Images Arizona (November 2022)

CELEBRATING TEN YEARS

CANAL CONVERGENCE

PHOTOGRAPHY ESSAY

BARRIO VIBRANCE

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS

STUDIO

TOUR

N O V E M B E R 2022 PROUDLY SERVING THESE COMMUNITIES: DC Ranch Country Club l Desert Highlands Golf Club l Estancia Grayhawk Golf Club l Happy Valley Ranch l McDowell Mountain Pinnacle Peak Country Club l Scottsdale National Golf Club Silverleaf Country Club l Troon North Golfom Club and surrounding area C1 imagesar izona.c November 2022

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TREVOR

S WA N S ON

A Quiet Afternoon, oil and patina on metal. 48” by 30”

B RYC E

P ETTIT

Promises to Keep, 68” x 40” x 20” Quail Family, life size

SUE

K R Z Y S TON

AM Y

L AY

BRYC E 2

TREVOR

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P E T T IT

SWA N S ON November

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WILD LI FE

R E A LI S M

W I LD LI FE BRO N Z E

L A N D S C A P E

A N D

ARTI S T ARTI S T

S C U LP TO R

W I LD LI FE

A RTIST

Meet our Featured Artists DURING OUR HO LI DAY O PEN HO USE

T H U R S D A Y, N O V E M B E R 1 7 F R O M 4 T O 7 P M

AM Y

L AY

Great Horned Owls, oil. 48” by 30”

SU E

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Honoring the Old Traditions, oil. 30” by 15”

H O M E F U R N I S H I N G S & F I N E A R T G A L L E RY

SUE BICKERDYKE 26 years in Carefree

INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES, HOME FURNISHINGS & FINE ART GALLERY 36889 N. Tom Darlington Dr. Suite B1, Carefree | 480-595-0171 | suebickerdyke.com Hours: Mon. thru Sat. 9am - 5pm Allied ASID imagesar izona.c om November 2022

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What's Inside?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CANAL CONVERGENCE

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STEPHEN WEBSTER

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INNOVATION & SKILL

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COMMUNITY

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BARRIO VIBRANCE

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RECIPE

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From the Publisher Publisher Shelly Spence

Managing Editor Joseph J. Airdo

Graphic Designer

Meaghan Mitchell

Contributing Writers

Joseph J. Airdo Amanda Christmann Francine Coles Rebecca L. Rhoades Shannon Severson

Photographers

Francine Coles Loralei Lazurek Carl Schultz

Advertising Sales

Cindi Calcinari 860-966-3271 cindi@imagesaz.com

Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221 imagesarizona.com Submission of news for community section should be in to shelly@imagesaz.com by the 5th of the month prior to publication.

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One of the things that continue to amaze and inspire me after more than two decades of publishing this magazine is the many imaginative ways in which artists capture the beauty of the world around us.

There seems to be a never-ending stream of ideas that flow through the minds of these creatives that challenges us to constantly discover new ways of looking at life.

This month’s issue of Images Arizona is a true celebration of that.

And as much as I would like to say that it was by design, I think that it is even more incredible to admit that it happened quite naturally.

An overarching narrative of how art communicates things that words alone cannot, connects us, creates community and allows us to explore others’ perspectives and dive deeper into our own understanding intrinsically unfolded across these pages.

Stories of artists who use raku-fired vessels, watercolors, bronze sculptures, paper, wood, jewelry and light began to establish a theme for this month’s issue and a message about how art is incorporated into every aspect of our lives. It further extends to the music we listen to, the books we read, the meals we cook and the ways in which we decorate our homes for the holidays. Even entire neighborhoods can be an artistic medium, as reflected in this month’s photo essay.

I encourage you to step outside, enjoy our wonderful fall weather and look around at the art that surrounds us all on a daily basis.

Better yet, visit one or more of the many remarkable museums and galleries we are so fortunate to have in our communities; or attend an art festival and engage in conversation with the artists themselves. I hope that this month’s issue amazes and inspires you as much as it has me.

Cheers!

Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc. Copyright © 2022 by ImagesAZ, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited.

The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited material.

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Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221

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Photo by Harshita Kasera Bay Area resident Harshita Kasera recently visited Cathedral Rock in Sedona, where she and her husband, Antriksh Saxena, enjoyed a gorgeous sunrise, breathtaking beauty and epic views of the surrounding landscape.

“Before coming to Sedona, I had read that Sedona is believed to have healing powers in certain locations referred to as energy vortexes,” Kasera says. “Cathedral Rock is one such vortex. I am not sure what it was, but I could feel calmness in the surroundings there and could sit there for hours.

“We also saw some hot air balloons in the sky and everything felt so magical. Cathedral Rock is truly the most beautiful spot in Sedona. The stunning display of sun rays hitting on the red rocks is totally worth getting up early in the morning.” instagram.com/hkasera antrromet.com

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SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS TO IMAGES@IMAGESAZ.COM OR TAG #IMAGESAZ ON INSTAGRAM FOR POSSIBLE PUBLICATION IN AN ISSUE. imagesar izona.c omUPCOMING November 2022

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— ITALIAN FINE JEWELRY —

NOVEMBER 4–5

Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. ..

Explore a vast collection of jewelry from Italian designers during this exclusive two-day event. From highly polished gold by Roberto Coin, to chic, comfortable jewelry by FOPE, to exquisite, hand-engraved gold by Nanis, to light, flexible jewelry by Mattia Cielo, each and every piece is extraordinarily elegant, ultimately feminine and uniquely Italian.

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— AARON HENRY JEWELRY —

NOVEMBER 11–12

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Meet the father and son team behind this luxury jewelry collection. Extra inventory will be on-hand, including special one-of-akind pieces, each of which is hand-crafted, bringing classical Old World quality to modern design.

— SLOANE STREET JEWELS —

NOVEMBER 18–19

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Sloane Street’s jewelry, designed by Frances and Charlotte Gadbois, goes beyond the tangible expression of style by embodying the timeless elegance of every woman. Extra inventory will be on-hand, including special one-of-a-kind pieces.

a r i zo n a .c o m November 20E. 22 Ho Hum Rd. # 7, Carefree, AZ | 480.575.8080 | GraceReneeGallery.com | 7212 10 Historici mages Spanish Village

— STEPHEN WEBSTER —

DECEMBER 9–10

Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.– 5 p.m.

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Discover the bold and glamorous collections from Stephen Webster, a London-based contemporary fine jewelers celebrated for his fearless creativity, powerful aesthetic, and traditional British craftsmanship.

Coveted by Hollywood icons and idols alike, from Megan Fox and Madonna, to David Beckham and Elton John.

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Grace Renee Gallery is a refreshingly beautiful way to explore fine contemporary art in the breathtaking shadows of the Sonoran Desert foothills of Carefree, Arizona. Artfully designed jewelry, inspiring sculptures, spectacular wall art, stunning ceramics and more await.

UPCOMING EVENTS — KATHERINE JETTER —

DECEMBER 9–10

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Marvel at the unique enamel hues, vibrant gold treatments and rare colored gems of couture jewelry designer Katherine Jetter. These cuttingedge, wearable art pieces for bold and brilliant women feature sensational, proprietary colors with eye-catching rhodium hues and exceptional, hand-picked gemstones that individually tell Jetter what they need during her design process.

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo

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Ten years ago, Scottsdale Public Art invited Jeff Zischke to be among the first artists to have their work featured as part of its inaugural Canal Convergence — a temporary outdoor exhibition of innovative, large-scale public art installations by local, national and international artists.

“It was a major undertaking,” says Zischke, noting that he and the Scottsdale Public Art team installed more than 200 illuminated shapes on the surface of the Arizona Canal at the Scottsdale Waterfront for his 2012 artwork, “Nodal Water Garden.” “It was an amazing amount of work and a super big challenge but super fun, too.”

HYBYCOZO's “InSpires” // Photo Courtesy of HYBYCOZO This month, to celebrate and commemorate Canal Convergence’s decennial, the Scottsdale-based artist and designer is upping the ante, unveiling a new work that consists of five internally lit sculptures suspended above the canal.

“There will be five units designed like sun shapes installed in an ascending and descending order, representing sunrise and sunset in our desert environment,” Zischke explains. “There are many new problems to be solved — such as engineering of cable structures and design and programming of the computer-controlled LEDs that will power the sculptures at night.”

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Angela Fraleigh and Josh Miller's “Sound the Deep Water” // Photo Courtesy of Angela Fraleigh

Ten years ago, we embraced the idea of activating this waterfront as a public space to bring the community together. I think this made Scottsdale a better place to live, while making our community stronger.

Gerd Wuestemann

However, Zischke strongly believes that it is well worth the effort.

“It is just a wonderful opportunity,” says Zischke, who was also selected to exhibit at Canal Convergence in 2014 with his “Water Striders.” “I live for challenges. When I started my career, I did suspended fabric pieces in Ann Arbor, Michigan. So this really harkens back to that and I am very appreciative that Scottsdale Public Art has invited back me to create something for this event.”

The free, 10-night event scheduled for Nov. 4–13 will feature 12 large-scale public artworks created by artists from around the world alongside augmented reality artworks and experiences, live music and dance performances, creative workshops, educational activities and food trucks as well as a beer and wine garden.

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AN ARTS-FOCUSED CITY What began in 2012 as a four-day spring gathering that maxed out at 80,000 attendees has, over the past decade, evolved into a fall festival that typically draws about a quarter-million people to the Scottsdale Waterfront area over the course of 10 days.

Scottsdale Arts president and CEO Gerd Wuestemann says Canal Convergence was supported by significant investment of resources by the city of Scottsdale, via its tourism development commission, as well as private and corporate fundraising.

“Ten years ago, we embraced the idea of activating this waterfront as a public space to bring the community together,” Wuestemann says. “I think this made Scottsdale a better place to live, while making our community stronger.”

B!G ART's “The Tunnel” // Photo Courtesy of B!G ART

Scottsdale Public Art’s assistant director for Canal Convergence Jennifer Gill attributes the event’s incredible growth to both the interest of the general public and the growth of the city itself. Since its debut 10 years ago, the event has embodied an ever-evolving conversation about site-specific public art, light art, community engagement and more.

“One of the things that has always been really important to us is being able to offer free admission to Canal Convergence so that the public can interact and talk with the artists,” Gill says. “It is also about showing the best parts of Scottsdale.”

The city established Scottsdale Public Art in 1985, with the goal to enhance the quality of life for its residents and visitors. Since then, more than 100 permanent and temporary public artworks have been commissioned throughout the community.

Jeff Zischke's "SunDrops" // Rendering Courtesy of Jeff Zischke

“We are very much an arts-focused city,” Gill explains. “And what better way to express that than with public art, live music, dance performances, workshops and family activities?”

