Richard B. Talkin to Serve as Honorary Chair of 13th Annual 'Celebration of the Arts' in Howard County, 4/24

The Howard County Arts Council has announced that Richard B. Talkin, a prominent local lawyer and avid art collector, will serve as honorary chair of the 13th annual Celebration of the Arts in Howard County. The Celebration, presented by the Arts Council, will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 from 6:00 - 10:00 pm at The Jim Rouse Theatre for the Performing Arts in Columbia. Richard W. Story, Executive Director of the Howard County Economic Development Authority, will emcee the program.

Last year, Talkin was also in the spotlight on the Celebration stage where he accepted the Arts Council's Howie Award for Outstanding Business Supporter of the Arts. Talkin, a land-use lawyer, opened his law office in 1968. Today, he practices out of the Talkin and Oh office, located in historic Dorsey Hall in Ellicott City. Throughout, he has been active in the non-profit community, where he prefers to work behind the scenes, contributing his time, expertise and resources to forging partnerships, spearheading fundraising campaigns and preparing governance and policies for both large and small organizations alike. Talkin is a serious art collector and takes a special interest in supporting the careers of Howard County artists. His collection exceeds 100 works of art and includes fine examples of such leading local artists as Jim Adkins, Joan Bevelaqua, Aline Feldman and Linda Press. The Richard Talkin Collection was featured in The Rouse Company Foundation Gallery at Howard Community College in August - September 2009.

The Celebration is the Arts Council's major source of annual corporate support. In 12 years, the event has raised $877,622; proceeds from the event not only underwrite the event but provide the Arts Council with the resources necessary to fund grants to organizations and to offer arts programs all year round. Celebration 2010 will feature the ever-popular Rising Star competition for emerging performing artists. The winner of the competition will receive a $5,000 professional development award. Other highlights include a reception featuring a silent auction of visual art work, performances, culinary delights from two dozen distinctive Howard County restaurants, and the Howie Awards, which recognize individuals and businesses for their significant contributions to the arts.

Sponsorships and volunteer opportunities are available. Tickets are $75 and $50. For more information, call 410.313.ARTS (2787) or visit www.hocoarts.org.