Images Arizona March 2022

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What's Inside?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NIKI WOEHLER PAINTING OUTSIDE THE LINES

A FLAIR FOR ART AND FRIENDSHIP

FUELED BY NOSTALGIA DRIVEN BY APPRECIATION

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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 Shannon Severson

Photographers Bryan Black Francine Coles Loralei Lazurek Carl Schultz

Advertising Sales

Alex Orozco 602-524-4912 alex@imagesaz.com

Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221 imagesarizona.com

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As we exit winter and enter spring, the world around us becomes its most beautiful, possessing its full potential thereby reminding us that we are completely capable of doing the same if we only set our intentions on it.

This month’s issue of Images Arizona is filled with inspiring representations of that phenomenon, starting with a story about contemporary artist Niki Woehler, whose journey to self-discovery is a magical portrait of fortitude and faith in the universe guiding her to her life’s true calling. Even Woehler’s paintings reflect this issue’s theme, as she extracts resplendence in objects ravaged by nature and the participating elements.

Woehler believes that the longer something stands the tests of time, the more interesting it becomes. And that really is true, not only of objects but also of people. This month’s issue features several stories about individuals and organizations who constantly prove that they can and will overcome any and every obstacle that stands in the way of their steadfast mission to make this world a better and brighter place.

Each and every one of us is capable of doing exactly that so that we can all fully appreciate the beauty that, as I said, will soon reach its peak as our Arizona weather hits its annual sweet spot. This month’s photo essay invites you to admire a new perspective of that beauty and to perhaps even embark on an adventure that allows you to see our state from that astonishing altitude for yourself.

At the very least, I encourage you to spend some time outdoors this month so that you can bear witness to our world’s seasonal transformation and be motivated to consider the ways that you, too, can improve and enhance life for yourself and for those around you.

Cheers!

Submission of news for community section should be in to shelly@imagesaz.com by the 5th of the month prior to publication.

Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc. Copyright © 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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Photographer Derek Ryan Mathewson recently submitted a photo that he took of himself enjoying an especially peaceful moment in Sedona’s Subway Cave.

“There are a lot of hidden gems and amazing scenery in Sedona, but seeking out the spots that take a little more research and effort is always worth it,” Mathewson says.

“Although the hike to this location is not tough, it is knowing which trailhead it is on and how far to go until you have to take a fork to get there that makes it fun.

“Being a huge fan of geological formations and caves, I had to make the trip here during my visit to Sedona. Once finding the location of the start of the trailhead, I made my way to the cave, got some epic shots and took in the views.”

Without spoiling the experience of discovery for others, Mathewson hints that another secret gem is located nearby, making Sedona’s Subway Cave a particularly special spot.

“It definitely will not disappoint,” he adds. “I hiked back as a very happy camper.”

Instagram: @dreadhead_derek

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Niki Woehler’s work has been featured in exhibitions in galleries and showrooms across Arizona and caught eyes worldwide. Many top-tier interior designers integrate her work into their contemporary designs and she has also contracted with several top art consultants throughout the United States.

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Contemporary artist Niki Woehler uses the hashtag #dowhatyoulove on every one of her social media posts for two reasons — one being a testament to her love of art. However, that was not always the case.

“I hated art as a kid,” Woehler says. “I hated it! I used to climb up the window in my art class or ask the teacher to go to the bathroom then disappear for the whole class and come back at the end. That is how much I hated art.”

Woehler says that her earliest experiences with art were dominated by rules rather than freedom and creativity.

“They wanted me to paint fruit in bowls and things that I found zero interest in,” says explains. “They wanted me to color inside of the lines. I went to Catholic school and there was just no room for coloring outside of the lines. I am one of those people who, if you show me where the lines are, I am going to jump outside of them just about every single time.”

Today, it is not uncommon for Woehler to paint for 18 hours straight, producing organic, textural canvas works as well as abstract, high-gloss resin art panels and customized waterproof art installations emphasizing rich color that often resemble stone scattered with minerals.

And although each piece is extraordinary, featuring lines, layers and textures that invade smooth facades as they exchange surface beauty for depth, character, strength and wisdom, it is the exceptional exuberance with which she creates them that is Woehler’s greatest contribution to the world.

TURNING IN Woehler grew up in Toronto, where her mother was the vice-president of a large advertising agency. From the age of 14, she would often assist her mother with market research of products like potato chips among her peers and eventually decided to continue on that path.

After pursuing a degree in marketing from Sheridan College, Woehler’s career delivered her stateside to Arizona where, at age 27, she experienced the devastating loss of a beloved colleague named Michael.

Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photo by Lindsay Jenks

“He had gone to Vegas for the weekend, partied too much, fell asleep at the wheel on the drive home and died,”Woehler imagesar izona.c om

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Photo by Austin LaRue Photo by Lindsay Jenks

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says. “As I was driving home from his funeral in my little BMW Roadster, I looked up at the sky and said, ‘You [jerk]. Today is such a beautiful day.

You should be here enjoying it with me. I should not have to be coming home from your funeral.”

It was then that Woehler heard a voice whisper in her ear: “Turn in.”

“I looked over and saw a Michaels [craft store],” Woehler says. “To this day, I do not know what possessed me, but I pulled [into the shopping center] and went into Michaels. I bought three canvases, a bunch of brushes and a bunch of paints. Why? I do not know. I did not even like art.”

Upon arriving home with her art supplies, Woehler created her first painting. She then sought the constructive criticism of her neighbor, Trish, who was an art professor at Arizona State University.