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THE MIND’S EYE For Canal Convergence's 10th anniversary, each participating artist was directed to present an artwork that celebrates water, art, light, interactivity and sustainability while also drawing from past themes.

Additionally, organizers set out to celebrate all of the elements that have gone into making it the successful and beloved event that is it today.

“One of the key ways we have accomplished this is by not only inviting new artists to create lightbased artworks through our open call, but also reaching out to past Canal Convergence artists to show new artworks for this year’s event,” Gill says.

In addition to Zischke, this year's lineup of returning artists includes Scottsdale’s own Walter Productions — which has been a yearly presenter at Canal Convergence since 2018, most often with choreographed fire shows that draw massive crowds.

This year, Walter Productions’ “ORB” will ignite over the canal, shooting flames 30 feet into the air.

Between performances, viewers will be able to control a series of LED panels on the floating installation.

Meanwhile, Los Angelesbased HYBYCOZO, which last appeared at Canal Convergence in 2017, will return this year with “Trillian + InSpires.” Influenced by natural forms, ancient Islamic tiles, mathematics and geometry, the artworks cast colorful light and intricate shadows on the surrounding environment.

Yelena Filipchuk, a Ukrainian-born member of HYBYCOZO, believes that public art provides us with a necessary insight.

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“Interacting with artists reminds people that their made environment is malleable; that the world is truly made in the mind's eye of every person,” Filipchuk explains. “With that intention, we can all go forth and create a more just, equitable and creative society.”

Philadelphia-based Immerge Interactive, which showed “Fences” in 2020, will return this year with “Reflections” — an interactive lighting installation that hovers over the surface of the Arizona Canal, captures the movement of viewers on the canal banks and creates generative patterns in real time, sampling past Canal Convergence artworks and color palettes from the surrounding geography.

THE INTERACTIVE ELEMENT Although most of the returning artists will debut new artworks, a few will reintroduce pieces that have previously appeared at Canal Convergence, including Mexico City-based artists Hector Esrawe and Ignacio Cadena’s “Los Trompos” — colorful, rotating, top-like artworks made from fabric that is woven in a traditional Mexican style.

Meanwhile, Calgary-based B!G ART will bring back its popular installation “The DOOR(S),” which this year will act as gateways to past Canal Convergence events and to a real-time livestream at Scottsdale Fashion Square, allowing visitors at both locations to virtually interact with one another.

Two other installations from B!G ART will also be on exhibition this year. “The STARQUARIUM” is a one-of-a-kind, intergalactic aquarium, connected to a HYBYCOZO's “Trillian” // Photo Courtesy of HYBYCOZO gateway through space and time, delivering flora, fauna and other mysteries from faraway worlds. Meanwhile, “The TUNNEL” is a one-way trip through a passage of magical light, where viewers become pilots through an interactive device.

Of course, returning artists only make up half of this year’s lineup. Among those making their Canal Convergence debut are Pennsylvania-based artists Angela Fraleigh and Josh Miller, whose “Sound the Deep Waters” will offer participants an opportunity to have secret messages interpreted as bold, brilliant, larger-than-life flower compositions.

Needless to say, the interactive element will be front and center during this year’s event. Another example of this is Netherlands-based artist AlexP’s “MAPP,” which will invite participants to step into the light and become part of the artwork as they appear among colorful images and patterns.

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Visit anchor.fm/imagesaz or scan this QR code with your phone to hear Jeff Zischke’s artistic vision behind the trio of large-scale public artworks that he has created for Canal Convergence over the past decade — including this year’s “SunDrops.”

Air Conditioning • Electrical • Insulation Plumbing • Water Treatment

GAME TIME EVENT Hector Esrawe and Ignacio Cadena's “Los Trompos” // Photo Courtesy of Scottsdale Arts

Meanwhile, Rhode Island-based inflatable art studio Pneuhaus and Bike Powered Events will exhibit “Canopy” — a grove of six illuminated, tree-like sculptures that continuously transform in shape and color as participants power them through bike-driven generators.

A Celebration of Water in the Desert Gill cannot wait for the public to see the 10-year evolution of the event, its participating artists and the city itself through a lens that only Canal Convergence can provide. She anticipates that Zischke’s new work — aptly named “SunDrops” — will truly highlight the various aspects that are unique to the Scottsdale Waterfront.

“I think that Jeff’s piece will inhabit that space in a really compelling way, honing in on nature, the desert and the sun — all of which are things that are present in Scottsdale,” she says.

“The Arizona Canal is such a beautiful environment,” explains Zischke, who this summer opened his own gallery and cafe in Old Town Scottsdale. “I hope that people walk around the whole canal and see my work from different perspectives — from one of the bridges, from the side, etc. I hope that it creates a sense of awe.”

The artist adds that Canal Convergence brings the entire community together to celebrate the system of lateral waterways that have historically been and continue to be an essential asset to our state.

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“Canal Convergence is a celebration of water in the desert — which is so important for everything,” he says.

“It is life in the Valley of the Sun. And ‘SunDrops’ is a celebration of the sun that we have 300 days a year.” canalconvergence.com

Zischke agrees, adding that his hope is that Canal Convergence attendees take time to view “SunDrops” from several angles.

Experience

Canal Convergence Nov. 4–13 | Fridays and Saturdays | 6–10 p.m. | Sundays | 6–9 p.m.

Scottsdale Waterfront | 7135 E. Camelback Road, | Scottsdale Free | canalconvergence.com

Call or Text

480.478.3384 to Schedule your Appointment!

*Customer is required to put down a non-refundable $1500 deposit on an approved estimate in order to receive an Instant Win Scratch Off. Any changes to an approved estimate after the scratch off are subject to additional charges. All prizes are exchangeable for services of equal value provided by ProSkill or to a charity of your choice. **Raffle Winners will be announced Friday, January 6th, 2023. ***Winners are required to comply with a photo opportunity for future marketing purposes. ****Vendor Promotion begins 10/15/22 and ends 12/31/22. imagesar izona.c om

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ANCIENT + OLD TRUNK SHOW Wed. & Thur. | Nov. 9-10 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Historic Spanish Village | 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 480-575-8080 | GraceReneeGallery.com 18

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ANCIENT + OLD TRUNK SHOW Wed. & Thur. | Nov. 9-10 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Historic Spanish Village | 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 480-575-8080 | GraceReneeGallery.com imagesar izona.c om

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COMMUNITY November

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Through Nov. 5

‘MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT’ Arizona Broadway Theatre presents its production of “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” which retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table and features a bevy of beautiful showgirls, cows, killer rabbits and French people. See website for price and times.

Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. 623-776-8400; azbroadway.org

Through Nov. 6 ‘PROOF’

Desert Stages Theatre presents its production of “Proof,” the story of an enigmatic young woman, her manipulative sister, their brilliant father and an unexpected suitor. See website for price and times. Desert Stages Theatre at Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 0586, Scottsdale. 480-483-1664; desertstages.org

Through Dec. 31

MODERN LATINA: CULTURA, FAMILIA Y ARTE Scottsdale Public Art will showcase artworks that celebrate the resilience and creativity of Arizona Latina artists. The featured artworks reveal the Latina life experience, showing how the personal is also universal, while also asserting that the power and voice of women is long-lasting and farreaching throughout time. Free. Civic Center Public Gallery at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale. scottsdalepublicart.org

Nov. 1

JODY SHARP

Through Jan. 22

HOLD ON TO HOPE

Scottsdale Arts Learning and Innovation will showcase a new exhibition spotlighting the life of local Holocaust survivor Oskar Knoblauch. The exhibition takes viewers on a visual journey through Knoblauch’s harrowing experiences as he and his family struggled to survive the brutality of the Third Reich in Germany and Nazi-occupied Poland. As visitors walk through the gallery, photos, Knoblauch’s personal anecdotes and period objects will illustrate key events, people and places. Free. The Center Space Gallery at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale. 480-499-8587; scottsdaleartslearning.org

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Desert Foothills Library will host a meet-and-greet with “Angels on the Rider’s Shoulders” author Jody Sharp. Free.

4–5 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Nov. 3

ETTIE ZILBER Desert Foothills Library will host a meet-and-greet with “A Holocaust Memoir of Love and Resilience” author Ettie Zilber. Free. 4–5 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Nov. 3

FREEDOM ISN’T FREE Youth for Troops will host an open-house style event that will include a donation drive, special holiday projects, box decorating and appreciation card writing. Youth for Troops will also be collecting Halloween candy to ship to deployed troops. Free. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Nov. 4 and 5

ITALIAN FINE JEWELRY Explore a vast collection of jewelry from Italian designers during this exclusive two-day event. From highly polished gold by Roberto Coin, to chic, comfortable jewelry by FOPE, to exquisite, hand-engraved gold by Nanis, to light, flexible jewelry by Mattia Cielo, each and every piece is extraordinarily elegant, ultimately feminine and uniquely Italian. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 4–6

CAREFREE FINE ART AND WINE FESTIVAL Thunderbird Artists will host its fall event during which attendees can view fine art selected through a comprehensive jury process, sample fine wines and spirits, snack on festival food and listen to live music, all while soaking in the sunshine, reveling in the mountain views and meeting artists and fellow art lovers. This fall’s featured artist is oil painter Danial James, whose diverse work includes animals, beverages and stylized history. $4. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Downtown Carefree, 101 Easy St., Carefree. thunderbirdartists.com

Nov. 4–13

CANAL CONVERGENCE: WATER + ART + LIGHT Scottsdale Arts will host its 10th-anniversary showcase of large-scale public artworks. Free. Scottsdale Waterfront, 7135 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. canalconvergence.com

Nov. 5

DESERT AWARENESS PARK TOURS Foothills Community Foundation’s Desert Awareness Committee will host leisurely strolls through its native desert park, featuring a guided tour of the plants of the Sonoran Desert upland. Free. See website for times. RSVP. Desert Awareness Park, N. Vermeersch Road, Cave Creek. hollandcenter.org

Nov. 5

HEROES UNDER THE STARS Rancho Milagro will host a charitable, county fair-style evening featuring a chili cookoff and live music by Trio Rio. Flagstaff Rancho Milagro director and trauma survivor Antoinette Maestas will share her story of how equineassisted therapy saved her life and her subsequent calling to become an equine specialist. $50. 4:30–7:30 p.m. Rancho Milagro, 32905 N. 140th St., Scottsdale. 480-529-2633; ranchomilagroaz.org

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COMMUNITY November

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Nov. 6

AN EVENING WITH ESTEBAN The Hermosa Inn will host a concert featuring guitarist Esteban and his violinist daughter, Teresa Joy. The evening will include a sumptuous four-course dinner. $225. See website for time. The Hermosa Inn, 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley. hermosainn.com

Nov. 6

TRIO ZIMBALIST: MUSIC’S CULTURAL AMBASSADORS The Living Music Performance Series will present a Curtis on Tour concert featuring Trio Zimbalist, who will perform two masterpieces from the world’s richest piano trio repertoire. See website for ticket information. 3 p.m.

Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, 9205 E. Cave Creek Road, Carefree. 480 488 2081; carefree.org

Nov. 7

BRASS TRANSIT Arizona Musicfest brings Brass Transit to the stage for a concert that recreates the unforgettable sound of the band Chicago, transporting audiences back to the freewheeling days of the 70s and 80s. $34+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Nov. 7

LITERATE FOODIES Literate Foodies will discuss Sean Sherman’s “The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen” — a rich education and a delectable introduction to modern indigenous cuisine. $10.

See website for time. RSVP. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Nov. 6

ERIN HANSON Contemporary impressionist Erin Hanson will host an artist meet-and-greet reception at her recently opened art gallery, which showcases her original oil paintings and 3D textured replicas, as well as her canvas prints, coffee table books and calendars. Free. See website for time. The Erin Hanson Gallery, 7117 E. Main St., Scottsdale. erinhanson.com

Nov. 8

AMERICAN HURRAH PATRIOTIC SHOW Jan Sandwich and her pianist will present a tribute to George M. Cohan that takes audiences on a musical trip across our great country, honoring each branch of the armed services along the way. Free. 11:30 a.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Nov. 9 and 10

CYNTHIA ANN JEWELS Explore an exciting collection of jewelry that combines classic European styling with modern metals, textures and breathtaking precious and semi-precious stones.

Transforming ancient relics into wearable art, each of Cynthia Ann’s pieces is lovingly and uniquely designed to enhance its original history and beauty. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

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Nov. 10–12

STICKS GOLF AND CIGAR LOUNGE GRAND REOPENING Sticks Golf and Cigar Lounge will celebrate its new full liquor license with a grand reopening event featuring live music and local food on two scenic patios. Cigar and spirit vendors will also be on-site, providing samples of WhistlePig Rye Whisky, Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky and Carefree Bourbon. Special cigar deals will also be offered. See website for hours. Sticks Golf and Cigar Lounge, 37555 E. Hum Road, Carefree. 480-575-0993; sticksgolf-cigarlounge.com

Nov. 10–13 ‘PLAY ON!’

Desert Foothills Theater will present its production of “Play On!” See website for price and times. Holland Community Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. dftheater.org

Nov. 11 and 12

AARON HENRY JEWELRY Meet the father and son team behind this luxury jewelry collection. Each brilliant piece is hand-crafted bringing classical Old World quality to modern design. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 12

BUCKLE UP AND RIDE THE RED WAVE Palo Verde Republican Women will host a lively event, featuring guest speaker Charlie Kirk, to benefit the ASU Center for American Institutions and the new Turning Point Academy. The event will include a barbecue dinner, music, dancing and a live auction. $100. 5–9 p.m. MacDonald’s Ranch, 26540 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. pvrwbuckleup.com

Nov. 12

MARIE OSMOND Arizona Musicfest brings Marie Osmond to the stage, accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra. $64+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Nov. 12 and 13

PHOENIX PIZZA FESTIVAL PHX Fest will host its seventh annual Phoenix Pizza Festival, featuring live music, a kids zone, lawn games, dessert trucks and 15–20 pizza makers — creating a cheesy paradise for the whole family in the heart of downtown Phoenix. $16 entry (online purchase only).

Saturday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix. phoenix.pizza imagesar izona.c om

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COMMUNITY November

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Nov. 13

AMERICAN SALUTE Salt River Brass will perform its sophomore concert of the season — an armed forces tribute honoring those who serve our country. $19+; student and senior discounts available. 3 p.m.

Mesa Arts Center, One E. Main St., Mesa. saltriverbrass.org

Sunday, Nov. 13 SALUTE OUR VETS

Carolyn Eynon Singers will perform a concert of patriotic music designed to honor our country’s veterans. Donation; free for veterans. 3 p.m. Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, 9205 E. Cave Creek Road, Carefree. carolyneynonsingers.com

Nov. 13

THE STEVE ADELSON STICK-TET ALL STARS Musical Instrument Museum will welcome Chapman stick player Steve Adelson and friends for a concert of jazz music. $49.50+. 7 p.m. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org

Nov. 15

HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN WEST Holland Community Center will welcome Jim Sherbert for a lecture about the history of the American West. $10 donation. 4 p.m. Holland Community Center, 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale. hollandcenter.org

Nov. 15

JAN KRULICK-BELIN

Nov. 12 and 13

ARIZONA TACO FESTIVAL Arizona Taco Festival will return for its 13th year, featuring more than 50 local taco vendors and restaurants. $15. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Bell Bank Park, One Legacy Drive, Mesa. aztacofestival.com

Desert Foothills Library will host a meet-and-greet with “Love, Bill: Finding My Father Through Letters from World War II” author Jan Krulick-Belin. Free. 4–5 p.m.

Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Nov. 17

CAREFREE ART NIGHT Galleries throughout Carefree will host an event that offers art enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy live music and refreshments as they stroll through the breathtaking shadows of Black Mountain in search of their next masterpiece. Free. 4–7 p.m. See website for participating galleries. visitcarefree.com

Nov. 17

MICHAEL FRICKSTAD Desert Foothills Library will host a meet-and-greet with “Finding PHIL: Four Traits for Conquering Chaos” author Michael Frickstad. Free. 4–5 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480488-2286; dfla.org

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Nov. 17–20

‘LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST’ Southwest Shakespeare Company will present its production of “Love’s Labour’s Lost.” $35+; youth, student and teacher discounts available. See website for times. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, 12345 N. Taliesin Drive, Scottsdale. shakespeare.org

Nov. 17–Dec. 30

‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’ Don Bluth Front Row Theater will present its production of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a stage version of the classic 1946 film. $30; youth, student, senior, military and group discounts available. See website for times. Don Bluth Front Row Theater, 8989 E. Via Linda, Suite 118, Scottsdale. 480-3140841; donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com

Nov. 18 and 19

SLOANE STREET JEWELS Experience the extravagance of Sloane Street’s jewelry, designed by Frances and Charlotte Gadbois, which goes beyond the tangible expression of style by embodying the timeless elegance of every woman. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 18–20

STAGECOACH VILLAGE ART ON THE PLAZA Vermillion Promotions will host an outdoor gallery boasting a collection of original art that represents a wide variety of cultures and artwork in a range of subject matter and media. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Stagecoach Village, 7100 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek. vermillionpromotions.com

Nov. 18–20 + Nov. 25–27 HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST STUDIO TOUR

Sonoran Arts League will host its 26th annual Hidden in the Hills

Artist Studio Tour, featuring 174 artists at 47 studios throughout the scenic Desert Foothills communities of Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

See website for locations. 480-5756624; hiddeninthehills.org

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Nov. 18–Dec. 11

‘THE CHILDREN’ The Theatre Artists Studio will present its production of “The Children,” which tells the story of two married and retired nuclear scientists who have chosen to live their lives in isolation until an old friend arrives with a frightening request. $25; student, senior, military and group discounts available. See website for times.

The Theatre Artists Studio, 4848 E. Cactus Road, Suite 406, Scottsdale. thestudiophx.org

Nov. 18–Dec. 18

‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’ Desert Stages Theatre will present its production of “A Christmas Story,” a stage musical version of the classic 1983 film. See website for price and times. Desert Stages Theatre at Fashion Square, 7014 E. Camelback Road, Suite 0586, Scottsdale. 480-483-1664; desertstages.org

Nov. 18–Dec. 29

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ Arizona Broadway Theatre will present its production of “A Christmas Carol,” a lavish and thrilling Broadway adaptation of Charles Dickens’ story that breathes fantastic new life into the classic tale of Christmas tidings and heartwarming generosity.

See website for price and times.

Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. 623-7768400; azbroadway.org

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COMMUNITY November

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Nov. 19

DBE: ANNUAL CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISER TEA The National Society Daughters of the British Empire will host its annual fundraising event, featuring finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, petit fours and, of course, tea. $25. 1–3 p.m. RSVP. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Nov. 19–Dec. 31

THE IMMERSIVE NUTCRACKER Lighthouse Immersive and Impact Museums will debut an experiential retelling of a young girl’s magical Christmas Eve journey, featuring more than 500,000 cubic feet of projections composed of over 1 million frames of video, curating a grand immersive display that relays the tale of “The Nutcracker” from opening to finale. $29.99+. See website for times. Lighthouse ArtSpace Phoenix, 4301 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. immersive-nutcracker.com

Nov. 20

FALL YOUNG MUSICIANS CONCERT Arizona Musicfest will present a concert showcasing Arizona’s brightest young classical musicians — each of whom possesses astounding technique and prodigious musicianship. $20. 2 p.m. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. azmusicfest.org

Nov. 21

KURT ELLING Arizona Musicfest will bring jazz vocalist Kurt Elling to the stage, accompanied by the Arizona Musicfest Big Band. $51+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

Nov. 28–Jan. 1 CITYSKATE

CitySkate, downtown Phoenix’s most popular and real outdoor ice-skating rink, will return to CityScape Phoenix for the holiday season. $20; youth, student, senior and military discounts available. See website for times. Patriot’s Park at CityScape, 11 W. Washington St., Phoenix. cityskatephx.com

Nov. 17

MICHELLE FINN Desert Foothills Library will welcome History Channel’s “Alone” contestant Michelle Finn — educator, author, presenter and wilderness survival aficionado. Free. 3:30– 4:30 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

Nov. 26

JAKE SHIMABUKURO: CHRISTMAS IN HAWAI’I Ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro will perform a concert of holiday music. See website for price. 8 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380, E. Second St., Scottsdale. scottsdaleperformingart.org

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Nov. 28 and 29

IRISH CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA Musical Instrument Museum will welcome Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada and friends for a familyfriendly performance featuring lively instrumental tunes played on fiddle, flute, uilleann pipes, harp and bouzouki, as well as thrilling Irish dancing. $35.50+. 7 p.m. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim. org

Dec. 2

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY: WILD AND SWINGIN’ HOLIDAY PARTY Leading swing revival band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will bring its unique and spirited holiday concert to the Valley as part of Arizona Musicfest. $51+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale.

Dec. 3 and 4

ZONA MUSIC FESTIVAL Psyko Steve Presents will debut its inaugural two-day boutique music festival featuring a diverse range of national and local alternative, indie, pop and rock artists. $164+.

