Tickets Now On Sale for Howard County Arts Council's Celebration of the Arts

Tickets are available for Howard County's signature event, Celebration of the Arts in Howard County, on Saturday, March 23, 2013 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 presentation featuring the Rising Star Competition and the 2012 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 the simulcast.

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 MaryLee Adams, Musical Theatre; Mary Matthews & Melissa Wertheimer, Dahlia Flute Duo; James Ginnever, Musical Theatre; Rebecca Hargrove, Classical Voice; Margaret Kudirka, Dance; Shawn Naar, Monologue; Woobin Park, Piano; Margo Seibert, Musical Theatre; Tian Lu & Yury Shadrin, Shadrin & Lu Piano Duo; and Jennifer Sung, Classical Voice.

The Howie Awards honor individuals or businesses that have made a significant impact on the arts in Howard County. The 2012 recipients are: Bruce Nelson for Outstanding Artist, Shawn Costello for Outstanding Arts Educator, and Kevin Kelehan for Outstanding Community Supporter of the Arts. This year, HCAC will also honor Pat and Steve Teller with a special Legacy in the Arts Award.

Howard Community College President Dr. Kathleen Hetherington will serve as Honorary Chair at this year's gala, and Richard W. Story, Senior Vice President for Marketing, JPB Enterprises, Inc. will serve as Event Emcee.

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