net tows. Citizen Science kits allow crews and owners to conduct plankton survey-style transects related to one of our partner research projects. These Nets are made with fine mesh and towed by vessels to collect samples of neustonic organisms, algae, plastics, plankton, seawater, and more. Nets are provided to vessels around the world depending on the location required for research.

Community Engagement & Educational Outreach

Shoreline programming focuses on local community engagement for cleanups of beaches, waterways, and reefs, an additional aspect of programming that has gained momentum in the last two years. Participants are provided with access to collect data using the online platform called Clean Swell and are given a presentation on the dangers trash and pollution cause to the ocean.

There’s also an opportunity for vessels to participate in Educational Outreach. By uniting educators, scientists, and students in a “floating classroom” experience, participants engage in marine science learning aboard vessels. They are given the opportunity to observe relevant marine research and interact with experts in the field of marine science

while doing fieldwork. Outreach expeditions have focused on observing marine wildlife, deploying scientific instruments, reducing plastic pollution, teaching sustainability practices, and more.

Most recently SeaKeepers has extended their learning format to include a series of downloadable lesson plans, which can be

used in conjunction with the SeaKeepers video series or as standalone materials to highlight marine issues and concepts. Materials are designed for grades 4-6 and 8-10.

In 2022, SeaKeepers’ launched the Junior SeaKeepers Program, which provides high school students in grades 10-12 with hands-on experiences in marine conservation issues. Students will learn about topics from local experts while receiving training in conducting scientific research and science communication. The goal of this free educational program is to give young ocean ambassadors the tools to not only understand the problems that face our oceans but also encourage a career track in the field of marine science.

SeaKeepers continues to expand its mission with a chapter in Singapore and the

launch of a new office in the United Kingdom.

To support as a vessel owner, ocean advocate, or charitable donor, you may become a SeaKeeper by visiting:

WWW.SEAKEEPERS.ORG

CarCoterie Kicks off Concours Weekend on Amelia Island with Inaugural Edition of The Hangar

Fête Featured a Curated Collection of more than 100 Rare, Classic Vehicles and Aircraft

Photograhy by Robin Trajano

At The Hangar Amelia’s inaugural event, over 100 automobiles posed in the setting sun on the tarmac alongside vintage aircraft and luxury jets at Fernandina Beach’s Bent Wing Flight Services. Curated and produced by CarCoterie, the early evening aperitivo brought together prolific car collectors and enthusiasts in a rich and meaningful way on the eve of the annual concours on Amelia Island, to launch what founders say will be the first of many automotive events to come.

The soirée featured extremely rare sports and competition cars from the 1950s to present. A few highlights from the curated exhibition include historic aircraft such as a 1938 Lockheed 12A and a 1944 North American P-51D Mustang. Sports and racing vehicles in the lineup include notable cars such as 1955 and 1957 Mercedes 300SLs, a 1965 Porsche 904/6, 1966 Porsche 910 and a 1970 Porsche 917, a pair of 1973 Porsche 911 2.7 RS, a parade of Shelby 350 GTs lead onto the field by a 1965 Shelby Cobra and three Pagani Huayra.

The spirited party featured live music, fine wines from DAOU Vineyards, and expertly mixed cocktails from High Goal Gin and Cincoro Tequila. Limited tickets were available for purchase, with a portion of sales benefitting Friends of Fernandina Aviation.

The Hangar is a collaboration between Shamin Abas and Jeffrey Einhorn, two of the Co-Founders of the renowned by-invitation classic car event The Bridge, which takes place in Bridgehampton, New York, each September. The duo joined forces to launch their own automotive event production brand, CarCoterie, and promise The Hangar to be an annual event, a party Concours-goers and locals alike can look forward to.

“We were thrilled to bring our community of collectors and enthusiasts together in beautiful Amelia Island for the first time; it was a beautiful day surrounded by friends old and

CarCoterie Team

new, all here to enjoy the exhibition,” said Co-Founder Shamin Abas.