“She came in, looked at the painting, turned and began to walk away,” Woehler says. “I asked, ‘Is it that bad?’ And she said, ‘No. It is that good. The only advice that I am going to give you is to keep painting.”

So she did. But after two more paintings, Woehler became pregnant with her first child — who, naturally, became her top priority. Before she knew it, she had two more children, one right after the other. She also still had a full-time job in marketing.

“There was certainly no time for painting,” Woehler says. “So I put all of my paints and supplies in the garage and did not look at them again for about 10 years.”

LOOKING UP As Woehler’s kids got older and required less of her attention, she decided to pull out her paints and put brush to canvas again if for nothing more than creative therapy. It was the first sign of her cognitive shift from seeing art as something from which she needed to escape to something into which she could escape.

In 2012, one of Woehler’s ad agency clients discovered her secret hobby and commissioned her to create three custom paintings for her walls.

Upon completion, the client offered Woehler a word of advice that would forever change her life.

“She said, ‘You are really good at marketing but you are an idiot if you do not paint for a living,’” Woehler recounts.

It was an appealing proposition but one that felt too good to be true.

Shortly thereafter, Woehler posted one of her paintings on Facebook — just for commentary — and somebody bought it within one hour.

“I posted another one and the same thing happened,” Woehler says. “So I looked up at the sky and said, ‘OK. I am paying attention to this. Here is the deal. I will put one more up. If it sells, I will close everything down and be an artist.’”

It was impossible to deny the universe’s guidance when the third painting sold, so Woehler followed her passion and devoted herself to painting full-time.

“When I first decided to be an artist, I sold my dining room furniture, had

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Photo by Austin LaRue

“

For me, art is about creating beautiful things that share amazing connections with the people who find it.

Niki Woehler

a painting table built and worked out of my dining room for six years,” Woehler says. “My kids and I ate around the coffee table every night and, amazingly, they never complained one time. They were so supportive of me and what I was trying to achieve; as were many of my friends who continually encouraged me in moments of fear or doubt — because, as a single mom, I definitely had many of them.”

Now, Woehler has her own 3,000-square-foot studio in Old Town Scottsdale. Moreover, her work has been

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featured in exhibitions in galleries and showrooms across Arizona and caught eyes worldwide. Many toptier interior designers integrate her work into their contemporary designs and she has also contracted with several top art consultants throughout the United States.

“It has been the most incredible journey,” says Woehler, noting that, in 2017, CBRE commissioned a 54-by-6foot installation for its new offices at The Esplanade in Phoenix and, in 2018, Indeed commissioned a custom logo art wall for its new head offices in Scottsdale.

That journey would have been impossible without the love and support of her children and friends for whom she is eternally grateful.

The artist adds that things like that happen all of the time, proving that the universe that guided her to art is still working its impenetrable magic.

MAKING ROOM

“The universe really is magical,” says Woehler, noting that her painting inspired by “Making Room” is in fact one in a series of works in which she, using the same geometric shapes, tells the story of her journey with man who, upon meeting, she instantly knew would change her life. “He has been and continues to be my love, one of my greatest supporters, teachers and best friend all wrapped into one.”

“For me, art is about creating beautiful things that share amazing connections with the people who find it,” Woehler says.

The artist describes one such connection tied to a painting in which she used geometric shapes to create human form, inspired by Brian Andreas’ poem “Making Room.” “‘When I first met her, I knew in a moment I would have to spend the next few days rearranging my mind so there'd be room for her to stay,’” Woehler recites. “I illustrated what, to me, that meant with this geometric character meditating and his thoughts going out the window.”

One of Woehler’s former high school classmates discovered the painting on Facebook, where the artist had posted it without any description or explanation. When he told Woehler that he wanted to purchase it as an anniversary gift for his wife, who had seen it and fallen in love with it, the artist almost dropped to the ground in disbelief.

“He met his wife during a business trip to Brazil,” Woehler explains.

“When he saw her, he instantly fell in love with her and knew that he was not leaving without her. She did not even know the meaning behind this painting yet she gravitated toward it.

Out of the hundreds of paintings that I have done, that was the one that she picked — and that was their story.”

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Remarkably, each and every one of her paintings in the series has, like “Making Room,” found a home with kindred people whose stories in some wonderfully miraculous way connect to them.

DROPPING DOWN Woehler still has her first paintings — figurative pieces with bright, bold colors.

“The first one that I did was my own version of what a Picasso would be,” the artist says. “When I went back to painting, after my kids were older, I discovered the abstract within me.

I discovered the use of water and mediums and how you can make paint do amazing things. I almost never paint anything figurative anymore.

Now I am mostly pure abstract on canvas. I also do resin work.”

Woehler’s paintings are inspired by objects ravaged by nature and the participating elements — including water, wind, earth and fire. She believes that the longer something stands the tests of time, the more interesting it becomes.

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Photo by Austin LaRue

“I will be walking down the street and see a building where the metal has been rusted, eroded and etched over or a building that has been burned,” explains Woehler, who is drawn to the details of the imperfect and intuitively feels when something needs its story told. “The patterns and the patinas that come out are just incredible.

“Or I will be walking through the wilderness and see some bark that is kind of gnarled on a tree and has all of these beautiful, incredible dimensions and texture.

Those are the kinds of things that I stop and take photos of. Those are the kinds of things that pique my interest and imagination.”

That imagination is larger than life, which poses a unique problem for the 5-foot-2-inch artist.