See website for schedule. Margaret T. Hance Park, 67 W. Culver St., Phoenix. zonamusicfest.com

Dec. 4

SCOTTSDALE PHILHARMONIC Scottsdale Philharmonic will perform a concert of classical music by composers Frédéric Chopin, Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. $15 donation. 4 p.m. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380, E. Second St., Scottsdale. scottsdalephilharmonic.com

Dec. 4

THE SCHUMANN LEGACY Musical Instrument Museum will welcome MusicaNova Orchestra for a concert of Robert Schumann’s most treasured masterpieces. $33.50+. 2 p.m. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org

Wild Holly Gallery

Dec. 4–11

HOLIDAYS WITH ORPHEUS: CELEBRATE THE SEASON Orpheus Male Chorus will perform a concert of traditional and contemporary holiday songs. $25; youth, student and senior discounts available. See website for times and locations. orpheus.org

Dec. 6

MARK O’CONNOR: AN APPALACHIAN CHRISTMAS

Two stories of eclectic American art awaits you at the Wild Holly Gallery, in the heart of Carefree.

Featuring canvas, copper, bronze, paper art, artistic water features, glass, jewelry and ceramic treasures.

NOW FEATURING WEARABLE ART

Virtuosic fiddle player, guitarist and composer Mark O’Connor will take the stage, joined by his wife, Maggie, and son, Forrest, for a holiday concert as part of Arizona Musicfest. $34+. 7:30 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale.

Dec. 8

MINDI ABAIR’S I CAN’T WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS Musical Instrument Museum will welcome two-time Grammy nominee Mindi Abair for a holiday concert featuring an incredible group of multitalented smooth jazz musicians. $33.50+. 7 and 9 p.m. Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix. 480-478-6000; mim.org

Representing 103 American Artists Open Daily 11-5 Sunday 12-4

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COMMUNITY November

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Dec. 9 and 10

KATHERINE JETTER Marvel at the unique enamel hues, vibrant gold treatments and rare colored gems of couture jewelry designer Katherine Jetter. These cutting-edge, wearable art pieces for bold and brilliant women feature sensational, proprietary colors with eye-catching rhodium hues and exceptional, hand-picked gemstones that individually tell Jetter what they need during her design process. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Dec. 9–24

‘THE NUTCRACKER’ Ballet Arizona will present its performance of “The Nutcracker,” during which the Phoenix Symphony will play Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic score that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of Christmas while Clara battles mischievous mice and charms the Sugar Plum Fairy. See website for price and times. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix. 602-381-1096; balletaz.org

FARM OFFERS FREE EQUINE THERAPY TO VETERANS Aspiring to end the mental health stigma and get our nation’s heroes the support they deserve, Hunkapi Programs, Chapman Automotive Group and Optimyze this fall hosted 50 Arizona veterans, who each received free equine therapy, guided Wim Hof method breathing, cold exposure and more resources to help them deal with anxiety, depression, PTSD and other diagnoses. hunkapai.org

Dec. 9 and 10

STEPHEN WEBSTER

Discover the bold and glamorous collections from Stephen Webster, a London-based contemporary fine jeweler celebrated for his fearless creativity, powerful aesthetic, and traditional British craftsmanship.

Coveted by Hollywood icons and idols alike, from Megan Fox and Madonna, to David Beckham and Elton John. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

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RESOURCE CENTER SEEKS ADOPT-A-FAMILY DONORS Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center is seeking donors for its 20th annual holiday gift program, which last year served more than 1,185 people throughout the community. The nonprofit organization is accepting donations of $50 Walmart and Visa gift cards as well as board games, books and throws to brighten the holidays for children, families and seniors. After registering by Nov. 30, participants will be asked to drop off donations at Holland Community Center. Holiday events will then be hosted in early December for all adopted families. foothillsfoodbank.com

SANDERSON LINCOLN

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Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of The Erin Hanson Gallery

When artist Erin Hanson celebrates the grand opening of The Erin Hanson Gallery in Scottsdale this month, it will be one more celebrated milestone in her lifelong pursuit of creating art and living life by her own rules.

Hanson, who first iterated her dream of becoming an artist on a school application at age 6, developed her own form of oil painting: Open Impressionism.

It has become her signature. The textured, impasto technique involves applying paint in a minimalistic fashion, one stroke at a time without overlapping.

The effect is almost stained glass-like in appearance with ripples of light and color.

“My style came from painting rocks,” Hanson says. “Because I wasn’t classically trained as an artist, I had to kind of create my own style; I use thick, heavily pigmented paint and I developed this method of pre-mixing my entire palette.

“Before I ever pick up a brush, I have hundreds of hues and values already laid out on the palette and I work from a limited palette of about five colors.

I kind of reverse engineer my painting so that I try not to overlap my brushstrokes. That gives it almost like a mosaic, stained glass look. I have to apply it to the canvas and get it right the first time.

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Owning galleries in McMinnville, Oregon, Carmel-By-The-Sea and now Scottsdale, Erin Hanson’s love of landscapes and taste for adventure gives the artist an enriched perspective of the natural beauty of the American Southwest.

“

The saguaro is this very strong piece that I can put in my paintings; the buttes catching sunsets; there’s so much color in the depth of the desert.

Erin Hanson

“So this is how I was first painting rocks, because that’s how I saw the rocks — with these kind of planes of color meeting up together with these dark lines between. That’s how the style developed. I didn’t realize I was doing anything unique.”

Those rocks she was first painting weren’t the small kind one might pick up in the backyard. A California native who now lives in Oregon, Hanson is an avid rock climber. In addition to the Scottsdale location, the artist owns galleries in McMinnville, Oregon and CarmelBy-The-Sea. Her love of landscapes and taste for adventure gives her an enriched perspective of the natural beauty of the American Southwest.

The artist first experienced this in the Mojave Desert and amidst Nevada’s red rocks. At a time when she was working in a scientific, rather than an artistic field, those craggy cliffs and rough-hewn boulders inspired her to start painting again.

She now paints the beautiful scenery of the American West. Her Scottsdale gallery, which officially opened its doors earlier this fall, prominently features her shimmering depictions of the Grand Canyon State.

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“Arizona, like the whole Colorado Plateau with the four corners and Southern Utah — it’s some of the most beautiful landscape to paint, period,” Hanson observes. “The thing I love most are very strong compositional elements.

“The saguaro is this very strong piece that I can put in my paintings; the buttes catching sunsets; there’s so much color in the depth of the desert. When you’re painting the buttes you see the depth and layers of beauty in purples and blues. It’s color depth you don’t have in other places.

“In the Sonoran Desert you have red rock and all those saguaros; the desert in the spring is so beautiful. Everything is blooming and the ground turns bright green. The big monsoon clouds come in the summer and those are really fun to paint. I love the way it looks when a big cloud is coming in and you can see the shadow of the cloud. It creates this whole atmosphere in the landscapes. You don’t see this dramatic, strong light and shadow in California or other places I paint.”

A GALLERY OF ONE’S OWN Hanson is a lifelong student of painting and drawing and the goal of owning her own gallery was formed early, on a family vacation to the rugged coast of Cannon Beach Oregon.

Erin Hanson’s Scottsdale gallery, which officially opened its doors earlier this fall, prominently features the artist’s shimmering depictions of the Grand Canyon State.

“We visited this little town and I remember there was an artist — a watercolor painter — there,” Hanson recalls. “He had this huge sprawling gallery there in Cannon Beach and I’d never seen anything like it. I thought, ‘Wow! There are all his paintings; he is successful; he lives right on the beach, paints all day long and then sells out of the gallery.’

“That kind of stuck in my mind as being the ideal scene for an artist. It’s so different from what I was taught growing up — that you relied on the gallery to discover you. Even good artists may never get discovered, but here was a guy who didn’t care about being discovered. He just kind of did it all on his own. Seeing that at age 10, it really had an impact on me.”

A commissioned artist by the age of 10, she learned every form of painting from oils to watercolor. She even had a job creating murals in acrylic paint at the age of 12.

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ProSkill Now Offers Hanson graduated high school at just 16 years old and then attended Otis College of Art on a scholarship.

But there were times that she was discouraged. She was warned that there was no way to make a living as an artist. Hence, she left the art world for a while, earning a degree in bioengineering from University of California, Berkeley and later working in that field, even owning her own business.

“I had developed this more sensible attitude,” Hanson recalls. “I thought I could have my fun with painting, but I also needed to be in the real world. I wasn’t making a ton of money, but I was paying my bills and my time was my own. At a certain point, I asked myself, if I could do anything in the world, what would it be? And it was painting. I decided I was just going to do it.”

circus or a Renaissance Fair. I would travel all across the country doing shows on the weekend, then taking photos on my travels for inspiration.

I did this for 10 years before I ever hired another employee.”

Insulation

By the time she opened the doors of her first gallery, Hanson had an enormous following with several thousand people on her mailing list — many of whom came to that first grand opening. The personal connections she built then and the relationships she continues to build have sustained her and allowed her to expand her business, now to Arizona at her new gallery in Scottsdale.

“I have collectors who have up to 30 of my original paintings in their homes,” Hanson says. “They’re loyal and passionate and have created this word of mouth that is so valuable.”

Hanson resolved to complete one painting each week. She didn’t attempt to sell them until a full year had passed. She first took her canvases to an art festival with no idea what to expect. The response from collectors and other artists was a huge boost to her confidence and the experience was a revelation.

Hanson adds that sharing her landscapes feeds her own creativity.

She finds joy in the way that her art brings happiness to others. At The Erin Hanson Gallery in Scottsdale, her desert depictions will be on prominent display. The gallery will participate in the Scottsdale ArtWalk every Thursday night.

“There were 250 artists at that show in Boulder City,” Hanson says, “Every one of them were full-time, professional artists making a living by doing from 20 to 40 of these shows each year. I got to know them, they were friendly and supportive.

It was kind of like being part of a

“I’m excited to have a gallery here in Scottsdale,” Hanson says. “I’ve been itching to get back into desert painting; it feels like I'm going back to my roots.” erinhanson.com

Experience

Erin Hanson Sunday, Nov. 6 | See website for time The Erin Hanson Gallery | 7117 E. Main St., Scottsdale.

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Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Stephen Webster

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The British monarchy has garnered many headlines this fall and, along with all the pomp and circumstance, the image of the royal family is intrinsically tied to its famous Crown Jewels.

In use since approximately 1660, the regalia is symbolic of more than 800 years of monarchy. So it’s no secret that jewels and the craftsmanship required to present them in most spectacular fashion are a highly treasured part of British culture and tradition.

Stephen Webster may not be in line for the throne at Windsor Castle, but he is absolutely jewelry royalty. His designs marry traditional craftsmanship, innovation, fair trade and a decidedly rebellious rock ’n’ roll spirit, earning him scores of devotees — from musicians and actors to collectors who may not be in front of cameras but are nonetheless dedicated to his unique pieces.

