Community Event Archives

May is Preservation Month, on 5/11/023 our guest will be Ashley Harder with Preserve Phoenix 7p, interviewed by host Marshall Shore (Hip Historian,). Grab a beverage and tune into this virtual free weekly happy hour. Over 150 episodes accessible on the Hip Historian Youtube channel and now a podcast on Spotify!

The ULI Trends Day event discussed the challenges and opportunities of historical preservation and adaptive reuse in real estate development. Attendees learned about the definitions of these concepts as well as the importance of addressing the equity gap and considering non-traditional partners for future growth. The event highlighted the need to balance sustainability, differentiation, and preservation in urban revitalization.

Treeo Gallery was a historic bungalow located in the heart of Phoenix's Roosevelt Row Arts District, known for hosting fundraisers for local organizations and exhibiting a diverse selection of local artists in all genres.

Listen to Ashley Harder on the Local First Podcast on her approach to hiring, leasing and creating space for local businesses. Ashley launched her small-scale adaptive reuse focused development company 10 years ago with the goal of contributing to building a more vibrant and unique environment throughout Phoenix. Check it out here →

Preserve Phoenix held its Inaugural Fundraiser at the Olympus Condominiums on January 21, 2023. Attendees enjoyed the beautiful midcentury modern community and had the opportunity to meet other preservationists and the Preserve Phoenix Board of Directors.

A holiday party at 335 Commons celebrating the incredible artwork of lifelong artist and teacher, Laurence Karasek. Hosted by Ashley Harder and Marcia Karasek, guests viewed his paintings and shared holiday cheer. The event was a success and we can't wait for more exciting collaborations and partnerships within the arts and small business communities!

The Phoenix Community Alliance Summer Development Series was a three-part lunch meeting series presented by the PCA Central City Planning & Development Committee. The series aimed to detail and refine the challenges faced by developers in the city of Phoenix and to take a solution-oriented approach to simplify the development process.

A night of creative energy for Phoenix's First Friday with Artists Sebastien Millon, Bryan Mok, and TEDx Speaker Safwat Saleem. The art exhibit was accompanied by music from DJ Shane Kennedy, local craft vendors and food from famed then food truck Short Leash Hot Dogs.

A warm welcoming of community was our event, Coffee at CLIO, located inside our 1950s retail and restaurant center. The property was opened for visitors to get a behind-the-scenes look at its redevelopment—a closed-toe shoe experience! Members of PCA's McDowell Road Revitalization Committee, Miracle Mile Merchant's Association, and Coronado's Neighborhood Association were invited to enjoy coffee by Two Cat Coffee Truck and get an intimate look at the Miracle Mile's latest adaptive reuse project in its raw state.

How can development and infrastructure affect or be informed by the (previous) conversations and build the creative city we want?

The Creative City Symposium was a collaboration between PCA's Arts, Culture & Public Life Committee and other PCA Committees whose initiatives contribute to the development of Phoenix as a creative city. This event featured a panel of experts who discussed how development and infrastructure can affect and be informed by previous conversations to build the creative city we want. The panel included Eric Johnson and Mitch Menchaca from the City of Phoenix, Ashley Harder from Harder Development, and R.J. Price from Downtown Phoenix Inc. The session explored all elements of building a creative city, including arts and culture. The event also included a special appearance by City of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.

Ashley Harder played a major role in supporting the growth of CO+HOOTS and the Phoenix entrepreneurial community through the organization’s crowdfunding campaign, the Bell Wall. As a result, her name is now immortalized on a "Success Bell" displayed on the "Generosity Wall" at CO+HOOTS Phoenix.

Phoenix Urban Design Week brought together young professionals from diverse backgrounds to shape the future of arts, design, architecture, and public policy. These rising stars pushed boundaries in their respective fields and uplifted their communities with their bright ideas and passion for innovation.

Join us as we discuss trends in Phoenix's rapid redevelopment and explore the impacts of local adaptive reuse projects that think beyond the prototypical profit-driven bottom line.

The Covarrubias Collection is a partnership between artist Jim Covarrubias and arts patron Ashley Harder, showcasing a body of work spanning his 40+ year painting career. Covarrubias' pieces reflect his unique perspective of Arizona's culture and history, drawing from his Native American and Mexican heritage. The collection has been on display for over two years at the Arizona State Capitol's Senate Building, and select pieces are available for sale.

Rocco Designs and Alter Ego presented a Pop Up Art Show featuring new works by Rocco Menaguale and Brian Cresson. The event took place at Harder Development’s retail building on McDowell Rd, 335 Commons, and included live music, food, art, and fashion for one night only. It was a vibrant celebration of local talent and creativity.