Howard County Arts Council Hosts 13th Annual Celebration, 4/24
On Saturday, April 24, nearly 700 business and arts leaders attended the Arts Council's 13th Annual Celebration of the Arts in Howard County at the Jim Rous Theatre in Columbia, Maryland. This year's annual benefit gala raised over $77,000 and an additional $80,000 in donated goods and services for the arts in Howard County.
A highlight of the evening is the 2010 Rising Star Emerging Performing Artist Awards one of the nine Rising Star finalists performing on the Rouse stage were voted by the audience to receive a "no strings attached" professional development award of $5,000. The winner was local cellist and Long Reach High School alum, Caleb Jones with his original composition, Enigmatic Ambitions.
The 2009 Howie Awards were presented onstage for outstanding leadership in the Arts in Howard County. Ronald Mutchnik, renowned violinist and UMBC graduate, received the Howie for Outstanding Artist. Director of Bands at Burleigh Manor Middle School in Ellicott City and teacher Jeffery Brodie, received the Howie for Outstanding Arts Educator. Columbia Film Society received the award for Outstanding Business Supporter of the Arts. The Arts Council also announced the 2010 Arts Scholarship Recipients: Leiland Charles, Dance, Oakland Mills High, Austin Nam, Instrumental Music, Atholton High, Emily Catherine Targonski, Instrumental Music, Mount de Sales Academy, and Alexandra Walko-Bushee, Vocal Music, Centennial High.
The crowd was also entertained by guest performers, Full Circle Dance Company, musician Patricia Hammer, a Broadway melody featuring Maya Goldman, NicKáyla, Brynn Williams, Adalia Jimenez, vocalist Ric Ryder as well as by event host Richard W. Story, CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority. Richard B. Talkin, a prominent local lawyer and avid art collector, served as honorary chair. Over 15 of the county's finest restaurants and caterers provided food and competed for Best Display ribbons. Venegas Prime Filet won the first place ribbon for Best Display. Absolutely Perfect Catering and Ranazul received Honorable Mentions. Eighty-seven local artists contributed 135 works to the silent auction guests and over eighty works of art were sold. During the early evening reception guests were entertained by The Columbia Jazz Band, The Fugitive Brass Quintet, and Bob Russell.
Proceeds from the Celebration support grants to local arts organizations and schools (grades K-12); awards for scholarships for emerging artists and participatory programs in the arts for children and adults at the Howard County Center for the Arts. The Arts Council salutes all of the sponsors, guests, artists and volunteers who made the event such an overwhelming success. For more information, call 410-313-ARTS (2787) or visit the Arts Council website: www.hocoarts.org.
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