“I love to do huge paintings but I am vertically challenged,” Woehler says. “And everything that I paint has to lay flat because I use a lot of liquid. I saw

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‘Mission: Impossible’ where [Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt] drops down from the ceiling and thought, ‘That is exactly what I need.’ But I did not have a space that would facilitate that kind of height until I moved into my studio on Main Street in Scottsdale.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, while all movie productions were paused, Woehler commissioned a team of Hollywood professionals to design and build flying gear — a motorized custom sling that works via remote control — that allows her to hover over enormous canvases as she paints and brings her remarkable vision to life.

That vision can be fully explored Thursday, March 17 during a special artist’s reception at Grace Renee Gallery in Carefree, where Woehler’s extraordinary work will be on display, including several one-of-a-kind pieces that that artist has made exclusively for the event.

Niki Woehler Thursday, March 17 | 4–7 p.m. with wine and appetizers | Grace Renee Gallery | 7212 E. Ho Road, Carefree 480-575-8080 | gracereneegallery.com March 20 22

ProSkill Now Offers She will, of course, also be sharing her personal insight behind each painting — which are reflections of her own incredibly inspiring story of self-discovery.

STEPPING OUT When asked what she would say to herself as a child if she were able to use her flying gear to travel back in time and drop down from the ceiling — “Mission: Impossible”-style — into her Catholic school art class, Woehler briefly pauses, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion.

“Here is what I would tell that girl,” she says through reflective tears. “Do not just look at the surface of things.

And do not just listen to what people tell you. I would tell her to dive deeper. I would tell her that she is going to find her freedom when she stops listening to what other people say and starts looking for herself.”

Woehler adds that being able to convey that same very meaningful message to others through her art has been one of the most beautiful results of her work. It is the other reason that she tags every social media post with #dowhatyoulove.

and tell me that it has given them the courage to step out and try doing something that they love,” she says. “I know that this gift has been given to me. I do not take it lightly.

It impacts me very deeply. And it is 100% my duty and honor to shine that forward for everybody else — including my children.

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“Just do what you love. And do it with passion, with conviction and with faith. Know that when you are doing what you are supposed to be doing, the universe will open all of the doors for you, everything will line up perfectly and it will be just fine.”

By taking her own advice, Woehler has seen the universe continue to open doors for her — such as having her art exhibited in a show this month in Luxembourg in conjunction the VAN GOGH Art Gallery in Madrid.

She is also working on a few fun new projects, including painting designer handbags, which will be completed by the end of this year. gracereneegallery.com

“I get emails and calls from people who have watched my evolution

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COMMUNITY March 2022

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Through June 26

FAREWELL PHOTOGRAPHY Phoenix Art Museum hosts an exhibition that explores the radical evolution of photography in post-World War II Japan.

The exhibition features works from 1961 through 1989 by 19 contemporary Japanese photographers who played integral roles in shaping Japanese photography of the postwar period. $23; youth, student and senior discounts available. Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. phxart.org

Through Dec. 31 BREAKING UP

Phoenix Art Museum hosts an exhibition that illuminates the many ways in which contemporary artists explore themes of deconstruction and fragmentation through their evolving practices. $23; youth, student and senior discounts available.

Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. phxart.org

March 2–May 1

THE COLOR PURPLE The Phoenix Theatre Company will present its production of “The Color Purple” — a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life, based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. See website for price and times. The Phoenix Theatre Company, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-254-2151; phoenixtheatre.com

March 3

DIAMOND CANYON KINDER NIGHT

March 4 and 5 M3F

A stellar lineup of musicians will take the stage as part of M3F. All proceeds from the event will benefit local charities such as Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Habitat for Humanity and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. See website for prices and schedule. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1200 N. First St., Phoenix. m3ffest.com

Diamond Canyon School will host an open house event during which its classrooms will be open and soon-to-be kindergarten students and their parents can discover why its campus is the place to be for the 2022-2023 school year.

Free. 5–6 p.m. Diamond Canyon School, 40004 N. Liberty Bell Way, Anthem. 623-445-8000; dvusd.org/registration

March 7

SIBLING REVELRY Tony-nominated sisters Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway will take the stage as part of Arizona Musicfest for a concert of great songs and witty banter. $35+. 7:30 p.m.

Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

March 11

GEOFFREY BURGESS AND LEON SCHELHASE Geoffrey Burgess and Leon Schelhase will join forces for an

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elegant program of Bach sonatas, partitas and toccatas for oboe and harpsichord. $30+; student discounts available. 7:30 p.m.

All Saints' Episcopal Church, 6300 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. arizonabachfestival.org

March 12

WOMEN IN MUSIC North Valley Symphony Orchestra will perform a concert of music composed by women, recognizing the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. $5; youth discounts available. 7 p.m. North Canyon High School Auditorium, 1700 E. Union Hills Drive, Phoenix. 623980-4628; northvalleysymphony.org

March 12 and 13

EXPERIENCE IRELAND Musical Instrument Museum will celebrate the music and culture of the Emerald Isle with live performances, an Irish-inspired lunch menu and more familyfriendly activities. See website for schedule of events. $20; youth discounts available. 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix. 480-4786000; mim.org

March 13

GLORIOUS CONCERTOS The Arizona Bach Festival Chamber Orchestra will perform a concert of music from Bach’s contemporaries — Handel, Albinoni and Vivaldi. $40+; student discounts available. 3 p.m. All Saints' Episcopal Church, 6300 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. arizonabachfestival.org

Council will host an event that begins with a 90-minute intro class led by Ballet Arizona dancer Ethan Price and culminates with a Moscow mule cocktail featuring locally made Big Marble Organics ginger beer. All proceeds will support Ballet Arizona, its dancers, staff, programs and the art that they provide to our community. $45. 1 p.m. Ballet Arizona, 2835 E. Washington St., Phoenix. 602-3810188; balletaz.org

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March 14 and 16 PAUL ANKA

Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Anka will take the stage as part of Arizona Musicfest. $49+. 7:30 p.m.

Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

March 17

NIKI WOEHLER Meet contemporary artist Niki Woehler and explore an exclusive collection of her organic, textural canvas works as well as abstract, high-gloss resin art panels and customized waterproof art installations emphasizing rich color that often resemble stone scattered with minerals. Woehler’s paintings are inspired by objects ravaged by nature and the participating elements — including water, wind, earth and fire. Wine and appetizers will be served. Free. 4–7 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, Historic Spanish Village, 7212 E. Ho Hum Road, #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

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March 13

LEARN BALLET AND SIP MOSCOW MULES Ballet Arizona's Contemporary

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COMMUNITY March 2022

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

March 18–20

SPRING CAREFREE FINE ART AND WINE FESTIVAL Thunderbird Artists will host its 27th annual event that will bring together more than 160 juried fine artists, musicians, wineries, distilleries and more. Sculptural jeweler Victor Yurivilca has been selected as the featured artist for the event. $3. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Downtown Carefree, 101 Easy Street, Carefree. thunderbirdartists.com

March 18–20 RE:BIRTH

Phoenix Chorale will perform a concert of music inspired by a sense of spring, renewal and hope. $42; discounts available for students, seniors and active military. Friday 7:30 p.m. at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale; Saturday 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 100 W. Roosevelt St., Phoenix; Sunday 3 p.m. at Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Dr., Paradise Valley. phoenixchorale.org.

March 18–April 24

FLASHDANCE: THE MUSICAL Arizona Broadway Theatre will present its production of “Flashdance: The Musical,” based on the popular 1983 feature film about a welder who dreams of going to a prestigious dance academy and becoming a professional dancer. See website for price and times. Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria. 623-776-8400; azbroadway.org

March 12

GATEWAY CELEBRITY FIGHT NIGHT

Gateway Celebrity Fight Night will host its annual event, which is known for bringing A-list celebrities to Phoenix and raising in a single night millions of dollars in charitable funds for cancer research. See website for prices. 5:30 p.m. JW Marriott Desert Ridge, 5250 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix. celebrityfightnight.org

March 19

MUSICAL CHAMPAGNE SALON ProMusica Arizona will host its 4th annual event that brings together music lovers for an elegant evening in a spectacular private home in the Anthem Country Club. Guests will be treated to musical performances by ProMusica Arizona chorale and instrumental soloists and small ensembles in a lovely and comfortable setting. Heavy hors d'oeuvres, decadent desserts, champagne, wine and other beverages will be served and a silent auction will be available. $100. 6 p.m.

Location to be announced. 623-326-5172; pmaz.org

March 19

SAXY BACH The Sinta Saxophone Quartet will perform an expressive, powerful and joyful concert of Bach’s music. $30+; student discounts available. 7:30 p.m. Saint Barnabas

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Episcopal Church, 6715 N. Mockingbird Lane, Scottsdale. arizonabachfestival.org

March 19 and 20

GLORIOUS REVERBERATION The Phoenix Boys Choir will perform a concert accompanied by the majestic sounds of a grand pipe organ. $15+; youth discounts available. Saturday 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Mesa, 15 E. First Ave., Mesa. Sunday 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Phoenix, 5510 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. boyschoir.org

March 22

PINK MARTINI Pink Martini will take the stage as part of Arizona Musicfest for a concert inspired by the romantic Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and 1950s, as well as Argentine tango, Brazilian samba and Italian folk. $41+. 7:30 p.m. La Casa de Cristo Church, 6300 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

March 24–27

ALL BALANCHINE Ballet Arizona will perform three ballets by George Balanchine — the jazzy “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue,” the exhilarating “Bourrée Fantasque” and the romantic “Serenade.” See website for time and prices. Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams St., Phoenix. balletaz.org

March 24–27

FLAIR ART SHOW Finest Local Artists in Residence will host its annual art show, featuring several subjects in a variety of mediums, all created by local artists who are committed to their craft and to the advancement of art in the community as a whole.

Free. Thursday Noon–9 p.m. Friday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. with artists’ reception 5–9 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Persimmon Clubhouse at Anthem Golf and Country Club, 2708 W. Anthem Club Drive, Anthem.

March 24–April 30 CAMELOT

Don Bluth Front Row Theatre will present its production of “Camelot.” $28+; youth, senior, student and military discounts available. Don Bluth Front Row Theatre, 8989 E. Via Linda, Suite 118, Scottsdale. 480-314-0841; donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com

anthem days 22nd Annual Business Expo & Festival

March 26 & 27 • 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Anthem Community Park 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway

Enjoy these event features: • Business expo • Arts & crafts vendors • Frazier Shows Carnival (starts Thursday evening)

• Food Court & Rotary Beer Garden • Kids’ Zone (with inflatables; fees apply) • LIVE music all weekend • Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt (Sunday only, featuring Peter Cottontail and the Hippity Hop Band)

Enter at the ACC booth to win a PowerXL Grill Air Fryer Combo.

Submit a completed incentive card with 10 booth stamps.

Must be 18 yrs.+ to enter.

For illustrative purposes. Item may vary.

