Photo Flash: Maryland Ensemble Theatre Hosts ART PARTY MET 2013; Unveils Phoenix Rising Mural

On July 19, 2013, the Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) hosted Art Party MET, an evening of art, music, and theatre that celebrates the community of creativity and art in Frederick. Phoenix Rising unveiled a new mural for the MET lobby, a lobby that is now also adorned with the work of over a dozen of local artists. Following a performance of the show I (Am) Not My Mother, three local bands played the party into the wee hours. Scroll down for photos from the festivities!

Over the past several months the family-owned remodeling and repair business, Phoenix Rising has been donating their talents on a creative collaboration with Maryland Ensemble Theatre. At Art Party MET on the 19th the fruit of those efforts, a mural designed by MET Company/Board member JoAnn Lee and Phoenix Rising's ownerAnthony Owens was revealed. The mural features thousands of hand-cut and placed glass mosaic tiles. The abstract design covers 32 square feet and is truly a unique work of art. Phoenix Rising has a history of community collaborations in Frederick including work with Habitat For Humanity, the Frederick Food Bank, The Frederick Arts Council, and Frederick Housing Authority among others and the Maryland Ensemble Theatre is proud to count themselves among those partners.

The new mural is not the only art on display in the lobby of Maryland Ensemble Theatre. Local artists joined in the celebration as the walls of the MET lobby will be displaying their work. Pieces by Ron Young, Kai Hagen, Ed Ramsburg, David Bottini, Shayne Straytner, Andrea McCluskey, Lesa Cook, Harriet Wise, Bill Atdkins, Frank Duvall, Joe Williams, Kathleeen Stark, and Whitney Binghamamong others are shown. Each of these talented artists have donated their work to the MET for display and sale. The exhibition will be on display for one month. The proceeds from the sale will benefit Maryland Ensemble Theatre's upcoming Capital Campaign.

I Am (Not) My Mother, written by the newly minted co-producing Artistic Director of Rep Stage, Suzanne Beal, is a collage of stories, images and songs depicting the lovely and sometimes tumultuous relationships between mothers and daughters. Beal collected stories from more than 80 women all over Frederick County from the Record Street Home to a group of sixth grade girls for the source material. It made its world premiere at the MET last year and $2,000 dollars of the proceeds were donated to the Women's Giving Circle, the show has since received productions in Philadelphia and Baltimore.

After the production, the party continued with performances from three of Frederick's favorite local bands. Silent Old Mtns, the indie rock band that released their new album Naked Raccoon on June 19th will perform along with The Dead Monks, andAdrienne and the Merrylanders.

For additional information or tickets to I (Am) Not My Mother visit marylandensemble.org or call 301-694-4744.

Photo Credit: Dan Brick