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Scottsdale Arts Fest marks big anniversary

BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer

Every spring in Scottsdale, the flowers bloom, the Spring Training games are in full swing – and the Scottsdale Arts Festival opens up to the public for three days with the best-of-the-best local art, plenty of fun family-friendly activities and nonstop live music.

This year is a particularly special year for the festival, taking place March 13 through 15 at the newly renovated 20-acre Scottsdale Civic Center Park. It’s the Scottsdale Arts Festival’s 50th anniversary.

And to celebrate and commemorate its milestone year, Scottsdale Arts Festival has commissioned longtime attendees and local husband and wife printmakers Stephen and Bonnie Harmston, known collectively as HarmstonArts, to

Scottsdale Arts Festival’s featured artists are local husband and wife printmakers Stephen and Bonnie Harmston. Known as HarmstonArts, Stephen and Bonnie’s art studio is located in the garage of the Chandler home they purchased 34 years ago. (Chris Mortenson/Progress Staff Photographer)

create an original piece of art.

“When they came to us and said, ‘It’s the 50th anniversary, and we want you,’ it really does mean a lot to us because we have a real strong history with this show,” Bonnie said.

“Of all the shows we do all across the country over the years, there’s a few shows we have a real tender spot for, and we always get very excited to go,” she added.

This year’s festival will showcase more than 180 jury-selected artists from the United States and beyond. Attendees will have the opportunity to both experience and purchase works ranging from paintings, sculptures, and ceramics to jewelry, photography, and more.

Hands-on family-friendly activities include banana screen printing, a scav

seeARTS FEST page 42

Nikki and Brie bring party to Valley Ho

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Progress Staff Writer

Just because Valley natives Nikki and Brie Bella are pregnant, it doesn’t mean they can’t throw a party. The former WWE Divas will kick off Cabanas After Dark, the Hotel Valley Ho’s poolside parties under the stars, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 7.

The party and a VIP rooftop meet and greet also introduce their new Bonita Bonita rosé and signed bottles will be available.

“We’re so beyond excited,” says Nikki, who recently announced her engagement to her former “Dancing with the Stars” partner, Artem Chigvintsev. “Brie and I are known as winos. We love being

Nikki and Brie Bella are hosting a party Friday at Hotel Val ley Ho to introduce their new wine. (Special to the Progress)

part of the wine industry. Just because we’re pregnant, it doesn’t mean we can’t have a pool party and make mocktails. This, we know: the Bellas know how to throw a good party.”

Brie adds it makes sense to celebrate Bonita Bonita in Scottsdale. The Bellas were born 16 minutes apart Nov. 21, 1983, in San Diego and raised on a farm near Scottsdale. The soccer-playing girls graduated from Chaparral High School in 2002.

“Obviously, Arizona is home to us. Every time we have something to launch or showcase, the first thing we think about is here. We’re these young girls with big dreams and to introduce Bonita Bonita at home makes it much more special. Everyone can taste our rosé, which is fantastic, at see BELLA page 45

enger hunt, all-level yoga sessions, upcycled journal decorating, storytelling with the Scottsdale Public Library, and more.

Festivalgoers can also enjoy live music and other entertainment on two stages by local and regional bands.

They will include jazz-based collective House of Stairs on March 13; Southern California yacht rock band Yachty by Nature, short performances by teen dance groups from local Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale branches, and a silence disco on March 14; and the Vets Rock Band on March 15.

Other lineup highlights include the Sugar Theives, Jovert, and the Salt River String Band.

“The Scottsdale Arts Festival has been a part of Scottsdale’s DNA for five decades and has continued to bring the best in visual, cultural, performing and culinary arts nestled throughout the beautiful park,” said Jamie Prins, Scottsdale Arts Festival director.

“The Festival is Scottsdale’s oldest, continuous arts festival and attracts a

Scottsdale Arts Festival commissioned HarmstonArts to create an original commissioned artwork celebrat ing 50 years of the annual southern Scottsdale event. (HarmstonArts/Scottsdale Arts Festival)

broad audience, from families and young professionals to retirees and discriminating art buyers,” Prins added.

The Harmstons have nearly as long a history together as partners and as an artist duo as the Scottsdale Arts Festival.

Bonnie and Stephen met more than 40 years ago at Utah State University; they then purchased and moved into their Chandler home 34 years ago.

“There were six houses out here and nothing but farmland,” Bonnie recalled.

Stephen and Bonnie didn’t stay in the East Valley long, though, moving to Flagstaff and then to Seattle; but they always kept the house, and eventu

ally moved back to Chandler.

“It was probably in ‘96 when we officially became HarmstonArts,” Stephen said, adding this is when he transitioned into a full-time printmaker and they began taking on more art shows. Now, they do about 20 shows each year.

“We do shows pretty much nonstop, and then we stay home in the winter,” Bonnie said.

The first time the Harmstons attended the Scottsdale Arts Festival was sometime in the early ‘90s. Since, they’ve been featured artists a few times.

“We have a real love for this show,” Bonnie said. “We don’t do very many shows in Arizona, period.”