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COMMUNITY March 2022

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

March 25–April 10 AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’

Black Theatre Troupe will present its production of “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” which aims to delight and energize audiences and give them a glimpse into a vibrant time in American history and music. See website for price and times. Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, 1333 E. Washington St., Phoenix. blacktheatretroupe.org

March 26

MUSICAL THEATRE OF ANTHEM FUNDRAISER BENEFIT Musical Theatre of Anthem will host its annual event featuring performances by professional singers and the theater’s own outreach group as well as dinner, soft drinks, desserts, auctions, and a prize raffle. $60. 4 p.m. Musical Theatre of Anthem, 42201 N. 41st Drive, Suite B100, Anthem. musicaltheatreofanthem.org

March 26

THE PARTY: THE SHOW MUST GO ON! Phoenix Art Museum and special guests will host a whimsical circus-themed gala, honoring the enduring legacy of Philip C. Curtis — one of Arizona’s most cherished artists. The blacktie evening will feature unique performances by unicyclists, ribbon dancers, stilt walkers and other performers as well as a cocktail hour and a gourmet plated dinner. All funds raised will benefit the museum’s exhibitions, education programs and vital operations. $1,250+. 6 p.m. Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-307-2082; phxart.org

March 19–27

CAVE CREEK RODEO DAYS Cave Creek Rodeo Days will host its 45th annual event, including three thrilling rodeo performances featuring top-ranking Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association contestants as well as a parade, a golf tournament and more. $30. See website for schedule of events. Cave Creek Memorial Arena, 37201 N. 28th St., Cave Creek. cavecreekrodeo.com

March 28

NEIL BERG’S 50 YEARS OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL: PART 2 Neil Berg will take the stage as part of Arizona Musicfest for a concert that traces the musical progenitors of the 1940s through the glory years of the 50s, 60s, 70s and early 80s. $39+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

April 1

THE TEXAS TENORS The Texas Tenors will take the stage as part of Arizona Musicfest for a concert of repertoire ranging from country to pop and Broadway to classical. $49+. 7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

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April 1–10 GODSPELL

Starlight Community Theater will present its production of “Godspell,” a timeless and joyful tale of friendship, loyalty, betrayal and love based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew. See website for price and times. Starlight Community Theater, 1611 W. Whispering Wind Dr., Suite 9, Phoenix. starlightcommunitytheater.com

April 2 and 3 MISA AZTECA

ProMusica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra, joined by the Carolyn Eynon Singers, will perform a concert piece for orchestra, choir, soloists and authentic Aztec percussion instruments. $25; youth, student, senior and military discounts available. Saturday 7 p.m. at Barry Goldwater High School Performing Arts Center, 2820 W. Rose Garden Lane, Phoenix. Sunday, 3:30 p.m. at American Lutheran Church, 17200 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City. 623-326-5172; pmaz.org

April 4

THE MCCARTNEY YEARS Arizona Musicfest will present a technically stunning, authentic and explosive concert showcasing two decades of Paul McCartney’s music from The Beatles to Wings. $35+.

7:30 p.m. Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale. azmusicfest.org

April 9

FRIED: FRENCH FRY AND MUSIC FESTIVAL PHX Fest will host its second annual festival in which the world’s favorite side dish takes center stage. $12. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Margaret T. Hance Park, 1202 N. Third St., Phoenix. friedfestival.com

MUSEUM APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR Phoenix Art Museum has appointed Jeremy Mikolajczak to serve as the museum’s Sybil Harrington director and chief executive officer. Mikolajczak brings to the institution significant experience as a museum director and curator with a special focus on community engagement and education, having served previously as the executive director, chief curator, curatorial fellow and faculty with learning institutions across the country. phxart.org

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A Flair for Art and Friendship

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Carl Schultz

For nearly two decades, a group of Anthem residents has been meeting, painting together and offering one another supportive feedback while proving that artistic talent flows very abundantly through the community’s veins.

Finest Local Artists in Residence is a group of Anthem artists who offer advice, encouragement, critiques, ideas and general friendship to others with similar interests.

“We all critique each other’s work in a very kind and magnanimous way,” says Sandy Francis, FLAIR’s board president. “We give each other good ideas. I had a painting that just was not coming together at all until one of the gals came over and said, ‘I think that these do not pop forward enough. This needs to be darker.’ And

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she was exactly right. So we really help each other a lot.”

FLAIR is much more than just a painting group, though.

It is a community of individuals who, through shared skill and interest, have become incredibly close friends.

Those friends just so happen to meet once a week with the intention of working together to improve their craft.

And once a year, those friends organize an art show that proves to everyone — including themselves — what they are truly capable of.

This year’s FLAIR art show — scheduled for March 24–27 in Anthem Golf and Country Club’s Persimmon Clubhouse — will feature several subjects in a variety of

mediums, all created by local artists who are committed to their craft and to the advancement of art in the community as a whole.

PAINTING IS PRACTICE In the early 2000s, a group of artists in Anthem began meeting and painting together in one another’s casitas. The group was comprised of members of The Wednesday Club — a social organization for residents of Anthem Country Club.

“They have interest groups that you can sign up for,” Francis explains.

“The paint group is just one of them.”

With the plethora of works being created, it soon became apparent that an art show was appropriate and desirable for those interested in displaying and selling their art. A number of the group's members then created FLAIR with the intention of accomplishing exactly that.

The by-invitation show is comprised of and organized by members of The Wednesday Club’s paint group who regularly attend Monday meetings.