Most recently, he’s been in the headlines for making a glittering set of diamond and emerald rings that cling together with magnets for the engagement of rapper Machine Gun Kelly and actress Megan Fox.

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“

Stephen Webster’s designs marry traditional craftsmanship, innovation, fair trade and a decidedly rebellious rock ’n’ roll spirit.

I’m always looking for the story behind something that I can tell as jewelry — a song, a poem, the ocean, a country. As long as I feel there’s a reason, I can translate that and tell a story in jewelry.

Stephen Webster

“As you put them on, the two rings cleaved together with magnets embedded in the gold, creating a heart,” Webster says. “It was my most talked about ring.”

Arizonans will have the chance to make his work their own this month when Webster’s pieces are displayed at Grace Renee Gallery in Carefree. He’s looking forward to having his pieces in the gallery, which presents a mix of paintings, sculptures and remarkable jewelry.

“I like galleries operated by their owners,” Webster says. “Like my business, you never leave and you stand by everything you produce. Owner-operators are passionate about what they present.”

Along with operating his own extremely successful jewelry brand, Webster also serves as chairman of Garrard & Co. — a jeweler that occupies a place in history as the first appointed crown jeweler circa 1843.

In 2012, he was honored for his contribution to the United Kingdom by King Charles III, who awarded him a Member of the Order of the British Empire medal in recognition of his outstanding achievement and positive

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impact on his industry and the wider community. Webster is known for pioneering Fairtrade gold and establishing mentorship programs for aspiring young jewelry designers through his Rock Vault program.

“I met the king when he was Prince Charles,” Webster reveals.

“He gave me my medal for my training and the skills I pass on to younger people in my industry.

I look forward to meeting him as king someday.”

ACORN TO OAK Webster’s 46-year history in the jewelry industry is truly an acorn-to-oak story and is fully detailed in his autobiography “Goldstruck: A Life Shaped by Jewellery,” where he details his journey from a small jeweler’s bench in England to global travels and worldwide fame. His love for rock ’n’ roll and fashion were early inspirations and he was heavily influenced by the iconic David Bowie.

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“He impacted me and so many people I know,” Webster says. “He was a revolution in himself. I’ve managed to twist an aesthetic into jewelry and it’s probably a reason I was able to develop this jewelry that is part of rock ’n’ roll royalty. It felt a bit like glam rock — it definitely got noticed and suited that crowd. I’m very lucky that, even now, I deal with a fair amount of people in that world –– even the younger ones.”

Webster has taken the best of traditional British craftsmanship and — with the creation of new cuts and the use of nontraditional stones — fashioned an entirely new genre in jewelry.

“I bought rough material [at the Tucson gem show] and fashioned it how I wanted,” he says. “In the 90s, I experimented with what I could do with a gem that hasn’t been done before. I created my iconic Crystal Haze, which is an extreme doublet — a heavily faceted piece of clear quartz over a layer of opaque material like turquoise or obsidian. All that I’d buy in Tucson I’d cut and make into Crystal Haze.

“As far as England was concerned at the time, it wasn’t considered the sort of thing you’d put in fine jewelry but I’d set it in 18k gold. I experimented with what I could do with a gem that hadn’t been done before. It took a while for people to accept it.”

Webster says that time was also on his side. His rise in success coincided with the shift of jewelry not just being purchased for women by men. Women were buying their own jewelry to express their own personal style. People were becoming more adventurous and self-expressive.

There’s also a lore to Stephen Webster jewelry. In every piece, he is sharing an entrancing tale.

“I’m always looking for the story behind something that I can tell as jewelry — a song, a poem, the ocean, a country,” he says. “As long as I feel there’s a reason, I can translate that and tell a story in jewelry. I’ve never done anything else. I’ve got to be creative and I have an amazing team around me.”

These stories told in precious metals, shimmering gems and bold, eye-catching lines are a reflection of how Webster creates in his own voice; it’s different from all the rest but based in the skills he’s mastered and the risks he’s been willing to take.

“If everyone is doing flowers, I’m making a rose with thorns,” Webster says. “There is a ring that Liz Taylor bought from a Santa Barbara shop I worked at in 1984. I phoned my mum back in England and she honestly didn’t believe me. It helped my confidence, which I probably needed at the time. That kind of motif — its roots are there for me; it’s still something we can return to as a motif.”

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AN AMERICAN ACCENT As much as he is an Englishman by birth, his time in America and the early embrace of his designs by Americans played a key role in his journey to renown.

“My style and success were very much driven by my American clients,” Webster says. “So much of the roots of independent jewelry originated in America; Native Americans are adorned with jewelry, that idea of the flamboyant Western cowboy with big belt buckles, silver, boots — all that is part of this independent spirit.”

His stand-out, avant-garde designs attract both men and women.

“I think the thing that completed the circle to date is that we launched a focused, gender-neutral collection,” he says.

“20 years ago, it was quite hard to know where you put a jewelry collection for men in a store — it used to be only watches and wedding bands. Now, we put out a collection not for him or her, but for everybody. Find what you like and wear it.”

Webster’s independent streak delivered his biggest break in the industry in the late 90s when Madonna purchased one of his rings, wore it on her index finger and propelled his career into the stratosphere. He later made the rings for her marriage to Guy Ritchie.

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“Madonna being Madonna, she didn’t give a shit about what was considered fine jewelry,” Webster recalls. “It became ‘the’ ring and people began to wear it on the index finger. That really kicked off my career. Everyone wanted it because she was wearing it.”

Scores of celebrities have adorned themselves in his creations ever since — among them Elton John, Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera, Machine Gun Kelly, Megan Fox, Ozzie Osbourne and Jennifer Lopez.

Today, Webster continues to push the envelope of design while bringing to the fore traditional methods used to make painstaking handmade chains, intricately carved knives and striking multifaceted gems.

He has always worked with his brother, David, and his daughters have recently joined the business — an unexpected yet delightful development as they bring their creative DNA to his projects. His daughter, Amy, is a filmmaker who is documenting her father’s work on his jewelry and homeware line and the relationships that he has built over many years with talented craftspersons across the UK. His younger daughter, Nika, is working and studying to be a jeweler.

Looking forward or back, it’s the relationships Webster has cultivated — paired with his talent and vision — that have cemented his place in the world of jewelry. “[Jewelry] has taken me all over the world –– down mines in Peru, Africa and India and to the most glamorous places on the planet,” Webster says. “It’s a thing you could never imagine when you sit down at a jeweler’s bench, which is a small space. You never imagine where a jewelry life can take you.” gracereneegallery.com

Experience

Stephen Webster Dec. 9 and 10 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Grace Renee Gallery | 7212 E. Ho Road, Carefree | 480-575-8080 gracereneegallery.com imagesar|izona.c om November 2022

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A home can take on many different forms. For some, it is a house. For others, it is an apartment. And for many, it is not a place at all but rather a person or a group of people.

Whatever the case may be, two of the most important things that characterize a home are memories and traditions.

We have officially arrived at that time of the year when we make many of those memories and return to some of those traditions. Whether we are spending the holidays in someone else’s home, inviting others into ours or going back to the one we grew up in, the concept of home will be a prominent part of our celebrations.

In reading about the history of the Barrio Viejo neighborhood in Tucson, language teacher and photographer Joseph Cyr came across a description written back in the 1930s by American history scholar James Harvey Robinson, who was visiting the Arizona city for the first time.

“But this cannot be the United States of America — Tucson, Arizona!” exclaimed Robinson in the description. “This is northern Africa — Tunis, Algiers or even Greece, where I have seen, as here, houses built flush with the sidewalks with pink, blue, green and yellow walls, flowers climbing out of hidden patios and, overall, an unbelievable blue sky.

And the sweet-acrid smell in the air? Burning mesquite.

Lovely! And the people? Charming. But all this is the Old World — not America.”

Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Joseph Cyr

That quote — and seeing the incredibly vibrant homes for himself — inspired Cyr to photograph the Barrio Viejo, Barrio Santa Rosa and El Presidio neighborhoods that miraculously still exist today, in a world where tradition and culture are too often eclipsed by streamlined conformity and modern convenience.

This month, in honor of Thanksgiving and the role that homes play in the holiday, Images Arizona is showcasing some of Cyr’s work that highlights these historic neighborhoods that appear to have been preserved from another time or place.

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Much of Tucson, like most western U.S. cities, is devoted to strip malls and parking lots. But the historic core still has blocks and blocks of 19th-century Sonoran-style row houses. Joseph Cyr

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The Barrio Viejo — along with the Barrio Santa Rosa as well as the El Presidio district just north of downtown [Tucson] — is perfect for a bike ride or a walk before or after a meal or a drink.

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These neighborhoods are truly transporting.

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About the Photographer

Joseph Cyr’s teenage years were punctuated by trips abroad to visit family.

“Seeing those different landscapes and streetscapes, and experiencing how radically different ‘normal’ can be elsewhere made me want to document and share those sights and moments,” Cyr says. “Time and circumstance had always limited me to a point-and-shoot camera, but then on a trip to Asia in 2011, not too long after I got my first smartphone, I began to realize its potential for photography. In spite of its limitations, it allowed such spontaneity, while also training me to look at light and composition more carefully.”

Since then, Cyr's mobile photography has placed in competitions, been published in multiple magazines and been exhibited in several countries.

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In the 1960s, acres and acres of the Barrio Viejo was razed — but, fortunately, not all of it.

Today it is a combination of gentrification and everyday life, all with the patina of time: attorney’s offices, student rentals and family homes all sharing this yard-less streetscape in a bilingual neighborhood. Joseph Cyr

“Most of my photography is landscape-related,” Cyr adds. “I love to focus on the changing light and weather in the Sonoran Desert. I always have my iPhone on a wrist strap when I go for runs and hikes before and after work. When I travel, whatever stands out as communicating the ‘sense-of-place’ — which includes architecture, people and street art — is what I photograph.”

Born in Seoul, Cyr briefly lived in southern Arizona as a child and held onto fond memories over the years as he lived and worked in France, Georgia, Seattle, and Nicaragua. After visiting friends in Tucson, he and his wife fell in love with the desert and, in 2007, decided to make the city their new home.

Working as a high school language teacher, Cyr finds that time away from the classroom — out in nature or exploring the streets of a foreign city — is a necessary restorative.

“I am a better teacher because I am able to reset and refocus,” the explains. “Photography reminds me to keep looking, to keep learning how to see; it teaches me to know when to stop and be still, and when to keep moving. It does us all good to remember how small we are, and also to realize how even the ephemeral can be monumental.” instagram.com/allophile_ fineartamerica.com/profiles/joseph-cyr

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Myron Whitaker Hidden in the Hills Cover Art

Growing up in Kannapolis, North Carolina, Myron Whitaker never imagined pursuing a career as an artist. In fact, he spent more than 16 years manufacturing 18-wheelers.

