New Haven Independent

Creative Capital was the overriding theme of the evening. The awards celebrated individuals who enjoy the lives they have made for themselves by what they have chosen to do for their livelihoods.
Andy Rubenoff, is well known for the themes and environments that he creates and executes in both likely and unlikely spaces. His talents extend beyond his event planning and set design to his very popular cabaret performances as a singer and at the keyboards. His generosity of time and talent to local non-profits is legendary.

Tom and Spencer Luckey, architect father and son team of Stairway to Heaven, have won national recognition for their highly imaginative and monumental playscape designs. Recent publicity has it that New Haven may soon see their work in the courtyard between Temple and College, with the imposing spiraled parking garage as a backdrop. It would be both public art and a wonderful public play-space for our downtown residents and visitors.

Mike Vespoli, the “Winner of the Shell Game,” creates racing crafts that are the gold standard of the sport. His shells are credited for winning the Olympics. It is more than clear that his love of racing is reflected by superb craftsmanship; his name appears on each of his shells.

Kerry Triffin, Fair Haven Woodworks, is a wood craftsman turned entrepeneur. He has created a real destination shop in Fair Haven, at the end of Blatchley Avenue. It is a unique gift shop, art gallery and designer furniture showroom of impeccable taste and quality. This unusual emporium boasts its location as “Where Soho Meets Vermont.” That is the perfect description for the sophistication and craftsmanship of the selections shown by Kerry and his life and business partner, Elizabeth Orsini.

Tripeg Studios, “Horror in Hamden Award,” is a mid-sized Film and Video production studio, offering all the facilities of a major studio but on a moderate scale. The studio offers three state-of-the-art sound stages, special visual effects shop, complete Final Cut HD post production suite, CGI animation, music/voice over/scoring studio, art departments, an internet New Media department, Pyrotechics, Set Design & Construction, and much more. The business is named after its three principals: Phil Gauvin, Ed Fortin and George DeMartin. ‘Tri’ is for three, and ‘peg’ incorporates the first-name initial of each principal. Gernhard produces B horror movies and late last month was notified that his third movie, Blood Descendants (a Tripeg production), was just released and sold at Cannes Film Festival.

The Bank of Southern Connecticut was well represented by father and son, Joe (Chairman of the Board) and Michael (President) Ciaburri with the newest arrival to their team, Robert Mantilia (formerly with JP Morgan Chase), Senior V.P., and Chief Lending and Marketing Officer. (pictured).
It was a wonderful celebration with all of the “skin and grin”, great food, fine wine. And more dishin’ than speechifyin’……..ALL FOR THE GREATER GOOD!