The New Haven Lawn Club was the place to be on Friday afternoon. With a theme of Creative Collaborators, the ballroom was filled for the 2005 Arts Awards luncheon. There did not appear to be a “starving artist” among them; much to the credit of our region’s patrons, the Cultural Capital of Connecticut moniker has translated to financial stability of many of our arts organizations and individuals.
Andy Rubenoff greeted the revelers and set the mood with upbeat musical selections. Pat Sweet, president of the Arts Council Board of Directors and Betty Monz, the agency’s executive director, both charmed the crowd with factual and anecdotal updates; Mike Morand was replaced by his able understudy, Ronald Ebrecht. Sally and Steve Glick were gracious hosts and sponsors of the entire event; they are well known for their generosity to the arts and to the general community philanthropy, both through Coordinated Financial Resources and Chamber Insurance Trust.
Carlos Eire, the Yale prof of religious studies and history, who is better known for his memoirs, Waiting for Snow in Havana, enthralled the audience. Atticus and Barnes and Noble should consider joining the Council with the additional profits that will result from the attendees rushing to their counters.
Jonathan Berryman, one of the honorees, and half of his Heritage Chorale did a “cameo” acceptance and raced off to a “command performance” at the guv’s mansion. Reggie Mayo, toting a lavish bouquet of roses, charmed the assemblage with his homage to Regina Warner and gratitude to the community collaborations developed for the benefit of New Haven’s public school children. She was surrounded with family and friends and the board of the Neighborhood Music School. You could feel the love!!
Ruth Lapides, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, was the object of group admiration and affection, but none meant more to her than that of the family at her table. Children and grandchildren gathered around her. We wonder what John and Melanie will do with all of that footage. Lance and Robin Sauerteig, Dr. and Mrs. Martin Gordon, Rabbi Herb Brockman and the folks from the Peabody Museum stood in tribute to her. How serendipitous it is that Ruth designed the very sculpture that has been copied and replicated as the actual award received by every honoree.
Aleta Staton must have had a difficult decision in sitting at the Jazz Haven table for lunch. She serves on that board of directors in addition to performing with the Heritage Chorale and performing in her role as an invaluable member of the professional staff of the Arts Council. Cynthia Morrill, in accepting the Jazz Haven award, closed by saying she loved all music but she “digs jazz” drew a warm round of applause. Her colleagues Herb Wilson, Lous West and Dave Johnson joined her for the photo ops.
Helen Kauder and Denise Markonish have taken Factory Direct “on the road”, with a European tour of some of the installations. Their celebration of the creativity and innovation of the industrial community seems to have hit a chord (pun intended!) with the international set.
Jamie Burnett (in photo) received the gratitude and applause that usually elude technical directors. From extravaganzas in the Stony Creek quarry to Shakespeare in the Park, there has hardly been an audience member in the area who has not been exposed to his brilliance as a scenic and lighting designer, technical director or other wizardry.
The multi-talented photographer, sculptor and musician Harold Shapiro and his wife, Marji Lipshez-Shapiro (education director extraordinaire of the Anti-Defamation League), enjoyed the festivities. Bob (People’s Bank) and Priscilla Dannies were spotted! Ed Dowling (Centerprise Advisers), David Newton (Yale Office of New Haven Affairs), Will Ginsberg (Community Foundation), Cheever Tyler (film maker, author, attorney and expert on philanthropy) and Gar Waterman (sculptor, activist and entrepreneur) — tireless workers in support of the artistic community —‚ joined the group.
The afternoon was a great mix of performers, artists, community and patrons. They were all living proof of collaborative relationships. Some even met new friends that they had never met before. We love this stuff and it’s all for … you know… “THE GREATER GOOD.”
