PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2000

MD CITIZENS FOR THE ARTS FOUNDATION SPONSORS 5TH GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARDS AT ARTSALUTE

Baltimore, MD - The Peabody Concert Hall was packed to capacity on June 7 for the 5th biennial Governor's Arts Awards at ArtSalute. Frances Hughes Glendening's passionate announcement of this year's $9.6 million in state grants generated unrestrained applause and cheers from the entire audience, energized by a renewed state commitment to arts funding. She and Governor Parris N. Glendening were official hosts of the evening.

This year's honorees, chosen from a field of more than 70 individuals and businesses, embody the best in arts leadership. Along with their passion for bringing the arts to others, they are committed to working within their communities to foster partnerships among the arts, business and government. As the Governor stated, "these individuals and companies have brought humanity, creativity and joy to their communities. This is indeed no small accomplishment."

For his 33 years as managing director of Baltimore's nationally renowned theatre Center Stage, Peter Culman received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Upon accepting his award, Mr. Culman paid tribute to his friend and mentor, T. Edward Hambleton, in attendance that evening, and who, just one week before, accepted a Tony Award, also for lifetime achievement.

Other honorees were Helen Frederick, founder of Pyramid Atlantic, a Riverdale print and papermaking center, who received the award for Individual Artist. A 25-year educator and Director of Instrumental Music at Easton Middle School, Matt Fullerton received the award for Arts Educator. Two awards were presented for Arts Patron; one to Clement Gardiner, for his work for the Delaplaine Center in Frederick, and the other to Hagerstown's John Waltersdorf, for 18 years of service on behalf of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. Peter and Theresa Wood, owners of Woody's Crab House in North East, took home the Small Business award for their support of local artists and their county's arts council. The Large Corporation honor went to Northrop Grumman ESSS, sponsors of numerous arts events in Anne Arundel, including First Night Annapolis.

For their legislative support in the arts, Del. Nancy Kopp, Del. Pete Rawlings, Sen. Barbara Hoffmann, Sen. Robert Neall, and Sen. Ida Ruben were presented with Leadership Awards, each one designed by a Maryland artist. The Governor and First Lady were given an oil painting of Annapolis by Maryland Hall artist-in-residence, Bonnie Roth Anderson.

The evening's presentation featured musical performances by Forrest Toby, Charles Kim, and Kathleen Stapleton, a soprano from the Baltimore Opera who accompanied Kim. Both artists-in-residence at Peabody's Computer Music Department, Toby and Kim's electronic music- a blend of the virtual and classical- was broadcast worldwide last year as part of New York's New Year's Eve celebrations.

Anthony W. Deering, CEO of The Rouse Company, and George A. Roche, President of T. Rowe Price, served as co-chairs of the event.

Located in Ellicott City, Maryland Citizens for the Arts Foundation is a companion organization to Maryland Citizens for the Arts and was formed in 1989 to increase public recognition and support of the arts in Maryland through education and research.