PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2025
Contact: Mary K. Baxter
development@hocoarts.org
(410) 313-2787
Howard County Arts Council Celebrates the Arts with Signature Fundraising Event
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – More than 400 guests joined the Howard County Arts Council’s Celebration of the Arts on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Howard Community College’s Peter and Elizabeth Visual and Performing Arts Center. This year’s event netted approximately $70,000 with an additional $58,000 in goods and services donated to support the arts in Howard County! In 28 years, the event has raised more than $1.9 million-all of which has been reinvested in the community to advance the arts. Proceeds from the Celebration help artist awards, grants, scholarships, exhibitions, arts programming, and more.
Kristi Smith, President of the Maryland Region for Howard Hughes, was the Honorary Chair for the evening. Terry N. Eberhardt, musician and Music Coordination for the Howard County Public School System, was the Emcee.
A highlight of the Celebration was the Rising Star Performing Arts Competition. Eight finalists competed for audience vote for the $5,000 award, but only Lynique Webster, who captivated the audience with her performance of “I’m Here” from The Color Purple by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, could be crowned the 2025 Rising Star. The other talented Rising Stars who performed at the Celebration were Rachel Cahoon, Musical Theatre; Emily Tate Daniel, Classical Voice; Danielle Delgado, Mariachi; Kelly Dornan, Dance; Toby Ichniowksi, Classical Voice; Robert Rocheteau, Vibraphone; Jaylin Smith, Musical Theatre.
The evening also included the presentation of the Howie Awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts in Howard County. The recipients were: Truth Thomas, Outstanding Artist; Jennifer Johannes, Outstanding Arts Educator; and Blossoms of Hope, Outstanding Community Supporter of the Arts. Two special Howie Awards were also presented: the Legacy in the Arts was presented to Doreen Falby, Founder of the Peabody Children’s Chorus and the Coleen West Leadership in the Arts Award was presented to Jaye Ayres, Visual Arts Resource Teacher for the Howard County Public School System.
Guest performers featured on stage included students from the Reservoir High School Music Department led by Dr. Greg Knauf, Choral Director, and Colin O’Bryan, Director of Orchestras, and accompanist Dr. Stephen Lay. Entertainment during the reception was provided by members of the Columbia Orchestra Jazz Band and Ric Baylor and Bliss Ananda.
17 of the county’s finest restaurants provided food for the gala and competed for Best Culinary Display. Blackwall Barn & Lodge received first place honors; Cured | 18th & 21st finished in second place; and Absolutely Perfect Catering was third. The Art Auction featured 45 local artists who contributed 60 works of art and 36 works of art were sold!
Each year proceeds from the Celebration of the Arts support grants to local arts organizations and schools (grades K-12), scholarships for emerging artists, and programs in the arts. The Arts Council extends a sincere thank you to all of the board and committee members, sponsors, guests, artists, and volunteers who made this year’s event such an overwhelming success.
For more information, please visit the Arts Council website at hocoarts.org/celebration or call (410) 313-2787.