“So many people are so very talented but painting is practice,” Francis says. “It really is. So when you make a commitment to be there on Mondays, you really enrich yourself and become a better artist.”

FLAIR has since become a supportive vehicle for artists in Anthem to take their hobby to the next level as they learn how to create a body of work, learn how to frame their art, learn how to exhibit it and learn how to

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prepare for a truly professional art show.

“FLAIR is an entity that really brings art, as a hobby, to a little bit more of an involved level,” says Francis, noting that creating multiple pieces on a single subject then framing and exhibiting them in a similar way is key to creating a body of work and developing a signature aesthetic. “So it is a really nice way for artists to get to that next level.”

FLAIR occasionally organizes field trips to galleries and artists’ studios and hosts special workshops for which it brings in teaching artists to provide further instruction to its members. Its artists also mentor one another, all in the name of creating an extremely supportive community and contributing to Anthem’s welldeserved recognition in the overall art world.

“It is just a really nice experience,” Francis says.

ART IS MEDITATION Of course, FLAIR also provides a venue for artists in Anthem to show and sell their art. Francis acknowledges that putting on an art show is a lot of work. But that only further proves the commitment and dedication of FLAIR’s members.

“Everybody who is an artist helps set up the show in teams,” she explains. “And we all donate our time. Everybody works very hard on this show.”

Francis adds that FLAIR’s artists are more than just hard-working,

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though. They are also extremely talented. Artists create works in oils, acrylics, pastels, watercolor, stained glass, pencil, pen and ink and all combinations of the aforementioned mediums. Subjects include everything from landscapes, wildlife and floral arrangements to abstracts, portraits and everything in between. Many works are available on greeting cards as well.

Moreover, the art show attracts large numbers of attendees — many of whom could be considered “regulars,” making it a point to come on the first day of the show each year to discover new artists and purchase new works by their favorites before they sell out.

Small works, which all sell for less than $100, are especially popular.

Participating artists also donate works and sundries toward the creation of three uniquely curated baskets — this year in themes of cooking, golf and the Southwest — that are then raffled off to those who purchase tickets during the event.

Artists also receive the vast majority of the money they make during the show. FLAIR keeps a small portion of proceeds so that it can pay for panel storage and other operating costs.

But while making money is nice, the real reward is something much more significant.

“The real reward is having your work done, finished and displayed,” says Francis, adding that seeing and hearing people’s reactions — good or bad — is also extremely gratifying.

“Many of our artists also contribute

To a Brighter 2022 Thank you for being a valued client during 2021.

Please don’t hesitate to let us know if there is anything we can do to help, we are here for you!

Nanette McClelland-Miller, Agent

623-742-6866

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“

We all critique each other’s work in a very kind and magnanimous way. Sandy Francis

works to local fundraising efforts put on by local nonprofit organizations, such as Anthem Cares Through Service. We try to give back as much as we can.”

It is just further proof of not only FLAIR members’ commitment to one another, to their craft and to the community but also solid evidence that artists, in

Experience 34

Blue Agave by Michelle Dickinson

Pet Portrait by Linda Hogg

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general, tend to be truly wonderful people.

“I do not know the reason for that,” Francis says.

“Perhaps it is because art is a meditation. When you are painting, three hours can go by and you thought it was only 20 minutes. It is very therapeutic.”

FLAIR Art Show March 24–27 | Thursday Noon–9 p.m. | Friday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. with Artists’ Reception 5–9 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. | Sunday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Persimmon Clubhouse at Anthem Golf and Country Club March 20Anthem 22 2708 W. Club Drive, Anthem | Free

• • • •

PROFESSIONALS

Each office independently owned and operated.

MIKE HIGGINS

623.640.7502 | MikeSellsAnthem.com

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography by Anthony Giammarino

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Anyone who has ever traveled by plane into Sky Harbor International Airport knows that truly transcendent feeling of experiencing Arizona’s majestic landscape during the descent.

What at first appears to be a breathtaking display of abstract art slowly comes into focus as recognizable forms, albeit from an entirely different perspective.

We spend the vast majority of our lives at ground level, viewing our surroundings from a relatively close distance. Mountain ranges are often relegated to faraway features of a picturesque skyline. Saguaros are seen as green giants who hover high above our heads. Our city streets are perceived as black pathways that lead to locations beyond our field of vision.

We are often told that in order to see beauty and to understand the enormity of the universe, we should look to the heavens and bear witness to the many constellations that sprinkle across the sky. But reversing that view and beholding our world from above provides the same insight and so much more.

Media creative Anthony Giammarino has made a living out of capturing imagery of our world from this perspective.

“Seeing everything from the ground level gives you a narrow perspective of what the world actually is,” Giammarino says.

“When you zoom out and see things from an aerial perspective, it really makes you appreciate everything nature has given us in a different way.”

Devil's Kitchen in Sedona

That is especially true of our Arizona landscape, whose unparalleled beauty is exponentially amplified from the aerial perspective. Our topography truly is a work of art — especially when viewed from above.

Images Arizona’s photo essay this month is devoted to sharing a selection of Giammarino’s photography, captured by drone, with the hope that it inspires our readers to broaden their perspective of our absolutely stunning state and see its aesthetic splendor from a new angle.

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“

Seeing everything from the ground level gives you a narrow perspective of what the world actually is. When you zoom out and see things from an aerial perspective, it really makes you appreciate everything nature has given us in a different way. Anthony Giammarino

Scottsdale

Tucson

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About the Photographer Anthony Giammarino was born and raised in Binghamton, New York. Having had a passion for creating videos and photography since a very young age, picking up a camera has always felt natural to him. He began flying drones in 2015 as a hobby and discovered what an incredible tool the drone can be in the creation of aerial media.