Myron Whitaker is best known for his large-scale, raku-fired vessels — such as the one that graces the cover of this year’s Hidden in the Hills artist directory.

Myron Whitaker photos by Carl Schultz

One day, Whitaker ran into his high school art teacher, who encouraged him to take a ceramics class that she was teaching at a local community college. The class fueled his passion to learn more and, within a few years, he left his job to work full-time as a ceramic artist.

“When I first started doing ceramics, it was pure fun,” Whitaker says. “And then I fell in love with it. I’m really living my dream. When I sit down on the wheel to throw clay, I know that’s where I’m supposed to be.”

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Today, some 14 years later, Whitaker splits his time between Arizona and North Carolina, often traveling throughout the country to participate in prestigious shows and check on his work in various art galleries.

He is best known for his large-scale, raku-fired vessels — such as the one that graces the cover of this year’s Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour directory.

“Raku is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of the ceramic process,” Whitaker says. “The anticipation of instantaneously seeing red hot clay pieces evolve into the final glazed and black smoke artwork is the most gratifying part of the journey.”

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

Writer Susan Kern-Fleischer

The signature event of the nonprofit Sonoran Arts League, this year’s 26th annual Hidden in the Hills event features 174 artists at 47 studios throughout the scenic Desert Foothills communities of Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale.

Showcasing both nationally recognized and emerging artists, the popular art tour attracts thousands of patrons who appreciate fine art and seek a variety of mediums, styles and price ranges. With the event taking place the weekends before and after Thanksgiving, the tour also attracts holiday shoppers who want to find an original, unique gift.

For art collectors and enthusiasts who return year after year, the artist directory has become quite a collectible. For participating artists hoping to gain more exposure, being selected as a featured cover artist is often an honor that adds more prestige to their professional achievements.

Exhibiting and selling his work at mixed media artist Carlos Page’s Studio No. 32 in Cave Creek, Whitaker says that he is honored to have one of his vessels chosen for the cover of this year’s directory. Titled “Large Ferric with Agate,” the contemporary piece features rich textures and earthy colors.

“Ferric actually refers to the firing process,” the artist explains. “It’s an acid that I pour over the vessel before firing it. In this case, I used more than 40 pounds of clay to create the vessel, and I decided to use ferric instead of a glaze in order to bring out the earthy colors and give it a primitive look.”

The inspiration for the piece — a striking Brazilian agate — sits atop the vessel’s handle. A leather band with tuskshaped ceramic adornments is also a focal point, separating the contrasting textures from top to bottom.

“Before I sit down to throw a piece, I decide which stone or fossil will be a focal point,” Whitaker says. “Some people think I create the vessel first, but I need the stone or fossil to guide me as I determine the shape, size, texture and color palette for each piece.” imagesar izona.c om

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

Star Struck by Jeanne Bonine

Inspired by light, movement and rhythm, watercolor and oil artist Jeanne Bonine’s beautiful floral painting “Star Struck” is one of three diverse artworks that will be featured on the back of this year’s Hidden in the Hills artist directory.

Jeanne Bonine photos by Andy Wollman, Century Editions

ROMANTIC REALIST PAINTS THE BEAUTY OF NATURE Inspired by light, movement and rhythm, watercolor and oil artist Jeanne Bonine’s beautiful floral painting “Star Struck” is one of three diverse artworks that will be featured on the back of this year’s artist directory.

With more than 50 years of experience, Bonine conveys a sense of strength and beauty in her award-winning paintings of nature. Host of Studio No. 21, Bonine is internationally known for her rich and lush floral paintings.

Her larger-than-life oversized oils and watercolors draw tour guests into the essence of her subjects from exotic birds and garden wonders to the majesty of a single rose.

Besides the hidden charm of her property and the artistic touch of her holiday vision, guests will experience more than 60 of her originals and limited edition giclees hung throughout her home and studio. She will also feature her yearly heirloom hand-painted ornaments, new greeting card sets, mini oils on easels, and her coffee table book, “Inspirations of Timeless Beauty.”

Bonine began her career selling her paintings in her hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota. Her continual persistence and hard work led her to one-person showings in galleries, exhibition trade shows in New York and Atlanta, as well as three museum showings in Arizona, where she found her true home.

While her early work was ethereal and soft, her paintings have evolved to become bigger and bolder, showing both strength and softness. She also began to write prose to accompany each painting.

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“My role as an artist has not wavered in this changing world; it has only strengthened,” she says. “Now, more than ever, we have a need for beauty, for peace and for enlightenment.” i mages a r i zo n a .c o m November 20 22

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My role as an artist has not wavered in this changing world; it has only strengthened. Now, more than ever, we have a need for beauty, for peace and for enlightenment.

Jeanne Bonine

SHARING STORIES OF THE AMERICAN WEST The second of the three artworks featured on the back cover of this year’s artist directory, “Chief of the Blackfeet,” is a stunning bronze sculpture by Randy Galloway. The piece is modeled after an old black-and-white photo of Chief Weasel Tail, a noted warrior and historian who was renowned for his detailed knowledge of the early Blackfoot life and mythology.

Galloway’s Studio No. 33 is in an earthy territorial-style home in the peaceful, magnificent foothills of the high Sonoran Desert in Cave Creek. An award-winning artist and a longtime participant of the Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour, Galloway is best known for bringing the beauty of the American West to life through his artwork.

Born in Carlsbad, New Mexico and raised in Albuquerque, Galloway attended Arizona State University, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design with a minor in painting. After enjoying a long and successful career in illustration, graphic design, art direction and computer graphics, he decided to return to his first artistic love of painting and drawing. imagesar izona.c om

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

A Song For Zola by Randy Galloway

An award-winning artist and a longtime participant of the Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour, Randy Galloway is best known for bringing the beauty of the American West to life through his artwork.

Randy Galloway photos Courtesy of Randy Galloway

Galloway’s professional art career has included oil, acrylic, watercolor and chalk pastel paintings, as well as various drawing mediums, computer graphics and now sculpture.

Western culture, he says, is part of his soul.

“Being one-eighth Cherokee and growing up in New Mexico surrounded by art created by Pueblo Indians, I have a deep-rooted respect for the Native American culture, and I am fascinated with their ancestral beliefs and the exquisite craftsmanship and symbolic stylization in their arts and crafts,” he explains. “Some of my other favorite subjects include ranch life, mountain men, wild west settlers, portraiture, landscapes and wildlife.”

Galloway likes to tell stories in his artwork of a “notso-wild-west.” His romantic realist styles are masterfully rendered, insightful, intriguing, clever and rich in detail and color.

A history buff who is fascinated with stories relating to the mix of cultures over 200 years, Galloway says the West provides a never-ending resource of imagery.

“Sometimes I'll read about the West, watch an old Western movie or take a special photo during a reenactment that will spark an idea and then I'll work to create that scene with the hope of capturing the light, drama, atmosphere, reality and emotion of that special moment,” he says.

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Martin Halvorson

Elaine G. Coffee Studio 6050 E. Tandem Rd. Cave Creek 480-620-4318 martinhalvorsonart.com

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KEEPING A DYING ART ALIVE

A regular visitor to Japan during her career as an international flight attendant, Karen O’Hanlon became fascinated with Japanese paper art.

Karen O’Hanlon: Photos Courtesy of Karen O’Hanlon

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

Karen O'Hanlon Red Autumn

Karen O’Hanlon, the last of the three artists whose work is featured on the back cover of this year’s artist directory, is best known for designing Japanese Chiyogami and Washi (paper) kimonos created in the same detailed fashion as full-sized traditional robes.

Each piece is unique because they have the appearance of fabric, but they are actually paper. The high-quality papers are made by master craft artisans in Japan using traditional as well as modern tools and techniques.

As a regular visitor to Japan during her career as an international flight attendant, O’Hanlon became fascinated with Japanese paper art.

“I was fortunate to meet and study traditional Japanese paper arts under a master sensei, Yuriko Kodama,” she says. “At the time, she was 79 years old, and she taught her specialization of creating three dimensional dolls, known as washi ningo. When I was having challenges, she suggested I concentrate on the kimono. Perfection was the goal, and if the slightest error was made on the kimono, she would take that particular section apart.”

It took O’Hanlon, who will showcase and sell her new work at Beth Zink’s Studio No. 29 in Cave Creek, five years to master the art of the paper kimono. The exquisite and unique kimonos are constructed using Kozo (mulberry paper) featuring popular designs from the Edo period (1600–1868).

“I use two types of kozo,” she says. “One is chiyogami, which is decorated with brightly colored, woodblock-printed patterns. The other is yuzen, which includes patterns based on traditional silkscreen designs derived from the silks of the Japanese kimono.”

Several years ago, O’Hanlon expanded her use of Japanese paper by creating ginger jars — such as “Red Autumn,” her work that is featured on the back of this year’s Hidden in the Hills artist directory. O’Hanlon uses 40–50 folded strips of Japanese paper taped and glued into place over a pattern creating a spiraling design resembling the iris of an eye or camera lens. hiddeninthehills.org

Experience 52

26th Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour

Nov. 25–27 i mages aNov. r i zo n18–20 a .c o m and November 20 22

| 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | See website for locations | Free | 480-575-6624 | hiddeninthehills.org

C A R L O S PAG E

www.carlospage.com info@carlospage.com 973-941-7174

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J O N L I N TO N

www.jonlintonphotography.com jondlinton@gmail.com 480-329-3660

ELIZABETH BUTLER

www.elizabethbutlerfineart.com

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elizabethbutlerfinear t@gmail.com 480-440-2806

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MICHAEL MCKEE

www.michaelmckeegallery.com m i c h a e l @ m i c h a e l m c k e e g a l l e r y. c o m 630-779-3793

MYRON

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H I T H 2 0 2 2 F E AT U R E D A RT I S T miwhitak@aol.com 704-425-8116

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Writer Susan Kern-Fleischer // Photography Courtesy of Brian Lensink

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Red Swirl

Ahwatukee resident Brian Lensink is one of those people who throws himself into his work.

Making his debut at this year’s Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour, woodturner Brian Lensink’s passion for creating original decorative, functional and artistic utilitarian pieces has earned him many accolades. Moreover, his work is represented by art galleries in several states.

After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a minor in special education, he pursued a 35-year career helping people with developmental disabilities. During that time, he earned a master’s degree in educational administration and served as state director of developmental disability services in Arizona, Colorado and Connecticut, where groundbreaking work was done to transform how services were provided to people with disabilities and their families.

