The numbers are in: Maryland Center for the Arts Raises $113,000

BEL AIR, MD – The Maryland Center for the Arts (MCA) hosted the 10th annual Dancing for the Arts Gala on June 2 at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel. First Lady Yumi Hogan served as the Honorary Chair for this year’s gala. The net proceeds from the gala were more than $113,000.

An evening filled with glitz and glamor, The Dancing for the Arts featured local celebrities and leaders who compete in a ballroom dancing competition to raise money for the Center. Funds raised at the gala will support the creation of a full-scale regional arts center that will provide access to a wide range of arts activity and programming for all ages.

“As an artist and a teacher, I strongly believe that arts education and appreciation should be easily accessible to Marylanders of all ages,” said First Lady Yumi Hogan. “I applaud the Maryland Center for the Arts on their wonderful programs and appreciate the opportunity to support their work by serving as honorary chair of this wonderful event.”

More than 300 people were in attendance including Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, among other dignitaries. Maryland Secretary of Commerce Mike Gill delivered brief remarks and presented a gubernatorial citation on behalf of the State of Maryland. Other dignitaries that attended include:

• Robert G. Cassilly, Maryland State Senator
• Mary Ann Lisanti, Maryland State Delegate
• Kathy Szeliga, Maryland State Delegate
• Angela M. Eaves, Maryland Circuit Court Judge
• Derek Hopkins, Register of Wills, Harford County
• Carol Kiple, Republican Central Committee

“It was an honor to represent Maryland’s First Lady Yumi Hogan and address the guests at the Dancing for the Arts gala,” said Secretary Gill. “The event was a very enjoyable – and very successful – way to raise funds for the Maryland Center for the Arts campus in Harford County.”

Each of the celebrity dancers learned a dance routine for the competition under the instruction of Tom Rzepnicki and Natasha Pollock from Dancing with Friends Studio. Each dancer raised money for the Maryland Center for the Arts, and a chance to earn the coveted “Top Fundraising” award. The winners of the event were:

• Top Fundraiser: Deborah Smith Williams, Howard Bank, raising $26,040
• 2nd Place Top Fundraiser: Dr. Mary Teddy Wray, Laurel Bush Family Dentistry, raising $21,430
• 3rd Place Top Fundraiser: Mary Ann Bogarty, Harford Bank, raising $14,890
• 1st Place Judges’ Choice Winner (for Dance): Dr. Rochelin Herold, Maryland Spine Institute
• 2nd Place Judges’ Choice Winner (for Dance): Dr. Carrie Houssock, Dr. James E. Vogel Plastic Surgery
• 3rd Place Judges’ Choice Winner (for Dance): Deborah Smith Williams, Howard Bank

“I am unbelievably grateful to everyone who made this event possible, including our many sponsors, the Maryland Center for the Arts staff and board, and the gala planning committee,” said Dr. Mary Teddy Wray, Laurel Bush Family Dentistry and gala co-chair. “I would like to give special recognition to the celebrity dancers who worked incredibly hard to learn their dances and raise money for the Center for the Arts.”

Celebrity judges of the evening’s performances include The Honorable Angela Eaves, Circuit Court for Harford County; Mary Gill, Prominent arts advocate; John Davis, host of the Maryland Public Television series MotorWeek; Sandra Perez, Towson University Department of Dance; Debbie Phelps, BCPS Education Foundation; Catherine Pugh, Baltimore City Mayor; and John-John Williams, The Baltimore Sun.

The event also featured a special dance performance by The John Carroll College Preparatory Dance Program, as well as special dance in honor of First Lady Yumi Hogan presented by Tom Rzepnicki and Natasha Pollock.

This month, the Emily Bayless Graham trust and the Board of the Maryland Center for the Arts asked Harford County to convey the 41.3-acre property back to the trust of Emily Bayless Graham at the June 5 Harford County Council meeting. The request was approved, pending approval by the Board of Estimates.

“In order for us to get the necessary financing to move this project forward, we needed the county to convey the property back to the trust and the Maryland Center for the Arts.” said Toby Musser, Chairman of the Maryland Center for the Arts Board of Trustees. “We are looking forward to turning our dreams of this campus into reality.”

Set on 41 acres of woods in Harford County with easy access to I-95, the new arts campus will house a world-class amphitheater, art studios, classrooms, and other resources to nurture the state’s vibrant arts community. The project is highly supported by the state government and Governor Hogan approved $1.2 million in last year’s state budget to support the project.

For more information about the event or sponsorship information, please visit www.mdcfa.org.

About the Maryland Center for the Arts

The Maryland Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, Inc. (MCA) is dedicated to the establishment of an arts center, accessible to all, to nurture art, artists and the community by providing a broad range of creative and collaborative experiences through quality arts education, presentation and exhibit in the disciplines of music, dance, theater, and the visual, traditional and literary arts. The venue will also be used for public and private events both large and small. Learn more at www.mdcfa.org.