Stephen added: “A lot of people do well. It’s just this is not our market, oddly enough. It’s still to us is the best show in the whole state, period. It’s got the best quality of any show in the whole state.”

HarmstonArts also won Best in Show at last year’s Scottsdale Arts Festival, which Bonnie said was “huge” for them.

see ARTS FEST page 44

Scottsdale entrepreneur marks Persian New Year

BY OCTAVIO SERRANO Progress Staff Writer

Lawdan Shojaee grew up in Los Angeles where her Persian culture is vibrant and present. She misses it, so she’s bringing it to the Valley, where she lives now, with the second annual Persian New Year Festival.

“Growing up, I was very close to it and I could have access to it,” said Shojaee, the founder of the Scottsdale software company Axosoft. “When I moved to Arizona 20 years ago, I started missing having that proximity.”

The event is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 7, at the Scottsdale Waterfront. The event is free, but RSVPs are encouraged. Last year, 6,000 people attended.

“I started noticing we don’t have enough Persian culture here in the Valley, so I thought why not take a stab at putting together a festival,” Shojaee said. “I really enjoy going to other festivals in town and I thought, ‘What if we

Some delectable treats await people who attend the Persian New Year Festival Friday at Scottsdale Waterfront. (Special to the Progress)

The Persian New Year Festival Friday offers a chance for old friends to gather and new friends to be made. (Special to the Progress)

had the opportunity to introduce my culture?’”

It started as a simple event with cultural food, but now she’s showcasing her favorite thing about the Persian culture—hospitality.

“The entertainment we bring on stage is absolutely top-notch,” Shojaee said. “We have a dance studio who brings their top dancer to dance on our stage with some of the most amazing costumes.” Fashion designer Masha Page is organizing a show set to music that will display the clothing of Iran.

“What will surprise people is Iran is very different than the rest of the Mid

dle Eastern countries in fashion is very important to them,” Shojaee said.

She is increasing the festival’s size to accommodate more than 40 vendors, who will display items like sculptures, paintings, jewelry, pottery and calligraphy.

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Clear Title Agency bringing new technology to real estate closings PAID ADVERTISMENT

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Clear Title Agency of Arizona has introduced a tech-savvy solution for depositing earnest funds during a real estate transaction.

The Arizona-based company has teamed up with the application provider Zoccam to bring customers enhanced options that utilize technology to improve the real estate closing process.

This new technology being offered by Clear Title, allows earnest money to be deposited via mobile app using a photo of the check. The earnest money deposit is a key step to officially opening escrow during a real estate transaction.

Clear Title Agency Executive Vice President Mike Winters says his company saw the need in the marketplace and took the initiative to find a solution. “We open thousands of real estate transactions each year and we listen to feedback from those customers,” Winters says. “This type of thing has been around in consumer banking but not been available when accepting deposits for earnest funds during a real estate transaction. It’s new and unique to our industry. As a locally owned and operated company we are proud to be leading on this and bringing new technology to the market.” The mobile app is easy, he adds. Customers can download the free app from the App store for Apple users, or Google Play for Android devices. Once they download the app, they create an account and take a photo of their check to deposit earnest money needed to start the escrow process. “Prior to this technology, title companies needed to be in possession of the physical check to receipt in earnest money.

With this new technology, the process is expedited saving everyone valuable time.

The mobile app is being quickly adopted and has already been used by customers in every single Clear Title branch location.

Locally owned and operated, Clear Title Agency of Arizona provides full-service residential and commercial title and escrow services with multiple locations across the Valley and in Flagstaff. The company has been recognized by Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies and Phoenix Business Journal’s Best Places to Work numerous times and ranks in the top 1% of all First American agents nationally.

“We won printmaking awards there in the past, but never in all the years we’ve done the show have we ever won that big of an award there,” she added.

HarmstonArts is known for its aspens- and cloud-focused pieces; the commissioned piece for Scottsdale Arts Festival showcases the latter.

“They wanted the building in it. It was our idea to put the boosts in there,” Stephen said.

Guests can bid on HarmstonArts’ original piece, as well as other items donated by participating exhibiting artists, in the festival’s silent auction from 5 p.m., March 13 to noon, March 16.

In addition to the commissioned artwork, the festival and Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation has curated a retrospective exhibition to commemorate the 50th anniversary.

The retrospective exhibition, located in the ArtReach Space inside Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, features previous festival items, from photos, merchandise, and posters to magazines, newspaper articles and more.

Other local artists include Roy Wasson Valle and Koryn Woodward Wasson, who will present their “Camp Dreamtree” at the festival for the first time.

Presented by Scottsdale Public Art and Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, “Camp Dreamtree” is an all-inclusive, interactive installation comprised of three main parts: a visitor center, a fire pit, and four stations/houses with self-guided and artist-led projects to take home.

“Our goal is to continue to offer unique, experiential opportunities that will not only engage and inspire attendees, but [also] encourage a future generation of art buyers and collectors,” Prins said.

As far as food and drinks are concerned, the festival will have plenty of it.

Vendors include popular food trucks and eateries, including 2 Fat Guys Grilled Cheese Truck, Be Crepeful, Biscuit Bombers, Dilla Libre, Eur Haus, Hibachibot, Mustache Pretzels, Paletas Betty, Short Leash Hotdogs, The Maine Lobster Lady, The Pizza Sloth, and much more.

