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Different kind of Convergence planned this year

BY KRISTINE CANNON

Progress Staff Writer

Remember last year’s Canal Convergence?

Where families crowded around the hands-on artworks and workshops?

Where line after line of patrons waited for a cup of craft beer made with recycled water?

Where the hordes of spectators lined Arizona Canal for each showing of Walter Productions’ popular fire show?

This year, attendees can expect a much different experience.

Scheduled Nov. 6-15, Canal Convergence will do away with on-site live music, its beer and wine garden, and more than 130 hands-on artworks, activities and workshops that drew 300,000 people last year.

This year, Canal Convergence organizers are planning new offerings and an expanded the physical footprint of the art experience.

What that means is artwork will be placed beyond Arizona Canal at the Scottsdale Waterfront to areas throughout Old Town Scott

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the featured “creative” on the Sept. 24 episode of AZ Creates!, a new biweekly web series.

Created and hosted by Chandler artist and author Laurie Fagen, the half-hour web series highlights artists, writers, dancers, musicians, film, theater or TV creatives in Arizona. Fagen, a crime fiction novel writer, designed the program to connect art patrons with artists, and to work on something more positive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Spectrum (Frame Version),” by Paris-based artist Olivier Ratsi, consists of 20 suspended LED frames, stretching 40 feet across Marshall Way Bridge to display all the colors in the visible spectrum.

(Olivier Ratsi)

sdale, in an effort to minimize crowding and allow for safer social distancing.

Some of the artworks will even be placed in areas visible from attendees viewing from their cars or bicycles.

Also notably new to Canal Convergence this year is the use of augmented reality technology, which aims to enhance the Canal Convergence experience via smartphone app.

Canal Convergence’s augmented reality and online offerings will replace the physical presence of activities, including workshops, artist talks, and public art tours, and the live entertainment that was once scattered throughout the Waterfront area.

“I’ve found it challenging to write about death and murder for my fiction,” Fagen explains, who was working on “Bleeder,” her third novel in her “Behind the Mic Mysteries.”

“It’s much more inspiring and fun to chat with artists, and I’m enjoying working with my son, Devon Hancock, who is composing original music and editing the video programs,” she said.

Breiman enjoys painting nature, and especially flowers, explaining, “I’m in my happy place when surrounded by creative people, bright colors and beautiful things with a paintbrush in my hand.”

Performances will be live-streamed and held in-person at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, where COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place – such as timed entry and spaced seating.

The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ reopening and return to performances also includes livestream ticket options, including the upcoming Jazz con Alma performance on Sept. 26, from home.

In response to the pandemic, this year’s theme experience is “Reconnect.”

“This is a year where we have all been impacted by COVID-19’s devastating effects on our way of life,” said Kim Boganey, director of Scottsdale Public Art. “Canal Convergence is no exception to these changes and will pivot in order to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including our visitors.” Organizers hope to “find common ground and shared humanity through public art, addressing themes of inclusion, communication, collaboration and community en

Scottsdale artist featured on new web series

Scottsdale oil painter Nancy Breiman is

seeC0NVERGENCE page 19

Breiman shares her passion with others through volunteering, teaching art workshops and providing one-on-one instruction in oil painting. She is a juried member of Oil Painters of America and a member of The Sonoran Arts League, Arizona Artists Guild, The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance and the Arizona Arts Alliance.

Award-winning Chandler author Albert Quihuis will also be featured on the second episode of AZ Creates! in the “What Are You Reading?” book segment.