In 2018, Giammarino founded Airobird Drones and began shooting media for Binghamton-area real estate agents. Desiring more out of life and wanting to get out of his hometown, he began thinking about moving to Phoenix as it had always been his dream to live out west. He had already been visiting his uncle, who lived in Arizona, but these visits became more frequent when one of his best childhood friends moved to the state.

Giammarino brought his drone along with him on these visits and, observing the Sonoran Desert’s beauty from above, he ultimately decided to move to the area. He immediately started marketing his business, making connections with local real estate agents and shooting property videos with his drone while working as a rideshare driver.

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Arizona has incredible diversity when it comes to landscapes. From Phoenix and Tucson to Sedona and Flagstaff, each place has its own unique feel, which is what makes Arizona so special. Anthony Giammarino

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Airobird Drones is now Giammarino’s full-time job. He has also started AntsDrone, an Instagram account dedicated to photography of Arizona landscapes captured from incredible aerial perspectives.

Although he loves exploring, finding new areas to capture and has traveled all over Arizona, Giammarino’s favorite place in the state is Sedona.

“You can never capture a bad shot in Sedona — especially with a drone,” Giammarino explains. “Sedona is its own work of art.

[Seeing Arizona’s] sunsets combined with the red rocks is something special and unique; and something that I never take for granted.”

Giammarino still pinches himself each morning in disbelief that he is fortunate enough to live and do what he loves in Arizona.

“This truly is the best place on Earth to be,” he says. airobird.com Instagram: @antsdrone

“

Drone perspectives are so unique because it is not about how high you can go; it is about the unique perspective the drone brings at its lower altitude. Drones are the sweet spot for incredible aerial perspectives.

Anthony Giammarino

Scottsdale

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Karen Fallon and Courtesy of Martin Auto Museum and Event Center

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People-watching has become one of Mark Fallon’s absolute favorite things to do at the Martin Auto Museum. In addition to being evidence of the ardent appreciation that exists for automobiles, one can really learn a lot about a person by seeing which vehicles they gravitate toward and the amount of enthusiasm or even emotion they exhibit.

“We have so many cars from so many different eras,” says Fallon, who serves as the Martin Auto Museum’s social media manager. “It is really neat to see people come in and point at certain vehicles. There is usually some attached memory for a visitor in a group to a particular car and it is usually a very different vehicle from one person to another.”

Dedicated to the preservation of collectible and rare automobiles for educational purposes, the Martin Auto Museum is the brainchild of 91-year-old real estate developer Mel Martin.

“Mel has been involved with cars and the car industry throughout his entire life,” Fallon says.

Martin moved to Mayer, Arizona at age 16 and started his own auto-repair garage there the very next year. He later moved to Phoenix, where he opened another garage and started a towing business.

“A lot of his business ventures have been car-related,” Fallon adds. “He has always had a love for cars of all different vintages and types.”

Over the years, Martin’s love of cars led to a substantial collection and, in 2005, he founded the Martin Auto Museum as a means to showcase vehicles that represent significant periods in automotive history. The museum operated for 17 years off Interstate 17 at Bell Road.

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Older visitors come in and are able to reminisce whereas the younger folks may have never even seen some of the vehicles that are in the museum. We are trying to grow an appreciation of these older classic cars in that next generation. Mark Fallon

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However, as Martin’s personal collection continued to grow, it became clear that the museum needed a new space to house his vehicles. At its maximum usage, the location could only showcase roughly 60 cars or so.

“And he now owns somewhere near 150 cars that span the generations,” Fallon says.

So a new site was chosen on the northwest corner of 43rd Avenue and Thunderbird Road, which originally operated as a Gemco department store and was more recently utilized

by Safeway. Over the next year, museum board members and volunteers renovated the space and slowly began very carefully moving automobiles and automotive memorabilia — such as antique gas pumps and neon signs — into it.

With its targeted opening set for this month, the new location benefits the museum in more ways than just being able to accommodate more than 100 cars.

“One of the things that set this particular location apart from the previous location is that we have three spaces of significant size that can host corporate events, weddings, birthdays, reunions, car clubs and what have you,” Fallon says. “We are rebranding it as the Martin Auto Museum and Event Center.

Being a nonprofit, the museum could not continue to thrive based solely on its visitors so the new event rooms will help maintain its operation.”

And that operation is to the benefit of not only automobile enthusiasts but also the future of the entire automotive industry. After all, we must first appreciate the road that has already been paved behind us in order to create one worth driving on ahead of us.

“One of the things that Mel is really focused on is educating the next generation on the history of cars,” Fallon explains. “If all they ever see is the cars that their parents drive and the occasional cool hot rod that goes down the road, they may not have in their minds the brass era cars or the Model T's and the Model A's and all of those things that gave birth to the automobile industry in the United States and throughout the world.”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Vermillion festivals are a cultural experience.

Discover a unique blend of art, music and cuisine from around the globe.

A fusion of arts: visual, performing and culinary.

Two more shows this spring. Join us!

Litchfield Park Art & Wine Festival March 5-6 9am-5pm 101 W. Wigwam Blvd Litchfield Park, AZ

Sonoran Fine Arts & Wine Festival Stagecoach Village

March 11-13 10am-5pm 7100 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, AZ

“New Day” in Red

by Kim Seyesnem Obrzut 18.75’’ H x 7’’W x 6.5’’D

The Martin Auto Museum immersively illustrates a progression of vehicles through time, with the oldest representation dating

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way back to 1886 — a replica of Carl Benz’s first automobile with a highspeed internal combustion engine.

