United Arts Council 2019 Stars in the Arts Award Winners: Ran Adler | Richard Geary | Fabrizio Aielli Ingrid Aielli | Amanda Jaron

RAN ADLER, FEATURED ARTIST
There Are No Secrets Here
Drawn to Nature’s roughness, randomness and disorder, Ran Adler takes a meditative approach to life and his art. His gathering of organic materials (while wandering such places as along the banks of the Mississippi River) is the inspirational first step. Ran’s rhythmic, repetitive process of sorting, cutting, weaving, threading, burning and inscribing induces a prayer-like state and clarifies his intention…to share the harmonious transformation of chaos into order. Through his iconic assemblages, that purpose is achieved.

RICHARD GEARY
Geary Design, Inc. of Naples, FL has been dedicated to the art of interior space for over
three decades.
Working locally, nationally and internationally, this firm has assembled an incomparable team of designers, and craftsman to transform design visions into realities. Classically trained and accomplished in all styles, Richard Geary, the firm’s principal, has chosen to focus his organization’s energy on the challenges of modern design.
Geary’s education at Ohio University, culminating in his degree in interior design, included extensive coursework within the School of Architecture and was influenced by professors from Yale, Pratt and Cranbrook. This academic background reinforced his belief that the language of Modern Design holds the greatest potential for creative, spatial expression. Geary approaches furniture as part of the structure, an expression of space, rather than any interior design style.
By no means a catalog design service, Geary Design blends classic modern furnishings with cutting edge, custom made designs to create a design language unique to each client. The environments created by the firm are quiet, understated, and uncomplicated backgrounds for living, allowing people to be the most important design element.

FABRIZIO AIELLI, CHEF OWNER
Fabrizio was born in the heart of the Adriatic coast of Venice, Italy where he began his culinary career.  Growing up in Venice, Chef Aielli nurtured a fascination for cooking at his mother’s stove. After working in Venice, he moved away to gain experience in some of the best restaurants and hotels around the world. He eventually returned home to become executive chef of the renowned Taverna la Fenice next to Venice’s opera house. His years of practice included fine restaurants in Italy, the Caribbean and Washington, DC.
In 1995, Chef Aielli and his wife Ingrid opened the first of their restaurants, Goldoni in 1995 followed by Osteria Goldoni in 1998, and finally Teatro Goldoni in 1999. The latter was acclaimed as one of the best new restaurants in the country by Esquire magazine; and Gourmet magazine named Teatro Goldoni as one of the top twenty restaurants in Washington DC. Teatro Goldoni also was recognized by the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, and Food & Wine Magazine. Teatro Goldoni was a recipient of the prestigious
AAA Five Diamond Award and Diroma Award.
In 2007 Fabrizio and Ingrid moved permanently to Naples seeking a location for their next restaurant. Sea Salt opened in November of 2008 to high praise including Esquire Magazine’s Best New Restaurant.
In 2012 Chef Aielli launched Barbatella, a Spirited Italian Trattoria just steps away from Sea Salt on picturesque Third Street South. The popular trattoria highlights Chef Fabrizio’s favorite classic Italian  dishes.
After establishing Sea Salt and Barbatella in the culinary landscape of Naples, the Aielli Group decided to open Dorona in 2018. This modern Italian Steakhouse not only features the finest custom cuts of beef available from select farms but also gives the dining experience an Italian touch through signature dishes and ingredients from the Aielli’s homeland. The Culinary & Hospitality Education Foundation announced Chef Fabrizio as honoree of the year 2018 for his “Venetian World” cuisine representing an imaginative combination of centuries of tradition coupled with current international influences.

INGRID AIELLI, OWNER/RESTAURANTEUR/PHILANTHROPIST
Born in Bratislava Slovakia, Ingrid and her husband Chef Fabrizio Aielli (Venice Italy) moved to Washington, D.C. in the 1990s. In Washington they honed their culinary and management skills and established three highly acclaimed restaurants that were known for their fine cuisine. In Washington they worked as a team establishing a stellar reputation and their restaurants were patronized by political, diplomatic and celebrity clients from around the world.
In 2008 after visiting Naples several times they determined that the vibrant and popular community was a prime location for their next career move. The success of their first Naple’s restaurant, Sea Salt, encouraged them to expand and the restaurant group now includes Sea Salt Naples, Sea Salt St. Pete, Barbatella and Dorona.
Ingrid and Fabrizio are partners of this growing enterprise. Ingrid Aiellis management skills and social acumen are one of the major keys to the success of the Aielli Group. Ingrid manages staff and restaurant operations along with her more public role as an active generous member of the Naples philanthropic community.