Quihuis, who has written a series of chil

2018, is just one of three reCREATIVE ���� page 18 The other returning artists dren’s books to honor his parents and faminclude Walter Productions, ily traditions, has also penned the young Casey Farina, and Budapestadult “Better Than Me,” a true story of based studio Koros Design — three generations of “women’s hardships one of three foreign artists. and misfortunes” and their strength to OGE Group from Haifa, Isovercome them. rael will introduce “Together! He will read a short selection from “SoResponding to COVID-19,” a fia’s Summer Adventure.” 32-foot-high light sculpture In the events segment, called “Someof multicolored hands holding thing to Look Forward To,” co-host and each other and forming the graphic designer Cathy Beard of Chanshape of a heart.” dler will highlight arts events including Farina’s “Across the DiPinetop-Lakeside’s Fall Artisans Festival, vide” will treat attendees to a Gilbert’s Art Intersection, a Sedona Arts generative video installation Center fundraiser, jazz programs at The OGE Group of Haifa, Israel will bring “Together! Rethat uses projection mapping Nash in Phoenix and more. sponding to COVID-19,” a 32-foot-high light sculpacross multiple windows “to The featured nonprofit for the second ture of multicolored hands holding each other and produce visual habitats where show will be the Sonoran Arts League, an forming the shape of a collective heart, to Scottsdale in November. (OGE Group) abstracted human forms re800-member state-wide arts organizaside.” tion. The program will close with a “CreC0NVERGENCE ���� page 18 Farina said he hopes the artwork will draw attention to the vibrant local ative Quote of the Day.” The first episode launched Sept. 10 and gagement,” the press release states. art scene. featured choreographer Pamela Cannedy Scottsdale Public Art specifically chose a “As the pandemic has continued, I’ve of Phoenix and author Lee Travathan of mix of local, national and international artspent an increasing amount of time conQueen Creek. ists who push the boundaries to create art sidering our relationship to living space The new episode will air at 7 p.m. Sept. that offers the public a way to not only rethrough a durational lens,” he said. 24, and will be available on the AZ Creconnect with themselves and their neighInformation: canalconvergence.com ates! YouTube channel at any time. bors but also enjoy at a distance.

“Each of the Canal Convergence artworks provide unique and meaningful ways to reconnect with friends, neighbors, and the city of Scottsdale through art,” said Jennifer Gill, public art manager for Canal Convergence. Things didn’t “Even though the look and feel of this year’s event has had to change due to go as planned. pandemic restrictions, we are proud to say that the tradition of exceptional lightbased public artworks remains the same,” As you build your new goals, rely on a Gill continued. business banking partner that’s strong,

Boston-based MASARY Studios, for exinnovative and driven to help you succeed. ample, will showcase a “community-driven public art expression” called “Massively Visit StearnsBank.com/business to learn Distributed” that features sampled sound about the checking and savings options and visual textures from the Scottsdale you can count on. area.

“This year has challenged us, as artists, to think differently, to create work that is durable and safe even in a pandemic,” said Call us today: (480) 314-4200 Ryan Edwards of MASARY Studios. “But as public artists, we are already in that space, for the most part. I think this pandemic is emphasizing how important public art really is, and the artists and presenters who embrace that are really thriving.”

MASARY Studios, who brought “Sound Follow us | Sculpture” to the Marshall Way Bridge in turning artists this year.

Al Quihuis

Sponsorships are available with introductory rates and discounts for multishow commitments. Sponsors for the premiere show include Mary Contreras State Farm Insurance, Sibley’s West, an Arizona and Chandler Gift Shop and Times Media Group.

Subscribe to the AZ Creates channel on Youtube.com at is.gd/AZCreates, visit the Art Online AZ Facebook and Instagram pages or email AZCreates. ArtOnlineAZ@gmail.com for details.

SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 TOURISM SPOTLIGHT

A COMMUNITY REPORT FROM EXPERIENCE SCOTTSDALE

BE SCOTTSDALE SAFE

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating impacts across the country and economy, and that toll is especially evident in the tourism sector. As the destination marketing organization for the city, Experience Scottsdale’s recent efforts have balanced keeping the industry afloat and residents safe.

The immediate and future success of the destination depend upon Scottsdale being a safe place to live, work and play. Though Experience Scottsdale hopes to revive the local tourism industry, the organization is prioritizing the health of the community above all.

Experience Scottsdale is making it clear that hospitality businesses share responsibility in welcoming back visitors cautiously and mindfully while keeping employees and residents secure. Throughout the pandemic, Experience Scottsdale has educated its 400+ members on the state and national guidelines for reopening, including occupancy limits, face covering requirements, physical distancing measures, and cleaning and sanitation procedures. The organization also has encouraged tourism businesses to promote COVID-19 protocols on ExperienceScottsdale.com so that they are front and center for travelers looking to visit Scottsdale in the future.

When cases began rising in Arizona, Experience Scottsdale helped potential visitors understand their role as well. Experience Scottsdale launched BeScottsdaleSafe.com to inform visitors about Scottsdale’s mask mandate and business closures. The site includes a “Safe Traveler Pledge” asking that all visitors wear their masks, wash their hands, sanitize frequently touched objects and surfaces, practice social distancing, use contactless payment, and be patient and kind.

Experience Scottsdale provides you with inspiration to explore your city. Learn about local events, restaurants, attractions, discounts and more by visiting ExperienceScottsdale.com.

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