Fine wines, beers, cocktails, and other beverages, including Milagro Tequila, Boochcraft Hard Kombucha, and other featured Hensley Beverage products, will be available for purchase at three bars.

Attendees can also bring their own reusable water bottles and use the City of Scottsdale’s water trailer for refills to stay hydrated.

“The City of Scottsdale has built a reputation as a community that values and supports the arts and I am very proud this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Arts Festival,” said Mayor Jim Lane.

“As one of our most popular and long-standing events, the Arts Festival showcases some of the most talented artist from across the nation.

“Our world-class community appreciates arts and culture as evidenced by this event’s 50 years of success, and we look forward to further growth under the Scottsdale Arts leadership,” Lane added.

Throughout the weekend, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) will offer free admission where its new spring exhibitions “Murmuration,” “Design Transfigured/Waste Reimagined,” and “Unapologetic: All Women, All Year” will be on display.

And on display at Center Space inside Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is “I hear what you’re seeing.”

The festival attracts nearly 20,000 loyal visitors annually and is a major fundraiser for Scottsdale Arts and proceeds support the performances, exhibitions, installations, and arts education and outreach programs presented by Scottsdale Arts.

“We are proud to continue this legacy for Scottsdale and the surrounding communities. We hope the community will get involved in celebrating the 50th anniversary with us,” Prins said.

If you go

Scottsdale Arts Festival When: March 13–14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., March 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Scottsdale Civic Center Park, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Tickets: $12 single-day admission Website: scottsdaleartsfestival.org

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | MARCH 1, 2020 the Valley Ho.”

Plus, Brie is a big fan of the Valley Ho. “I remember when I was 22 years old and living in Los Angeles,” says Brie, who’s married to fellow wrestler Daniel Bryan. They share a 2-year-old daughter Birdie. “I went to this fun party here. I thought this restaurant and whole lounge here is insane. I love that whole ’60s and ’70s throwback vibe.”

Besides the wine, two babies and Nikki’s upcoming nuptials, the women have other things to celebrate. Nicole + Brizee body line is going to have new products, “Total Bellas” returns to E! on April 9 and they are launching a book.

“We were originally going to launch it in the fall, but we’re going to tie it to Total Bellas’ premiere date,” Nikki says. “We’re going to announce our title and book cover soon.”

Their clothing line, Birdiebee, is launching a spring line soon and it’s going to feature sustainable items.

“Brie’s always been so eco-friendly and one of my resolutions is to make a change in this world,” Nikki says. “We wanted our companies to do so. Our products are going to use recycled plastic bottles, and we’re going to have more lifestyle clothing. We’re so excited for it to drop. We have so many new products.”

They’re most excited about their pregnancies. The Bellas are due two weeks apart in the summer.

“We’re so thrilled,” Brie says. “Never in a million years did I think this could happen. It’s very hard to get pregnant. It wasn’t easy ever for me. The fact we’re so close is amazing. People ask if we planned it. But you can’t plan pregnancy. Trust me.” CABANAS AFTER DARK

Cabanas After Dark kicks off Friday, March 6, with the Bella Twins, spirits and wine, live bands, passed appetizers and drinks.

Following the event with the Bellas, the series will continue with Tiki Night on March 13, Country Barbecue on March 20, and the St. Tropez White Party on April 3. Tickets for the kick-off event on March 6 are $25 and include a featured drink. VIP cabanas are $379 to $1,999 and include VIP access to the rooftop event that starts at 7 p.m. and two to eight bottles of the rosé signed by Brie and Nikki. Tickets for the events from March 13 to April 3 are $10, with VIP cabanas available from $229 to $1,499, including bottle service and one to two bottles of the featured spirit.

Information: 480-376-3600, hotelvalleyho.com BELLA from page 41

PERSIAN from page 42

The tea house is the largest attraction, said Shojaee, whose volunteers will hand out free tea with a ticket obtained from the festival’s website. Tea is vital to her culture, Shojaee said, and one at the center of many social gatherings.

“You walk into any (Persian) family, they will offer you the tea in the exact way these ladies offer the tea at the tea house,” Shojaee said.

The festival is also an opportunity for Shojaee and her team to give back to the community, specifically the Ivy Brain Tumor Center at the Barrow Neurological Institute. The center offers a bold approach to identify effective new experimental therapies for malignant brain tumors, including glioblastoma. Patients receive individualized care in a fraction of the time and cost associated with traditional research and development.

“We’ve partnered with them to make sure we donate to their cause,” she said. “We wanted to show our philanthropic arm as a culture and every year we choose a different local nonprofit to donate to.”

Shojaee said she feels the festival has developed into an authentic experience.

“The joy we have in putting this together really resonates in the festival,” Shojaee said. “It’s absolutely beautiful. The colors, the sounds, the smells, it just adds to the beauty of the day.”

Persian New Year Festival Scottsdale Waterfront, 7135 E. Camelback Road, Suite 155, Scottsdale, persiannewyearfestival.com, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 7, free.