44 JUNE 2020 By Melissa Hirschl With imaginative flair, some fabric and the aid of her sewing machine, Phoenix resident Wendy Farrell designs award- winning historical, whimsical and humorous costumes. Her talent was rewarded this past January at the Arisia Masquerade held in Boston. Farrell won the coveted “Best in Show” award as well as the “Best Historical Recreation” award. Similar to the Academy Awards, Arisia grants awards for costume designers for “anything interesting and fun.” This eclectic mix includes mythical and playful costumes like fairies, superheroes, dragons, and movie and television characters. Farrell’s entry was based on Gentlemen Jack , an HBO show set in Yorkshire, England, in 1832, which depicts the life of Anne Lister, a wealthy landowner who is anything but conventional. Through dramatization, Lister is portrayed as a strong-willed and assertive woman who is an enigma for her time; she desired a wife. Farrell, her two daughters, Tracy Farrell and Arisia Huff, and a friend displayed the period costumes. “I knew my fan base in the audience,” said Farrell. “I knew they supported gender equality and feminist rights.” Whether it’s creating historical recreations or twists on current television shows or movies, Farrell’s designs are a labor of love. She takes pains to develop exacting details in not only clothing but wigs, shoes and accessories. Farrell also has the distinction of being a master craftsman, a title bestowed on her by the International Costumer Guild, an organization created for hobbyists and professional costumers. Dedicated to the promotion of costuming as an art form, this group establishes guidelines for many competitions. Other costume competitions include ArisiaCon, a gathering of fans of science fiction and fantasy genres, and CostumeCon, a four-day convention of panels, workshops and contests. Farrell has won numerous awards for her costuming and is a respected speaker and panelist, sharing her knowledge of the craft with others. Farrell’s creativity gets to sizzle when she creates “mash-ups” or costumes with a twist. One example was a Beauty and the Beast presentation, where the Beast was portrayed as a transformed prince who still was a bit of a dog that would go chasing after balls. “Beauty was depicted as a warrior,” she explained. “In another instance, we created costumes from the musical Chicago and had dancers donning fashion from the 1930s. They were mixed in with women from the Game of Thrones show, and the punchline was they were dancing to “He Had It Coming,” she said. Another witty costume she designed was a mash-up of Mary Poppins and Dr. Who , a popular British science fiction television program. Mary’s coat had a telephone booth on the back (the TARDIS to Dr. Who fans) as well as an altered umbrella with a parrot handle. “I love it when the audience reacts to my creations by clapping and cheering,” said Farrell. “Sometimes, I can’t even hear sounds around me; the noise is so loud!” For more: arisia.org and costume.org Talent gets rewarded at costume showcase Wendy Farrell, Stacey Allen, Tracy Farrell, Kat Peasley and Arisia Huff in their costumes depicting the HBO show Gentlemen Jack. By Angela Copeland Living through a disaster is challenging. I grew up in a place where natural disasters are the norm: An Oklahoma City suburb called Moore. It has been in the news a couple times when F5 tornadoes destroyed the city in 1999 and 2013. It was devastating. Homes and businesses were damaged. And, sadly, lives were lost. The unique thing about Moore is how resilient it is. Every time a tornado wipes the ground clean, people rebuild. The community comes together in a way that doesn’t exist everywhere. They support one another. They know that to get through disasters, they have to do it together. After COVID-19 hit the U.S., one of the first people I saw was a friend from Moore. Although I hadn’t seen him in over 20 years, he drove to my house to drop off a face mask. He knew that to get through this, we have to do it together. When you go to work every day, I hope you’ll keep this in mind. We are all facing unique challenges: Some people are caring for small children, while others are trying to help their aging parents. Some are self-isolating completely alone. None of these different scenarios are easy. The only way businesses are going to make it through this is if employees work together. We’ve got to pick up the slack for our colleagues when they can’t. Now isn’t the time to judge harshly or to compete with one another. People have different levels of support or flexibility at home. No one was planning for how to weather such a storm. Not everyone has a nanny who can take care of their children during the day. Not every older person has adult children or loved ones nearby who can help. Every scenario can create stress and strain. The only answer is to work together. It’s not the time to make a fuss over little things or feel guilty when you aren’t perfect. It’s the time to step forward with empathy and compassion, both for our colleagues and ourselves. We are all struggling. And that’s okay – as long as we stick together. — Angela Copeland is a career expert and founder of Copeland Coaching. She can be reached at copelandcoaching.com. Sticking together through the pandemic CAREER ADVICE The only way businesses are going to make it through this is if employees work together.” PHOTO COURTESY OF DEREK KOUYOUMJIAN

For More Photos and Information on These and Other Fine Properties, Visit WaltDanley.com Arcadia Proper at its best. This elegant, privately gated, red brick estate with full slate roof is located on Exeter Boulevard and offers commanding views of Camelback Mountain. The quality of construction and detail cannot be duplicated by today’s new construction. Glossy white custom woodwork and rich wood floors create the perfect design backdrop. An inviting Master Suite with balcony, fireplace, wet bar, private office, dressing room and an exquisite purse closet. Two bedrooms have lofts and there’s also a sunny secret room hidden away. Light and bright kitchen is designed with top appliances and white cabinetry. The temperature controlled wine cellar is wonderful. Private guest quarters. There’s even a real caboose which could be a fun kids clubhouse. A large pool and four car garage complete this timeless beauty. 5350 East ExEtEr BoulEvard PhoEnix, arizona 5Br | 7Ba | 8,373 sQ Ft $3,300,000 | Mls# 6057697 SUSIE WESLEY 602.469.0227 | Susie.Wesley@WaltDanley.com