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Moontower Artist
in Residence Program

Artist Residents for Moontower Phoenix on Roosevelt Row.

MEET THE 2023 ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

Actor/Theater Producer

NICHOLAS (NICK) GEARING

Nicholas (Nick) Gearing and Ryan Malikowski are a married collaborative team of musical theatre performers and producing artists. Both have an extensive background in the performance arts in Arizona over the past 2 decades including fronting live bands, teaching young artists, leading choruses, and performing at theaters throughout the Valley. The pair co-created a non-profit arts organization in 2020 called Philanthropic Productions, geared toward creating arts events intended to benefit community efforts.

Actor/Theater Producer

RYAN MALIKOWSKI

Nicholas (Nick) Gearing and Ryan Malikowski are a married collaborative team of musical theatre performers and producing artists. Both have an extensive background in the performance arts in Arizona over the past 2 decades including fronting live bands, teaching young artists, leading choruses, and performing at theaters throughout the Valley. The pair co-created a non-profit arts organization in 2020 called Philanthropic Productions, geared toward creating arts events intended to benefit community efforts.

Musician

SAM OPOKU

Sam Opoku is a Ghanaian American Afro soul/R&B artist who immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 8 after his mother won the visa lottery. As an immigrant, he learned to navigate between cultures and embraced musical influences from both worlds, resulting in his own unique and rich sound. After completing the music program at Grand Canyon University, he made the decision to pursue a full-time career as an artist. Throughout his career, he has achieved remarkable milestones, including sold-out headline shows and having a song featured on Netflix.

Photographer

CHLOE HULS

Chloe Huls is an International Documentary Photographer based in Phoenix, Arizona. Growing up, Chloe spent most of her childhood in San Carlos, Mexico and is one of six kids raised in a multicultural household. Much of her inspiration comes from her upbringing; experiencing various cultures, landscapes and people that helped shape the way in which she sees and documents the world. Huls captures photos that illuminate the beauty of the present moment and the people in it. Specializing in visual storytelling, she documents local and international weddings, brands, luxury hotels, individual portraits and more. Her preferred mediums are digital, film and super 8.

Painter/Muralist

GIOVANNIE DIXON

“JUST” Giovannie is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist who found art while working construction back in 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. He felt he no longer had a purpose in life to then become a full time artist after only two years of painting. He now strives to be a prime example of what is possible in a short period of time. Now having taught himself how to produce art at a high technical level he is finding more creative ways to speak through his art and play in spaces that aren’t driven by art but can create opportunity for more discussions through art.

Filmmaker, Editor, Director

RAFAEL “RALPH” DOMENECH

Rafael Domenech, also known as RD3 in the creative world, is an experienced Director and editor with over 6 years of industry experience. In his journey as a director, Rafael has particularly excelled in creating music videos, collaborating with a diverse array of talented artists and musicians. Alongside music videos, he has also contributed to multiple short films and feature films, continually honing his craft.

Musician

Tieme Yamashita

Tieme Yamashita is a musician whose passion was ignited at the tender age of 5. Music has become an inseparable part of her life, a pursuit she couldn’t abandon even if she tried. Throughout her career as an artist, Tieme has been fortunate to perform in numerous esteemed venues. While these experiences have been remarkable, she treasures the relationships she has formed with fellow creatives even more, a constant source of gratitude for her. Tieme believes that music creates a profound sense of connection, which fuels her unwavering passion for the art form.

APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

We’re thrilled to introduce Moontower’s 2023-2024 Artists in Residence! To learn more about the artists, read our article: Introducing Moontower’s 2023-2024 Artists in Residence.

 

 

MEET THE 2023 JUDGES

Oscar De las salas

Oscar serves with global design firm Gensler, and as an associate professor for the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at ASU. He serves on the boards of several Phoenix galleries and volunteers his time to several arts organizations, including Artlink Phoenix, Phoenix Art Museum and SMoCA. In 2022, he was appointed a commissioner for Phoenix Sister Cities Organization.

Brendan Morrow

As a partner at True North Studio, Brendan spearheaded the revitalization of downtown Phoenix in the Roosevelt Row arts district. He has delivered numerous successful hotels, restaurants and high-rise multifamily projects to the city.

Wayne Rainey

Wayne is a third generation Phoenician and creator of HOLGLAS, the first affordable housing project designed for Phoenix artists. His work has been recognized with numerous awards including Addy Awards, an Award of Excellence from CA, and accolades in PDN and the Alternative Pick. He opened the first super-scale photography studio in Phoenix, located in the monOrchid.

Leah Marche

Listed among Phoenix New Times’ 100 Creatives, Leah’s work has been featured on several Valley and national stages. Leah has founded ventures including AZ Music 365, LIVEPOET!C and JAZZmeetsPOETRY. She is a board member at Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation, and a team member at Valley Leadership’s Impact Maker.

doug robson

Doug Robson

As chef and owner of the Oaxacan inspired restaurant, Gallo Blanco, Doug gives back to the Phoenix community by sourcing local ingredients. ​His philanthropic passions have led him to be actively involved in grassroots food advocacy programs including No Kid Hungry and Blue Watermelon Project.

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