The March 31 gala celebration to kick off the Queen Anne’s County Arts Council’s 35 year anniversary was a “solid success” said Arts Council executive director Darcey Schoeninger. The event raised over $15,000.00, but also expanded the audience base of the organization. “Board and committee members worked extremely hard to include individuals and businesses in this event. We really wanted to start our anniversary year by introducing long-standing members to new art patrons and the gala was the perfect choice for bringing everyone together.” according to Schoeninger. Held at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, the evening included silent and live auction items, dinner, dancing and music by the Paul Reed Smith Band. Smith was honored for his artistry and business acumen with the Arts Council’s first ever “Person of Note” award, an original artwork by metal artist Robert Seely.
Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown, State Senator E.J. Pipkin, and Queen Anne’s County Commissioner Steve Arentz presented proclamations recognizing Mr. Smiths’ many achievements. Additional proclamations were sent by U.S. Congressman Andy Harris, State Delegate Stephen Hershey and Maryland State Education Association.
Donations included live auction items, a PRS guitar, estate jewelry by Paula Warner of Paula’s Fine Jewelry, tickets to a Capitals game with overnight stay included by Mary and Charles Sjoquist and a wine basket including some twenty bottles of wine and wine accessories. Silent Auction items ranged from gift baskets donated by committee members to original artwork by area artists, spa packages, an antique hand-painted Victorian era fan, flight lessons and even financial consulting.
The event was sponsored by Chaney Enterprises, Priceless Industries, Inc., Maryland State Education Association, Increte Systems, TNT Jewelers, Cecile C. Weich and Kent Printing.
Additional events planned for the anniversary year are a special concert and activities for the final Thursdays in the Park performance and a visit by the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band. 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
In photo above: Betty Smith, Dennis McCoy, winner of a PRS guitar, and Paul Reed Smith
In photo at left: Jim Moran of Increte, Inc., Gala Committee member Sharon Dobson of Priceless Industries, Inc., and Bill Childs of Chaney Enterprises
In photo below: Paul Reed Smith and Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown
Photos by Coleman Sellers.