Ryan Squires, has joined the HoCo Arts team as the new Education & Programs Assistant! Ryan is a theater maker, educator and Howard County native who is thrilled to be giving back to his community in this role. He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 2024 with a degree in Theater and English with a concentration in playwriting. He has worked as the Education Coordinator and Lead Stage Manager for Compass Rose Theater in Annapolis as well as serving as Assistant Camp Director and teaching artist for HoCo Arts Summer camps for multiple years. In his current position he administers the summer camp program as well as any and all seasonal class offerings, workshops, drop-in sessions and education-oriented community partnerships. Welcome Ryan!
Paint It! Ellicott City‘s 2025 Juror is Crystal Moll, a plein air painter and gallery owner. After earning her BFA from Moore College of Art & Design, Moll moved to Baltimore in the late 1980’s and has been working as a full-time fine artist ever since. She paints mostly cityscapes and works directly from life. In 2009 she opened a gallery in Federal Hill and moved the gallery to the Arts District in Highlandtown in 2023. The Crystal Moll gallery showcases her work along with the work of local artists and offers a distinct selection of plein air art paintings, limited edition signed prints, tiles, and posters of Baltimore’s urban landscape in addition to custom framing.
We’re thrilled to share that long-time staff members Mary K. Baxter and Miles Warren have recently transitioned into new roles at the Arts Council! Mary now serves as Deputy Director: Development & Community Engagement, a pivotal position that encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, including development, donor relations, and overseeing the annual Celebration of the Arts.
Miles has moved into the role of Art Center Director, where he is responsible for overseeing educational programs, exhibits, and rental programming at the Center for the Arts, along with other key tasks.
Both Mary and Miles bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their positions, ensuring the Arts Council’s operations continue to run smoothly and efficiently. Congratulations to them both!
Learn more about the HoCo Arts Team
HCAC’s Arts Chat
December 18 at 1pm
HCAC’s ARTS CHAT is a monthly virtual meeting aimed at bringing together Howard County’s arts organizations and presenters. Join us and discuss our successes and challenges. Registration is required. To participate, click the link to register. Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the meeting.
HCAC’s Arts Chat
December 18 at 1pm
HCAC’s ARTS CHAT is a monthly virtual meeting aimed at bringing together Howard County’s arts organizations and presenters. Join us and discuss our successes and challenges. Registration is required. To participate, click the link to register. Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the meeting.
New Resident Studio Artist – Esteban Benson
Esteban Benson is a self-taught fine artist based in Howard County, specializing in portraits, working in pen, pencil, charcoal, watercolor, and acrylic. His inspiration comes from his own personal life experiences and focuses primarily on themes of duality and/or the contrast between two concepts and/or aspects of something.
Like all of us, Esteban is shaped by his life journey. Diagnosed with ADHD, his condition has not only affected the way he perceives the world but has also become an integral part of his identity. It wasn’t until he learned to embrace the imperfections of his situation that he could see the beauty within it. Now, as a recovering alcoholic, Esteban continues to reshape his perspective and accept the elements that define who he is. Though difficult, he believes that often, the very challenges we try to avoid are the ones that lead to our growth and salvation.
Road to the Arts 2024
September 20-22
Discover Howard County’s eclectic visual arts scene during Road to the Arts weekend. Participating galleries will host special events and exhibits throughout Howard County. The Arts Council will be hosting a closing exhibit reception for Connected Places and Compulsory Measures on September 20, 6-8pm. Complete details can be found in our Road to the Arts map, which also includes the locations for ARTsites, our annual public art exhibit. For a free copy, go here or email info@hocoarts.org.
Howard County Flag Redesign
Howard County is giving its 50-year-old flag a fresh new look, and the response has been fantastic! The Flag Commission has received nearly 200 designs from 100 talented community members.
There will be a public hearing on September 30 at 6 p.m. at the George Howard Building, where you can share your thoughts on the proposed designs with members of the Flag Commission. Designs will be put to a public vote this fall, with the finalists revealed by winter 2025. Don’t miss your chance to explore all the creative submissions here.
$300K Arts Capital Grant
The Arts Council is thrilled to announce that we were recently awarded a $300k Arts Capital grant from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) to support renovations at the Historic Circuit Courthouse in Ellicott City where we will be relocating to in 2025.
This funding will support the renovation and repurposing of two courtrooms into a flexible community black box theatre that will be available to local arts groups and presenters to rent through our facility rental program. This new location offers expanded parking, access to public transportation, and proximity to the thriving business community of Old Ellicott City.
MSAC’s Arts Capital grant program was made through legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2021 allocating $3,000,000 per year for five years (FY24-FY29) to be distributed as grants to eligible arts organizations. These funds, distributed through the Arts Capital grant, provide eligible organizations with state capital funding for projects that improve or produce a complete, usable, and accessible arts facility.
New Resident Studio Artist Jillian Roper
Jillian Roper is a printmaker and an art educator. She received her BFA and MAT from the Maryland Institute College of Art and is currently pursuing an MFA in Printmaking at Towson University. With a career spanning 24 years as an art educator in Howard County, she has influenced countless students, fostering creativity and a love for the arts in her community. Her intricate, nature-inspired block prints have been showcased in galleries and businesses both in the U.S. and abroad. She is the sole owner and operator of Jump Jack Studio, a small business showcasing her art. You can find out more about Jillian and her work by visiting www.jumpjackstudio.com. Welcome to the Center, Jillian!