Today, Lensink is an award-winning woodturner who turned his avocation into a thriving profession. Since retiring more than a decade ago, he has shifted his energy to mastering his woodturning skills.

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Beautiful wood is a magical medium.

Brian Lensink

Making his debut at this year’s Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour — taking place during the last two weekends of November throughout the scenic Desert Foothills communities of Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale — Lensink’s passion for creating original decorative, functional and artistic utilitarian pieces has earned him many accolades. Moreover, his work is represented by art galleries in several states.

MOVED BY MOBILES Lensink grew up in a creative household in Minneapolis, where his mother and grandmother taught him how to sew, knit and make baskets.

“I have been working with my hands and with tools for as long as I can remember,” Lensink says. “As a child, I would make things all the time and had my own toolbox.

Later, in college, I majored in industrial arts education, where I focused my studies on the areas of graphic arts, woodworking, metalworking and photography.”

Though his minor in special education won out when he was faced with making a living, he continued to create art in his spare time.

In 1978, he visited the Calder’s Universe Exhibition at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was living at the time.

“It was a life-changing experience for me,” Lensink says.

“I was absolutely captivated by the work of Alexander Calder and his ingenious designs, whimsical imagination and creative use of materials.”

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE Arizona Sunset Calder is renowned for his innovative, three-dimensional kinetic sculptures — or mobiles — as well as for his contemporary static stabiles.

“That captivation has never subsided whether the medium is metal or, as now, wood,” Lensink adds.

The Calder exhibition inspired Lensink to devote his creative energy and skill to making mobiles, stabiles and other sculptures in motion. For the next 40 years, while still working in his primary career, he created more than 300 unique mobiles in his free time. He began to exhibit his mobile sculptures at art galleries, which piqued his interest in someday pursuing art as a career.

SCULPTURAL STIMULATION One day, Lensink decided to see if he could make mobiles using wood elements. The more he worked with wood, the more fascinated he became with it.

When he retired in 2012, he began working on a wood lathe at a local wood shop, where he started to learn how to shape and hollow out wood pieces. Over the next two years, he created his own 2,200-square-foot studio packed with tools. He joined the Arizona Woodturners Association — for which he currently serves as president

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE Canary Cage — and began learning more from the many talented woodturners in the club.

A few years later, he studied with one of his mentors, Malcolm Tibbetts — a world-renowned wood artist from South Lake Tahoe who is a master of the intricate art of segmented woodturning.

“Woodturning is an art form with few limitations,” Lensink says. “By combining components and techniques, you can create just about any shape or size. By arranging different wood species, you can create many types of surface designs. Add carving, texturing and painting and the possibilities are endless.”

Lensink uses a variety of woods — some from metro Phoenix’s urban forest, including mesquite, ash, African sumac, sissoo and ironwood. On occasion, he will use exotic woods, such as ebony, spalted tamarind, bloodwood and wenge. While he creates many functional pieces — such as pepper and salt mills, salad bowls and platters — he prefers working on artistic and sculptural pieces.

“That’s what keeps me stimulated,” he explains. “I really enjoy making sculptural designs that no one has ever done before.”

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Nancy Pendleton 6233 E. Almeda Ct., Cave Creek 602-999-8031 NancyPendleton.com

Beth Zink Art

#29

33444 N. 55th St., Cave Creek 480-980-3848 bethzinkart.com

#22 Judy Bruce

Kathi Turner

#17

31616 N. 70th Street, Scottsdale 775-304-6756 HighDesertCreations.com

#4

Pat’s Glass Studio 26420 N. 82nd St., Scottsdale 480-620-9359 PatsGlassStudio.com

Phil Webster

#20

#4

7162 E. Stevens Rd., Cave Creek 413-441-2359 philwebsterdesign.com imagesar izona.c om

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST STUDIO TOUR AND SALE

7162 E. Stevens Rd., Cave Creek 480-437-9995 JudyBruceArt.com

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE Japanese Basket 2

Japanese Basket 1

Because precision is so important, Lenskink begins by sketching out his design using a computer software program made especially for woodturners. Sometimes, when he’s making a bowl, he’ll take a half log, put it on the lathe and just start shaping it.

Much of his work is created through segmented woodturning, a woodturning technique where multiple pieces of wood are cut and glued together into rings. The rings are then stacked and glued, creating a rough shape ready for turning. The piece is then attached to a faceplate, put on the lathe and its shape is refined using a variety of turning tools. While the process requires patience and attention to detail, the artist loves the challenge each piece presents.

“Great craftsmanship is seen in the form of the shape and in the details,” Lensink says. “When gluing tiny pieces of wood together, it’s important to make sure the joints are perfect with no gaps or cracks.”

He also needs to have command of the lathe and know exactly how and when to use each of the various woodworking tools.

“A piece might be spinning at 1,000 revolutions per minute, and my mind is always engaged, contemplating the possibilities of my next move,” he says.

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE Earthtones 1 While the work can be labor intensive, Lensink says that it is also very therapeutic.

“I can be turning a piece for three or four hours and get lost in it,” he explains. “There are few art forms that give you this type of freedom.”

EMBRACING THE UNEXPECTED From a design perspective, Lensink often likes to use spalted wood, which is wood that has been affected by bacteria.

“The nutrients are extracted from the wood, leaving little black lines,” he says.

The artist also enjoys using woods that crack, such as olive wood. When presented with cracked wood, he’ll crush turquoise and other minerals so it’s granular and then fill the cracks to enhance a piece.

Sometimes while he is turning a bowl, he’ll find a surprise in the wood — such as a nail or piece of barbed wire.

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE Earthtones 2 “That can create a design opportunity,” says Lensink, noting that surprises challenge him to figure out a creative solution to maintain his original design plan.

After shaping a piece on the lathe, he either applies paint, stain or an oil finish. Many of his lighter-colored pieces are intricately painted with India ink using a technique called basket illusion.

“I use maple wood, which doesn’t have a strong grain pattern and is a very light color, making it a good canvas for painting,” Lensink explains. “The India ink comes in pens with different sized tips on them, so I’ll spend a lot of time painting the little squares that I cut into the wood using a beading tool and wood-burning pen. One piece might have more than 10,000 tiny squares that I paint individually.”

During the Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour, Lensink will showcase and sell a variety of his decorative vessels and bowls, functional pieces and artistic utilitarian sculptures at Carol Fleming’s Terra Nova Studio No. 46 in Cave Creek. Fleming — a talented, deaf ceramic artist — will also be participating in the event for the first time this year.

“Beautiful wood is a magical medium,” Lensink says. “People love to touch the surfaces to feel the shape, texture or smoothness of the wood. I create with this art form because it is fun, and I’m looking forward to sharing my passion with guests during the tour.” hiddeninthehills.org

Experience 66

26th Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour

Nov. 25–27 i mages aNov. r i zo n18–20 a .c o m and November 20 22

| 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | See website for locations | Free | 480-575-6624 | hiddeninthehills.org

Lucy Dickens Fine Art Studio #14 34820 N Whileaway Rd - 602-653-7002

Don’t miss this awardwinning studio!

Start your tour here!

Jason Napier www.napierbronze.com imagesar izona.c om

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31611 N. 69th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85266 68

November 20 22 www.glassweavers.com

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ph:989-225-0777

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Lone Mountain Rd.

Scottsdale Rd.

Mark Lewanski Glass Studio

69th St.

Hidden in the Hills Studio #15

featuring guest artists :

Adriana Socol

Jason Piper

Jewelry www.ateliersocol.com

encaustic painting encausticartscapes.com

Aileen Frick

Julie Simcox

collage, painting www.amfrick.com

acrylic painting www.juliesimcox.com imagesar izona.c om

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By Rebecca L. Rhoades Photography by Loralei Lazurek

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We all remember a time when, as young students, we visited a local museum, science center or historical site as part of a school outing. For most kids, a field trip simply is a fun day away from the classroom.

For others, it’s a way to see and experience elements of history and culture they might not otherwise have a chance to on their own.

For Jeremy Mikolajczak, a tour of the Detroit Institute of Arts Museum as a child started him on a path that eventually would take him through some of the greatest art institutions across the country.

“That transformative moment was seeing Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals,” Mikolajczak recalls. “You know that chill you get when you see something of that magnitude for the first time?

That piece really did it for me. It’s fascinating. And I wanted to be a part of that world.”

That experience fostered a love of art that influenced his life and his career. This past April, Mikolajczak was named Phoenix Art Museum’s new Sybil Harrington Director and CEO, bringing with him 20 years of experience.

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“[Art] is one of the few areas where it doesn’t matter if you’re 8 or 80; you can still have a valid conversation about a piece of art, and both perspectives are equally as important.

Jeremy Mikolajczak

A LIFE IN ART Born and raised in central Michigan, Mikolajczak studied painting and printmaking at West Virginia University.

While Western art, such as Willard Franklin Midgette's Processing Sheep (oil on linen), played an important role in the museum's foundation, the collection's focus continues to expand. "Phoenix Art Museum is the largest institution in the Southwest," Mikolajczak says. "We don't want to lose that history, but we have to expand because the Southwest itself is evolving rapidly. It's a new day and a new culture."

“I started out as a visual artist and took some art history courses, and I found this really interesting balance between wanting to know the history of where we’ve come from and understand what goes on in an artist’s mind as they start to create,” he explains.

After graduation, he returned to the Great Lakes State, where he got a job as the curator of a community arts center.

“I got to think about the other side of the art world,” he says. “You’re working with artists and negotiating people’s perception of art. What would excite the community? What would challenge them?”

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Two years later, Mikolajczak returned to school, studying for a year in Italy, before receiving his master’s degree from the University of Florida. As an alumni fellow, he was able to work with leaders in the art history and visual arts department, experiences that continued to shape his career and his approach to art.

“I learned that I did not want to be a visual artist full-time,” he explains. “I was more interested in contemporary theory, museum work and gallery work. I have a little bit of a different brain. I have a right-left brain, so I can be incredibly creative, but I also can be incredibly pragmatic. The museum world really fit that niche. I can still flex my creative side, but I also understand the business applications that need to happen.”

Mikolajczak’s professional path has crisscrossed the country. It’s taken him from Chicago, where he ran a commercial gallery space that specialized in Danish ceramics and furnishings, to Missouri, where he taught at the University of Central Missouri and served as curator of the school’s art gallery, to Florida, where he was the executive director of the Museum of Art and Design at Miami Dade College.

“I didn’t have the traditional trajectory,” he notes. “Typically, the museum story is you get your degree in art history, you go into a curatorial role, then you move up to a deputy director position, and finally, you get a museum directorship. That’s changing in today’s world. A lot of [directors] started out as visual artists and moved into these particular roles.”