Said Jeff Einhorn of the day, “We were pleased to be able to curate an incredible selection of vehicles for The Hangar, celebrating sports and racing cars from the 1950s through the present day, with everything from one-off coach-built creations, vintage European metal, American muscle, FIA approved on-and-off road racers, and

new exotics. We are proud to say it was delivered as promised, in other words, a damn fine party.”

Event partners for The Hangar include Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, NetJets, Aston Martin, duPont REGISTRY, Rimac, Czinger Vehicles, Manz Motor Company, DAOU, Pave Motors, Bremont, Nicholas Brawer, Cincoro Tequila, Vantage Auto, High Goal Gin, Teak + Table, Paddock, and PCARMARKET.

About CarCoterie

Founded in 2022, Shamin Abas and Jeffrey Einhorn launched CarCoterie with a vision of bringing original and distinctive classic car events to their vast network of passionate car collectors and enthusiasts that seek an elevated experience. Together with Robert Rubin, the trio founded The Bridge in 2016, which quickly became one of the nation's most original and exclusive annual automotive events, named "America's Most Over-the-Top Classic-Car Exhibition" by Vanity Fair. The headlines speak to the automotive event's success; Forbes names the event "The Racing World's Most Exclusive Garden Party," while Petrolicious calls it "One of America's Finest Car shows," and duPont registry says it is "An event in a league of its own." Building on the overwhelming achievement at The Bridge, The Hangar launches in 2023 as CarCoterie's inaugural event on Amelia Island, with a second geographic location planned for The Hangar in 2024. For more information, please visit www.carcoterie.com

About Friends of Fernandina Aviation

The goal of FOFA is to promote the understanding of and appreciation for the importance of aviation in the local community through volunteer-staffed programs such as aviation education, orientation and training, youth scholarships, community outreach, and cooperative efforts with other local area, civic- minded non-profits. The organization supports and promotes the continuing improvement, modernization and development of the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, helping to educate the public on the importance of this critical asset for the local community. More information can be found on their website, www.fofaviation.com.

Photo courtesy, Deremer Studios, LLC

The Future Of Wellness

TRENDS FOR 2023

It’s that time of the year again when the Global Wellness Summit (GWS) releases its highly anticipated annual trends report. Some of the highlights include the reshaping of urban landscapes and planning to create healthier communities, the rise of communal social clubs to create a sense of belonging, and hyper-indigenous wellness travel – where we return to the origins for deeper knowledge about the land and ourselves. Simply put, our future looks positively inspiring, uplifting, social –and fun! Let’s get started…

BY JUDY CHAPMAN

Wellness + Cities: Urban Infrastructure Just Might Save Cities

This trend co-authored by the co-founder of NYC’s High Line, Robbie Hammond, shines a light on the strong relationship between the health of a population and the strength of the economy. The importance of building an accessible urban wellness infrastructure to accelerate cities and develop healthier, happier city dwellers.

There’s no doubt the recent pandemic served as a wake-up call on just how unwell our cities are, sparking a new recognition

of the inextricable relationship between the health of the cities and the health of city dwellers. For instance, if your parks and public spaces are made unsafe by crime, do they really serve a wellness purpose?

City planners are increasingly considering wellness as a key element of city life. The American Planning Association now advocates and embraces a broad view of wellness that encompasses wellness principles like community, belonging, and resilience.

Urban wellness infrastructure is no longer perceived as a luxury—it’s a necessity.

The High Lline Manhattan is a pioneering example of this trend—a wellness destination in its own right, where people exercise, socialize, meditate, and celebrate art, yoga and events in the heart of the city.

The High Line has since inspired over 60 such projects across America.

In Singapore, the government is positioning the city to be a “urban wellness haven,” while in Monterrey, Mexico, a successful collaboration between private and public organizations, DistritoTec, has created a thriving new community with wellness at its core.

In a nutshell, cities must become places not to survive but to thrive.

