February 8, 2008
IN BRIEF: TOURISM, FILM AND THE ARTS NEWS

Governor announces Individual Artist Awards
Governor Martin O’Malley announced yesterday that 97 Maryland artists were selected to receive Individual Artist Awards totaling $250,000 from the Department of Business and Economic Development’s Maryland State Arts Council. The artists competed for $1,000, $3,000 and $6,000 awards in nine categories: Dance Solo Performance, Fiction, Media, Solo Instrumental Performance, Solo Vocal Performance, Solo Theatre Performance, Computer Arts, Photography and Sculpture. “We are fortunate to have so many talented artists within Maryland’s borders,” said Governor O’Malley. “The Individual Artist Awards celebrate their accomplishments, while providing them with resources to continue their creative pursuits.”

Office of Tourism Development promotes Black History Month
Maryland offers an array of cultural attractions and heritage sites that showcase African-American history. Just in Baltimore alone, the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center hosts concerts, a gallery and performing arts classes. The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum features more than 100 life-size wax figures. And, Sports Legends at Camden Yards has a display related to Negro baseball leagues of the past. In Howard County, the African Art Museum of Maryland and the Howard County Center of African-American Culture (both in Columbia) feature heritage exhibits.

Photo courtesy of EubieBlake.org

Step Up 2 premieres Valentine’s Day
The sequel to the 2006 surprise hit movie Step Up will open in theatres across the country, Thursday, February 14. Maryland’s film production rebate program was an incentive for the movie’s production company to return to the area. Staff at the state’s Film Office worked with the movie’s cast and crew in the summer and fall of 2007. Those who saw the original movie, an uplifting story about teen dancers, may recall that it featured the fictitious Maryland School for the Arts. The sequel includes footage of Fells Point's "Rec Pier," Baltimore's subway and the I-395 overpass in South Baltimore, where the grand finale was shot.

New center for visual artists to open in Hagerstown
A working center for visual arts with more than 30 new artist’s studios will open this March or April in downtown Hagerstown. The studios—to be available for lease—are on the upper floors of the former Schindle-Rohrer building on South Potomac Street. Individual studios range from 100 to 200 square feet. Monthly rental fees start at about $200. Additional studios will be equipped for pottery-making with shared kilns and materials storage. The Washington County Arts Council, one of Maryland’s 24 community arts agencies supported through the Community Arts Development program, is a partner in the project.

Tubman byway seeks volunteers for board
The advisory committee that guides development of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway in Dorchester and Caroline counties is looking for volunteers to join its board of directors. The byway runs 125 miles, from Cambridge to Bucktown in Dorchester County, then north through Caroline County to the Delaware line. These two counties, along with the Office of Tourism Development and the State Highway Administration unveiled a management plan last fall. The committee is now preparing an “All-American Road” nomination for the byway -- the highest designation given by the Federal Highway Administration, indicating a byway is one of the elite byways in the nation.
For information on joining the board, call Natalie Chabot, Director, Caroline County Office of Tourism, 410-479-0655, or Amanda Fenstermaker, Director, Dorchester County Tourism, 410-228-1000.

IN THE NEWS:

Smith Island serves up “state dessert”
Members of the Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council, the Somerset County Office of Tourism and Delmarva Low-Impact Tourism Experiences delivered 450 slices of Smith Island cake to legislators in Annapolis on January 21 as part of their quest to have the cake named Maryland’s “state dessert.” An Associated Press article about the campaign appeared in newspapers across the country. Local radio and television stations also picked up the story. Smith Island cakes generally include eight to 10 layers of alternating cake (can be a variety of flavors) and frosting.
Photo courtesy of SmithIsland.org

Arts program for youth garners national award
First lady Laura Bush presented the “Coming Up Taller Award” to Baltimore’s Youthlight Photography Project at the Hampden Family Center in a White House ceremony on January 28. Maryland State Arts Council board members Dania Blair and Malinda Small attended the ceremony. Youthlight provides middle and high school students with quality photographic instruction during after-school sessions. It’s one of 15 national award winners selected from 350 applicants. The award also comes with a $10,000 grant. “Coming Up Taller” is an initiative of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities that recognizes exemplary programs for promoting the creative and intellectual development of American youth.

Maryland resort wins wine magazine award
Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort in Western Maryland has received Wine Enthusiast’s Award of Distinction. Recognized as a AAA Four Diamond property for seven straight years, Rocky Gap earned the magazine’s praise for offering one of the most wine-friendly restaurants in the United States – Lakeside Restaurant, which overlooks pristine Lake Habeeb. The resort is home to the state’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature-designed golf course.

Tax credits keep Trimper’s on Ocean City Boardwalk
WBAL Radio and the Associated Press reported that Trimper’s Rides and Amusements, an Ocean City landmark, will be eligible for tax relief by virtue of the “historically operated” park designation.

Officials propose arts district in Annapolis
An article in the Baltimore Sun, February 3, related how Annapolis officials intend to transform a section of the town into an arts and entertainment district that would use tax incentives to bring in art-based businesses and artists.

UPCOMING EVENT:

TV documentary shows Southern Maryland attractions
Prince Among Slaves, a documentary that airs on public television this month, includes footage that was filmed in City Historic St. Mary's City and at the Sotterley Plantation in St. Mary’s County. The show tells the story of an African prince who survived 40 years of enslavement in America before regaining his freedom and becoming one of the most famous men of his day. Narrated by actor and hip-hop artist Mos Def, the production won “Best Documentary” at the 2007 American Black Film Festival. Watch for this film on MPT, February 13 at 11:00 p.m.