In 2016, after almost a decade of working in university settings, Mikolajczak joined the Tucson Museum of Art as director and CEO. During his six-year tenure, he spearheaded the development of the museum’s 7,000-square-foot Kasser Family Wing of Latin American Art.

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“Moving to Tucson was a great opportunity,” he says. “I had been in academia for a long time. Even though academic centers are public, there are still some barriers and some closed systems. I really wanted to work with an institution that would allow me to have a greater impact within the community. I wanted to continue the conversation that began for me in the Detroit Institute of Art. “In addition, I fell in love with Arizona. I fell in love with the region. I love the multinational nature of this land that we’re on.”

ART FOR ALL Sitting on a sofa in his office at Phoenix Art Museum, Mikolajczak comes across more as your friendly neighborhood dad than the stereotypical museum director often portrayed in movies and on TV. There’s nothing stuffy or formal about Mikolajczak.

He’s dressed stylishly but casually, in an Oxford shirt, jeans and chunky black-and-silver Alexander McQueen high-tops. His blue eyes sparkle, and he laughs wholeheartedly when the subject of approachability is brought up. It’s a term he hears frequently.

“When you think about where society is going, it’s about being approachable, and I believe the museum world also is changing in that direction,” he says. “Through some of those older models, we’ve lost a lot of connectivity with our communities. We have to break that cycle.

“Art is a way we can communicate and connect. It’s one of the few areas where it doesn’t matter if you’re 8 or 80; you can still have a valid conversation about a piece of art, and both perspectives are equally as important.

Art transposes time. It’s not linear.

“I spend a lot of time walking through the and just watching people — what they look they interface with art. Sometimes I’ll listen conversations. What you see and experience about your personal interpretation.”

galleries at, how to their is really

Like many art museums around the world, Phoenix Art Museum continues to work hard to overcome the misconception that fine art is pretentious, boring and unrelatable.

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“When we’re talking about contemporary dialogues and where museums are going, it has to be done with a thought process around who is in the community, who’s interfacing with the museum,” Mikolajczak explains.

“What is our purpose? What is the impact we want to have?

"Every time I walk through the museum, I see something completely new, even if the work has been on view for multiple years," Mikolajczak says. In the background is Cornelia Parker's burnt wood, wire and string installation Mass (Colder Darker Matter).

“The Phoenix Art Museum has an incredible collection. We have some incredible works of European art that are of the highest caliber and canon, but we also have one of the few galleries in the world that’s dedicated to Sikh art.

Somebody from the Sikh community can come in and see themselves in this institution. That’s what’s important, that diversity, equity and inclusion. Phoenix is a mix of cultures, so we have to think about our museum in the same way.

“I want people to know that this is a place for them. It’s a place where you can escape, travel, experience, communicate and connect. I want everyone to come in and have a great experience — to have the same experience that I was afforded as a child.” phxart.org

Experience

"Mr.: You Can Hear the Song of This Town"

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Nov.6–March | Steele Gallery i mages a r i zo n a .c12, o m 2023 November 20 22

at Phoenix Art Museum | 1625 N. Central Ave, Phoenix | 602-257-1880 | phxart.org

Tokyo Pop On Sunday, Nov. 6, Phoenix Art Museum will premiere "Mr.: You Can Hear the Song of This Town" — an exhibition of large-scale graffiti-inspired paintings, drawings and installations by one of today’s most popular Japanese artists.

Influenced by manga — a genre of Japanese art that includes comics and graphic novels — and anime — Japanese cartoons — Mr.’s vivid and often chaotic works explore themes of tragedy, desire, trauma and fantasy and showcase kawaii — or “cute” — characters with wide eyes, colorful hair and round, childlike faces.

“Mr. was one of Takashi Murakami’s proteges,” says Jeremy Mikolajczak, Phoenix Art Museum’s Sybil Harrington Director and CEO. “He is closely associated with Superflat, a post-modern art movement founded by Murakami. What’s great about this is it’s his first major show in the U.S. in six years. It’s also an area we’ve never truly explored — anime, manga, the different nuances that happen within Japanese contemporary art.”

Artworks spanning the 1990s to 2022 include nearly 50 paintings, drawings, sculptures and video works.

The exhibition will also feature the world debut of a new 30-foot-long canvas as well as a recent museum acquisition. imagesar izona.c om

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Knowledgable Neighbors Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Holland Community Center

In his free time, instead of reaching for the remote control, Sherbet read history books and conducted personal research, ceaselessly satiating his hunger for knowledge.

Seven years ago, he moved to Arizona to be closer to his grandchildren.

Those grandchildren have since moved away but Sherbert and his wife loved Arizona so much that they decided to stay put. Mostly retired, he sought ways to share all of the knowledge that he had accumulated with others.

“I am of the belief that people who have the good fortune of having had an awful lot of world experience should try to share it with more people than just their family and friends,” Sherbert says.

“I have traveled all over the world.

I have been in government pieces, run corporations and done a lot of different things. As a result, I have developed a lot of knowledge. And rather than just sitting at home, I would like to do something with it.”

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Jim Sherbert presents a monthly lecture series at Holland Community Center featuring a broad spectrum of Americana topics — from sports, banking and politics to Native American culture, the supreme court and wars.

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Throughout high school and college, Jim Sherbert had always been extremely fascinated by history and political science. That fascination has remained with him through the years, traveling with him from place to place as he embarked on a 35-year career running troubled companies all over the world.

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I am of the belief that people who have the good fortune of having had an awful lot of world experience should try to share it with more people than just their family and friends. Jim Sherbert

Five years ago, Sherbert voluntarily utilized his professional background to make Holland Community Center the holistic and outreaching amenity that it is today. Last year, he launched a monthly lecture series at the center featuring a broad spectrum of Americana topics — from sports, banking and politics to Native American culture, the supreme court and wars.

“I typically try to find something about a subject that is a little unusual or different,” Sherbert says.

“So, instead of talking about George Washington or Thomas Jefferson, I talk about the Founding Fathers who you have probably never heard of like Gouverneur Morris; and other people like Kit Carson and William Tecumseh Sherman — the guy who led the march to the sea during the Civil War. But did you know that he was also a banker in San Francisco who wrote part of the California State Constitution and was the chancellor of Louisiana State University before the Civil War?” Sherbert adds that those types of personalities present people with a better understanding of history — a subject that he did pretty well in while growing up.

“You need to be able to understand how one thing led to

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North Valley Young Marines

the next rather than just look at something as it exists today and assume that it has always been that way,” Sherbert explains.

“I also talk about the state of Arizona — including its canal systems, mining and agriculture. My lectures are largely meant to be mind-opening if not educational.”

Holland Community Center’s executive director Jennifer Rosvall says that Sherbert’s lectures — which typically take place on the third Tuesday of every month — perfectly align with the center’s mission to provide lifelong learning opportunities.

Of course, in addition to education, Holland Community Center is also dedicated to driving community enrichment through arts and service programs for all generations while promoting the cherishment of our desert environment. Rosvall encourages community members to frequently check the center’s website for exciting new projects, programs and lecture series.

“We are collaborating with other organizations in the community to broaden our reach,” says Rosvall, citing a five-part lecture series hosted by the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association, a monthly presentation by the Desert Foothills Land Trust and the Sonoran Arts League’s winter market as notable examples.

Desert Foothills Leadership Academy

Visit anchor.fm/imagesaz or scan this QR code with your phone to hear a sneak preview of Jim Sherbert’s November lecture about the history of the American West.

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Sherbert adds to that list the Desert Mountain Leadership Academy — a 10-month course that educates, energizes and engages emerging leaders with the goal of enriching community life while responsibly mapping our future and sustaining our natural resources for generations to come.

Meanwhile, Rosvall says that Sherbert’s Americana lectures have proven to be a big hit, drawing inquisitive minds of all ages and from all over the Valley.

“He is a dynamic speaker and very engaging,” she explains. “His knowledge of history and littleknown facts are unbelievable and make his presentations very popular.

“Jim is just one example of the wealth of knowledge that we have within our community. There are other people up here who are also passionate about sharing their experiences — and we would love to hear from them.

“Here is a personal invitation to those of you who are shaking your heads, ‘Yes, I’m one of those folks with a wealth of interesting material to share with others.’ And an invitation to the community to encourage potential presenters to pick up the phone and call Holland Community Center to discuss their idea.” hollandcenter.org

Experience

History of the American West Tuesday, Nov. 15 | 4 p.m.

Holland Community Center 34250 N. 60th St., Scottsdale $10 donation | hollandcenter.org

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RECIPE

The Ultimate Turkey Serves: 10–12

Ingredients: 1 (1.38-ounce) envelope onion soup mix 2 cups apricot jam 1 cup French salad dressing 1 tablespoon honey mustard 1 tablespoon paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon celery salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 (16–18-pound) turkey 1 (19-by-23-inch) oven bag 1 tablespoon flour

Directions: Keep only the bottom rack in the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.

Writer and Photographer Francine Coles thefancypantskitchen.com

When the centerpiece of a holiday dinner is turkey, it has got to be amazing. Not only is this recipe tasty, but it is also the easiest, quickest turkey that I have ever made. I roasted an 18-pound turkey in 90 minutes!

The beauty of this is that it leaves the oven open for other dishes you may be considering — like sheet pan pumpkin macaroni and cheese and butternut squash and brussels sprout stuffing. It is essential to time your meal and have enough space for everything, so freeing up the oven makes a huge difference!

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In a medium bowl, combine onion soup mix, jam, French dressing, honey mustard, paprika, garlic powder, celery salt and black pepper.

Mix well then set aside.

Make sure that the turkey cavity is empty. Rinse and pat dry.

Sprinkle the bottom of the oven bag with flour and shake around to prevent the bag from bursting during cooking. Place the oven bag in a large roasting pan with sides at least two inches high. Slide the turkey into the bag and pour the onion soup mixture over the bird, making sure to cover the entire turkey with the sauce.

Seal the bag with the twist tie provided in the package. Cut six 1/2-inch-long slits in the top of the bag to allow the steam to escape. Place the turkey in the oven and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reaches 180 degrees and the thickest part of the breast reaches 170 degrees.

(Note: Do not turn or baste the turkey while roasting. Do not be surprised if the turkey takes less than two hours to cook, as the bag dramatically speeds up the cooking time. Let the instant-read thermometer be your guide — not the amount of time in the oven.)

Slit the bag open and lift out the roasted turkey, placing it onto a large cutting board. Allow the bird to rest for 20 minutes before carving.

For the gravy, strain the sauce that remains in the roasting pan into a large saucepan. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, then skim off any fat that has come to the surface. Over high heat, simmer until reduced to your desired consistency. Taste and season with salt and pepper, as required.

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