Wellness + Travel: From Global Smorgasbord to Hyper-Indigenous

Pack your bags - indigenous travel and returning to the source is the big travel trend for 2023.

New York Times columnist, Elaine Glusac, takes a deep dive into this emerging trend in travel. She says while we have been celebrating cross-cultural wellness some time now (yoga from India is worldwide and ayahuasca retreats have long departed their Amazonian homelands), we now crave more

deeper cultural experiences. People want to go the origins of ancient healing to receive knowledge about how to care for the land and themselves.

Community-led Indigenous travel offerings are surging—from the boreal forests of Canada to the Australian Outback—and speak deeply to travelers seeking inclusive, sustainable and regenerative travel experiences. The fast-mounting interest includes Indigenous wellness practices, from purification ceremonies to food and nutrition.

In Japan, traditional ryokans, or hot springs inns, are going through an incredible renaissance.

There are reportedly over 457 million indigenous people living in around 5,000 indigenous communities. We increasingly want to engage with our First Nations people as we know they have deep and ancient knowledge to share that may just help us save our planet earth - and ourselves.

Wellness + Gathering: Wellness Comes for the Loneliness Epidemic

We *know* loneliness is skyrocketing; that it kills; that the #1 predictor of health and happiness is relationships.

Written by Beth McGroarty, VP of Research and Forecasting of the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) and the Global Wellness Summit (GWS), this trend looks at how wellness will help solve the global loneliness crisis.

Social wellness clubs are said to be the fastest growing genre in wellness – bringing people together in real life where connection

Peninsula Hot Springs - Bath House - Hilltop

comes first and the wellness experiences serve as social ice-breakers. Brooklyn’s Gaia NoMaya is a 7,000 square foot ssocial oasis who brings people together through the power of healing. – From sound baths to cacao ceremonies, immersive art and more.

SoulCyle founders are launching Peoplehood, a new relationship fitness model focusing on community ‘modern medicine for the loneliness epidemic’. One-hour gatherings will be led by trained guides gifted in the art of connection who ignite deeper and meaningful group conversations. Othership from Toronto is dedicated to building emotional wellbeing through communal breathwork, sauna bathing and ice baths. They will open in New York this year.

Gym and fitness studios are embracing social life. Examples are La’s Remedy Place that reimagines the gym to promote social connection with DJ, cinema nights and a tea bar that bring people together. Also in LA is Heimat, a new luxury gym-social-wellness club themed around ‘belonging’ that blends deep fitness, sauna, and spa with rooftop bathing, bar and restaurant and co-working spaces.

Hotel and resort brands are embracing social as a wellness offering. Six Senses ( www.sixsenses.com ) will open their first urban wellness club in London this year followed by other destinations including New York. The membership-only club will bring together high-tech preventative wellness programs with bathhouses, yoga and dance studios, art and social events – meet monks from Bhutan and drink kombucha vodka together at the bar!

With human “communication” having devolved into emojis, the wellness world will now teach us how to connect and empathize

more deeply.

Wellness + Water: Blue, Hot, and Wild

According to spa & wellness writer and consultant, Jane Kitchen, we will be jumping into the world’s wild waters for some “blue wellness”!

What fun!

There’s a surge in wild, cold swimming, hiking and wild swimming as well as cross-country swimming for health and rejuvenation. Once the domains of serious athletes, wild swimming groups foster connection. Alongside this, global resorts are offering guided wild swimming programs—such as New York’s Mohonk Mountain House (www.mohonk.com).

There are reportedly over 50 hot spring projects underway around the world that celebrate a new era in socializing. Already many house bars offer music and events that make this wonderful wellness experience fun, social and affordable. Developers are now blending traditional soaking with live entertainment, watery wellness classes, and restaurants and bars.

The future of wellness and nature immersion is blue, hot, cold and wild!

Wellness + Sports: New Business Models for Hospitality

According to Lisa Starr of Wynne Business, we are going to see new, creative, profitable

Six Senses Place London

intersections between sports and wellness.

