More than 400 guests helped raise over $100,000 to support the arts in Howard County on Oct. 24 at the Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center at Howard Community College.
The 29th annual Howard County Arts Council’s Celebration of the Arts grossed around $119,000 and had another $58,000 in donated goods and services.
Over the event’s 29-year history it has raised more than $2 million, all of it reinvested into the community to advance the arts. The proceeds have supported artist awards, grants, scholarships, exhibitions, arts programming, and more.
Christa Kerrigan, principal architect for Michael Graves, was the evening’s honorary chair. Terry N. Eberhardt, musician and music coordinator for the Howard County Public School System, was the event’s emcee.
During the Rising Star Performing Arts Competition, eight finalists competed for the audience’s vote and a $5,000 award. The Boundless Basses, the double bass duo Zach Desmond and Eric Liu, won the audience over with their performance of “Tres Tangos Para Duo de Contrabajos” by Andres Martin. Their talent earned them the title of 2026 Rising Stars. The other finalists who performed at the Celebration were Lisa Choi (Flute), Samuel Hsu (Vibraphone), Claire Marguerite Iverson (Classical Voice), Glory John (Dance), Junwen Liang (Piano), and Lydia You (Oboe).
The Celebration also included presenting the Howie Awards to those who have made significant contributions to the arts in Howard County. This year’s recipients included Elizabeth Higgens as Outstanding Artist, Tammy Suggon as Outstanding Arts Educator, and Harry S. Glass as Outstanding Community Supporter of the Arts. A special Howie Award was also presented: the Coleen West Leadership in the Arts Award was presented to Liz Henzey, director of the Columbia Association Art Center.
Students from Centennial High School and Guildford Park High School performed on stage during the Celebration. During the reception, members of Maryland Winds Woodwind Quintet and classical guitarist Bruce Casteel provided music.
There were 19 culinary sponsors who provided food for the gala and competed for Best Culinary Display. Cured | 18th & 21st received first-place honors; Blackwall Barn & Lodge/Smashing Grapes finished in second place; and The Collective Offshore and Encore placed third.
The Art Auction spotlighted 35 local artists, who contributed 45 works of art, 32 of which were sold. Proceeds from the Celebration of the Arts support grants to local arts organizations and schools (grades K-12, scholarships for emerging artists, and arts programming. See the Arts Council website for more information on how to support the Howard County’s arts community and how to get involved as an artist.
