This year the Queen Anne’s County Arts Council celebrates 35 years of service to the community. Anniversary committee members have made extensive plans to mark the event throughout the year and the first effort is a gala at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club on March 31.

“Our organization relies on the good will and interest of our community,” said Darcey Schoeninger, Executive Director of the Queen Anne’s County Arts Council. “We have been fortunate to thrive in the county, due in large part to the support of our members, visitors, volunteers, business partnerships and, of course, fundraising efforts and events we present,” she said.

The gala kicks off a year of celebration and Arts Council board members will announce plans for the anniversary year and honor the first “Person of Note” designee; businessman and musician Paul Reed Smith. Smith’s company, PRS Guitars, moved from Annapolis to Stevensville in the late 1990’s and became the largest private employer in the county. Al Di Meola, Carlos Santana and Dave Navarro are just some of the musicians who perform with his guitars.

The event includes dinner, music by the Paul Reed Smith Band, a select silent auction, and dancing. Committee coordinators Mary Sjoquist, Diana Saquella and Audrey Scott, and planning committee members Biana Arentz, Susan Bastress, Renee Carter, Kathy Kowalski, Lea Brooks, Sharon Dobson, Ron Franks, Jennifer Franks, Sharon Lipsius, Anne Welsh, Champe McCulloch, Mary Jo McCulloch, Alisa Pipkin, Charles Sjoquist, Rick Strittmater, Merry Tobin and Sheila Tolliver are planning an evening to remember for everyone.

Tickets are $150 and a portion of the proceeds are tax deductible. Tickets are now on sale and benefit the Arts Council’s programs and service. Will call and advance sales only through Friday, March 23. For details, contact the Arts Council at 410-758-2520 or arts4u@arts4u.info. The Arts Council is a nonprofit organization supported in part by a grant by the Maryland State Arts Council www.msac.org