Don't Miss the 17th Annual Celebration of the Arts Gala!

Tickets are available for Howard County’s signature event, Celebration of the Arts in Howard County, presented by Howard Bank on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at the Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, Howard Community College, Columbia, MD. Tickets can be purchased via the Celebration page of the Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) website, www.hocoarts.org; by phone at 410-313-ARTS (2787); or at the HCAC office, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Any remaining tickets will be available at the box office on the day of the event.

This year’s gala will feature a reception from 6-8 p.m. with a silent auction of artwork by local artists, culinary delights from area restaurants, and live musical performances. At 8 p.m. the Celebration continues with a 90-minute performance featuring the Rising Star Competition and the presentation of the 2013 Howie Awards! $100 tickets include the reception, silent auction and reserved seats in the Smith Theatre; $50 tickets include the reception, silent auction, and general seating in the Studio Theatre for a simulcast of the event.

The Rising Star Competition showcases ten young performing artists vying for a no-strings-attached professional development award of $5,000!  The audience will vote for their favorite performance, with the winner announced live on stage.  The ten finalists who will perform at the Celebration are Curtis Bannister, Musical Theatre; Leiland R.W. Charles, Contemporary Dance; Joe Duffey, Irish Step Dance; Steven Eddy, Classical Voice; Annie Gill, Classical Voice; Yoshiaki Horiguchi, Double Bass; Benjamin Lurye, Musical Theatre; Carolyn Rosinsky, Cello;  Maya Shivani Thakar, Classical Indian Dance; and Trent D. Williams, Jr., Contemporary Dance.

The Howie Awards honor individuals or businesses that have made a significant impact on the arts in Howard County.  The 2013 recipients are: Bruce Casteel for Outstanding Artist, Raissa Howera for Outstanding Arts Educator, and Toba Dobkin Barth for Outstanding Community Supporter of the Arts.

Kevin Kelehan, Partner with Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr, LLP and recipient of the 2012 Howie Award for Outstanding Community Supporter of the Arts, will serve as Honorary Chair for the Celebration. Richard W. Story, Senior Vice President, Community Relations and Government Affairs, and Business Development Liaison for Howard Bank, will serve as Event Emcee.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.hocoarts.org or call 410-313-ARTS (2787).