On Thursday, June 21, 2012, the Howard County Arts Council will host a special reception in conjunction with the Columbia Festival of the Arts. The reception will be held from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Howard County Center for the Arts and will feature two gallery exhibits as well as an improv showcase and open artists' studios.
Performances by All County Improv and What Improv Group?!?! will take place in the black box theatre from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Founded in the summer of 2007 by Sally Livingston and Pam Land, and under the direction of award-winning professional actor Bruce Nelson, All County Improv's mission is to create a dynamic 24-member improvisation team of Howard County high school theatre arts students. Arts Collective's What Improv Group?!?! (W.I.G.) officially began its on-stage journey in February 2009. Performing primarily at Howard Community College, W.I.G. offers a new and unique take on improv and storytelling.
The featurEd Gallery exhibits areResident Visual Artists 2012 in Gallery I, showcasing recent works from HCAC's resident artists, and Elements Within in Gallery II, a pairing of ceramicist Brenda Townsend-Kollman's raku vessels with abstract paintings by mixed-media artist Michael Spears. Resident Artists' studios will also be open to visitors from 7–8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
The exhibits opened May 4, 2012 and will run through June 24, 2012.Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday 12 – 4 p.m.