life-enhancing experiences, educational opportunities and increased community vitality. When it comes to the arts, the Trust has relied on the expertise of senior program officer Ellen Solowey for 15 years. Thought of as a ‘Renaissance woman’ by many of her colleagues, Solowey has made an indelible mark on Maricopa County’s arts and culture community. She recently announced her retirement. “Ellen’s vast and varied international experience combined with her intellectual firepower has always provided a unique perspective on the arts and their impact on individuals and society. She approached grantmaking with vigor and a genuine understanding of both artists and institutions,” said Mary Jane Rynd, president & CEO of Piper Trust. Solowey was instrumental in designing the Trust’s intensive two-year capacity-building program for arts organizations, known as the AGILE program. Most recently, she was the architect of the Trust’s new Arts & Culture Forward program, from inception to implementation. You can read about this effort to support arts organizations while broadening access to arts and engagement on page 61. Although Solowey may be retiring from Piper Trust, she has a deep appreciation and respect for the nonprofit community and plans to be involved in new ways. “The Trust’s board and staff salute Ellen’s dedication and the enduring mark she has made on this community,” Rynd said. It is a privilege to celebrate Solowey on such a significant milestone — and fitting to anticipate the artistic memories ahead. What fun it was to interview Richard Thomas for 10 Questions this month. “The Waltons” was a staple of my youth, and hearing his voice made those fond memories return. Thomas will come to ASU Gammage in December to star in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” It’s just one of many productions to put on your calendar — and part of why we are so excited to bring you our annual Arts & Culture issue. For the cover, our team caught sunrise in Papago Park, capturing the drama and power of Southwest Shakespeare Company. We’re big fans of their bold, original productions and quest to serve every child in our state. Inclusive, vibrant and full of personality, the cover conveys the theme of this issue, which is a celebration of art, beauty and community. Frontdoors has long been a place to champion the arts, but this issue is something special. We collaborated with Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, a private foundation that honors Virginia Galvin Piper’s philanthropic commitment to changing lives and strengthening community. Reflecting Virginia Piper’s own charitable legacy, the Trust awards grants to arts and culture organizations to create KAREN WERNER EDITOR IN CHIEF Art, Beauty and Community “ Ellen’s vast and varied international experience combined with her intellectual firepower has always provided a unique perspective on the arts and their impact on individuals and society.” Karen EDITOR’S NOTE Piper Trust senior program officer Ellen Solowey 10 | FRONTDOORS MAGAZINE

© 2022 Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust pipertrust.org Enriching Health, Well-Being, and Opportunity for the People of Maricopa County. ARTS & CULTURE Healing…unifying…life-changing… critical for community health and vitality. Photo by: Slaven Gujic Photo by: Laura Durant