It’s not too late to reserve your tickets for Howard County’s signature event! Commemorating 35 hears of fostering the arts, the Howard County Arts Council presents the Celebration of the Arts in Howard County on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, Howard Community College, Columbia, MD. Tickets can be purchased via the Celebration page of the Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) website, hocoarts.org; by phone at 410-313-ARTS (2787); or at the HCAC office, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Any remaining tickets will be available at the box office on the day of the event.
This year’s gala will feature a reception from 6-8 p.m. with a silent auction of artwork by local artists, delectable edibles from area restaurants, and live musical performances. At 8 p.m. the Celebration continues with a 90- minute performance featuring the Rising Star Competition and the presentation of the 2015 Howie Awards! $100 tickets include the reception, silent auction and reserved seats in the Smith Theatre; $50 tickets include the reception, silent auction, and general seating in the Studio Theatre for a simulcast of the event.
The Rising Star Competition showcases ten young performing artists vying for a no-strings-attached professional development award of $5,000! The audience will vote for their favorite performance, with the winner announced live on stage. The ten finalists who will perform at the Celebration are Monica Albizo, Musical Theatre; Mark Edwards, Classical Guitar; Crystal Freeman, Musical Theatre; Joshua Hughes, Musical Theatre; Jenny Lehtonen, Flute; Esther Oh, Classical Voice; Cody Quattlebaum, Classical Voice; Elizabeth Rayca, Musical Theatre; Luke Spence, Classical Trumpet; and Shing Ann Yeh, Cello.
The Howie Awards honor individuals or businesses that have made a significant impact on the arts in Howard County. The 2015 recipients are: Maureen Berry for Outstanding Artist, Pamela Land for Outstanding Arts Educator, and Pixel Workshop for Outstanding Business Supporter of the Arts.
Elizabeth and Kenneth Lundeen, long-time residents of Howard County and active consumers and supporters of the arts, will serve as Honorary Chairs for the Celebration. Richard W. Story, Senior Vice President, Community Relations and Government Affairs, and Business Development Liaison for Howard Bank, will serve as Event Emcee.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit hocoarts.org or call 410-313-ARTS (2787).