With the impact of the global sports market is predicted to hit $20 billion by 2027, savvy hospitality brands are looking beyond the basement gym, in search of pro-athletelevel equipment, fitness classes and wellness programming, whenever and wherever they travel. Some hotel brands are even creating facilities that cater to entire amateur or professional sports teams, expanding the function of the hotel and ensuring professional quality for the rest of us. Businesses that support this trend may well become the go-to brands for future generations.

Hotel brands like Kerzner International Holdings, owner of the Atlantis Resort and One&Only Resorts, are launching new concepts such as immersive global lifestyle brand SIRO, a “fitness and recovery hotel.”

Wellness + Senses: Multisensory Integration

Advances in neuroscience and neuroaesthetics confirm that, when combined, the senses elevate our human experience. Nature is multisensory and it turns out, so are we.

Award -winning Neuroscientist and Sensory Designer, Ari Peralta, looks at how brands are accessing multiple senses simultaneously to better support wellbeing outcomes, amplify wellness experience and influence behavioral change—think using multiple sensory cues, in a harmonious way to deepen meditation.

Brands are using multisensory integration as an approach to deepen and amplify felt experiences. From wellness brands to spas and retailers, they are experimenting with playful combinations of light and sound, light and taste to build connection and more meaningful moments.

In Saudi Arabia, the AIUIa Wellness Festival has curated a 360-degree multisensory event, allowing visitors to stimulate and elevate all five senses amidst ancient and stunning surroundings, while Six Senses has teamed with mycoocoon to create a

synesthetic dining experience, enabling guests to “taste” color and sound.

Another trend featured in the report is Wellness + Workplace . From extended, company-vacations and the “right to disconnect” from emails after hours; employers are making in-person time count, with memorable offsites and gatherings at wellness resorts and social wellness clubs (meetings held in ice baths are officially a thing).

Psychedelics are also entering the workspace, with brand Enthea set to launch ketamine therapy as a workplace benefit across the US this year. The workplace wellness reform is well underway, and it’s set to change everything from how we connect with coworkers to what we look for in a job.

Finally, the report shines a spotlight on Wellness + Governments and how wellness policies focused on prevention more than cure are evolving and strengthening. More governments are moving from knowing to

action with policies aimed at improving physical, mental, work, environmental and financial wellbeing – from healthy eating campaigns to funding regenerative agriculture and biodiversity protection.

Portugal and other countries have taken aim at difficult work-life balance with new “right to disconnect” laws, banning employers from contacting workers after work hours.

Japan has launched a national project spanning a host of wellness objectives, with a focus on boosting the healthspan of its aging population. More than 85 countries have legislated against sugary beverages. New York City’s mayor office just invested $44 million to train 200,000 doctors and nurses on how to use preventative “lifestyle medicine.”

In a nutshell: health communities create prosperous cities!

These are just a handful of the wellness trends highlighted in this year’s Future of Wellness 2023 report. The report features insights from urban futurists, wellness companies, economists, journalists, authors trend spotters, doctors, investors, academics and technologists. Access the full report here: www.globalwellnesssummit.com/2023-global-wellness-trends

About the Global Wellness Summit:

The  Global Wellness Summit is an organization that brings together leaders and visionaries to positively shape the future of the $4.4 trillion global wellness economy. ☐

Judy Chapman is an International Spa Designer and consults for hotel, spa and wellness brands around the world including Menla Mountain Retreat in the USA. Judy also develops white label skincare products for spas and individuals. She is the former Editor-in-Chief of Spa Asia magazine and author of several books on wellness and spas. Judy is currently based in Byron Bay, Australia. www.judychapman.com.au

“SUMMER IN NEWPORT”

PHOTOGRAPH BY JESSICA GORDON RYAN

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in the fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”

– F Scott Fitzgerald –

Summer, Sachuset Point in Newport, Rhode Island, looking out towards Second Beach and St. George’s School

TRÈS JOY ®

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