Montgomery County Recognizes Excellence in Arts and Humanities

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD – On November 6, Montgomery County recognized community and cultural leaders for their inspiring achievements and work in the local arts and humanities community at the 16th Annual County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities. During the awards ceremony at Round House Theatre, County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett, along with Mrs. Catherine Leggett, honored eight award winners with the most prestigious awards conferred to individual artists, scholars, organizations, and cultural patrons in Montgomery County.

“This is truly one of my favorite events of the year. I get to pay tribute to some unbelievably talented and generous people and organizations,” said Ike Leggett, County Executive. “These individuals have made remarkable contributions in creativity and commitment to advance the arts and humanities in Montgomery County. They truly deserve our praise and admiration.”

Eric Siegel, Board Chair of the Arts and Humanities Council, and Susan Jenkins, CEO of the Arts and Humanities Council, presided over the evening’s ceremony alongside Mr. and Mrs. Leggett. “Art speaks to each of us personally. Yet at the same time, we create a shared community by experiencing it together,” said Seigel. “As we celebrate these awesomely creative individuals and organizations in our community, we hope to fill everyone with inspiration and a shared sense of community.”

One of the evening’s top honors, the Lifetime Achievement Award, was presented to Muriel "Mimi" Hom of Opera International, who shared her thanks and reflected on her work and life of service through the arts.“Throughout my life, I have been blessed to receive help from many sources,” said Hom. “With such help all my life, I in turn have devoted my life to helping others.”

Phillip Brown of the Montgomery County Woodturners received the Lifetime Impact Award. He reflected on his founding of Montgomery County Woodturners and the impact it made on his life and the community. “This award is a wonderful surprise and greatly appreciated,” said Brown. “I am elated and honored all these years later to have been the catalyst who brought everyone together and provided encouragement to engage in outreach and educational endeavors throughout the county.”

Event performances included Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras of Strathmore, Flying V Theatre, Metropolitan Youth Ballet, Bel Cantanti Opera, Jazz Encounters, and a screening from Gandhi Brigade Youth Media.

2017 award recipients include:

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Muriel "Mimi" Hom, Opera International
• Lifetime Impact Award: Phillip Brown, Montgomery County Woodturners
• Business or Individual Patron Award: Michael Angell, Paul. M Angell Family Foundation
• Community Award: Allison Weiss, Sandy Spring Museum
• Education Award: CREATE Arts Center
• Emerging Leader Award: Cassie Meador, Dance Exchange
• Outstanding Artist or Scholar Award: Chelsey Green, Recording Artist, The Green Project
• Volunteer Award: Elli Swink, Damascus Theatre Company

Photos from the evening can be viewed here.
Photo Courtesy of the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County