“We have got a room that is dedicated to Corvettes from the 1950s through the 2020 Corvette, which is the first mid-engine Corvette,” Fallon says.

“They are all in one room so you can see how those cars advanced and changed through the years.

The collection spans generations of automotive history.

“Older visitors come in and are able to reminisce whereas the younger folks may have never even seen some of the vehicles that are in the museum. We are trying to grow an appreciation of these older classic cars in that next generation.”

The Martin Auto Museum and Event Center facilitates that appreciation through complimentary lesson plans, available on its website, specifically designed for students at all grade levels. Younger visitors may also enjoy a ride on a carousel or a turn at the museum’s collection of driving and racing games.

Of course, the Martin Auto Museum and Event Center will also make many older visitors feel like they are kids again, fueled by nostalgia.

“There are people of an age who drove these cars at one time in their life and have a great appreciation for them,” Fallon says. “So we really do have a built-in audience in these large retirement communities in the Valley.

“There is also a really large car show community here. Almost every weekend, you can find a car show somewhere around the Valley. So there are a lot of collectors who go to those car shows and can come to the museum to see an even broader collection in one place.”

In fact, the Martin Auto Museum and Event Center has plans to periodically host its own car shows in its new parking lot — another thing that it was unable to do at its former location.

The museum sees an uptick in visitors near the beginning of each year, around what has become known as auction season here in the Valley. Of course, those auctions also afford Martin an opportunity to explore the purchase of additional vehicles.

“Every year, it seems that Mel goes to one or more of those auctions and we add a car or two — or 10 — to the museum’s collection,” Fallon says.

Of course, the expense of maintaining each car is ongoing. All automobiles are lovingly cared for, often handwashed, polished and given vanity tweaks as needed. The museum, therefore, offers automobile enthusiasts the opportunity to sponsor a vehicle’s care through its Adopt-a-Car membership program.

A yearly $250 donation ensures a car’s continued care for future generations of visitors. Each adoptive guardian also has the added benefit

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of advertising their benevolence in protecting the remarkable history of that automobile.

“In fact, my wife Karen and I have adopted the 1930 Duesenberg Model J Boattail, which is probably one of the finest cars in all of Mel's collection,” Fallon says. “One of the interesting things about that car is that it was built the year that Mel was born. He bought it as an 80th birthday present to himself. What a great gift that he has now turned around and given to the community.”

The Duesenberg is one of two cars that Fallon says are among his favorites at the Martin Auto Museum and Event Center, with the other being a 1965 Shelby Cobra SC. That car is signed by American automotive designer Carroll Shelby and has only 14 miles on its odometer.

Having said that, Fallon — who is a member of the Martin Auto Museum and Event Center’s board as well as Martin’s stepson — acknowledges that there are a lot of cars in the collection that have really interesting stories and he has far too many favorites to count. His friendship with Martin has not only strengthened his appreciation of automobiles and automotive history but also shown him that he still has much to learn and discover.

“Mel’s knowledge of cars throughout history is just amazing,” says Fallon, noting that Martin, who still goes to work every day at 91 years old, uses his career as a real estate developer to support his love and passion for collectible cars. “He can look at a car that might be unremarkable to the average person and know that there was maybe only a handful of those made in that year with that specific equipment which makes it special.

If we could bottle him and put him in the museum to talk to folks every day, I think that people would be blown away.” martinautomuseum.com Facebook: @martinautomuseum

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RECIPE

Caramel Mocha and Nutella Brownies Serves: 16

Ingredients: For the Caramel: 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature and cut into chunks Flaky sea salt For the Brownies: 12 tablespoons salted butter 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon instant espresso 1 tablespoon Kahlua 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 large eggs 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1-1/2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips 1/2 cup Nutella

Directions:

Writer and Photographer Francine Coles thefancypantskitchen.com

These perfect brownies are the only recipe you will ever need! Perfect because Nutella gives them a smooth-but-chewy interior. Perfect because Kahlua and espresso keep them from being cloyingly sweet. And perfect because homemade toffee shards placed on top prior to baking give them both a crunch and a wonderful salted caramel flavor. These truly are the best brownies ever!

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To make the caramel, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium pot, cook sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it has melted and turned a golden caramel color, about 8 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and add chunks of butter, whisking until combined.

Stir in cream, return the pot to medium heat and cook, stirring until the caramel has thickened and easily coats the back of your spoon, about 5–8 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, stir in a pinch of salt, pour onto the parchment paper and place in the freezer for 20 minutes to harden.

To make the brownies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x9-inch square pan with parchment paper.

In the microwave, melt together butter and 1 cup of chocolate chips, stirring at 30-second intervals, until melted and smooth. Stir in sugar, instant espresso, Kahlua and vanilla extract.

In a small bowl, whisk eggs until bubbly on top, about one minute.

Stir whisked eggs into the chocolate mixture, then add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Stir until just combined.

Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips, then evenly spread half of the mixture into the prepared pan. Dollop spoonfuls of Nutella over the batter. Spoon the remaining batter over top, using a spoon to lightly smooth out the batter.

Remove caramel from the freezer and cut or break into pieces. Stick the caramel into the brownies, then bake in the oven until they are just set, 28–30 minutes. Let cool or cut and enjoy warm.

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